If I
get another chance, I will try to save her yet."

The teacher shook his head. "Nay, my young friend, I had better not
tell him that: it will only incense him."

"I care not," replied Jack. "If you don't tell him that, you'll tell
him nothing, for I won't say anything softer."

On hearing Jack's speech, Tararo frowned, and his eye flashed with
anger.

"Go, presumptuous boy!" he said. "My debt to you cancelled. You and
your companions shall die!"

As he spoke he rose and signed to several of attendants, who seized Jack
and Peterkin and violently by the collars, and dragging us from the
house of the chief, led us through the wood to the outskirts of the
village. Here they thrust us into a species of natural cave in a cliff,
and having barricaded the entrance, left us in total darkness.

After feeling about for some time--for our legs were unshackled,
although our wrists were still bound with thongs--we found a low ledge
of rock running along one side of the cavern. On this we seated
ourselves, and for a long time maintained unbroken silence.

At last I could restrain my feelings no longer. "Alas! dear Jack and
Peterkin," said I, "what is to become of us? I fear that we are doomed
to die."

"I know not," replied Jack in a tremulous voice--"I know not. Ralph, I
regret deeply the hastiness of my violent temper, which, I must confess,
has been the chief cause of our being brought to this sad condition.
Perhaps the teacher may do something for us. But I have little hope."

"Ah no!" said Peterkin with a heavy sigh; "I am sure he can't help us.
Tararo doesn't care more for him than for one of his dogs."

"Truly," said I, "there seems no chance of deliverance, unless the
Almighty puts forth His arm to save us. Yet I must say I have great
hope, my comrades; for we have come to this dark place by no fault of
ours--unless it be a fault to try to succour a woman in distress."

I was interrupted in my remarks by a noise at the entrance to the
cavern, which was caused by the removal of the barricade. Immediately
after three men entered, and taking us by the collars of our coats, led
us away through the forest. As we advanced we heard much shouting and
beating of native drums in the village, and at first we thought that our
guards were conducting us to the hut of Tararo again. But in this we
were mistaken. The beating of drums gradually increased, and soon after
we observed a procession of the natives co