t the entrance of Eden to prohibit the return of our first
parents,--though I am very certain that the idea must have been original
so far as the Australian necromancer--for such, we concluded, was the
character assumed by the being we saw before us--was concerned. He must
have been a bold fellow, to endeavour thus to practise on the supposed
credulity of the white men, for a shot from one of our rifles might
quickly have put an end to his performances; but, of course, we did not
for a moment think of firing at him.

"What can be the object of that extraordinary-looking character?" I
asked, as I got close up to Mudge.

"A trick of the natives, I conclude, to try and frighten us," he
answered. "Perhaps, as they know that they cannot compete with our
firearms, they are trying to awe us with an exhibition of their magic
powers; and that old fellow there is evidently acting the part of a
sorcerer. I should suspect him to be our friend Naggernook, had I not
seen him fast asleep in his camping-place when I last passed round that
way. Just you go and see whether he is still there, Godfrey, while I
keep an eye on the fantastic-looking personage out there."

Moving cautiously, I made my way towards the spot where our visitors had
gone to rest; and there, to the best of my belief, they were all three
still fast asleep. I returned to Mudge, who had not moved, he being
curious to watch the proceedings of the sorcerer.

"Rouse up Pullingo," he said, "and let us see what account he has to
give when he sees yonder scarecrow."

I found our black guide sleeping in his usual place near Paddy Doyle.
While I was waking him, Paddy started up.

"There is an extraordinary-looking character playing off some trick or
other not far from this, and we want to see what the black thinks about
him," I said; "try and make him understand that we are not in the
slightest degree frightened, and only want to know what can be his
object in placing himself there."

"But suppose it is a real ghost? For the love of Heaven, don't be after
offending him," said Paddy in a low whisper; "there are such things in
the old country, and none but a haythen man would think of doubting it.
So do, Masther Godfrey dear, take care what you are about."

Paddy having thus delivered himself, tried to make Pullingo understand
that we had seen something extraordinary near the camp; and not without
some hesitation did he accompany Paddy and me to where I had left M