explanation of the position in which they were.

"It's bad," he said. "I can hardly understand it, for I've been in a
regular feverish dream. But tell me, what are you going to do?"

Before Murray could answer, Titely sat up suddenly.

"That you, Tom May?" he said huskily.

"Ay, messmate," was the reply. "Me it is. What is it?"

"Take the tin, mate, and dip me a drink o' water.--Why, hullo! Where
are we now? Not out in the forest?"

"Out in the forest it is, my lad, and the enemy's close arter us,"
replied the big sailor.

"Enemy?" said the poor fellow, in a wondering tone of voice. "Why, that
means--Yes, I remember now. I'm hurt, arn't I?"

"Yes, messmate; you got just touched by a bullet."

"To be sure," said Titely. "Yes, I remember now. Well, somebody's got
to be hurt, of course. Anybody else just touched by a bullet?"

"Mr Roberts."

"Has he now? Well, orficers leads, and they has the best chance of it.
Doctor seen him?"

"No."

"Course not; he wasn't with the expedition. Arn't seen me neither, I
s'pose?"

"No," growled Tom May; "but look here, messmate, you and Mr Roberts
atween you nearly give us up to the enemy."

"Me? I don't know about Mr Roberts, but you're not going to make me
believe I should try and give you up to the enemy. Is it likely, Mr
Murray, sir?"

"No, Titely; it's the last thing you would do."

"There, Tommy! Hear that?"

"Oh yes, I hear it plain enough," growled the big sailor, "but can't you
see that you were off that thick head o' yourn, and began shouting just
when the enemy was close at hand?"

"Was that it, Mr Murray, sir?" cried the man.

"Yes, Titely; but you could not help it. Now be quiet and help us to
watch," said the midshipman, "for the enemy can't be very far away, and
they're evidently searching for us."

"_Phee-ew_!" whistled the man softly. "I do understand now. Very
sorry, Mr Murray and Mr Roberts."

"Pst!" whispered Tom May. "Down flat, everybody. Here they come
again;" and as the order was obeyed the sound of breaking twigs and the
rustling of tropical leaves was heard; and before long the hiding party
began to make out that the slaver's men were for some reason or another
returning in their direction, spread over a pretty wide surface of the
thick brake, and apparently so arranged that they were bound to cover
the hiding-place of the unfortunate party.

But somehow the difficulties of the search favoured the concealed
man-o