ull of it; eat it every day for breakfast. It don't hurt white men,
you see, but it kills black men quicker than the bang-stick."

The chief listened to this statement carefully, but only understood it
in part. After a moment's reflection he declared:

"White man lie. Lie all time. Me eat plenty white man. Never get
sick; never die." Then he added, with renewed cheerfulness: "Me eat
you, too!"

Before Rob could think of a further protest, his captors caught up the
end of the rope and led him away through the forest. He was tightly
bound, and one strand of rope ran across the machine on his wrist and
pressed it into his flesh until the pain was severe. But he resolved
to be brave, whatever happened, so he stumbled along after the savages
without a word.

After a brief journey they came to a village, where Rob was thrust into
a brushwood hut and thrown upon the ground, still tightly bound.

"We light fire," said the chief. "Then kill little white man. Then
eat him."

With this comforting promise he went away and left Rob alone to think
the matter over.

"This is tough," reflected the boy, with a groan. "I never expected to
feed cannibals. Wish I was at home with mother and dad and the girls.
Wish I'd never seen the Demon of Electricity and his wonderful
inventions. I was happy enough before I struck that awful Master Key.
And now I'll be eaten--with salt and pepper, probably. Wonder if
there'll be any gravy. Perhaps they'll boil me, with biscuits, as
mother does chickens. Oh-h-h-h-h! It's just awful!"

In the midst of these depressing thoughts he became aware that
something was hurting his back. After rolling over he found that he
had been lying upon a sharp stone that stuck out of the earth. This
gave him an idea. He rolled upon the stone again and began rubbing the
rope that bound him against the sharp edge.

Outside he could hear the crackling of fagots and the roar of a
newly-kindled fire, so he knew he had no time to spare. He wriggled
and pushed his body right and left, right and left, sawing away at the
rope, until the strain and exertion started the perspiration from every
pore.

At length the rope parted, and hastily uncoiling it from his body Rob
stood up and rubbed his benumbed muscles and tried to regain his lost
breath. He had not freed himself a moment too soon, he found, for
hearing a grunt of surprise behind him he turned around and saw a
native standing in the door of th