th
them. I must return. But can it be that that tom-tom was not from the
mine?"

That was another momentous question, and, as he pondered over it, the
perspiration poured from his forehead. He turned and retraced his steps
at a run, breaking through the jungle in his feverish haste, tearing the
vines and brambles aside and lacerating his hands and face with the
thorns.

Hark! This time it was another sound that brought him to a standstill.
There was the clear, crisp report of a rifle, a distant shout, and then
a medley of sounds, the frantic cries of natives, and the sharp snap of
answering firearms.

The place, then, was attacked. There could be no doubt about the
matter. And he, the leader, was outside the stockade. Dick clenched
his hands and ground his teeth with disappointment. He had no fear for
himself. He thought last of his own personal safety. A duty had been
entrusted to him. He had been placed at the mine to defend it, and he
was helpless to direct the men.

"They must hold their own, then," he gasped. "I cannot get to them yet,
and they cannot know where I am. Very well, I will go where I can see
what is happening, and then I must be guided by circumstances."

This time he did not rush through the jungle with such frantic haste.
His impetuosity had given way to prudence, and, as he walked, he peered
ahead, halting every now and again to make sure that he was not running
upon the enemy. As he approached the clearing about the mine the snap
of rifles became more audible. It was a spluttering fire now, an
occasional shot, and then a succession of reports.

"That is what I like to hear," he said to himself. "It shows that they
are not so closely pressed, and I think that they must be holding their
own. If my men were being rushed there would be shouts, and rifles
would be fired more frequently. Ah, it is getting lighter, and soon I
shall be able to see."

He crept on all fours now, and presently came to the very edge of the
jungle. But from where he was he could only see a fraction of the
stockade, and not a soul was in sight. To obtain a full view he must
creep round to the far side, where the attack was taking place.

"No doubt they have their camp there," he thought, "so I must be doubly
careful. I'll slip into the trees again and go cautiously."

Well was it for him, too, that he took this precaution, for he had
progressed only a little way when his keen eye caught sight of s