men besides the skipper, mate, Little, Gordon, and
Blunt,--twenty-one in all. And the surrounding land offered a vast and
impenetrable concealment for foes from that side.

"An' that's whar she'll bust, genelmen," stated Blunt with decision.
"Cos why? Y' see, I figgers as the only reason why they wants to bust us
up at all in this yer crick is to stop up a-sailin' out an' ketchin'
that schooner as she passes. Ain' that it, cap'n?"

"No doubt of it, Blunt."

"Well, then, if so be as it's inland savages as is to do it, they ain't
werry fond o' water fightin', they ain't. Don't I know 'em? I tromped
clear through their country afore the cap'n found me and I knows 'em
like my own toes. Them ain't werry savage at that, gents. More 'n likely
them is some o' Leyden's opium eaters, an' it'll take a hull dollop o'
dope to make 'em fight at all--"

"By Heavens, I believe you've hit it!" Barry interrupted. "They can be
set on us as the ship that has stopped their opium. And at the same time
they may be left to fight until they drop, while Mr. Leyden is coolly
getting away."

"He won't get away, Captain," put in Gordon quietly, "but your notion is
right. It's exactly what Leyden is counting on, I'll wager a hat."

"Sure! That's why they are all on the schooner now!" cried Little. "Of
course they chased me out, when I spied on 'em. Oh, Corks!"

"All right, then we'll haul out into the middle of the creek," decided
Barry. "Rolfe, carry out a warp over there, and as soon as an alarm
comes in, we'll haul her clear of the bank and fight 'em in the water.
Blunt, rustle up all the arms and get plenty of rock ballast out of the
hold too. Maybe we can save shells by dropping stones on 'em. Quieter,
too."

Evening was drawing down when the preparations were completed, and an
air of anxiety pervaded the decks; for the creek had become hushed and
still, the jungle noises alone broke the stillness, and that medley of
faint sound might easily conceal the whispering of a thousand men.
Supper was eaten on deck, and Barry sent many an anxious glance towards
the creek entrance, expecting at any moment to see the lookout
approaching.

It was almost dark when at last he came running, and his thin voice
piped: "Misser Houten he come, Tuuan. Come quick see!"

Barry leaped into his own boat, and she shot out of the creek into the
river just as a big, seaworthy, fast launch hauled abreast. She was
manned by half a dozen natives; but there was