e naga coming up the river before daybreak, we
pulled in under the trees and bushes, just below the stockade," he said
in conclusion, "and there we've been all day, not daring to stir, and
even when it was dark we were afraid to move, till I thought of putting
a sarong over my head, and coming like this. I passed lots, and no one
spoke to me."

"And the boat?"

"Safe under the trees with Ned and Hamet."

"Is it big enough to hold us all?" said Mr Braine.

"Plenty."

"Heaven has sent us help!" said Mr Braine fervently. "Barnes, we must
by some means get all on board to-night, and trust to the darkness to
run down the river."

"But the rajah's visit?" said the doctor.

"Ah! I had forgotten that," said Mr Braine, with a groan; "the rajah
and our guards; but with help and ease of mind coming like this, we must
not despair. Now, doctor, go back up-stairs. One moment--your
women-servants?"

"They are to be trusted."

"Then go and set my wife's mind at rest. Tell her our lives depend upon
her being calm. There must be no excitement, or we shall excite
suspicion. Implore your wife and child to be careful."

"And Murray and Mr Greig's?"

"Another obstacle?" exclaimed Mr Braine. "Never mind; one thing at a
time. We may get the women to the boat, then we might drop down
opposite to Murray's place and cut him out. But we shall see. Go on,
and in a minute or two I'll bring up Frank."

The doctor went up, passed Tim, who was carefully keeping his two points
of light glowing at a distance from each other, and communicated his
tidings to the ladies, with the effect that Mrs Braine fainted dead
away, but to recover directly, and eagerly whisper that she would be
firm and not make a sound.

She kept her word, weeping silently over her son, while Mrs Barnes and
Amy both clung to the lad's hands, in the faintly-lit room.

"Quick!" said Mr Braine, whose ears were preternaturally sharp.
"Frank, keep here in hiding. You three come out when the doctor summons
you. Come, Barnes, back to our cigars. The rajah."

They glided back into the dark warm room, after adjuring those they left
to be silent, and as they took their places they could see the gleam of
lights through the trees, the sight of which had roused their guard into
making the sound which had warned the Resident.

"Light both the lamps, Tim," said Mr Braine; "and be guarded. The
rajah is coming."

The man obeyed, and as the lights shed a softened