Instantly there was a cry of rapture from every man there assembled. The women pressed forward, and really screamed with delight. “From the gods!” exclaimed the chief, and these poor, benighted savages really believed it. The log was in reality a dugout, and in the dugout two young men were sleeping the sleep of exhaustion. They were our friends, Ibrahim and Max, rescued by the Gondos, and now the objects of their adoration. The shouting of the men, the screeching of the women, caused Max to awake. He sprang to his feet and looked round. “Well, jewilikins! this caps the climax!” he exclaimed, while the people fell on their faces and wriggled about on the ground. CHAPTER XVII. THE RAINMAKER. It was some time before Madcap Max could realize just where he was, and the significance of the demonstration of which he was the recipient. But when once his mind got a clew, he quickly followed it up, and with the natural smartness of his Yankee ancestry, saw the advantages of his position. He very carefully abstained from uttering a word. The silence impressed the Gondos with awe. They were more than ever convinced that he was a messenger from the mysterious powers which they, in their ignorance, worshiped. The Gondos had a religious belief almost akin to that of the ancient Scandinavians. They believed that the thunder was the angry voice of the storm god, that a deity presided over everything in nature, and that the entrance to the home of the most powerful of these deities was through the mysterious volcanoes which at times emitted vast columns of molten lava and made the waters of the rivers so hot that no one could bathe in them and live. Having this belief, it was no wonder that they thought Max and Ibrahim were sent by the presiding deity. Ibrahim continued to sleep. That was a good sign, and if only the delirium left him when he awoke, Max made sure all would be well. He managed to convey to the chief a desire to be alone, and the boat was again raised on the shoulders of the deputy chiefs and carried to a large house which the chief had set apart for his honored guests. Max was hungry, and when food was brought he ate heartily. He had no idea of what the dish was composed, neither did he, at that time, care. He was too hungry to be fastidious. He reserved some of the savory food for Ibrahim, and motioned the natives to leave the place. All that day Max stayed by Ibrahim’s side, and awaited his awakening. His devoted patience was rewarded, and toward night Ibrahim awoke and raised his head. “Are we alive?” he asked. “I am,” was the madcap’s answer. “Then I think I must be; but, by the beard of the prophet, I have been beyond the grave.” “Good! Stick to that, Ib, and your fortune is made.” Ibrahim was indignant at the light way in which his companion spoke, but Max persisted. “I tell you, Ib, if only you will stick to that, and do as I tell you, we will coin the dollars.”