ently noticed and read, for suddenly the light streamed forth again
and commenced a series of vivid flashes that lit up the valley like
shafts of lightning.

Thus came the answer, for next second Omar, overjoyed, and unable to
contain himself, again cried aloud:

"Seen! Hurrah! At last!"

The signals exchanged between those on the lofty summit of the
insurmountable barrier, and my friend Omar were long, and, to me tedious.
I could make nothing of them, although it was apparent that my old chum
was carrying on an interesting conversation with some person unseen. Once
again the light swept across the silent battle-field, showing, as if with
justifiable pride, the wholesale slaughter that had been there committed
by the defenders, and again fell full upon the son of the dreaded Naya.
Then it flashed quickly many times and suddenly disappeared.

Omar seemed at last satisfied, for, holding the brand before him, he took
from the tiny bag around his neck a pinch of the magic powder that was
included in his jujus, and pronouncing words that conveyed some mystical
meaning, slowly let the powder fall into the flickering flame, causing it
to hiss and splutter.

He was sacrificing to the fetish for our deliverance from the perils of
the Way of the Thousand Steps. Even as he stood performing this pagan
rite, there sounded afar off a dull, low boom like the distant report of
heavy cannon. It echoed weirdly along the valley where all was quiet and
at rest, and was three times repeated, like some ominous voice of
warning.

Omar heard it. Surely the noise was an unexpected one, for it instantly
filled him with apprehension, and he listened attentively, little
dreaming that I also was his companion upon this strange midnight vigil.

CHAPTER XVII.

A SALUTE OF BULLETS.

THE low booming was, however, not repeated, and by this my companion
apparently became reassured, for shortly afterwards he threw himself down
near me to snatch a few hours' repose before dawn. I suppose I, too, must
have slept for some time, until suddenly a noise like thunder that seemed
to cause the earth to tremble awakened me, and together with the rest of
our party I sprang to my feet, fancying that some terrible earthquake had
occurred.

It was still dark, and as each asked breathlessly of his neighbour the
cause of the deafening noise a sudden red flash showed for an instant on
the summit of the rock near where I had seen the light, and a second