ht revealed the handsome countenance of
Laihova.

"Sit down, my brother," said Ravonino to the youth, in tones of unusual
tenderness, "and let me know what brings you here so unexpectedly."

"I come to offer my service," replied the youth, with a modest air.
"You have told me that you go to Antananarivo to rescue Rafaravavy.
Your face is known to every one in the town. If you enter it, your
death will be certain."

"But I do not intend to enter it," said Ravonino; "these my white
friends will aid me."

"The white men may be wise and brave, but they know not how to aid you,
I am not so well-known in the town. I will venture into it, and will
show them where to go and what to do."

The guide shook his head and was silent for some moments. He seemed
uncertain how to act.

"What says Laihova?" asked Mark Breezy at this point, for the
conversation having been conducted in the native tongue they as yet
understood nothing.

The guide briefly explained, and then turned to the young man.

"But how can you think of leaving your friends in the cave, Laihova?
They may require your strong arm; and my sister is--"

"It was my friends who advised me to leave them," said the youth,
quickly, "and Ra-Ruth bade me go. Besides, have we not entered into the
Covenant of Blood?"

"Well, you may come with us. After all, Ra-Ruth is right."

"What does he mean by the Covenant of Blood?" asked Mark when the guide
explained what had just been said.

"It means that he and I are united by one of the closest ties that bind
the men of this island. No doubt you will think it a strange alliance,
nevertheless it is a true and a strong bond of brotherhood. It is meant
to unite two people in sacred friendship, so that ever afterwards they
feel bound to help and defend each other. When two persons agree to
form this bond, a meeting is arranged for the performance of the
ceremony and taking the vow. Some gunpowder and a ball are brought,
with a little ginger, a spear, and two particular kinds of grass. A
fowl is also used. Its head is nearly cut off, and it is left to bleed
during the ceremony. Then a long vow of mutual friendship, assistance,
and defence is pronounced. After this each man drinks a few drops of
the other's blood. To obtain it they make a small cut in the skin of
the centre of the bosom, which they call `the mouth of the heart.'"

"And did you go through this ceremony with Laihova?" asked Mark.

"I did, many ye