Presently, three tongues of flame leaped up into the air, then suddenly died out, leaving those around temporarily half-blinded by the glare. Then they stood for some time anxiously watching through their glasses. What seemed a long interval ensued; when, suddenly, three brilliant gleams flashed out on Roraima's height, in exact imitation, as to the intervals between the flashes, of the signals they had themselves made. "Try another," Doctor Lorien cried, in growing excitement. "Arrange the three differently this time." This was done, and the answering flashes came back, again in exact imitation; and this time with scarcely any delay. Doctor Lorien seized Kingsford by the hand. "Heaven be praised for this!" he exclaimed, his voice half-choked with emotion. "It begins to look, indeed, as though Matava's account were true; as if our dear friends may be alive after all!" Words cannot describe the delight with which the travel-worn party hailed these signs, that so unmistakably pointed to the conclusion suggested in the doctor's words. There was one thing, certainly, they could not understand; none of the signals agreed upon between Monella and Matava had been given from the mountain; but they were inclined to attribute this to Matava's having, after the lapse of time, forgotten or mixed up what had been arranged. Only the thought that their supply of powder was not unlimited restrained them from continuing the signalling; but they were reluctantly compelled, as a matter of prudence, to discontinue it. "Now," said the doctor, "we can attack the 'haunted wood' with a good heart. Surely, our friends will come down to meet us, now that they know we are here!" Before daylight they were all astir, and set off at once on the journey through the forest, Matava guiding them. The road, or track, was followed with difficulty, and was almost blocked at times. Only an Indian's instinct, indeed, could have made it out. In places the rough temporary bridges that had been made over water-courses had been washed away, but, the water being very low from the long-continued drought, this caused no serious difficulty. They met with some adventures by the way, which were, however, suggestive of the dangers that lay around them rather than important in themselves. At last, towards evening, Matava told the doctor they were getting near the cavern. And now he begged him to proceed with caution. He could not get over the fear that the 'demons of the mountain' had eaten up or captured their friends, and were now awaiting more victims whom they had lured on by imitating and answering the signals of their murdered friends. This theory did not find much favour with the doctor; for all that he so far yielded to the entreaties of the Indian as to send him on to scout in advance, while he, and the others of the party, walked in silence behind. And, since Matava now moved with especial care, they made slow progress.