seen Ravonino lately?" asked Hockins.

"No--I have not seen him _lately_."

"How, then, do you know he will be ready?"

"Because," said Mark, with a peculiar look, "I have been smitten with
his complaint, and know that it runs the same course and exhibits the
same phases in most men. Let a young fellow see his intended bride
treated with cruelty, and you may be sure that, no matter what
difficulties may be in the way, he will hasten at the very first
opportunity to meet and carry off the sweet little fairy in spite of--"

"Das me an' my black darlin', zactly--same zif you bin dar an' sawd us
do it!" exclaimed Ebony, with beaming interest.

"Just so," resumed Mark. "However, I have not left things altogether to
chance. Although I did not see Ravonino lately, I saw him not _very_
long ago, and gave him to understand that when some unusual festivities
were going on in this garden he was to be ready at the old spot for
whatever might happen! Now, here is my little plan. You know I've been
drilling fifty picked natives for some time in that big shed at the back
of the cliff on the north side o' the city. I picked them for
intelligence as well as strength and activity. Well, I have taught them
a wild war-dance. It cost me no little trouble and many sleepless
nights to invent it, but I've managed it, and hope to show the Queen and
Court what can be done by a little organisation. These fifty are first
of all to glide quietly among the trees, each man to a particular spot
and hang on the branches fifty earthen saucers full of grease, with
wicks in them. At a given signal they are to light these
instantaneously and retire. At another signal they are to rush upon the
open space in front of the garden-house, and there engage in a sham
fight. While thus engaged, men who have been taught will set fire to
the mildest of our fireworks. When these are about to go out I will
myself light the big Roman candle--"

"De young cannon, massa?"

"Yes, the young cannon, and that will keep things going for a
considerable time. Now, it is when the fight of the fifty begins and
engrosses the attention of every one that I will myself take Rafaravavy
out from among the ladies and lead her to the rendezvous. You will all
stand by--to lend a hand if need be--at the south-east corner of the
garden-house, that I may know exactly where to find you. My hope and
expectation is that by keeping things going as long as possible our
frie