known to both parties

"No, _bwana_, that cannot be, for they carry a _barua_. They came from a white man." "That is strange, very strange," said Kingozi quickly. "I do not understand. Is there water near where we stand?" "There is the water of the place we called _Campi ya Korungu_ when we passed before." "Make camp there." "The sun is at four hours[13], _bwana_." [Footnote 13: 10:00 o'clock.] "It makes no difference." When camp had been pitched Kingozi caused the new messengers to be brought before him. A few moments' questioning elicited two facts: one, that there existed no medium of communication known to both parties; two, that the strangers were from some part of the Congo basin. The latter conclusion Kingozi gained from catching a few words of a language root known to him. He stretched his hand for the letter. It was in a long linen envelope, unsealed, and unembossed. Not from the government. He unfolded the sheets of paper and ran his fingers over the pages. Written in pencil; he could feel the indentations where the writer had borne down. Some private individual writing him from camp on the Congo side. Who could it be? Kingozi's Central African acquaintance was wide; he knew most of the gentlemen adventurers roaming through that land of fascination. A good many were not averse to ivory poaching; and the happy hunting ground of ivory poaching was at that time the French Congo. It might be any of them. But how could they know of his whereabouts in this unknown country? And how could they know he was in this country at all? These last two points seemed to him important. Suddenly he threw his head back and laughed aloud. "Self-centred egotist!" he addressed himself. "Cazi Moto, tell Bibi-ya- chui I wish to see her." Cazi Moto departed to return immediately with the Leopard Woman who, at this hour, was still in her marching clothes. If she felt any surprise at this early abandonment of the day's march she did not show it. Two _askaris_, confided with the task of guarding her, followed a few paces to the rear. She glanced curiously at the bushy savages.