s," said Ongoloo, addressing the missionary,
but gazing at Orlando, "it comes to us like an old song."

"How so?" exclaimed Waroonga, "has any one been here before with the
grand and sweet story of Jesus and His love."

The reply of the savage chief was strangely anticipated and checked at
that moment by a burst of childish voices singing one of the beautiful
hymns with which the inhabitants of Ratinga had long been familiar. As
the voices swelled in a chorus, which distance softened into fairy-like
strains, the missionary and his companion sat entranced and bewildered,
while the natives looked pleased, and appeared to enjoy their
perplexity.

"Our little ones," said Ongoloo, after a few minutes' pause, "are
amusing themselves with singing. They often do that."

As he spoke the party were startled and surprised by the sudden
appearance of Ebony, who quietly stalked into the circle and seated
himself beside the missionary with the guilty yet defiant air of a man
who knows that he has done wrong, but is resolved at all hazards to have
his way. Considering the turn that affairs had taken, neither Orlando
nor Waroonga were sorry to see him.

"This is a friend," said the latter in explanation, laying his hand on
the negro's shoulder. "But tell me, chief, we are impatient for to
know, where learned you that song?"

"From one who is mad," replied the chief still gazing earnestly at
Orlando.

"Mad!" repeated the youth, starting up and trembling with
excitement--"how know you that? Who--where is he? Ask him, Waroonga."

The explanation that followed left no doubt on Orlando's mind that his
father was bereft of reason, and wandering in the neighbouring mountain.

If there had been any doubt, it would have been swept away by the chief,
who quietly said, "the madman is _your father_!"

"How does he know that Waroonga?"

"I know, because there is no difference between you, except years--
and--"

He did not finish the sentence, but touched his forehead solemnly with
his finger.

"Does he dwell alone in the mountains?" asked Orlando.

"Yes, alone. He lets no one approach him," answered Ongoloo.

"Now, Waroonga," said Orlando, "our prayers have been heard, and--at
least partly--answered. But we must proceed with caution. You must
return on board and tell Captain Fitzgerald that I go to search for my
father _alone_."

"Wid the help ob dis yar nigger," interposed Ebony.

"Tell him on no account to send men