the water, ready to
plunge in as soon as Ned reappeared.

"No, no," cried Hamet, hoarsely; and then, giving a sharp order to his
companions, the course of the boat was changed, and he leaned over the
side, the men muttering excitedly to each other, for they had seen the
eyes of the crocodile sink beneath the water just as the loud splash was
made when the boy fell in.

It was a matter of only a few moments before there was a movement in the
dark water three or four yards away. The men on the side opposite gave
their oars a sudden dip and drag, the boat swung round across the tide,
and, reaching over, Hamet caught Ned's wrist, dragged him to the side
just as there was a sharp shock against the forward part of the boat, a
jerk, and a sensation communicated to the occupants as if they had come
into collision with the trunk of a tree, and it was passing under the
boat. While, as with Murray's help, Hamet hauled the boy into the boat,
there was a tremendous swirl in the water, just where he had been, a
great horny tail rose above the surface and struck it with a sharp
slapping sound, and disappeared.

"That was close!" exclaimed Murray, as the boat glided on, and the
Malays talked rapidly together, Hamet giving his employer a curiously
significant look.

At that moment Ned opened his eyes, sat up quickly, and then struggled
to his feet.

"Did I go overboard?" he said. "Yes; I remember," he continued quickly.
"I felt giddy all at once. Oh! my hat."

This had been forgotten, but there it was floating on the surface only a
short distance away, and a few strokes of the oars enabled him to
recover it.

"There, get under the roof and change your things," said his uncle.
"We'll wring these out, and they'll soon dry in the sun."

"Yes; but who pulled me out?" cried Ned; and on being told, he held out
his hand to Hamet, who took it respectfully, and bent over it for a
moment.

"Thank you," said Ned; and then, "was it the sun made me turn like that?
I say, uncle, it would have been awkward if that old crocodile had
caught sight of me."

"This is a bad beginning, Ned," said Murray gravely. "That hideous
reptile did see you, and was within an ace of getting hold."

"Ugh!" ejaculated Ned, changing colour.

"No crocodiles much higher up," said Hamet.

"Then the sooner we are higher up the better," muttered Murray as the
boat glided on; and Ned was very quiet as he changed his wet things.

"I say, uncle," he said a