e, and seemed to be glad to settle down on
the rug which the Dutchman produced. Another rug was thrown over him, a
cushion placed under the wounded limb, and the lamp removed from before
his eyes. Dick and Meinheer retired to the far end of the launch and
stood there chatting in whispers, till, in less than half an hour, the
deep breathing of the sufferer told that he was asleep.

All this while the launch, with the boats trailing out behind her, lay
in the dense shadow of the river-bank, her propeller barely moving, so
that she just held her place in the river. Close at hand could be heard
the murmur of the leaves in the forest, the chatter of monkeys, and the
call of night birds, arrested a little while ago by the reports of the
rifles. And on the other side a fine moonlit vista was displayed. The
surface of the river Pra lay spread out in the rays of the pale African
orb, while the water rippled and slid down toward the sea, seeming to be
particularly peaceful on this lovely night. Looking at its shining
surface, and at the wonderful lights and shadows beyond scattered along
the face of the jungle, one almost wondered whether the coming of the
robbers were not after all a dream. Whether murder and theft had, in
fact, been attempted, and whether away on that far shore there actually
lay the dark forms of the attacking natives who had lost their lives in
the bold and dastardly attempt. But there could be no doubt. As Dick
Stapleton stood in his shirt sleeves upon the roof of the tiny cabin,
rifle in hand, and cartridge bag about his sturdy shoulders, his eager
eyes searched every shadow, and followed every line of river and forest
which was illuminated. Suddenly his arm shot out. His figure became
rigid, while his finger pointed across the water.

"There is one of the rascals, at any rate," he said. "He has come to
look to his comrades, and no doubt thinks that we are far away by now.
See, Meinheer, I could pick him off from here as if he were a bird, and
I should be justified. But that's not the sort of game I like to play.
They're beaten. They've had a lesson, and I fancy Master James Langdon
will remember it. As for us, I should say that we have had a very
narrow escape."

There was a grunt of approval and acquiescence from Van Somering, a puff
of smoke proceeded from his lips, and he growled out a reply.

"Mein friend," he said, in condescending tones, "we are conquerors, is
id nod so? Zen zere i