ng?"

There was no answer, only the leaves shook more violently. Dick took
careful aim, and pulled the trigger, sending a bullet into the very
centre of the figure which he had dimly perceived. But he had a cunning
fox to deal with, and forgot that he himself stood brilliantly outlined
in the open. James Langdon knew that he had but to draw his fire to
escape to the forest, for long before Dick could load again he would
have gained the woods. He waited, therefore, till our hero's patience
was exhausted. Then he threw himself flat on the ground till the shot
rang out. An instant later he was on his feet racing into the forest.
And after him went his pursuer, hot with rage and anxiety. Dashing into
the thick bush he endeavoured to come up with the fugitive, but all was
dense darkness here. He struck his head against an overhanging bough,
and a moment later caught his feet in a twining vine, coming with a
crash to the ground. He was up in a moment, only to meet with the same
fate again, while the half-caste, better versed in the ways of the
forest, crept steadily along on all fours, feeling his way through the
tangle. Dick was beaten, and in his rage he blazed right and left into
the forest; but the shots did no harm to the fugitive, while hardly had
their reverberation died down when there followed the mocking calls of
the half-caste.

"Set a watch and keep it, Dick Stapleton," he shouted, "and learn to be
wary when James Langdon is about. As to the box, have no fear for its
safety. I promise to take care of the gold which it contains."

He gave vent to a boisterous laugh, a laugh of triumph, and then went on
his way, leaving Dick trembling with fury.

"Listen to this, you ruffian," he shouted back. "You are a knave, and
have robbed me as you did my father. Don't think to escape. Some day
we shall meet again, and then you shall answer for this crime."

A jeering laugh was his only answer, and dispirited, and well-nigh on
the verge of tears, he retraced his steps to the house, and threw
himself into his chair, a prey to the worst misgivings, wondering what
he should do next, how he was to live, and how to repair his ruined
fortunes.

CHAPTER TWO.

GALLANT RESCUE.

Moderately tall and broad, with well-tanned skin and pleasant features,
Dick Stapleton looked a gentleman and a decent fellow as he lolled on an
old box which lay on the beach at Cape Coast Castle. He was dressed in
white ducks from