be built of logs or heavy limbs, the
roofs being flat and composed of the branches of trees, overlaid with
leaves and earth.

In the middle of the open square was a tall pole, like an immense
flag-staff. The light which had been noticed sometime before by the
whites was the full flood of the moon's rays, there being no other kind
of illumination, so far as they could ascertain, in the native village.

The huge pole was without any limbs or appurtenances, but around the
space were gathered a score of figures in rapid motion, the meaning of
whose actions was a puzzle to the white spectators, until they studied
them.

Then it was seen they were struggling together, and the conclusion was
that they were engaged in some kind of a rough sport, for all the rest
of the savages were seated in front of their huts watching the singular
spectacle.

Naturally they ought to have come closer, and the fact that they did
not, suggested that they kept back to give the actors plenty of room
for their performances.

Not the least impressive feature of the scene was the profound silence
which marked it. The shout that first arrested the attention of Ashman
and his companion, must have been some kind of a signal, probably
announcing the opening of the proceedings.

It was evident that the villagers in the square were struggling hard,
for their forms were interlocked and they were divided into two lines,
which swayed back and forth as one gained or yielded ground.

"It is a wrestling bout," whispered Ashman to his companion, and then,
reflecting that their situation was dangerous, the two stopped from the
path among the trees, where they would not be noticed by any passing
near.

Suddenly something like a groan was heard from the body of contesting
men. Almost at the same instant, a command was shouted from the
further end of the square, where part of the spectators were gathered.
The two lines fell apart, and ran silently and swiftly to opposite
points a hundred feet distant, where they abruptly halted as if in
obedience to some signal and faced each other.

This was stirring enough, but that which riveted the eyes of the white
men was the sight of three figures lying prone on the ground, at the
foot of the pole.

They were as motionless as so many stones. There could be no mistaking
the significance of the sight: they were dead.

It may have been some species of sport in which the actors were engaged
for the entertainment