s answer, given with decision. "They
are gone long ago. The forest has swallowed those who are alive. Let
them run, Meinheer, and do not trouble any more about them at the
present time. To-morrow, when there is light, we will visit the bank
again and see what has happened to them. For the moment let us look to
Mr Pepson. Now, Johnnie, steer us for the far side, and when you reach
the shadow, come to a stop just inside its edge. Whatever you do, keep
steam up, and have the propeller just moving, so that we shall not be
drifted down-stream. Now we will light the lamp and see to our friend."

Without hesitation he took the lead, now that Mr Pepson was
incapacitated, for he realised in a moment that Meinheer Van Somering
was not to be relied on in such an emergency. Indeed, he had been
struck with amazement at the boldness already displayed by his stout
friend, for who would have expected, knowing him as they did, that he
would have dared to stand there so conspicuously on the deck of the
launch and fire upon the robbers? Meinheer Van Somering had gone up in
Dick's estimation. He had proved that he had some store of courage
after all. But he lacked self-control. At this moment when he should
have been cool and thoughtful, for the danger had passed, he was
tramping the deck from end to end, causing the stout launch to heel to
either side. And every minute he would halt and stare at the forest
which had just been left. At such moments his fist would close round
his rifle, while his finger would feel for the trigger.

"Mein word!" he cried. "Bud zey would have killed us! Zey were robbers
and murderers. Ah! I shod two of zem. Meinheer Dick, you saw me do
id."

"I saw," growled our hero, "but we can talk of that later. Come and
help with the lamp. Put your rifle down and leave the robbers to take
care of themselves. Come, Meinheer, our comrade may be bleeding to
death."

There was a tone of command now in his voice, and at the sound Meinheer
dropped his weapon and came aft. Already Dick had been able to find the
lamp, and just as the Dutchman reached him he struck a match and lit the
wick of the candle.

"Hold the lamp, please," he said. "Higher, so that I can get a good
view. Now, what has happened? I heard the bullet strike heavily. Ah!
Thank heaven! He is alive."

"And zere, I zink, is ze wound. See, Meinheer Dick, zere is blood. Oh,
mine poor friend! How he has been hurd!"

"Higher!"