n is determined to
go, and I have promised to help him."

"Of course you would, sir. But Mr Mark, sir, just think!"

"I have thought, Buck. It is my duty, and I appeal to you and Dan to
come with me. Those faithful blacks will help, if they see you are with
us, and go I must."

"Nay, sir. That's very well for you to talk, and I suppose folks would
say it is very grand to go and throw away your life trying to save your
father. If they gets to know of it at home they will say you are a
hero, and write about you being a fine example. All very fine for you,
because you are a gentleman; but I'm only an or'nary sort of fellow, and
I don't want people to write about me."

"That will do," cried Mark angrily. "Go with them, Dean, old fellow."
Dean shook his head.

"I don't want to be a hero," continued Mark. "I want to save my father,
and if I can't save him I'm going to die too. There, good-bye. I have
talked about people being cowards, but it is only because I am half wild
with misery. You have all done your best, and I know what I want you
all to do is impossible. Shake hands and say good-bye." Mark shook
hands with the men in turn. "Now you," he said, and he held out his
hand to the blacks, who advanced smiling as if they did not understand,
but took it that it was something all right, and then shrank back.

Mark hesitated for a moment, and there was something piteous in his look
as he turned to the big driver again.

"I don't like to go like this," he said, "but go I will. I have always
looked on you as a brave man, Denham, so I will make this last appeal to
you. Will you come with me and help me to save my father and the
doctor?"

"No, sir, I won't," said the man gruffly. "Nor your own friends and
companions?"

"No, sir."

Mark sighed.

"Then I appeal to you, Dan. You will not let us two go alone?"

"Can't be done, sir," said the little sailor, shaking his head.

"Do you mean this, Dan?"

"Yes, sir," replied Dan, after glancing at his big companion.

"Very well," said Mark quietly. "I have no right to ask it. Come
along, Dean; we will go alone."

Making an effort over his weakness, he strode off as nearly as he could
guess in the direction of the ruins, walking fairly steadily now,
neither of the pair attempting to look back, and the forest was so
silent that the soft rustling of the two lads amongst the leaves sounded
loud and strange.

They were walking in Indian file, for Mark