s frenzy of their companions, we were fortunate
enough to be enabled to descend to the base of the rock, where once again
the impenetrable darkness hid, although at the same time it hampered, our
movements.

For a few moments at least we were safe, and paused to recover breath. My
arm was bleeding profusely where it had been severely grazed by a sharp
edge of rock in our headlong flight, and the white garments of all three
of us were soiled and torn. But our halt was not of long duration, for
suddenly we heard whispers and the sound of stealthy footsteps in the
darkness.

We listened breathlessly.

"Hark!" cried Omar. "Our pursuers are here also, and are looking for
us!"

"Let us hide behind yonder rock," Kona suggested, in a half-whisper.

"No, let us creep forward," answered the son of the Great White Queen.
"They will search every crevice and hiding-place now the hue-and-cry has
been raised," and glancing up I saw a black stream of excited
worshippers, many with torches that in the distance shone like moving
stars, already pouring down over the rock in our direction like a line of
ants descending a wall.

Every moment brought them nearer upon us; every instant increased our
peril. Even though we were in the great chasm, the true extent of which
we could not distinguish, we knew not by what means we could escape
upward to the blessed light of day.

Forward we crept cautiously, in obedience to Omar's instructions, but ere
a couple of minutes had elapsed it was evident that the watchful ones who
had heard the shouting from above and noticed the pursuit had discovered
our whereabouts, for just as we had noiselessly passed a huge boulder, a
man in white robe and turban sprang upon us from behind.

"Look out, Kona!" cried Omar, his quick eyes discerning the man's cloak
in the darkness ere I noticed his presence.

Next second, however, the head-man of the Dagombas and the stranger were
locked in deadly embrace, notwithstanding that the man who had approached
cried aloud to us for mercy.

Kona with drawn sword had gripped the man's throat with his long black
fingers, when suddenly we heard a gasping cry: "Stay thine hand! Dost
thou not recognize thy benefactor?"

"Hold!" shouted Omar, the words causing him to turn and run back to
where the pair were struggling. "Knowest thou not the voice? Why, it is
Goliba!"

And it was Goliba! Instantly the black giant released the man who he
believed intended to arrest our