no firearms at the command
of the Murhapas, unless some one recovered the weapon of Burkhardt, and
even then, Ashman would feel little fear of harm from the savages.

Ariel thought her parent and his little company would simply keep guard
at the entrance of the cavern, in order to intercept them, if they
discovered some way of re-crossing the chasm and attempted to leave.

But both were wrong.

The young man was resolved that no march should be stolen upon him. It
was impossible for the Murhapas to pass far enough around to leave the
place, without being seen, provided he kept unremitting watch, which he
felt competent to do for a number of hours to come.

If the siege was prolonged, he could take turns with Ariel, whose
bright eyes were quicker of perception than his.

In the cavern of diamonds, there was no means of telling when it was
day or night on the earth outside. Lit by the eternal fires of the
volcano, it was always day; but he carried a watch, which told him that
the night was far advanced, and that the bright sun would soon shine
upon mountain, forest, and river again, though his heart sank at the
faint prospect of it ever being his privilege to greet the orb again.

The incidents of the next hour mystified both Ashman and Ariel.

The first movement which attracted their notice, was Ziffak, who,
rising to the upright posture, so that his immense shoulders were in
plain sight, was seen picking his way along the ledge, until he reached
the opening on the other side. Through this he passed and was seen no
more.

It was useless to speculate as to the meaning of this proceeding, which
could not be explained until made clear by occurrences themselves. It
was safe to assume, however, that it was ostensibly in the interests of
King Haffgo, and therefore against those of the fugitive lovers.

Probably a half-hour after the disappearance of the chieftain, two of
the party were seen stealing along the ledge in the direction of the
entrance to the cavern. These, however, were of such slight stature,
when compared with Ziffak, and they made such efforts to conceal their
movements, that it was hard to follow or identify them. Ashman thought
that Haffgo was one of the number, but he could not make certain, and,
since Ariel did not catch as favoring a glimpse as he, she could give
no help in solving the question.

The best solution of the singular acts was that while the Murhapas
seemed to try to hide thems