last there was a bright flash along the
smooth water, a sharp bend was turned, and some hundred yards before
them there was a low arch laced with ferns, opening out upon blue water
and sunshine.

This was approached in silence and with great caution, fresh cartridges
were placed in the well-drained guns, though doubts were felt as to
their being of any use, if the savages knew of the exit of the waters,
and were lying in wait.

But all was still, and as they crept on with Panton and Drew now taking
the lead, and all feeling as if light were the great reviver of all, the
opening was approached, and they stepped out into the daylight where the
little river ran on along its narrow path in the jungle--a path they
followed for a time, the growth being too dense on either side for the
dry land to be sought.

Then all at once Panton halted, and held up his hand for silence.

There was no need, for they had heard voices from somewhere forward, and
in despair they stood gazing out at the sunlit lagoon, feeling that a
more desperate fight than ever was before them now when they were
utterly exhausted, and their ammunition probably spoiled.

"Ah! Thank Heaven!" cried Oliver, springing forward through the water
with all his weakness gone, and now the men cheered frantically. For
there in front gliding into sight, and not a hundred yards away, was the
lugger with two men visible, and these heard and returned the cheer.

As in Oliver's case every one forgot his weakness and exhaustion, in his
efforts to wade out toward the lugger which was steered to meet them
through the warm sunny water, and they climbed on board.

"Where's Mr Rimmer?" was Oliver's first question.

"Just close handy somewhere," was the reply. "He landed an hour ago,
sir, to try and find some way through the forest, so that we could come
across to-night and get to you at the brig."

"Ahoy! Look yonder!" cried Panton, and he waved his hand to a figure on
a point about a mile along the lagoon, signalling with his hat at the
end of a bamboo.

The helm was put down, and the lugger glided softly over the smooth
water between the thickly wooded shore and the surf-beaten reef, to
where Mr Rimmer waded out to meet them.

"You see, he had not forsaken us," said Oliver, in a whisper to his
friends.

"Ah, at last," cried the mate, springing on board, and eagerly grasping
the young men's hands. "I was getting in despair about you."

"And we about you," sai