and letting him gently down.

Just then the regular short, sharp report of rifles reached their ears
from below, announcing that there was no mistake about an attack being
made upon their friends, and the anxiety of Jack and the doctor was
increased as they trembled for the fate of the two men left as keepers
of the boat in which they had come ashore.

"I hope they have escaped back to the yacht," said the doctor.

"They wouldn't do that," cried Jack indignantly. "But what is to be
done? Can't we make a sort of stretcher with two of the guns?"

"No," said the doctor, "it would take time; and the wood is too thick.
I'll carry him for a few hundred yards."

"Let me have first go, sir," cried Lenny. "You're tired. I'll take
him. Help me get him on my back, so as not to hurt his arm."

This was done, poor Ned remaining quite insensible; and once more they
began to descend through the solemn aisles of the forest, with the
sunshine coming through the leaves in showers of rays, while the firing
away below them kept rolling up to where they were.

After a time Lenny was relieved, and dropped into the rear-guard, and
this evolution was performed again and again, Jack still leading the
way, and hacking through some growing rope from time to time.

"Soon do it now, sir," said the man who was carrying. "Keep a good
heart, sir. That's the best o' being mates. Chap goes down, and
t'others 'll always carry him. Hullo! what, a'ready?" he continued, as
one of his companions came to relieve him. "I've only just begun."

"Don't be greedy, matey," said the new-comer with a grin. "You allus
was such a chap for wanting to have more 'n your share. Gently, let me
get under the poor chap here without hauling him about so. That's your
sort. Warm work, mate?"

"Tidy," said the man relieved with a grin. "Warmer where there's none."

On they went again with the relieved man taking his place ready for the
defence if called upon, and the fresh bearer toiling on as if there was
nothing to mind.

"Mustn't whistle, I suppose, Mr Jack?"

There was a shake of the head.

"S'pose not. Like letting the beggars know where we are. My word, how
things seem to grow here. Take some muscle to cut a good road. Say,
sir; think poor Ned here's much hurt?"

"Hurt a good deal, of course, but it can't be a dangerous wound."

"I dunno," said the man thoughtfully, after a few minutes' silence. "Is
he onsensible like, sir?"

"Yes, q