on the march; but it was not until the sun was well out that they saw what manner of man their new guide was.  A strange monkey-figure —­very black, with wrinkled skin about the elbows, thin arms, knobby knees, a bulging stomach, and round bright eyes!  He carried a little bow, a sheaf of tiny arrows, and wore the glittering chain and knife round his neck.  He took the “upper road,” and was very like a monkey in the ease and agility with which he manoeuvred the branches.  Presently he was joined by two companions, who appeared apparently from the tree-tops—­one was black, the other lighter in colour, and of vast pigmy stature, reaching a height of quite 4 ft. 6 in.  It was found advisable to give these two some badge of office, for when they had become accustomed to the white men, they stopped the march for a violent discussion about the glittering jewel worn with such outrageous pride by the first man.  The present of a red silk handkerchief to one, and of a tin box that had held meat tabloids to the other, restored peace.  The handkerchief was converted into a turban, the box into a decoration for the breast, and then, chatting like a treeful of monkeys, the three guides went on at a quick pace.  There was no midday rest, no halt for coffee-making; they had evidently been told by Muata to hurry, and whenever their white men showed a tendency to slacken, they frowned, cracked their fingers, and capered about.  Towards night, however, they descended from the upper road.

“Thank goodness, they’ll have to stop when it grows dark,” sighed Venning.

The little men gave a long rolling call by moving the hand before the mouth; then two of them slipped away, and presently an answering call came out of the wood.  A little later the travellers stood on the edge of a small clearing, surrounded by little round huts made of leaves, and in the centre stood the gigantic warrior with the tin box, and his proud companion with the flame-coloured head.  They were grinning from ear to ear as they beckoned their “white men” to advance within the circle of that forest city!  Stepping over one of the leafy buildings, and just avoiding knocking down the pillars of an edifice that was probably the town hall, they entered the opening, piled their outfit, and started a fire to prepare the evening meal.  The town had appeared deserted, except for the three little guides; but as the giants sipped from their pannikins little forms flitted nearer, and quaint little faces peered at them from every point.

“Take no notice of them,” whispered Mr. Hume, as he handed a pannikin to the first guide.