octor's contemptuous words, while
his cousin, startled by Mark's suggestion, now said eagerly, "And there
are those two bits like ferrules about the chiefs spear. They are not
brass wire."

"No," said the doctor, "but they might be thicker pieces beaten out into
ferrules. But really, boys, you have started a curious train of
thought. I hardly noticed the bangles; I was so much occupied with the
little fellow's wound. It might be what you say. I wish you had spoken
before. It is a most interesting suggestion. Well, it isn't worth
while to go after them, and we will examine them closely to-morrow
morning."

"But you said that we were going away to-day," said Mark.

"Yes," replied the doctor, "but we are not obliged, and--really, this is
interesting. It opens up quite a train of thought. Here, we will talk
it over with Sir James at breakfast."

It was talked over quietly during the meal, and the party stayed that
day, while the next morning both boys were awake before daylight and on
the look out, with Mak, for the coming of the little strangers. But
there was no sign of the tiny black chief and his men.

"They won't come," said Mark impatiently, "and we have let the chance
slip by of finding out something very interesting."

"But we don't want to find out anything about gold," said Dean, with a
ring of contempt in his words.

"No," said Mark, "but I should have liked to have found out that it was
gold, all the same. Well," continued the boy, "that little chap has
done with the doctor, and there will be no more bandaging."

"And no more of those big birds, unless we shoot them ourselves," said
Dean.

"Wrong!" cried Mark excitedly. "Here they are!"

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

A RICH DISCOVERY.

Dean Roche started in his excitement, for as his cousin spoke he saw
that Mak, who had been waiting near, stood pointing with his spear at
the little party of pigmies who were winding through the bushes and low
growth at the forest edge, the little chief at their head, followed by
four of his men bearing a couple of little antelopes swinging from
spears, while behind them were two pigmies carrying what seemed to be a
sort of creel, in which was their wounded fellow.

"I say, look!" cried Dean. "He must be better."

"Go and tell the doctor, Mak," said Mark, and then as Mak strode off, "I
am glad they have come," cried Dean.

"Yes. We must tell the doctor to look at the brass bangles," said Mark.

"They