oved, both as to extortion and ill
treatment. Stanley at once deprived the man of his office, and
called upon the villagers to assemble and elect another in his
place.

"If you are not satisfied," he said to the fellow, "you can go to
Prome, and appeal to the general there; but I warn you that, if you
do, you must give notice to the villagers of your intention so that
they may, if they choose, send two or three of their number to
repeat the evidence that they have given me. I have noted this
fully down, and I can tell you that the general, when he reads it,
will be much more likely to order you a sound flogging, than to
reinstate you in your office."

It was dusk when Stanley arrived within two miles of the village
where he had left Harry. Meinik, who was riding just behind him,
brought his horse up alongside.

"Do you see that, sir? There is a light in the sky. It is just over
where the village is. I am afraid there is a fire there."

"You are right, Meinik. I hope nothing has gone wrong."

He touched his horse with his heel, and rode on at a gallop. He
became more and more anxious, as he approached the village. No
flames could be seen leaping up, but there was a dull glow in the
sky. As he rode into the clearing, he reined up his horse in
dismay. A number of glowing embers, alone, marked the place where
the village had stood; and no figures were to be seen moving about.

"There has been foul play, Meinik.

"Get ready for action, men," he said to the two troopers, and they
dashed forward at a gallop.

Two or three little groups of people were sitting, in an attitude
of deep dejection, by the remains of their houses.

"What has happened?" Stanley shouted, as he rode up.

"The robbers have been here, and have slain many, and burned the
village."

"Where is my friend?"

"They have carried him off, my lord; or at least, we cannot find
his body. His servant and one of the soldiers are lying dead; but
of the other soldier, and the officer, there are no signs."

"This is terrible!" Stanley exclaimed. "Tell me exactly how it
happened."

"It was four hours ago, my lord. The robbers came suddenly out from
the plantation, and fell upon the people. Many they killed at once;
but many also have escaped as we did, by running in among the
plantations, and so into the forest. We heard the firing of guns,
for a little time; then everything was silent, and we knew that the
robbers were searching the houses. Half an ho