th," said Venning, firmly--"a real
one--one that will clear all the germs put at a run, and remove this
continual singing in the ears."

"Does your head sing?" asked Compton, pressing his forehead. "My
brain seems to be on the shake as if it were jelly."

"That's the feeling," said Venning; "and I've got a notion. See the
well? Good; that's to be our hot-air bath. We'll rig the oil-sheets
over it by means of a couple of bent saplings. We'll put the lamp
inside, bank loam around it, moisten the loam with water, leave it
until it steams, then pack one of us in. I'll be the first, to show
that it is safe."

"Good," said the hunter, gravely. "And when you have been steamed,
we'll knead you, wash you down with warm water, and shave your
head."

They did it. Venning went under the sheet; he went in nearly black,
and very heavy in the head. He came out brown and white, with a
feeling of lightness; and when he had been shaved, shampooed,
thumped, whacked, and kneaded, he felt "pounds better." Compton and
Mr. Hume each underwent the hot-air cure, with the same good
results; and then, clothed in clean underwear, and protected by a
dose of quinine, they manned the levers, and went skimming along the
river, glad to be back in their good boat.

"We must call for the old Arab," said Compton, "now that we are
bound for the Place of Rest."

"He'll be in the way," growled Venning; "and we have no time to
lose."

"We will call for him," said Mr. Hume. "If we miss Muata, the old
chap could act as guide."

So they put in where the tall palm grew, and while Venning guarded
the boat, the other two went up the path to find the village. They
found it in ruins, and on a post was the head of the old Arab with a
lot of Arab writing.

Compton read it out. "Hassan has been. Those who are silent when
they could talk remain silent for ever."

"So," muttered Mr. Hume, staring around under frowning brows,
"Hassan has been."

"Poor old harmless chap," said Compton; "and he knew my father. I
should like," he added sternly, "to meet that Hassan, Mr. Hume." "So
should I, my boy."

"He certainly tried to get some news of us from the old Arab, and
failing, lolled him."

"Ay, ay. That's the whole story, lad." They took the head of the old
man, who, they believed, had been faithful to them at the cost of
his life, and gave it reverent burial. Then they returned to the
boat, and pushed off.

"Not there?" asked Venning.

"Ay, he was ther