his man, and fired. There was
a loud shriek, and hardly had the echo of the shot died down when a
splash told that the bullet had reached. But our hero was not content.
He stretched for the bag, snatched another cartridge, and, having placed
it in the rifle, covered the second man. However there was no need to
fire, for a second splash told that the miscreant, warned by the fate of
his comrade, had leaped overboard.

"What has happened?" demanded Mr Pepson, sharply, but with no trace of
excitement in his voice. "You were asleep, for it is barely half-past
eight. You found our watchman also asleep, and the boats departing.
Did you see any one else?"

"No one," answered Dick, promptly. "But there must be one other at
least. Look! There is a man poling the far boat."

"And he is too far away for a shot now. I might hit him, but the light
is deceptive."

"Then why not follow sir?" exclaimed Dick. "Johnnie banked the fires,
and in a few minutes there should be steam. That boat won't have a
chance. We shall be up with her before she can get far."

"But not before our goods are stolen. No, we will give chase in one of
the other boats," said Mr Pepson, with decision. "Meinheer, bring the
steamer along at once. Dick and I will follow."

Already he was throwing off the hawser which held the anchor, and, as he
did so, Dick seized a pole. A few strokes took the launch close to the
moving boats which had been so silently set adrift.

"Hold on, Johnnie, and you too, Meinheer," called out Mr Pepson. "Now,
Dick, get aboard with the gun, and I'll follow with another. We'll make
one boat fast and pole the other down."

He ran along the deck of the launch, while Dick leaped into one of the
native craft, two of which remained lashed side by side, and were
floating away together. Suddenly a thought occurred to him. He sprang
back into the launch, seized the bag of cartridges, and satisfying
himself that it was well filled, slung it over his shoulder and again
sprang into the native boat.

"Better get all ready for the pursuit," he said to himself. "I'll set
the two boats free, and toss the end of a rope attached to one to
Meinheer. He can make it fast aft and follow with the boat in tow."

He fell upon the lashings with eagerness, and when Mr Pepson appeared
from the cabin, carrying a rifle, Dick had the two boats separated, and
had tossed a rope attached to one to the Dutchman.

"Catch, Meinheer!" he sho