was
no room for doubting that they were prisoners who were not to be allowed
any opportunity for escape, and the men could only accept the present
situation in a philosophic spirit, and await the course of events with
such patience as they could muster.

As the day passed, and darkness fell upon the forest, the Englishmen
stretched themselves upon the robes, while in whispers they tried to
arrive at the solution of the mystery and form some sort of plan for
future action.

"It's all owing to that scoundrel Thunder-maker," Arnold said. "If he
had not stepped in, Mighty Hand would have released us. I could see by
his face that he was favourably disposed towards us."

"It is a serious business," said Holden.

"Serious enough for us, for there is no knowing what may happen when
people get mixed up with native superstitions. At the same time, what I
worry about most is the boys."

Holden sighed at the thought of Bob and his son Alf being alone at the
deserted camp.

"Yes," he said. "It will be hard on them if anything happens to
us--miles away from civilised habitations. Of course, I don't give up
hope of coming out of this right enough in the long-run, and we may be
worrying over very little after all. But meantime--the boys--I wonder
what they are doing now?"

At this question the elder man gave a slight laugh.

"You wonder?" he repeated. "I don't think you need go very far for the
answer if you haven't quite forgotten our own schooldays. What would
you and I have done if two of our chums had disappeared from camp as we
did?"

"Gone to look for them," was the prompt reply, to which Arnold resumed--

"And I think there's not so very much difference between Arnold and
Holden _peres_ and _fils_. You take my word for it: at this very minute
the youngsters have summed up the situation and are planning a rescue
expedition, if, indeed, they have not already set out. Neither Bob nor
Alf is the sort of chap to sit still and moan at such a time."

"Yes, I believe you are right. Neither of the youngsters would allow
himself to be knocked over by the first difficulty. And they would know
that some accident must have taken place, for we promised to be back at
camp by dinner-time."

"All the same, we don't want them to be mixed up in this affair in the
event of their coming on our track," said Arnold. "We must contrive to
prevent that, but---- Hullo! Who's this?"

A dark outline had suddenly filled the space at the open