w silence while each watched the fringe of the jungle with
the utmost vigilance. Minute after minute passed, and not a sign
appeared of the terrible little dacoits. The _jingal_ was fired no
more, the musketry had dropped, and the stillness remained perfectly
unbroken. Anyone less experienced in jungle warfare than Jim Dent
would have concluded that the fierce Kachins for once had had their
fill of fighting, and had retired towards their fastnesses among the
hills. But he bade his comrades stand close and be ready.

"There is some trick in the wind," he said. "What it is we shall see
before long if we keep our eyes open."

Suddenly into this silence came the sound of heavy blows on the planks
over their heads. These planks formed the ceiling of the lower room
and the floor of the upper. The noise in this unexpected direction
made them jump, and then Buck roared, "Who's aloft?"

The head of Me Dain was now shown at the head of the flight of steps
leading to the next story.

"Me up here," said the Burman. "Me got a job." He held in his hand the
heavy _dah_ which had so nearly been driven through his own neck, and
he now returned to his task without making any further explanation.
Buck moved as if to investigate into the Burman's doings, but at this
moment Jack gave a cry of surprise, and he turned hastily back to his
window.

"What do you see, Jack?" said Dent quickly. "Are they coming?"

"Something's coming," cried Jack, and pointed. "Look straight opposite
to us," he went on. "It seems as if a piece of the jungle were moving
upon us."

CHAPTER XIII.

A CUNNING TRICK.

Jim and Buck followed the direction of his outstretched finger, and
then gasped in surprise. As Jack said, it seemed as if a patch of
jungle had begun to move. A mass of tangled greenery was edging
steadily forward from the sharp line where the forest ended, and was
making its way very slowly across the open towards them. For a moment
the whole thing looked horribly uncanny, then at the next instant the
explanation flashed upon them.

"Say, that's a deep game," cried Buck. "We're in for a hard streak o'
weather, boys. They're coming on in shelter of a movin' barricade."

So they were. The cunning little men in blue had set their savage
hearts on the blood of the white men, and were sparing no effort to
compass the destruction of their enemies. But the terrible hail of
bullets from those steady rifles was a thing they must avoid, or th