might do
whatever they chose with them, freely and without let or hindrance.
This was all very well, but von Schalckenberg had not yet fully carried
out his programme; he had still one more item in the entertainment which
he was determined to produce, and which he fully believed would render
M'Bongwele's subjugation not only complete but permanent.

Accordingly, on returning to their starting-place (by which time it was
nearly dark), the demoralised warriors, who had all but given up their
king as lost, were set to work by von Schalckenberg's orders to collect
wood for a gigantic bonfire. This was soon done, and the fire was
kindled; but, much of the wood being green, an immense cloud of smoke
was raised, with very little flame, which exactly suited the professor's
purpose. When the fire was fairly alight, the troops were re-formed in
line as close to the ship as possible, and M'Bongwele and his suite were
arranged in position on the deck immediately beneath the pilot-house
walls. By this time it was perfectly dark, save for the starlight and
the flickering gleam of the bonfire; and the air was stark calm.

Gradually and imperceptibly the dense cloud of smoke which hung
motionless over the smouldering pile became faintly luminous. The
radiance grew stronger and stronger, and presently an immense circular
disc of light appeared reflected on the slowly-rising cloud of vapour,
in which a host of forms were indistinctly traceable. Another moment
and a loud ejaculation of astonishment burst from the savage spectators,
for, with another sudden brightening of the luminous disc there appeared
the phantom presentment of M'Bongwele's troops drawn up as they had
appeared a couple of hours before, when the king had first boarded the
_Flying Fish_ So clear and vivid was the representation that it met with
instant recognition, amid loud murmurs of amazement from the beholders;
the king being quite as strongly moved as any of his subjects.

"Do you recognise the vision?" demanded the professor sternly of
M'Bongwele.

"I do, I do. Those are the spirits of my bravest soldiers," murmured
the king. "Truly the Spirits of the Winds have wondrous powers."

"You say well," answered von Schalckenberg. "Now, look again and you
shall see a few of _our_ warriors."

As he spoke the picture became blurred and indistinct, prismatic colours
began to come and go upon the curtain of vapour, and suddenly out
flashed the image of a wide-st