sharply, as he caught the words. "Boss--find--
big--stones;" and he waved his spear again after pointing towards the
forest and then describing the route they must follow in the air.

Mak watched the doctor eagerly, then turned to the little chief, said a
word or two, and the little fellow passed on what was evidently an order
to his followers, who began to move off, when a thought struck Mark and
he caught the little chief by the arm and led him towards the second
waggon.

"Here, Dean," he cried, "jump in and get those two new spare knives out
of the fore chest. Look sharp. I'm afraid to leave go. This fellow's
all of a quiver with fright, and I am afraid he will bolt."

"All right," was the reply, and leaving Mark and his prisoner waiting,
the boy sprang up into the waggon, and came back with a couple of
strongly made, buckhorn-handled, four-bladed pocket knives, one of which
Mark slipped into his pocket, retaining the other in his hand.

"You take my place," he said, "and hold tight. Don't let him go."

Then turning to the little black he began to open slowly first one and
then another of the highly polished blades, which glittered in the sun,
while without attempting to resist, the little fellow stared at him
wildly, and it was easy to read his emotions in his twitching face.

"Now, you see this?" said Mark, as holding out the knife close to their
prisoner he snapped back first one and then two more of the shining
blades, which went back into the haft with sharp snaps. Then taking a
step to the nearest bush, with one sharp cut he took off a good-sized
bough, returning to where the pigmy was watching him, trimming the piece
of wood as he walked, and leaving the twigs besprinkling the ground.

"There," said Mark, as he closed the remaining blade, after wiping it
carefully where it was moistened with sap, "I didn't want to rob you of
your gold rings, and you have been a very good little fellow, so that's
for you."

As he finished speaking he thrust the closed knife into the little
chiefs hand, and then walked back with him to where the weak-looking
little patient sat watching all that had gone on with wide open eyes.

"Now," cried Mark, patting him on the back; "make haste and get well. I
don't suppose I shall ever see you again. Be a good boy, and don't go
near lions. There's a knife for you too. So toddle."

"What nonsense!" cried Dean. "Poor little chap! Doesn't he wish he
could!"

The littl