he edge, I witnessed a responsive signal of flame from the mound
summit, and inferred that no suspicion had been aroused in the minds of
the guardians of these heathen rites. Satisfied of our present safety
I walked back to the great chamber, and beheld the old priest and
Cairnes glaring angrily at each other, while the latter nursed his leg
so tenderly as to make me apprehensive of further trouble having arisen
between them.

"What now, brother Cairnes?" I questioned in some anxiety, noting as I
came nearer stains of fresh blood on his hose.

"Yonder black-faced cannibal buried his teeth in my calf," he growled
gloomily. "Saints of Israel! I did merely lean over seeking another
bit of meat, when he fastened on to me in that fashion, and hung there
like a bull-dog until I choked him loose. 'Tis my vote we kill the
ungodly man-eater, who has already feasted off your hand and my leg."

The energetic movement of his red head clearly evidenced the sincerity
of his feelings, yet it was not in my heart to avenge our wrongs upon a
helpless prisoner.

"No, friend; we are white, not red. The pain will pass presently, and
it would not be a Christian act to dispose thus of one bound in our
hands. I will give him other food to chew upon, then make fast his
mouth while we go together and search out the secrets of this hole. It
will be best to discover early whether this varlet speaks true or false
as to the chances of escape. Hand over here the meat and water."

I endeavored to question the fellow further while he sullenly partook
of the food offered, but he gave back merely short, uncivil answers,
and those of little value. Finally, despairing of learning more from
such a source, we securely bucked the sullen fool, rolled his body
close against the wall out of sight of any chance visitant, and then
made preparation to explore our prison-house and discover for ourselves
the mystery of this gloomy cave. The dense blackness showing directly
ahead seemed to promise an extension of passageway into the rock; so,
lighting a pine knot at the altar fire, and bidding Cairnes follow me
closely, I led forward down the narrow tunnel. The floor was uneven,
while so irregular and rough appeared roof and walls as to convince me
this was a natural excavation, probably the run-way for some ancient
watercourse. Yet, as I tested the nature of the stone with the point
of my hunting knife, it proved easily workable with tools, and
appar