re
of treasure, therefore it was not surprising that there was no outlet in
that direction.

No, we should be compelled to repass the brute. This fact I explained to
Liola, but it in no way disconcerted her, for she crept past the
snapping jaws of the furious beast calmly, holding the treasured Rock
Diadem close beside her. Presently, on making a diligent search, we
discovered a long dark tunnel running at right angles to the path we had
traversed, and following this ascended to where a faint but welcome
glimmer of light showed. Soon we were in a small natural cavern, and a
few moments later struggled upward to the light of day, amazed to find
ourselves on the bank of a beautiful river. At our feet the clear cool
water ran by, placid and peaceful, but away across the grass-plain about
half a mile distant was the once-powerful city of Koussan, enveloped in
black smoke that ascended to the clear blue heavens, mingled with great
flames, the fierce roar of which reached our ears where we stood.

The vengeance of Mo had indeed overtaken her Arab enemy, and completely
crushed him.

CHAPTER XXXV.

INTO THE MIST.

OUR troops had, we found, withdrawn from the burning city and were
encamped about a mile away, taking a well-earned rest, and watching with
satisfaction the destruction of the once powerful capital of the "Pirate
of the Niger." The presence of Liola, together with the announcement of
the discovery of the treasure of the Sanoms, that we made to Kona
secretly, caused him the wildest delight. His barbaric instinct overcame
him, and seizing his spear he executed a kind of war-dance around us,
bestowing upon us the most adulatory phrases of the Dagomba vocabulary.
Afterwards he addressed the assembled soldiers, omitting at my desire
all mention of the jewels of Mo, and three days later, having secured all
the gems and golden ornaments, together with Samory's hidden wealth, we
set forth on our triumphant return to the mysterious far-off land.

Rapidly and pleasantly we accomplished the long journey, re-crossing the
treacherous Way of the Thousand Steps without a single mishap, and
ascended to the lofty plateau of Omar's kingdom until, high up in the
grey morning mist, we saw looming before us with almost spectral
indistinctness the gigantic battlements and domes of the City in the
Clouds. On ascending the rope steps at the Gate of Mo a few days
previously we had ascertained that the expedition to the Hombori