We grew cheerful and talked a great deal.

Thus Roderick gave me the entire history of the Fung people and of his life among them and other savage tribes.

Further, he explained every secret detail of their idol worship to Higgs, who was enormously interested, and tried to make some notes by the aid of our few remaining matches.

When even that subject was exhausted, he sang to us in his beautiful voice--English hymns and Arab songs.

Oliver and Maqueda also chatted together quite gaily, for I heard them laughing, and gathered that he was engaged in trying to teach her English.
The last thing that I recollect is the scene as it was revealed by the momentary light of one of the last matches.