to circulate once more in his cramped limbs, and also for
Henderson to give him the cue for their next movement. He remained
perfectly still until the Malay had approached within arm's-length of
him, and then, with a single lightning-like blow of his fist fair
between the eyes, he dropped the fellow senseless upon the grass at his
feet.

Then, swift as light, he glided behind the tree, where Henderson stood
with Percy in his arms, and, convulsively gripping the other's
outstretched hand, he murmured:

"A thousand thanks, old fellow! Now, which way are we to go?"

"I arranged for Manners and Nicholls to join us in the bush-path yonder;
never dreaming that those two men would be posted there," whispered
Henderson in return.

"Well, come along, then," cheerily observed Gaunt. "Never trouble about
the Malays; it is their misfortune that they happen to be in our way.
We must shoot them down if they offer to oppose our passage--ha! we
shall be _compelled_ to fight whether we will or not; that fellow whom I
knocked down is reviving, and he will raise the alarm before we have
gone a dozen feet. Give me the child, my arms are still benumbed and
scarcely fit to hold a rifle, but I can carry him. So, that is it"--as
Henderson handed over little Percy--"now let us make a run for it."

Therewith the two friends started at top speed for the entrance of the
bush-path, running straight toward the two Malay sentinels. No sooner,
however, did they appear in the open than a cry was raised, and in an
instant the whole camp was on the alert, some of the Malays running to
intercept the fugitives whilst others hurriedly sprang for their muskets
and opened a wild fusillade upon them. The two sentinels faced about,
and seeing the white men running at once raised their weapons to their
shoulders.

"Halt!" cried Gaunt, setting Percy down on the ground and facing about
toward their pursuers. "Drop those two sentries, Henderson, for
Heaven's sake! I will deal with the others!"

No sooner said than done. Henderson pulled up at once and, coolly
receiving the fire of the two Malays--which, however, owing to their
being hurried, proved harmless--deliberately covered and dropped them,
one after the other.

"Are they down?" demanded Gaunt, as he also knocked over the leader of
the pursuing party.

"Yes, both down!" was the response.

"Then, on again!" exclaimed the engineer, snatching up his frightened
child and regaining Henderson