Ed.

   He then appointed a place where his representative should meet us next day, and we separated, Pellmelli taking his staff, and going off to lead an excursion against the Ama-Tory, a brutal and licentious tribe.

   CHAPTER VIII.

   HE.

   Next day Leonora was suffering from a slight feverish cold, and I don't wonder at it considering what we suffered in the Zû. I therefore went alone to the rendezvous where I was to meet 'our representative.'

   To my surprise, nobody was there but old Pellmelli himself.

   'Why, you said you would send your representative!' I exclaimed.

   'We are our usual representative,' he answered rather sulkily. 'Come on, for we have to call on Messrs. Apples, the famous advertisers.'

   'Why?' said I.

   'Can you ask?' he replied. 'Can aught be more interesting than an advertiser?'

   '

    I

   call it log rolling,' I answered; but he was silent.

   He went at a great pace, and presently, in a somewhat sordid street, pointed his finger silently to an object over a door.

   It was the carven head of an Ethiopian!

   This new confirmation of the prophecy gave me quite a turn, especially when I read the characters inscribed beneath—

    Try our Fine Negro's Head!

   'Here dwells the sorcerer, even Asher,' said Pellmelli, and began to crawl upstairs on his hands and knees.

   'Why do you do that?' I asked, determined, if I must follow Pellmelli, at all events not to follow his example.

   'It is the manner of the tribe of Interviewers, my daughter. Ours is a blessed task, yet must we feign humility, or the savage 

 Prev. P 29/57 next