owed up by the triumphant notes of the bugle as it sounded cease
firing--for the fight was at an end.

There was another cheer in the distance, and another, and the boys,
whose breasts were still swelling with emotion, doubled by the captain's
words--his appealing "Don't say that--" now stared vainly and unable to
comprehend why it was that fresh shots were raising the echoes again in
the direction of the cavern kopje; and it was not till Buck Denham on
one side, Dan Mann on the other, caught Mark, wincing and grimacing with
pain from their numbed arms, and pointed, that the truth came home.

Both he and Dean were beginning to have some glimmering of the truth,
and then it was enforced by a volley fired from the slope leading down
from the cavern.

It was only a little volley fired from four rifles, but it was as if the
echoes of the old ruins had multiplied it as being from four thousand.

It was so little, but meant so much, for it was fired by Sir James, the
doctor, and the two keepers, who had found a refuge in the old medicine
man's sanctuary, which, in spite of fierce besieging, they had managed
to hold until the rescue came.

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.

CLEARING UP.

"How did I manage to come to your help?" cried Captain Lawton, as he
stood with his fellow countrymen in a group; and when his men had ceased
raising the echoes again and again with their exultant cheers, "Why, of
course it was through your messenger, who galloped hot foot all the way,
changing ponies as they broke down. Cheerful looking chap that, but how
he can ride! Ah, here he comes."

For Dunn Brown came into sight, walking towards them slowly, the four
ponies following him like dogs.

He came up very quietly, and as those whom he had rescued advanced to
meet him, full of expressions of gratitude, there was one who could not
speak the words he wished to say. They were something that he had at
heart concerning calling Dunn Brown a coward; but he never knew, and for
his part, when he had to speak he only looked dismally at those who
surrounded him and said, "So--" Then he stopped short to give a gulp,
and added, "glad;" but it sounded like a sigh.

He literally sneaked away as soon as he could, to shake hands with Dan
and Buck Denham. This however he did with so much energy than Dan
yelled and Buck roared, "Murder!"

"Don't!" he cried. "My arms are both coming off. But I say, Brownie,
you are the finest foreloper I ever had in my l