y
these Tamils." We knew that under the circumstances Hassan's keen sense
of hearing would be more valuable than our own, and after a slight
protest agreed to leave him to his self-imposed task of watching while
we slept. He moved close to the entrance of the cave, and we followed
his example before seeking repose. Hassan made some further remark, to
which I do not clearly remember responding, the next event recalled
being that he awoke us from a sound sleep, saying:--

"Sahibs, the day has dawned, and the Tamils are evidently going to
attack us." We rose to our feet and, assuring ourselves that our pistols
were safe in our belts, we stood at the entrance of the cave and peered
out. The Tamils were gathering round the spot, listening eagerly to the
man who had first brought us into the grotto, and who was pointing at
the cave in which we were and gesticulating wildly to his companions.

III.

The savage bounded towards us as we appeared in the entry, and, grinning
fiercely, showed his white, protruding teeth.

"The Great Tamil commands his prisoners to appear before him again," he
cried. "He would fain learn something of the land whence they came." We
looked into each other's faces irresolute for a minute. If we advanced
from the cave we might be at once surrounded and slain, yet we were
unable to tell how many of the Tamils held the way between us and the
path down which we had come when entering the grotto.

"Tell him that we are ready to follow him," said Denviers to Hassan;
then turning to me he whispered: "Harold, watch your chance when we are
before this motionless nigger whom they call the Great Tamil. If I can
devise a scheme I will endeavour to find a way to surprise them, and
then we must make a dash for liberty." The Tamils, however, made no
attempt to touch us as we passed out before them and followed the
messenger sent to summon us to appear again before their monarch. The
grotto was still gloomy, for the light of day did not penetrate well
into it. We could, however, see clearly enough, and the being before
whom we were brought a second time seemed more repulsive than ever. We
noticed that the limbs of his subjects were tattooed with various
designs as they stood round us and gazed in awe upon the silent form of
their monarch.

"The Great Tamil would know whether ye have yet decided to give up your
belts and weapons, that they may adorn his abode with the rest which he
has accumulated," said the s