d luck but I'm hoping everything you say comes true."

Dick turned at this moment and saw Raal. He was sitting with his head
between his knees, a picture of distress. Dick called him. "Come
here, Raal!" And as the warrior obeyed, Dick talked to him kindly.
"Don't worry, Raal. This man, Mahatma Sikandar, is a very great
witch-doctor. He can see things hidden from men and gods. By his
magic, looking through that sacred ball which he holds so tightly in
his hand, he can see everything that goes on in the world. He says
that he can see into the village of the Muta-gungas." Dick paused for
a moment to let his words sink in.

"Speak O Master! What does he see?"

"He sees Veena, who is kept a prisoner. She is not dead, as you
feared, but is being held for a big bargain with Chief Mobogoma, just
as Kulki told us. Jess Slythe is asking a big price for the white
princess."

"How far away is she, O Tahara?" asked Raal anxiously.

Dick translated the question for the Mahatma who answered, stroking his
beard:

"The village is a day's march from here."

"Then let us go at once, O Master. The bargain may be made quickly and
after she is once in the hands of Mobogoma, she will be lost to us.
Hurry, O Tahara!" Raal threw himself at Dick's feet.

"Yes, Raal, we will go soon," answered Dick. "And perhaps Mahatma
Sikandar will ask one of his tribesmen to guide us in the shortest way!"

The Mahatma nodded his head. "I will take counsel with my chief and it
will be decided," he said slowly.

Dick rose and looked about as if he intended to order the men to get
ready. But Dan put up a detaining hand, "Not so fast, Dick! There is
plenty of time." Dan rubbed his stomach, "Don't you smell the eats?
That fruit and water we got a little while ago was just an appetizer.
I'm hungry as a bear!"

"Not thus does a man gain wisdom," muttered the Mahatma. "It is by
fasting and meditation."

Raal was scowling angrily at Dan but Dick quieted him.

"The men are tired and hungry, Raal. Some of them are weak from the
long journey. Mahatma Sikandar, the wise man, has ordered a feast to
be set before us. After that we will go and the men will be better
able to stand the march when their stomachs are full. Is that not
true, Raal?"

"Yes, O Master, I know you speak the truth but my heart is heavy for
fear that harm will come to Veena."

Suddenly Sikandar, who had been gazing into the crystal ball, said
quietly:

"Tell