up at the spear-armed giant as if he were their king.

"Not hurt," cried Mak, and he stepped lightly about, pointing with his
spear at first one and then another of the little black tribe. "Come,
look," he shouted; and the boys shouldered their pieces, while Mak
pointed with his spear to first one and then another, and then stopped
to pat them on the back. "Mark, look," he said; "Dean, look!" And he
took hold of one of them by the arm and turned him round as if to show
him off as a curious specimen of humanity, while the little fellow
submitted with a calm look of sufferance and submission.

Mak seemed never tired of showing off his find, and ended by stretching
out his strong arm and catching at and dragging forward one of the tiny
women, who shrank trembling as she cowered and gazed up at the to her
huge giant who was treating her as a prisoner.

The tiny woman's companions looked on solemnly and made no sign of
resistance, while the Illaka cropped on one knee and drew his little
prisoner towards tie two boys, who looked on, full of curiosity, Mak's
captive shrinking and trembling as he reached out for Mark's hand and
made him, willingly enough, pat the little silent creature on the head
and back.

"Dean," he cried, and he extended his hand for him to administer the
same friendly touches, after which the tiny woman shrank away into
hiding again.

"Now come," cried Mak, and as if he belonged to the little tribe, he led
the way a little farther into the forest, followed slowly by some of the
child-like men, to where it was evident they formed their sleeping camp
and prepared their food.

Here nestling in a hole which was lined with the skins of two or three
of the native bucks, Mak pointed out with his spear one of the dwarfs
who was cowering shrinkingly down so that the young travellers could see
little of him but his flashing eyes.

"Mark look," said the black sharply, and taking hold of the little
fellow by the wrist he gently drew him partly out of his skin bed,
uttering a curious whimpering sound as if he were in pain.

"Don't hurt him, Mak," cried Dean.

"Look, Dean; see," and he pointed to the little fellow's arm and
shoulder, and as Mark bent down, not understanding fully in the shadow
what their guide meant, it suddenly dawned upon him that the poor little
fellow, who was terribly emaciated, had evidently been mauled by some
savage beast, his little wasted left arm and shoulder being in a
terribl