l advance to attack the Abyssinians. Make
your preparations and we will be off." Stepping up to the camels, which
were quietly grazing on the jungle grass, he proceeded to remove every
part of their trappings which would betray its Abyssinian make, until
only the simple covering remained. With a cry of delight he held up two
white burnouses that had been fastened to the saddle bags, and said:

"With these on and our faces darkened it will take a clever man to
penetrate our disguise in the night time."

It was not such an easy matter to stain their faces, but with the
application of a little moist earth from the mouth of the cavern, it was
finally accomplished to their satisfaction, and after a hasty review of
their plans and a code of instructions for Melton's guidance during
their absence, the two daring adventurers mounted their camels and rode
slowly off into the darkness toward the hostile camp of the Gallas.

It was very near midnight, and as they trotted briskly across the
desert, sounds of mirth floated on the air from the camp where the
Abyssinians were making merry over their victory, serenely ignorant of
the surprise that dawn was to bring them.

The distant glow ahead seemed to come nearer and nearer with every
stride of the camels, and Guy could hardly believe that nearly four
miles had been traversed when Canaris pointed out the camp just in front
of them.

It was too late to think of retreat now, for already the approach of the
camels was detected and a host of dark figures were visible moving
across the still glowing embers.

Fearful of an attack, Canaris shouted out loudly, "Makar Makalo! Makar
Makalo!" and then, lashing his beast, they galloped into the very center
of a turbulent throng, who crowded around them with blazing torches.

Canaris knew barely enough of the language to request an interpreter and
the head man of the tribe, and the savages, awed for a moment by the
fierce manner in which he made these demands, fell back a little, and
Guy had opportunity to observe his surroundings.

He was in a corner of the village which seemed to have escaped the
worst of the fray, for a dozen or more huts were standing, and the
largest of these was encircled by a dozen heavily armed men. His heart
beat fast at the thought that Sir Arthur and Colonel Carrington were
confined within.

Just then a huge savage, wearing a leopard skin about his waist,
advanced through the crowd, which fell back at his ap