rols looked upon all strangers as foes and the blacks
were dangerous looking fellows. The Kungora tribe was warlike and
powerful, which accounted for the slave raiders leaving them alone.

Tall, well formed and athletic, each man was like an ebony statue,
armed with a long bow or else with a slender lance tipped with a
leaf-shaped iron point and a broad shield of buffalo hide. The shields
were painted with fantastic designs and light as they were could turn a
spear thrust or withstand an arrow.

The black warriors were scantily clad with strips of hide and adorned
with copper bracelets and neckbands. Their round heads were covered
with little pointed caps, under which their rolling eyes and shiny
negro features looked fiercely hostile, as they glared at the strange
blond savages and the ape-like Gorols.

As Dick reached the center of the cleared space, he wheeled his horse
suddenly and looked up at the lowest branches of the trees above the
jungle path he had just left, but a dense tangle of vines and moss hung
from limb to limb. There was no sign of the man who had spoken to them.

"Raal and his people would say this was black magic," exclaimed Dick,
"and I'm half inclined to think it is. Who ever heard of such a
strange coincidence? It doesn't happen."

But Dick Oakwood bowed toward the tree. "We thank you, Mahatma
Sikandar for your protection."

But before Dick could speak further, Sikandar went on in his clipped
English.

"The young Sahib has come far. The journey was full of frightful
dangers, and Dick Sahib has done this for the sake of a girl he does
not love. That much I see."

"And that is true, Mahatma Sikandar. But how did you know it?" asked
Dick.

"He must be a mind reader. Or maybe it _is_ black magic!" said Dan in
an undertone.

As they talked, the warriors of the Taharans and Gorols glared
suspiciously at the black men; their hands were on their weapons ready
to fight. Raal tried to quiet them, feeling that the Boy King could be
trusted. He watched Dick's face but it showed no sign of fear or
uneasiness. Therefore, he, as Dick's chief warrior, need not be
afraid. He dismounted and drew near to Dick.

But the Boy King had his eyes on the screen of vines above the path.
At first he could see nothing but the mass of green, but finally
through the foliage he saw two shining eyes staring at him. Then the
leaves parted and Mahatma Sikandar's whole head appeared. It was a
broad g