lay hold of my hand. Cheer a fellow up a bit. Go on, doctor;
I'm game."

"That you are, my lad," said the doctor, and kneeling behind the
sufferer he took hold of the long arrow, which had completely transfixed
the fleshy part of the arm, and snapped it sharply in two on the side
where it had entered, then in an instant he had drawn the head portion
right out of the wound in the same way in which it was driven.

"That's the way, sir. Don't you be afraid to cut," said Ned sturdily,
but with his eyes shut. "I'll bear it; but I didn't know you'd got a
red-hot poker up here to dress the wound with.--What! have you got it
out?"

"Yes. Take hold of these pieces, Lenny."

"Well, you have been quick, sir. My word, it was a stinger--just like
as if twenty thousand wasps was at you. Eh! going to bind it up?"

"Yes, only lightly. It will be all the better for bleeding a bit. Now
then! We must retreat as fast as we can. Can you get up, Ned?"

"Can I get up, sir! I should just think I can! I'm not going to make a
regular how-de-do because I've got a prick from a bit of wood."

"Are the enemy coming on, men?" said the doctor sharply.

"Can't see any more of 'em, sir," sail one of the sailors. "I think
that volley scared 'em a bit."

"Here, take my arm, Ned. Jack, you come next. Come on, my lads."

"All right, sir, we will," cried Lenny.

"Who has Ned's gun?" said Jack. "That must not be left behind."

"I've got it, sir; he's loaded too," said one of the sailors.

"Forward then," cried the doctor.

"I can get on without your arm, sir," grumbled Ned now sturdily. "No, I
can't. Things turn round a bit somehow. Thank you, sir. I shall be
better directly."

At that moment there was a heavy concussion, and a rolling echo which
went reverberating up the gully toward the mountain top.

"One of the big guns," said Lenny. "That means a signal to come back."

"Then the black fellows are in sight there," cried Jack excitedly.
"Come on."

The start was made, with Ned making a brave effort to keep his legs, and
succeeding fairly well as they struggled on through the tangled growth,
Jack springing to the front, hunting-knife in hand, to slash away at
creepers and pendent vines which came in their way. But every now and
then the poor fellow stopped short.

"Bit touched in the wind, gentlemen," he said cheerily. "Go on again
directly. If there is a chance to get a mouthful of water I should like
it. If