d, they would be
allowed to descend the Xingu to their homes, under their pledge to tell
no person what they had seen and learned about the Murhapas.

CHAPTER XXII.

ARIEL THE BEAUTIFUL.

It will be understood that during the interview described, the three
white men stood near the front entrance to the royal apartment with
their faces turned toward King Haffgo.

In this position each made good use of his eyes and Fred Ashman's, from
some cause or other, continually wandered to the draped curtains at the
right of the ruler, between which he must pass when entering or leaving
that part of his residence.

It was while his gaze was used on these curtains that he saw them
gently agitated in a way which left no doubt that some person on the
other side was the cause.

By and by he discerned part of a dainty hand, and the next minute
became aware that a pair of the most beautifully lustrous eyes on which
he had ever gazed was peering into the apartment.

"_It is Ariel_," was his instant thought, "and she as listening to the
words that we are speaking."

The thought had hardly found shape, when one eye, a part of a lovely
face and the top of the head were discerned, as the owner, giving rein
to her curiosity, ventured upon a little further view of the visitors.

Then, as if conscious of her breach of etiquette, she withdrew, like a
flash, from view altogether.

But he knew it was only for a brief interval, and sure enough, the eyes
speedily appeared at another portion of the curtains, where the
beauteous princess must have believed she was not observed, for she
looked steadily at the faces of the visitors, with a depth of interest
that it was vain for her to attempt to conceal.

The heart of Fred Ashman gave a flutter, when he realized that the
midnight orbs were fastened upon _him_, and, evidently studying his
countenance with more interest than those of his companions.

Feeling a peculiar boldness, because of the strange situation in which
he was placed, he deliberately smiled at the unknown one.

She could not have vanished more suddenly had she been snatched away by
the hand of some ogre.

A pang shot through Fred's heart, as he felt that he had driven away
the enchantress by his own forwardness. He reproached himself bitterly
for having overreached himself.

But while he was lamenting, he once more discovered the eyes, rivalling
the diamonds in the crown of her royal father, slyly viewing him from