ance was the signal for the savages to raise
excited cries, which continued till we stood before Wimpai, who was
partly surrounded by a number of his armed women. The chief of our
captors, who had received several severe burns and injuries through his
fall, pressed forward, and telling first of our fight in the rocky
passage, afterwards spoke of his own rescue by Denviers, so we learnt
from Hassan. Wimpai rose and leant upon his spear when the savage had
concluded his account, and was evidently perplexed as to what course to
pursue.

Hassan managed to explain our purpose in visiting the chief, and with an
immobile countenance asked for us to be shown the hidden treasure, a
request which brought forth a shrill laugh from those around. We could
not understand what passed between Wimpai and the Arab, but the latter
succeeded in producing a favourable effect by his persuasive words, for
he turned to us eventually, saying:--

"Wimpai declares that between his tribe and those who carry the dragon
banner to war there has been of late much fighting, which is the reason
his people have sought this strange shelter."

"I should have thought these niggers could tell the difference between
us and Chinamen," interposed Denviers.

"That is so," responded the Arab; "but the sahib forgets that in the
memory of every wild tribe those who have injured them are never
forgotten. Finding that we were not like the people with whom they have
recently been fighting, those who took us prisoners thought we were the
descendants of the fell Spaniards whom their traditions recall. I have
told Wimpai that ye are of the same nation as the Feringhee sailor who
married the daughter of one of their chiefs so long ago, and he promises
that we shall see the treasure, and may take as much of it as we can
bear away. Even now a boat is being got ready for us to enter, and a
warrior woman is to accompany us down the strange stream which leads to
the place where the contents of the galleon have long been hidden."

[Illustration: "WE SAW A WOMAN APPROACH."]

As the Arab finished speaking, we saw a woman approach, bearing a torch.
Obedient to Wimpai's command, she moved towards one of the rocky
passages, and motioned to us to follow. We advanced in single file
behind our strange guide, and soon found ourselves in another of the
great fissures, which seemed to traverse the heart of the volcano in all
directions. Before us, by the light of the flaring torch,