At length it died away, and one by one the men sank into a sound
and sodden sleep. They did not set a sentry, for here on the island they
had no fear of foes.

Then Otter rose upon his hands and knees, and his face looked fierce in
the faint light.

"Baas," he whispered, "shall we----" and he drew his hand across his
throat.

Leonard thought awhile. His rage was deep, and yet he shrank from the
slaughter of sleeping men, however wicked. Besides, could it be done
without noise? Some of them would wake--fear would sober them, and they
were many.

"No," he whispered back. "Follow me, we will cut loose the boats."

"Good, good," said Otter.

Then, stealthily as snakes, they crept some thirty yards to where the
boats were tied to a low tree--three canoes and five large flat-bottomed
punts, containing the arms and provisions of the slave-dealers. Drawing
their knives they cut these loose. A gentle push set them moving, then
the current caught them, and slowly they floated away into the night.

This done they crawled back again. Their path took them within five
paces of where that half-breed ruffian lay who had begun the talk to
which they had listened. Leonard looked at him and turned to creep away;
already Otter was five paces ahead, when suddenly the edge of the moon
showed for the first time and its light fell full upon the slaver's
face. The sleeping man awoke, sat up, and saw them.

Now Leonard dared not hesitate, or they were lost. Like a tiger he
sprang at the man's throat and had grasped it in his hand before he
could even cry aloud. Then came a struggle short and sharp, and a knife
flashed. Before Otter could get back to his side it was done--so swiftly
and so silently that none of the band had wakened, though one or two of
them stirred and muttered in their heavy sleep.

Leonard sprang up unhurt, and together they ran, rather than walked,
back to the spot where they had left Soa.

She was watching for them, and pointing to Leonard's coat, asked "How
many?"

"One," answered Otter.

"I would it had been all," Soa muttered fiercely, "but you are only
two."

"Quick," said Leonard, "into the canoe with you. They will be after us
presently."

In another minute they had pushed off and were clear of the island,
which was not more than a quarter of a mile long. They paddled across
the river, which at this spot ran rapidly and had a width of some eight
hundred yards, so as to hide in the shadow of the oppo