away, they all listened with strained
senses for some reply.

It came, just as they expected--three rifle-shots in succession. Then a
pause, and three more rifle-shots.

There was a pause then, and the silence seemed awful, for the report of
the great gun had driven every living thing near at hand to its lair.

"Three marines," said the lieutenant, sharply, "fire as I give the
order. One--two--three!"

The three shots rang out at stated intervals, and the men reloaded and
fired as before.

Then they waited again, and the signal was answered in a peculiar way
that left no doubt whatever in the minds of those on board, and a murmur
of satisfaction ran through the little crew.

And now, for the first time, Lieutenant Johnson began to wonder whether
he had doubted the Malay guide without cause. He might have been swept
overboard after all, and the hunting-party be really hemmed-in at some
stockade.

A few moments' consideration, however, showed that this could not be the
case, for they had journeyed back many miles before the steamer ran
aground; and though the river winded a great deal, it was impossible
that the stockade could have been higher up. The firing certainly came
from quite another direction, away from the river; and shots that were
evidently not signals were now heard again--one or two, then three or
four together, as if men were skirmishing, and then came several
volleys.

There was a fight going on, that was evident; and as the two officers
realised this, they felt half-maddened at their helplessness.

They wanted to go to the aid of those who were fighting, but it would
have been utter madness to have attempted to land with a detachment in
the dark and try to hack a way through the jungle. They might have
fired signals and had them responded to, but it would have been a
helpless, bewildering piece of folly; and with pulses beating rapidly
with excitement, and every nerve on the stretch, they felt themselves
bound to a state of inaction, still they felt that they could fire
signals to guide those who might, perhaps, get nearer, or, if shut in
some place, fight the better for knowing that help was so near.

They did all they could, sending up a rocket from time to time, and
twice, at intervals of about an hour, firing a big gun, each signal
eliciting a reply from the distance; and then, at intervals of ten
minutes, a rifle was fired, while, when six, seven, and eight bells were
sounded, the