uick--_Hamba-ke_." [Go on.]

This precaution, dictated by the double motive of keeping together in
the darkness, and also to avoid any one of the party accidentally
falling into the pit--being observed, the Kafir led the way some little
distance within the shaft.

"Heavens!" whispered Hoste. "What about the snakes? Supposing we tread
on one?"

In the excitement of the moment this consideration had been quite
overlooked. Now it struck dismay into the minds of the three white men.
To walk along in pitch darkness in a narrow tunnel which you know to be
infested with deadly serpents, with more than an even chance of treading
upon one of the noisome reptiles at every step, is a position which
assuredly needs a powerful deal of excitement to carry it through.

"_Au_! Flash one beam of light in front, Ixeshane," whispered the
guide. "Not behind--for your life, not behind!"

Eustace complied, carefully shading the sides of the light with the
flaps of his coat. It revealed that the cave here widened slightly, but
made a curve. It further revealed no sign of the most dreaded enemy of
the human race.

Here, then, it was decided to lie in wait. The lights carried by those
approaching would hardly reach them here, and they could lurk almost
concealed, sheltered by the formation of the tunnel.

The flash from Eustace's lantern had been but momentary. And now, as
they crouched in the inky gloom, the sense of expectation became painful
in its intensity. Nearer and nearer floated the wailing chant, and soon
the lurking listeners were able to recognise it as identical with the
wild, heathenish _rune_ intoned by their guide--the weird, mysterious
invocation of the Serpent.

"Harm us not,
O Snake of snakes!
Do us no hurt
_O Inyeka 'Nkulu_!"

The sonorous, open vowels rolled forth in long-drawn cadence, chanted by
two voices--both blending in wonderful harmony. Then a cloud of
nebulous light filled up the entrance to their present hiding place,
hovering above the fearful hell-pit where the maniac was imprisoned,
throwing the brink into distinct relief.

The watchers held their very breath. The song had ceased. Suddenly
there was a flash of light in their eyes, as from a lantern.

Two dark figures were standing on the brink of the hole. Each carried a
lantern, one of those strong, tin-rimmed concerns used by
transport-riders for hanging in their waggon-tents. There was no lack
of light now.

"Ho, Uml