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. But this was seen at once to be clearly impossible. They could not hope to successfully fight their way through the crowd of people. Moreover, a thrilling danger now confronted the fugitives. The three trained tigers from whom Frank and Pomp had so narrowly escaped were gamboling in the court-yard. If they should chance to catch sight of young Buckden and Barney the result would not be pleasant for them. Clearly the safest way for the two adventurers was to steal out of the place and gain the forest beyond. Then they might trust to luck in rejoining the Steam Man. Certainly it was the best method to pursue. This Buckden at once proceeded to do. He led the way boldly across the court-yard and to a wall at its extremity. Fortune favored them, and they reached the wall in safety. Vaulting it, they dashed into the forest. Once among the thick undergrowth they were safe, at least for the time. ‪“Whew!” exclaimed Buckden, suddenly pausing and wiping the perspiration from his face. ‪“We did that in fine shape, did we not, Barney?” ‪“To be shure, sor,” replied the Celt with a chuckle. ‪“Now what shall we do?” ‪“Shure, I think we had betther thry and foind the Stheam Man,” said Barney. ‪“Of course, but how shall we proceed to do that?” “Well, bejabers, I think the bist way is to make a cut through the woods here and thrust to good fortune to foind Misther Frank out on the open ground. I’m thinkin’ he’ll ’ave to return there afther lavin’ this place, for shure.” ‪“All right,” agreed Buckden. ‪“Fortunately I know a path that will lead directly there. In fact, I came here by it.” “That’s good luck!” cried Barney, joyfully. “It’s dyin’ I am to get back to the Stheam Man once more.” ‪“Well, we will try it hard!” declared Buckden, leading the way. ‪“Come on, Barney.” They set out through the forest without further comment. Buckden found little difficulty in finding the path by which he had entered the place. Along this they sped swiftly. Soon the foliage began to grow thinner and straggling rays of light ahead showed that they were approaching the verge. A few moments later they emerged entirely from the forest and came out upon the vast table-land.