" he exclaimed, turning to Dick, "we're getting on
like a house afire. He says his name is Adoni, and he asks who I am.
Isn't that right, old golden image?"

The "old golden image" looked a trifle nonplussed for a moment, but
presently repeated his last performance; upon which Earle remarked:

"Of course, I knew I wasn't mistaken. You sir," pointing, "are named
Adoni--" The officer nodded. "And I," he continued pointing to himself,
"am named Earle--_Earle_. You get that?"

"Adoni," replied the officer, pointing to himself, "Earle"--pointing to
the owner of the name.

"Right!" agreed Earle. "You are a quite intelligent guy, if I may be
permitted to say so. And this youngster's name is Dick--Dick. That's
easy enough to remember, isn't it?"

"Adoni," replied the officer, again pointing to himself. "Earle--Dick,"
pointing first to one and then the other.

"Sure!" exclaimed Earle, delighted with the progress which he considered
he was making. "I knew there must be a way of making you understand."
And he proceeded to explain all over again, and speaking very slowly,
with plenty of gesture, his desire that he and his party might be
allowed to pass through the gate and visit the city of Ulua. It was a
tedious and lengthy process, but apparently it was in the end attended
with a certain measure of success, for eventually the officer shouted an
order, the gate was thrown open, and, taking Dick and Earle each by an
arm, Adoni led the pair through. Inaguy and the other Indians, who had
grounded their burdens while the long colloquy was proceeding, hastened
to resume them and follow the white men, but before they could do so
their leaders were inside, and the gate was bolted and barred upon them.

Taken by surprise for the moment, Earle did not realise what was
happening until it was too late; but the instant that he did so he broke
free from Adoni's grasp and dashed up a flight of steps, which he saw a
little ahead of him, and which he rightly guessed led up to the parapet.
Arrived there he brushed aside the sentinel, who half-heartedly sought
to bar his way and, rushing to the parapet, ordered Inaguy and the rest
to remain where they were, and on no account to think of departing, for
he would certainly arrange, sooner or later, for their admission. Then
he calmly descended and surrendered himself to the astonished and
somewhat amused Adoni, who said a few words which sounded as though they
were intended to be re