the natives, and expressed his
wish to go and see what they were about. He wanted Dick Nailor to go
with him. Now Dick, though very big, and utterly fearless of human
foes, had not quite made up his mind as to the cause of the strange
sounds. I, therefore, fully agreeing with Mark, told Dick to take
charge of the camp, and that I would accompany my boy. Poor Dick was
really unhappy at this; but I, wishing to prove to the men that although
Satan was busy enough in the country, it was not by making strange
sounds in the bush, persisted in my determination. Mark, laughing
heartily at the fears of our companions, set off with me.

We had not got far when we saw the light of a fire burning in an open
space among the trees, and figures passing in front of it. For a short
time the fire was hid from us by some thick bushes, but when we had got
round them we both stopped, and I must confess even I drew my breath
somewhat short, for just on the other side of the fire appeared twenty
or more skeletons dancing about in the most fantastic manner. Suddenly
they would disappear; then again return and frisk about more furiously
than before. I rubbed my eyes, I thought that I must be in a dream, or
deceived in some way or other. I asked Mark what he saw.

"A skeleton dance, and a very curious thing it is too, but it's some
trick of those black fellows," he whispered. "Jacob was telling me that
they have meetings at night and play all sorts of pranks. I caught
sight of the figure of a man just now, between us and the fire, and I
could not see through his ribs. He was no skeleton, at all events."

We crept cautiously nearer, and then saw that what looked like the bones
of skeletons were merely white marks painted on the bodies of the
blacks, and that when they turned round these were concealed from us.
Still I must say that their appearance was at first quite sufficient to
startle anybody not prepared to see them.

Not wishing to disturb the natives we retreated quietly to our camp, but
though we described the curious sight none of the men seemed disposed to
go out and look at it. The natives kept up their revels for a
considerable time, and prevented us from getting much sleep. They
effectually prevented the cattle, however, from straying in their
direction. The natives were keeping what is called a Corroboree, and I
do not know that it is a much more barbarous amusement than many of more
civilised people.

We were o