length, as he removed his binoculars from his eyes, and turned to
address the other members of the party. "Are they, by any chance,
hunting for us, think you, under the impression that we have left the
ship and are taking a morning stroll among the ruins?"

"It is by no means impossible," answered Lethbridge. "Of one thing, at
all events, I believe we may be certain, and that is, that our friend
Seketulo has no intention of paying us a duty-call. Had he meant to do
so, he would have been here before now."

"Perhaps he has not yet been made aware of our presence here," suggested
Sziszkinski.

"Make no mistake about that," retorted Lethbridge. "We saw them
yesterday afternoon sending forward, by means of their system of
voice-telegraphy, the news of our arrival. And, as we were travelling
slowly all the time, you may take it as certain that Seketulo--if the
fellow happens to be still alive--was informed of the fact some time
before we actually reached this spot. And even if we admit, for a
moment, such an improbability as that the news failed to reach him,
these fellows who are now lurking all round us are, every one of them,
painfully aware of the presence of the ship--as we can clearly see by
the trouble that they are taking to keep out of our sight; and the first
thing that they would do, in such a case as you have suggested, would be
to dispatch one of their number to the village with the news. Oh no;
the king--whether he be Seketulo or somebody else--is fully aware of our
presence here, you may rest assured."

"Of course," said Sir Reginald, "Seketulo may be dead. It is several
years since we were here, and much may happen in even less time than
that. But, even so, the man who would be reigning in his stead would
know all about us, and would hasten, one would suppose, to assure us of
his loyalty to our commands."

"Ay," cut in Mildmay; "provided, of course, that he _has_ been loyal.
But, if he has not, I can quite conceive that he is feeling mightily
uncomfortable just now. What think you, Elphinstone, of the idea of
taking a cruise up to the village, to see how matters stand there? Or,
would you rather remain here, and await developments? Hillo! whom have
we here, and what does he want? Surely the fellow is signalling to us,
and trying to attract our attention! D'ye see him, Elphinstone?"

And, as Mildmay spoke, he pointed to a small magnolia bush, within about
a hundred yards of the ship, on t