arch, and
a portion of this furnished a meal to the two prisoners, who were,
however, obliged to eat it raw, being afraid to light a fire, lest the
smoke, however slight, should be observed coming out at the entrance.

The next morning, so far as they could see, the place was deserted by
the natives. Lying far back in the cave they could see that the men
on the opposite side of the ravine had retired; but as it was quite
possible that the natives, feeling still convinced that the fugitives
must be hidden somewhere, had set a watch at some spot commanding a
view of the whole ravine, they did not venture to show themselves at the
entrance.

After making another meal of the bear, they sallied out, when it again
became dark, and made their way along the path. When they neared the end
they saw a party of the enemy sitting round a great fire at the mouth
of the ravine below them. They retired a short distance, and sat down
patiently until at last the fire burned low, and the natives, leaving
two of the party on watch, lay down to sleep. Then Malchus and his
companion rose to their feet, and made their way along the path. When
they were nearly abreast of the fire, Malchus happened to tread upon a
loose stone, which went bouncing down the side of the hill.

The scouts gave a shout, which called their companions to their feet,
and started up the hillside towards the spot where the stone had fallen.

Nessus discharged an arrow, which struck full on the chest of the leader
of the party, and then followed Malchus along the hillside.

A shout of rage broke from the natives as their comrade fell; but
without pausing they pushed on. Malchus did not hurry. Silence now was
of more importance than speed. He strode along, then, with a rapid but
careful step, Nessus following closely behind him. The shouts of
the savages soon showed that they were at fault. Malchus listened
attentively as he went. Whenever the babel of tongues ceased for a
moment he stopped perfectly still, and only ventured on when they were
renewed.

At last they had placed a long gap between them and their pursuers, and
came out on a level shoulder of the hill. They continued their way until
they found themselves at the edge of the forest. It was so dark under
the trees that they could no longer advance, and Malchus therefore
determined to wait till the dawn should enable them to continue their
journey. Whether they were in a clump of trees or in the forest, which