Frank now endeavored to explain to her that he had a white companion
in the woods, but the woman, not understanding, brought in two or
three other natives, who stood round the couch and endeavored to
gather what he wished to say.
Frank held up two fingers. Then he pointed to himself and shut down
one finger, keeping the other erect, and then pointed all round
to signify that he had a friend somewhere in the wood. A grin of
comprehension stole over the faces of the negroes, and Frank saw
that he was understood.
Then he again held up his two fingers, and taking the hands of the
negress raised all her fingers by the side of the white ones to
signify that there were many natives with them. Then he took aim,
with an imaginary gun, up at the roof of the hut, and said "Bang"
very loud, and a chorus of approving laughter from the negroes
showed that he was understood. Then one of them pointed towards
the various points of the compass, and looked interrogatively at
Frank. The sun was streaming in through the doorway, and he was
thus able to judge of the direction in which the camp must lie. He
made a sweep with his hand towards the northwest, signifying that
they were somewhere in that direction.
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