was just thinking the same thing, Captain; the sooner the better,"
replied Quick. "Perhaps the Doctor will keep a watch here over the
camels, and if he sees any one stick up his head above the wall, he
might bid him good-morning. We know he is a nice shot, is the Doctor,"
and he tapped my rifle.

I nodded and the two of them set out laden with wires and the packages
that looked like tobacco tins, heading for a stone erection in the
centre of the square which resembled an altar, but was, I believe, a
rostrum whence the native auctioneers sold slaves and other merchandise.
What they did there exactly, I am sure I do not know; indeed, I was too
much occupied in keeping a watch upon the walls whereof I could
clearly see the crest above the mist, to pay much attention to their
proceedings.

Presently my vigilance was rewarded, for over the great gateway
opposite, at a distance of about a hundred and fifty paces from me,
appeared some kind of a chieftain clad in white robes and wearing a very
fine turban or coloured head-dress, who paraded up and down, waving a
spear defiantly and uttering loud shouts.

This man I covered very carefully, lying down to do so. As Quick had
said, I am a good rifle shot, having practised that art for many years;
still, one may always miss, which, although I bore no personal grudge
against the poor fellow in the fine head-dress, on this occasion I did
not wish to do. The sudden and mysterious death of that savage would, I
felt sure, produce a great effect among his people.

At length he stopped exactly over the door and began to execute a kind
of war-dance, turning his head from time to time to yell out something
to others on the farther side of the wall. This was my opportunity. I
covered him with as much care as though I were shooting at a target,
with one bull's eye to win. Aiming a little low in case the rifle should
throw high, very gently I pressed the trigger. The cartridge exploded,
the bullet went on its way, and the man on the wall stopped dancing and
shouting and stood quite still. Clearly he had heard the shot or felt
the wind of the ball, but was untouched.

I worked the lever jerking out the empty case, preparatory to firing
again, but on looking up saw that there was no need, for the Fung
captain was spinning round on his heels like a top. Three or four times
he whirled thus with incredible rapidity, then suddenly threw his arms
wide, and dived headlong from the wall like a ba