the incidents of the
previous day; he had been publicly threatened; publicly terrified into a
cowardly and disgraceful state of submission; and it was quite
impossible that he could permanently continue as he then was. He must
fully recover all his lost prestige and add immeasurably to it, or must
be content to see some ambitious chief rise up and wrest the kingdom
from him. These presumptuous strangers had forced him into enmity
against them, and they must take the consequences.

Lualamba was one of M'Bongwele's most trusted chiefs, and shortly before
sunset he and the head witch-doctor were summoned to a special
conference with the king.

Meanwhile the travellers, having enjoyed a most excellent night's rest,
rose betimes in the morning and prepared for a thorough systematic
investigation of the ruins. They bathed and breakfasted in due course,
and then, armed to the teeth, set out upon a tour of general inspection,
the professor carrying his camera, and Sir Reginald his sketch-block and
colour-box, whilst Mildmay and the colonel, provided with a box-sextant
and a light measuring chain, set themselves the task of making a rough
survey of the ruins and a portion of the surrounding country. The tour
of the ruins, the taking of an occasional sketch or photograph, and the
making of the survey, kept the party fully occupied for the whole of the
first day; and they returned to the ship just before sunset, tired and
hungry, but thoroughly satisfied with their day's work, and fully
convinced that their success in penetrating to this interesting spot
would alone more than repay them for all the trouble and expense
connected with the outfit of the expedition. One important fact at
least had been clearly ascertained by them in the course of the day,
which was, that the ruins were extremely ancient, their antiquity being
demonstrated by the circumstance that during successive ages the soil
had gradually accumulated about the ruins until they were nearly half
buried. The most interesting discovery made by them during the day was
that of an enormous block of ruins, which, from its extent and the
imposing character of its architecture, they felt convinced must have
been a temple or other public building, and it was resolved that their
investigations should commence with it. It was situated about a mile
distant from the spot occupied by the _Flying Fish_, and their first
intention had been to move the ship somewhat nearer; b