out in a wild litter, together
with our unfortunate cameras and plate-carriers, but none of them were
missing. On the other hand, all the exposed provisions--and I
remembered that there were a considerable quantity of them--were gone.
They were animals, then, and not natives, who had made the inroad, for
surely the latter would have left nothing behind.

But if animals, or some single terrible animal, then what had become of
my comrades? A ferocious beast would surely have destroyed them and
left their remains. It is true that there was that one hideous pool of
blood, which told of violence. Such a monster as had pursued me during
the night could have carried away a victim as easily as a cat would a
mouse. In that case the others would have followed in pursuit. But
then they would assuredly have taken their rifles with them. The more
I tried to think it out with my confused and weary brain the less could
I find any plausible explanation. I searched round in the forest, but
could see no tracks which could help me to a conclusion. Once I lost
myself, and it was only by good luck, and after an hour of wandering,
that I found the camp once more.

Suddenly a thought came to me and brought some little comfort to my
heart. I was not absolutely alone in the world. Down at the bottom of
the cliff, and within call of me, was waiting the faithful Zambo. I
went to the edge of the plateau and looked over. Sure enough, he was
squatting among his blankets beside his fire in his little camp. But,
to my amazement, a second man was seated in front of him. For an
instant my heart leaped for joy, as I thought that one of my comrades
had made his way safely down. But a second glance dispelled the hope.
The rising sun shone red upon the man's skin. He was an Indian. I
shouted loudly and waved my handkerchief. Presently Zambo looked up,
waved his hand, and turned to ascend the pinnacle. In a short time he
was standing close to me and listening with deep distress to the story
which I told him.

"Devil got them for sure, Massa Malone," said he. "You got into the
devil's country, sah, and he take you all to himself. You take advice,
Massa Malone, and come down quick, else he get you as well."

"How can I come down, Zambo?"

"You get creepers from trees, Massa Malone. Throw them over here. I
make fast to this stump, and so you have bridge."

"We have thought of that. There are no creepers here which could bear
us."