untless and overwhelming
assailants. Of those who hear it, the superstitious natives huddle
together, and trembling in every limb, too scared even to bolt, stand
bunched like a flock of bewildered sheep. All save a few, that is, for
those immediately in attendance on the leaders come of more virile
nationality. Even the two white men are conscious of a wave or
superstitious fear thrilling through their veins, possibly the result of
climate and condition.

"Sidi," whispers Somala, impressively, indicating the direction whence
proceeds the horrible sound, "the village is yonder. Mushad has been
there, and that is the voice of the dead."

"Not so. It is the voice of some one or something very much alive,"
answers the leader. "And I intend to find out all about it. Eh,
doctor?"

"Why, of course."

"Those who are men and not cowards, come with me," says the leader,
shortly.

Not a man of his armed followers hangs back. Even the frightened
porters, in terror at being left to themselves in this demon-haunted
place, will not stay behind; for, like all natives of an inferior sort,
the presence of a resolute white man is to them a potent rallying
influence.

Soon the forest opens out again, and there, in the moonlight before
them, lie the thatched roofs of a considerable village. Again peals
forth that awful, blood-curdling scream, proceeding right from among
those primitive dwellings.

"Come along! Let's make a dash for it!" warns the leader, under the
natural impression that some human victim is being barbarously done to
death at the hands of its inhabitants. His swarthy followers do not
share this opinion, their own pointing to the supernatural, but they
will go with him anywhere.

Even as they advance, quickly but cautiously, the leaders are wondering
that no volley of firearms or spears greets them. There is something of
lifelessness about the place, however, which can be felt and realised
even before they are near enough for the scattered skulls and bones to
tell their own tale. Now they are through the stockade, and now, rising
from right in front of them, peals forth that awful scream once more,
and with it a most horrible chorus of snapping and growling and
snarling. And rounding the corner of one of the primitive buildings the
whole explanation lies before them. A weird and terrible sight the
broad moonlight reveals.

In front of one of the huts is a human figure. Yet, can it be? It is
tha