trees at the opposite side to where Mark had made the attempt, and
the two boys and their little leader disappeared just as Mak and a
couple more of the tribe joined the doctor with the two gourds of the
previous day re-filled with clear spring water.

The boys found the place where the injured little black was lying, as
dark as ever, but they made out that his eyes were closed, and that he
was sleeping heavily, for he had not heard their approach, and Mark was
bending down watching him intently when the doctor, guided by Mak,
silently approached.

"Asleep, eh?" he said. "Come, that's a good sign. Quite calmly too.
That's a proof that he's not in pain." But perhaps from a feeling that
others were present, the little fellow awoke with a start and stared up
at his watchers with rather a scared look till he recognised who had
come, when, though no muscle of his serious little countenance betokened
the dawning of a smile, his eyes thoroughly laughed as they encountered
those of the doctor, who knelt down by his side.

"Well, monster," said the latter good-humouredly, "you are better,
that's plain."

The pigmy raised his right hand, passed it across and gently stroked the
white bandage the doctor had secured about the wounded limb.

"Yes," said the doctor. "It's rather soon, and I'm half disposed to
wait till to-morrow."

"Better not," said Mark. "Father may have said we had better get on."

"H'm!" said the doctor, as he softly drew the little hand away and then
laid his own upon the bandage. "Rather hot," he said gently. "No
wonder, after what I had to do yesterday. Yes, it can't do any harm to
re-dress it;" and to Mark's surprise he drew out a little bundle of lint
and a roll of bandage from his breast-pocket, setting to work at once,
laying bare the terrible wound, which he bathed and cleansed, and then
after drying it tenderly he applied a fresh piece of lint soaked with
the antiseptic drops from the little bottle, which also made its
appearance from the doctor's pocket.

"I didn't know you had come prepared, doctor," said Mark, as he
supported the arm so that his companion could easily apply the fresh
bandage; and when this was done he laid it gently back by the little
savage's side, looking at him admiringly the while, for he had not even
winced.

"There," said the doctor, "I begin to think nature will do the rest for
you; but I will come in and see you again. Why, hallo!" he continued.
"I didn't kn