Nerving myself for the task, I stepped forth on to the narrow shelf--no more than the merest black dot to the watching eyes beneath--and flung forth the flaming torch in fiery welcome to the Sun.

A shrill cry from the throats far below reached my ears in the merest thread of sound, yet before I drew back from the edge, I witnessed a responsive signal of flame from the mound summit, and inferred that no suspicion had been aroused in the minds of the guardians of these heathen rites.

Satisfied of our present safety I walked back to the great chamber, and beheld the old priest and Cairnes glaring angrily at each other, while the latter nursed his leg so tenderly as to make me apprehensive of further trouble having arisen between them.
"What now, brother Cairnes ?" I questioned in some anxiety, noting as I came nearer stains of fresh blood on his hose.
"Yonder black-faced cannibal buried his teeth in my calf," he growled gloomily.

"Saints of Israel! I did merely lean over seeking another bit of meat, when he fastened on to me in that fashion, and hung there like a bull-dog until I choked him loose.

'Tis my vote we kill the ungodly man-eater, who has already feasted off your hand and my leg." The energetic movement of his red head clearly evidenced the sincerity of his feelings, yet it was not in my heart to avenge our wrongs upon a helpless prisoner.
"No, friend; we are white, not red.