y, a low
whining noise escaping from the prisoner the while.

"Gently, Bob Bacon," cried Buck. "My hair's quite short enough. No
singeing, please. You might have seen that I got Dunn Brown to operate
upon me with those scissors of his."

"Here, let me come by you, Mark," cried the doctor, excitedly.

"No, sir; I wouldn't, sir," cried Bob Bacon. "I have only just got room
to hold the light up as it is, and Buck Denham's so precious
particular."

"Yes," said Buck, "and I want to get my catch out. You back with the
light, Bob; and make a little room, gen'lemen. It's all right. We
don't want any light now to show as this is one of them baboons--a long
one, 'most as big as me."

All backed away now, leaving room for Buck, who dragged his captive
along the windings of the dark cavern, commenting upon his appearance
the while.

"Yes, gen'lemen, I want to get him out and show black Mak the sperrit as
he is afraid of. Rum beggars, these natives are, ready enough to fight
and spear anybody. Got as much pluck as we have; but they are just like
kids in being frightened about ghosts and by stories told by old women.
Now then, it's no use to kick. Poor old chap! Here, I could tuck him
under my arm and carry him, only he may as well walk. He is just like a
skin bag of bones. Hallo, you, Bob Bacon, who told you to put a
'stinguisher on that light?" For a sudden darkness came upon them all.

"'Stinguished itself," growled Bob.

But the darkness was only apparent for a few moments, for about fifty
yards ahead there was a bright gleam of sunshine at the mouth of the
cavern, and two shadows moved, which proved to be Mak and the pigmy
peering in as if listening and trying to make out what was going on
inside.

"Hi, you sir!" shouted Dean. "We have caught your spirit. Come and
help him out."

But as if grasping the lad's meaning by the tone of his voice, Mak
turned sharply and darted away at a rate which carried him in a series
of bounds down the slope of the great kopje, so that by the time the
little party of explorers were out in the broad sunshine with their
captive, Mak was threading his way amongst the rocks, closely followed
once more by the pigmy, and about to disappear.

"There, gents!" cried Buck. "What do you make of him, sir?" And he
thrust his captive more into the light. "Why, he must have been a
monkey as big as me when he was in full fettle."

"Monkey!" cried Mark. "Why, it's a man!"

"Ma