his face grew serious.

"Yes, a nasty business," he said, "as yet I can hardly remember whether
my name is Daniel, or Ptolemy Higgs." Then he turned to us and added,
"Look here, you fellows, if I don't thank you it isn't because I am not
grateful, but because I can't. The truth is, I'm a bit dazed. Your son
is all right, Adams; he's a good fellow, and we grew great friends.
Safe? Oh! yes, he's safe as a church! Old Barung, he's the Sultan, and
another good fellow, although he did throw me to the lions--because the
priests made him--is very fond of him, and is going to marry him to his
daughter."

At this moment the men announced that everything was ready for our
ascent, and when I had attended to Joshua with a heart made thankful by
Higgs's news, we began that toilsome business, and, as I have already
said, at length accomplished it safely. But even then our labours were
not ended, since it was necessary to fill up the mouth of the shaft so
as to make it impossible that it should be used by the Fung, who now
knew of its existence.

Nor was this a business that could be delayed, for as we passed the
plateau whence Oliver and Japhet had crossed to the sphinx, we heard the
voices of men on the farther side of the rough wall that we had built
there. Evidently the priests, or idol guards, infuriated by the rescue
of their victim, had already managed to bridge the gulf and were
contemplating assault, a knowledge which caused us to hurry our
movements considerably. If they had got through before we passed them,
our fate would have been terrible, since at the best we must have slowly
starved in the pit below.

Indeed, as soon as we reached the top and had blocked it temporarily,
Quick, weary as he was, was sent off on horseback, accompanied by
Maqueda, Shadrach, now under the terms of his contract once more a free
man, and two Mountaineers, to gallop to the palace of Mur, and fetch a
supply of explosives. The rest of us, for Higgs declined to leave, and
we had no means of carrying Joshua, remained watching the place, or
rather the Abati watched while we slept with our rifles in our hands.
Before noon Quick returned, accompanied by many men with litters and all
things needful.

Then we pulled out the stones, and Oliver, Japhet, and some others
descended to the first level and arranged blasting charges. Awhile after
he reappeared with his companions, looking somewhat pale and anxious,
and shouted to us to get back. Followin