er and just about to start for a further exploration of the
gigantic walls whose ruins cropped up in all directions; and after the
matter had been discussed it was decided that though there was a doubt
as to whether it was not all imagination, it would be wise to try to
keep up a stricter watch by night.

"You see," said Dan, as Sir James and the doctor resumed their search,
"it's like this, sir. It might be some animile or one of them doggy
monkey things come stealing about in the night, or even one of the
niggers come to see if he could pinch something good out of the stores."

"That's hardly likely," said Mark.

But a morning or two later Mark went up to his father and startled him
with a question:

"Have you taken my rifle away, father?"

"Your rifle? No! Why?"

"It isn't hanging on the pegs with the others."

"Nonsense! Perhaps you did not look in the right place. Let's see."

Sir James led the way to where a number of pegs had been driven into the
old wall beneath the canvas roof.

"They are not all there, certainly," he said. "Perhaps the doctor has
taken yours by mistake."

"No; he has got his own."

"Mark, my boy, I'm afraid you have had it out somewhere and left it
standing up against a rock or tree--forgotten it."

"Oh, father," cried the boy excitedly, "I am sure I haven't! I had it
last night, cleaned it and oiled it carefully, and then put it back in
its place."

"Are you sure? Last night?"

"Yes, father, certain. Here, I will call Dean."

The latter came trotting up in answer to his cousin's whistle, heard
what was wrong, and corroborated Mark's words.

"But are you sure it was last night?"

"Yes, uncle, certain. I did mine at the same time. You must have had
it out, Mark. It can't be lost."

"I haven't had it out," cried the boy angrily. "I had breakfast, then
went and had a talk with Dan, and then went to get the rifle, and it was
gone."

"Well, let the matter drop for a time," said Sir James quietly.

"Is anything wrong?" said the doctor coming up.

"Yes, my rifle's gone;" and after hearing what each had to say the
doctor turned to Mark.

"You feel sure about it now, my boy, but we all have such fits as that
sometimes; then all at once the fact dawns upon us that we have put away
the missing article to be safe, or for some other reason, and then we
wonder how we could possibly have forgotten it."

Mark nodded his head, looked at his cousin, and they went off t