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the rise of rocks we made our way into what seemed to be a valley slightly to the north of the volcano crater. Here the forest began again, and in some spots we had to pick our way under the dense overhanging foliage.

"Are there any houses in this vicinity?" asked Dan, after the best part of a mile had been covered.

"An old hut just a leetle further," answered Lincoln Susu. "Nobody live dare. Da say him got ghost in."

"A ghost!" I laughed. "More perils, fellows. What kind of a ghost, Susu?"

"Ghost of a man who steal some pearls from one of our kings," was the astonishing answer. "I don't know how de ghost git dare—but we no go dare," and the native shrugged his shoulders.

"Perhaps we had best go there," said Dan. "I'll wager that is where Koloa and Caleb Merkin have gone."