and
difficult it was in parts, and how much care it called for, even when
the easiest descents were selected. Had he had to find his way down
alone on this night, he would probably have broken a limb, or lost his
foothold and rolled, certainly to be dashed senseless before he reached
the bottom. Then, too, it was not a time for hurry, such a dark night
as this. But they had no choice. They could already see the glare of
the flaming stockade in the sky. They could hear the shouts of their
enemies, and they knew, the native far better than did Dick, that
already his countrymen would be on the track.

"Once in the forest we shall be safe, I think," he said, speaking as
easily as if he had made no unusual efforts, though our hero was so
short of breath that he gasped.

"Then we will put out all our strength to reach that place."

By now they were near the foot of the rocky hill, and presently they
were running steadily across the level. At length they reached the edge
of the forest, where they halted, Dick to throw himself on the ground
and gasp there for breath.

"A fine bonfire for our enemies," laughed the chief, exulting now that
he had left the worst of the danger behind. "How is it that there is no
explosion?"

No explosion! The bomb had failed! Dick looked up suddenly, his
fatigue forgotten in an instant.

"Perhaps we walked through the train and scattered the powder," he said
breathlessly. "Yes, I fancy that must be the secret. But it may go
yet. The oil should carry the flames."

A little later, when both were rested, there was a violent concussion in
the distance, the report shaking the trees. An instant before, a mass
of burning materials shot high up above the crest, while a series of
loud explosions took place, as the rockets and detonators burst in
mid-air. It brought a roar of exultation from the two standing beside
the edge of the forest, a roar which changed as quickly into one of
consternation. For however successful the bomb had proved, however well
it had destroyed the stockade, and perhaps some few of the enemy, the
flames it sent into the air lit up the surroundings and showed them that
if James Langdon and his men had once been taken in they were not to be
so easily caught again; and, moreover, that on this occasion they were
bent on retrieving their misfortunes. For racing down the crest and
across the open ground came some forty Ashanti warriors, their guns
flung this way a