m going to make good my escape, leaving you here to run the risk
of being taken in my stead--"

Drake kicked off his shoes, with a muttered sailor's blessing on
Frobisher's head at what he termed the latter's "tomfoolery", and, going
down upon one knee, seized first one and then the other of Frobisher's
feet, removed the bandages from them, and then thrust on the boots.

"Capital fit!" he murmured, as he rose to his feet and put the stick
into his companion's hand. "Now, off you go, my buck, and look sharp
about it, or the pirates will have two prisoners to amuse themselves
with instead of one."

Recognising that the little skipper was determined to have his own way,
Frobisher forbore to protest further. He stepped carefully out upon the
broad area of broken glass, and, creeping along close under the wall,
was able so effectually to steady himself by it and with the help of the
stick that in a few minutes he had safely negotiated the passage which a
short time before had appeared practically impassable. Then, running
far enough round the outer margin of the glass-sown ground to secure a
clear shot in through the doorway, he threw back to Drake first one
boot, then the other, and finally the stick, and had the satisfaction of
seeing his friend deftly catch each of them. Five minutes later the
little skipper was safely beside him.

"Thank God we are both out of that hole!" piously ejaculated Frobisher
under his breath, as the pair crept along in the deep shadow of the rear
wall of the fort. "Where away to now?"

"Into the jungle first, where we can't be seen by any chance look-out up
aloft," answered Drake. "Then, as soon as we are safely hidden, I'll
explain."

They made the passage across the open and reached the cover of the
jungle in safety, whereupon Drake replaced his boots, while Frobisher
swathed his feet again in the strips of underclothing which he had
brought away with him. These were serviceable enough as foot-gear, and
Frobisher found that they protected his feet much better than he had
anticipated, lasting quite a long time before needing to be replaced by
other strips.

Having readjusted their clothing, the two men were ready to begin their
long and perilous journey back to civilisation, which Drake gave his
companion to understand would have to be made overland. But before
starting, Frobisher requested Drake to cut him a heavy cudgel, similar
to the one he himself was using, so that, in the