re.

"Then they are not alarmed," he whispered, in tones of delight. "They
are cooking their evening meal, which reminds me that I am hungry and
thirsty, too. I must move on. Hullo!"

He fell like a stone, and lay with his body pressed close to the ground,
for his ear caught a sound, and his eye detected a figure on his right.
In that semi-darkness it looked huge and weird in shape, and might have
been an ox or any other animal. But the low tones of men talking showed
him that it must be the enemy, and caused him to grip his sword with
extra determination.

"Hoot! Hoot!" Once more he heard the call of the night owl, the same
cry as had awakened him when ascending the Pra, and which had aroused
his suspicion. It seemed certain that this was the signal commonly used
by the Ashantis, just as it had been for many and many a year by the Red
Indians of America. "Hoot! Hoot!"

The call was repeated, and almost at once, from a point but a few yards
nearer to the stockade, came the answer, "Hoot! Hoot!" Then the men
advanced, and halted close to their comrade, while a few words of
direction passed. Dick could with pleasure have dropped through the
earth, so great was his dismay and consternation. Then he could have
shouted with delight.

"Just a bit of sheer good fortune," he thought. "Here was I advancing
right on to one of the enemy, and these fellows gave me a warning. Very
well. The hoot of the owl is the signal, and why should I not make it?
Why should I not follow these beggars on their rounds? They will be
visiting the sentries, and I shall then know where all are. I will go a
little way with them, and then slip through between two of the men."

It was a brilliant idea, and he set about carrying it out at once. He
lifted his head and kept watch on the natives, while he listened to
their conversation. Not that he could hear the words, for these men
were experienced warriors, and they knew that a whisper carried far on
such a still night. They conversed in the lowest of tones, and then
moved on. "Hoot! Hoot!" The weird call again broke the silence, and
was responded to. Then the native chiefs who were going the rounds
moved on, and after them crept Dick, as silent and stealthy as a snake,
one hand placed before the other, groping the ground to see that it was
clear of twigs or other material which might betray his presence. Then
the other would follow, and afterwards his knees would be drawn