is plans for the accumulation of power and wealth, he set
before him now a desire which had become the moving impulse of his
life--a desire primitive but overmastering--the desire of a strong man
for the woman he loves. In London he had scarcely dared admit so much
even to himself. Here, in this vast solitude, he was more master of
himself--dreams which seemed to him the most beautiful and the most
daring which he had ever conceived, filled his brain and stirred his
senses till the blood in his veins seemed flowing to a new and wonderful
music. Those were wonderful moments for him.

His pipe was nearly out, and a cooler breeze was stealing over the
plain. After all, perhaps an hour or so's sleep would be possible now.
He stretched himself and yawned, cast one more glance across the moonlit
plain, and then stood suddenly still, stiffened into an attitude of
breathless interest. Yonder, between two lines of shrubs, were moving
bodies--men, footsore and weary, crawling along with slow, painful
movements; one at least of them was a European, and even at that
distance Trent could tell that they were in grievous straits. He felt
for his revolver, and, finding that it was in his belt, descended the
hill quickly towards them.

With every step which he took he could distinguish them more plainly.
There were five Kru boys, a native of a tribe which he did not
recognise, and a European who walked with reeling footsteps, and who, it
was easy to see, was on the point of exhaustion. Soon they saw him, and
a feeble shout greeted his approach. Trent was within hailing distance
before he recognised the European. Then, with a little exclamation of
surprise, he saw that it was Captain Francis.

They met face to face in a moment, but Francis never recognised him. His
eyes were bloodshot, a coarse beard disguised his face, and his clothes
hung about him in rags. Evidently he was in a terrible plight. When he
spoke his voice sounded shrill and cracked.

"We are starving men," he said; "can you help us?"

"Of course we can," Trent answered quickly. "This way. We've plenty of
stores."

The little party stumbled eagerly after him. In a few moments they were
at the camp. Trent roused his companions, packages were hastily undone
and a meal prepared. Scarcely a word was said or a question asked. One
or two of the Kru boys seemed on the verge of insanity--Francis himself
was hysterical and faint. Trent boiled a kettle and made some beef-tea