“By Jove, I don’t know but that you are right, Barney,” declared Buckden. ‪“At any rate, it looks to me like a very good opportunity to escape.”

“Shure, it’s a foine chance.”

Not one of the pigmy people were left in the place.

Of course Barney and young Buckden did not hesitate a moment to avail themselves of the opportunity.

Buckden led the way and they crossed the broad chamber and came to a passage which seemed to lead upwards.

There were stairs cut in the stone, and up these the two imprisoned men sprung.

A moment later they came out into the main body of the temple. Now they could hear the crack of fire-arms and the yells of the pigmy people.

It was at the moment when the Steam Man was about to leave the court-yard and had been attacked by the natives, if such they could be called.

Both Buckden and Barney could see the heads of the contestants beyond a wall of stone.

It was their impulse to go to the aid of Frank and Pomp.