ime to talk of getting out is not yet," rejoined the Kafir drily.
"We are not _in_ yet."

They resumed their way. As they penetrated deeper, the cavern suddenly
slanted abruptly upwards. This continued for some twenty or thirty
yards, when again the floor became level, though ever with a slight
upward bend. Great slabs of rock projected from the sides, but the
width of the tunnel varied little, ranging between six and ten yards.
The same held good of its height.

As they advanced they noticed that the current of air was no longer
felt. An extraordinary foetid and overpowering atmosphere had taken its
place. Similarly the floor and sides of the cavern, which before they
reached the outlet had been moist and humid, now became dry and firm.

"Hand us your flask, Shelton," said Hoste. "Upon my soul I feel as if I
was going to faint. Faugh!"

The odour was becoming more and more sickening with every step. Musky,
rank, acreous--it might almost be felt. Each man required a pull at
something invigorating, if only to neutralise the inhalation of so
pestilential an atmosphere. Smoking was suggested, but this Josane
firmly tabooed.

"It cannot be," he said. "It would be madness. Remember my words,
_Amakosi. Look neither to the right nor to the left_--_only straight in
front of you, where you set down your steps_."

Then he resumed his strange wild chant, now sinking it to an awe-struck
whisper hardly above his breath. It was a weird, uncanny sight, those
four shadowy figures advancing through the thick black darkness, the
fiery eye of the lantern darting forth its luminous column in front,
while the deep-toned, long-drawn notes of the wild, heathenish _rune_
died away in whispering echoes overhead.

"Oh! good Lord! Look at that!"

The cry broke from Shelton. All started, so great was the state of
tension that their nerves were undergoing. Following his glance they
promptly discovered what it was that had evoked it.

Lying upon a great slab of rock, about on a level with their chests, was
an enormous puff-adder. The bloated proportions of the hideous reptile
were disposed in a sinuous coil--shadowy, repulsive to the last degree,
in the light of the lantern. A shudder ran through every one of the
three white men.

"Quick, Josane. Hand me one of your kerries," said Shelton. "I can get
a whack at him now."

But the Kafir, peremptorily, almost angrily refused.

"Why did you not listen to my words?" h