tiller,
and hold your tongues, my lads."

This time it was Jack Emmett's voice, strangely altered. At once there
was silence. But the men could think and mutter to themselves, and as
they slowly steamed down the dark river that black night, each and all,
from their new commander downward, registered a vow that if Dick
Stapleton did not soon return, they would find the cause and probe the
mystery to the bottom.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

A WELL-LAID SCHEME.

"Not a sound. Nothing to disturb us. We have been lucky."

"And the creek lies within an hour's paddling from here, chief. Soon we
shall reach the white man who befriended me."

It was still quite dark, though the partial view which the curling river
Prahsu allowed of the east showed that there the sky was already
streaked with dull grey clouds, and that the day would not be long in
coming. It was hours since the native boat had put off from the launch,
and the paddles of the two occupants had dipped regularly and
monotonously all the while, with an occasional spell of rest. And never
once had a sound or suspicion of the proximity of the enemy alarmed
them.

"We had better paddle over to the bank and be ready to take cover
beneath the trees," said Dick, at last. "I remember that they overhang,
and that we can run in beneath them and still paddle. Let us get close
to them, and stay outside till the light is brighter."

"Or it may be that we shall be within the creek by then," came the
answer. "Then there will be no danger. We have seen no sign of the
enemy near the mine for some days past."

Turning the nose of the native boat towards the bank, they ran her in
till she was only a few yards from the long and continuous line of
overhanging boughs which clothed the side of the river. And in that
position they paddled on till the growing light warned them that longer
stay in the open would be dangerous. Then they plunged in beneath the
boughs, and continued their passage up the river. Presently a cry from
the native attracted Dick's attention.

"The creek, chief," he called out. "We will push on."

He was strangely excited, and now that the goal was in sight plunged his
paddle into the water with greater energy, and set the pace so that his
white companion had difficulty in keeping time. They surged along
through the shallows, dodging the boughs which dropped to the water, and
ducking their heads to avoid others which came dangerously near to