As far as the eye could reach extended the level expanse. Barney and his companion swept the plain eagerly with their eyes for some trace of the Steam Man. Barney felt confident that the Man would return to the open plain. Therefore it was with a glad cry that he suddenly pointed down the line of forest. ‪“Luk!” he cried. “Wud yez see the loikes av that! Be me sowl, we’re in luck, for it’s the Stheam Man.” Sure enough, coming along the edge of the forest at a rapid speed was the famous Steam Man. Frank Reade, Jr., was at the throttle, and when he saw Barney waving his arms he pulled the whistle valve open and sent up a shriek of welcome. CHAPTER VII. THE WONDERFUL CITY. That the Steam Man had escaped from the attack of the pigmies, this would make certain. Straight for the barrier erected by the foe Frank sent the Man. When twenty yards from it, he closed the throttle and applied the brake. ‪“Now, Pompy!” he cried, “it’s a fight for life.” “Yo’ kin jes’ bet on dat, Marse Frank,” cried the plucky darky. ‪“We must not waste a shot.” ‪“Not a one, Marse Frank.” At the loopholes the two adventurers stationed themselves, and opened fire upon the foe. The pigmies hurled their lances at the cage. But they were shattered against the steel netting and did no harm at all. On the other hand, the repeaters did deadly work. No human power could face such a destructive fire. The pigmies were driven from the barricade. Then Frank Reade, Jr., kept them at a distance, while Pomp dismounted and set about clearing a pathway for the Man. This was not a very easy job, but Pomp finally succeeded and the Steam Man passed through the barrier. A few shots were sent after the pigmies, and then the Man under Frank’s skillful guidance set out for the plain. It was not long before the Steam Man was out of the forest. Once out upon the open plain, Frank set his course along the edge of the forest. Suddenly Pomp sprang up with a sharp cry: “Golly sakes, Marse Frank, dar am dat I’ishman alibe an’ well as I’m a nigger. Jes’ look dar.” ‪“Barney!” gasped Frank. “Dat am a fac’.” ‪“Thank Heaven.” Frank gazed in the direction indicated by Pomp, and saw Barney waving his arms frantically in the air. At once Frank pulled the whistle valve and increased the Steam Man’s speed. A few moments later the Steam Man came to a halt upon the spot where Barney had stood. The meeting was a joyous one. Barney and Pomp embraced, and Frank gripped Buckden’s hand. “Tony, I’m awful glad to see you,” he declared. ‪“I feared you were dead. They assured me at Campeachy that you would never be found alive.” “Well, they didn’t know anything about it,” declared Tony, sententiously; ‪“then you got my letter?” ‪“Yes.” ‪“And you have answered it in person. Just like you.” ‪“Look here, Tony,” said Frank, seriously; ‪“I was sent here by your father to look you up and bring you home.”