eir
direction.

Shanter placed both hands to his mouth and uttered a soft, long-drawn,
plaintive, whistling sound, then paused for a few moments, and whistled
again more softly; and then once again the plaintive piping rose on the
air as if it were the call of a night bird now very distant.

The ruse had its effect, for the blacks settled down again about the
fire, and were soon all talking away loudly, and evidently cooking and
eating some kind of food.

"No talk big," whispered Shanter; and creeping close back to the edge of
the precipice, he lowered his spear and felt about for a ledge which
promised foothold. As soon as he had satisfied himself about this, he
turned to Norman.

"Now, down along," he whispered; "more, come soon."

The boy slung his gun again, and taking hold of the spear, lowered
himself over the edge of the rugged scarp, and easily reached the ledge,
the black, whom nature seemed to have furnished with a second pair of
hands instead of feet, joining him directly, and then began searching
about once more for a good place to descend.

He was longer this time, and as Norman clung to the tough stem of some
gnarled bush, he looked out anxiously in the direction of their camp;
but all now below was of intense blackness, not even a star appearing
above to afford light.

"Mine can't find," whispered the black; and then, "Yohi (yes); now down
along."

Norman obeyed, and once more clung to the steep face by the help of a
bush; and this process was repeated several times till the black uttered
a low laugh.

"Myall black fellow no see, no hear. Mine glad. Come tell Marmi."

The captain was nearer than they thought, for they had not gone many
steps before they were challenged, and the voice was his.

"Back safe, father," panted Norman, who was terribly excited.

"Why have you been so long?" said the captain shortly. "The anxiety has
been terrible."

"Hush! don't talk loud. There is a party of black fellows on the other
side of that ridge;" and he rapidly told the narrative of their escape.

"So near the camp, and quite ignorant of our being here.--Will they come
this way in the morning, Shanter?"

"Mine don't know. All go along somewhere--fine sugar-bag--fine grub--
fine possum. Wait see."

"Yes; we must wait and see," said the captain, thoughtfully. Then to
the black, "They will not come to-night?"

"Baal come now. Eat, sleep, all full," replied Shanter. "Big white
Mary gib Shan