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I did not speak at first for fear of frightening the little one away. But when I was

satisfied that her eyes had become sufficiently accustomed to the subdued light

of the interior, I smiled.

Instantly the expression of fear faded from her eyes to be replaced with an

answering smile.

Who are you, little girl?" I asked.

My name is Mary," she replied. "I am Victory's sister."

And who is Victory?"

You do not know who Victory is?" she asked, in astonishment.

I shook my head in negation.

"You saved her from the elephant country people, and yet you say you do not

know her!" she exclaimed.

Oh, so she is Victory, and you are her sister! I have not heard her name before.

That is why I did not know whom you meant," I explained. Here was just the

messenger for me. Fate was becoming more kind.

Will you do something for me, Mary?" I asked.

If I can."

Go to your mother, the queen, and ask her to come to me," I said. "I have a favor

to ask."

She said that she would, and with a parting smile she left me.

For what seemed many hours I awaited her return, chafing with impatience. The

afternoon wore on and night came, and yet no one came near me. My captors

brought me neither food nor water. I was suffering considerable pain where the

rawhide thongs cut into my swollen flesh. I thought that they had either

forgotten me, or that it was their intention to leave me here to die of starvation.

Once I heard a great uproar in the village. Men were shouting--women were

screaming and moaning. After a time this subsided, and again there was a long

interval of silence.

Half the night must have been spent when I heard a sound in the trench near the

hut. It resembled muffled sobs. Presently a figure appeared, silhouetted against

the lesser darkness beyond the doorway. It crept inside the hut.

The Lost Continent