ing to tell them what you
are about to do?"

"No. Now then, ashore! Quick!"

One of the first to step quickly and silently out of the boat was Tim,
and a minute later the boat-keepers saw the party disappear into the
darkness; and then Frank sat there listening to a faint sigh or two, the
rippling of the water beneath the boat, and trying to make out the shape
of the nearest prahu.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

UP THE RIVER.

A halt was made as soon as the little party were well away from the
boat, for arms to be examined, and a plan of attack arranged.

Hamet listened respectfully till it had been decided that the only way
was for the party to creep up silently, seize and bind the guard, and
then retreat at once--a rather reckless proceeding, but one that seemed
to them the most likely to succeed--and then he whispered a few words to
Ned.

"Hamet proposes, sir, that we should try to communicate with my uncle
from the back of the house or the roof. He says he could climb the
durian tree and break through quietly."

"Then let him try," said Mr Braine, eagerly. "We will be ready to
support him and attack if it is necessary."

Hamet drew in his breath at these words, and assuming the lead, took the
party round through garden after garden, till they were only a few yards
from the house, where they stood listening to a low, murmured
conversation, which told where the guards had stationed themselves; and
then going down on hands and knees, he crept away from them, leaving the
others breathless with excitement, and listening for the alarm.

In a couple of minutes the Malay was back to catch Ned's hand and draw
him away, to put in force the tactics which had enabled him to rescue
the two lads on the previous night.

Ned followed him with beating heart, till they were beside one of the
palm-tree posts which supported the house, and then submitting to the
Malay's busy hands, he found himself placed with his arms grasping the
post and his body curved a little, and comprehending the man's plans, he
stood firm, while Hamet reached up as high as he could, planted one bare
foot on the boy's back, the other on his shoulder, and then the bamboo
supports of the matting walls creaked softly, as with the agility of a
monkey he passed along to where the durian tree stretched a branch over
the roof, upon which, by the help of the bough, he managed to swing
himself, and then all was silent again.

Thump--thump--thump--thump.