ike one of the hideous little beasts, none the worse for
his leap down into the tree top that he had selected.

"Confound the fellow!" muttered the doctor. "He gave me quite a scare!
But look here. You, Dunn, I don't understand. Make them tell us what
became of the other."

Dunn turned to Mak and spoke a word or two to him in his own language,
when the black stared at him stolidly and then turned away.

"What does that mean?" said Mark. "Wouldn't he tell you?"

"No," replied Dunn sadly; and he gave the boy a very meaning look.

"Why, you don't mean to say--that--"

"Yes; don't bother him, or he may go off. Afraid. The boss mightn't
like it."

"Not like it?"

"No. Saw him cleaning his spear."

Glances were exchanged, and the looks seemed in silent language to tell
the tragic story that either Mak or his little companion had speared and
afterwards buried the enemy they had overcome.

"I don't like this, doctor," said Sir James. "It's tragedy. What can
we do?"

"Nothing," said the doctor gravely.

"But these men--for I suppose we must call that little savage a man,
though he looks a child--"

"The big herculean black is no bigger in intellect. If they have killed
a brother savage I cannot feel that our consciences are to blame. The
men were here to rob, and if we had caught them in the act I honestly
believe that it might have cost us our lives."

"Probably," said Sir James; "but we must make them understand our utter
abhorrence of the deed, and threaten punishment for the act."

"No, Sir James. Remember the old saying, Example is better than
Precept. I feel sure that if we interfere with them with any stringency
of action they will forsake us at once."

"Well, boys," said Sir James, "I would rather give up the expedition at
once and make our way back, than have such horrors as this occurring.
Here, what does this mean?" he continued, for Mak came forward with his
little companion, both looking joyous and jubilant, Mak talking away and
putting in a word of English now and then--words which constituted
"come", "show," and "gun."

"Oh, that's plain enough, father," cried Mark. "They have got the gun."

The little party followed the two blacks at once, and to their great
surprise they were led into the temple square and across it till they
were near to the big wall. Then both the doctor and Sir James stopped
short.

"This is too horrible," said Sir James angrily. "Come back, boys. They