back into a
horrible trap.

As if moved by the same muscles, two barrels rose slowly to a horizontal
position, and fingers were upon triggers ready to press the mechanism
and pour the deadly contents into the savage the moment he raised his
hand to strike or took step forward to get a better aim.

Never was man nearer death, for all thought of the danger to self was
non-existent. All the two young men had in their minds was that poor
Oliver Lane must be saved, and, if guns had carried truly, the black
would have fallen.

The shots would have brought the enemy upon them with a rush, but
neither thought of that, and so they waited, watching the naked back of
the savage, above which appeared his head, with the hair gummed and
matted out to a tremendous size, somewhat resembling the cap of a
grenadier officer, though looking larger in the forest gloom.

But no further token of another presence was heard, and after waiting,
watchful and alert, for the next sound, the savage looked about keenly,
and then turned, gave a sharp look round, and continued his course,
seeming as if; with all his acuteness, the cracking stick had so taken
off his attention that he completely overlooked the danger within a few
yards of where he stood.

Just then there was a low call from the main body of the enemy, which
the man answered, and the next minute he had, with his companions,
passed on out of sight, leaving the hidden party at liberty to breathe
freely.

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

TOMMY SMITH AS A FORLORN HOPE.

"What an escape!" exclaimed Drew at last.

"Yes," said Panton, wiping the cold perspiration from his brow, "for
him, too."

"But what next?" exclaimed Drew. "I'm thinking about poor Rimmer.
Can't one of us get round through the forest before them, and warn them
on board the brig? It will be horrible for them to be surprised."

"You know we can't get through these trees," said Panton sadly, "and it
would take a day if we could. But Rimmer won't be surprised."

"No, I hope not," said Drew. "We ought to have sent a man back to warn
him."

"We meant to go ourselves, only we couldn't leave poor Lane in the
lurch."

"No," said Drew, with a sigh. "Do you think it's safe yet to imitate
the birds again?"

"No, I don't," said Panton, sharply. "You'll bring the enemy back upon
us if you do that. Now, then, at all hazards we must go in search of
him. I'm afraid he has broken down from the exertion."

"No, he hasn