ed by the
prospect of adventure which his words had opened up, assured him with
enthusiasm that whatever was possible for man to accomplish he might
depend upon being at least vigorously attempted. To which assurance
John Hockins begged to "putt the word ditto," and the negro fervently
added, "Das so--me too!"

"But how are we to find your friend," asked Mark, "seeing that we don't
know him, and have never seen him?"

"My friend is not a man, but a--a woman, a young girl," said Ravonino,
with the slightest possible symptom of confusion, which opened the eyes
of Mark instantly, and still further stirred his sympathies.

"Ravonino," he exclaimed, suddenly grasping the guide's hand, "treat me
as a friend and trust me. You love this young girl! Is it not so?
Nay, man, don't be angry with me. I can't help sympathising. Why, I
know something of your--your--a--condition myself. The morning I left
England, the very last person I said good-bye to was a fair young girl,
with golden hair, and a rosebud mouth, and such lovely blue--"

"Das right, Massa," burst in Ebony, with a crow of admiration. "It doos
my bery heart good to see a man as is proud ob his sweet'art. I's got
one too, bress you! but _she_ ain't fair! No, she's black as de kitchen
chimbly, wid a bootiful flat nose, a mout' like a coal-scuttle, an'
_such_ eyes--oh!"

"Hold your tongue, Ebony! Now, am I not right, Ravonino?"

"You are right," answered the guide, gravely, yet without displeasure.
"My Rafaravavy is in danger, and I must save her from this murderess at
all hazards. It is right, however, to tell you that if you attempt to
aid me you will encounter both difficulty and danger."

"Don't mention that, friend. No true man would shrink from either in a
good cause," said Mark. "But when must we set out on this expedition?"

"By day-break to-morrow. Our new hiding-place is on our way, so the
change will not delay us; and from what the fugitives have told us, I
hope--indeed I feel sure--that the Queen will do no further mischief for
some weeks to come. But now, comrades," said the guide, rising, "we
must rest if we would work to-morrow. Follow me."

He led them into one of the side caves, when the whole of the people
followed, as if by preconcerted arrangement. Here a much-soiled book in
a leathern cover was produced. It was a portion of the Bible in the
Malagasy language. A few verses were reverently read by the guide; a
brief earnest p