hat, but otherwise quite sound save for a few trifling
scratches inflicted by the cub, and still wearing what the natives
called his "black windows."

Even the Prince Joshua was happy, though wrapped in a piece of coarse
sacking because the lion had taken most of his posterior clothing, and
terribly sore from the deep cuts left by the claws.

Had he not dared the dangers of the den, and thus proved himself a hero
whose fame would last for generations? Had I not assured him that his
honourable wounds, though painful (as a matter of fact, after they had
set, they kept him stiff as a mummy for some days, so that unless he
stood upon his feet, he had to be carried, or lie rigid on his face)
would probably not prove fatal? And had he not actually survived to
reach the upper air again, which was more than he ever expected to do?
No wonder that he was happy.

I alone could not share in the general joy, since, although my friend
was restored to me, my son still remained a prisoner among the Fung. Yet
even in this matter things might have been worse, since I learned
that he was well treated, and in no danger. But of that I will write
presently.

Never shall I forget the scene after the arrival of Higgs in our hole,
when the swinging boulder had been closed and made secure and the lamps
lighted. There he sat on the floor, his red hair glowing like a torch,
his clothes torn and bloody, his beard ragged and stretching in a
Newgate frill to his ears. Indeed, his whole appearance, accentuated by
the blue spectacles with wire gauze side-pieces, was more disreputable
than words can tell; moreover, he smelt horribly of lion. He put his
hand into his pocket, and produced his big pipe, which had remained
unbroken in its case.

"Some tobacco, please," he said. (Those were his first words to us!) "I
have finished mine, saved up the last to smoke just before they put me
into that stinking basket."

I gave him some, and as he lit his pipe the light of the match fell upon
the face of Maqueda, who was staring at him with amused astonishment.

"What an uncommonly pretty woman," he said. "What's she doing down here,
and who is she?"

I told him, whereon he rose, or rather tried to, felt for his hat,
which, of course, had gone, with the idea of taking it off, and
instantly addressed her in his beautiful and fluent Arabic, saying how
glad he was to have this unexpected honour, and so forth.

She congratulated him on his escape, whereon