Mountains had been entirely successful, for the enemy had been met in the
pass by the defenders and mercilessly overwhelmed and slaughtered.
Against the lightweight Maxim guns, weighing only about twenty-five
pounds each and firing 600 to 700 shots per minute with an effective
range of two miles, the old-fashioned rifles and field-pieces of the
force under the traitor Kouaga had been powerless, hence the whole
expedition had been utterly routed, followed up after their flight and
massacred almost to a man, Kouaga himself being shot dead by Niaro while
strenuously endeavouring to rally his men for a final onslaught. Omar, at
the head of his victorious army, had re-entered the city only the day
before our arrival, therefore on our return we found ourselves in the
midst of feasting and merry-making of a most enthusiastic character.

Little wonder was it that when the news of the complete victory we had
secured spread through the city the joy of the people knew no bounds, for
especially welcome was the information that, in addition to utterly
destroying Samory's city we had secured the whole of his treasure. Kona,
Liola and myself held back the fact that we had also recovered the stolen
jewels, and we also took elaborate precautions that the knowledge of
Liola's safety should not be conveyed prematurely to Omar.

During the formal welcome that the young Naba, resplendent in his
magnificent bejewelled robes of state and surrounded by his sages and
officers, accorded us at the great palace-gate, now fully restored, Liola
held back, hiding herself. Not until evening, when I was sitting with
Omar in his luxurious private pavilion after eating a sumptuous meal
served on the royal dishes of chased gold, I told him confidentially of
the recovery of the lost jewels.

"Impossible, Scars!" he cried in English, starting suddenly to his feet.
"Where did you find them? How?"

Brief words were required to explain how I had discovered them hidden in
Samory's secret cavern beyond the lion's lair.

"I understood that only the wealth of the old Arab's Kasbah was hidden
there," he exclaimed quickly. "This news is indeed as astounding as it is
welcome."

"Your subjects are unaware that your treasure has ever been removed from
Mo, therefore I have not enlightened them," I answered. "Come with me and
see if you recognize any of the jewels."

Eagerly he followed me into a small adjoining apartment where the loot
had been deposited, and as