, stood out plain, the fugitives
were in darkness, and though they felt that they must be seen, Hamet
worked calmly and steadily with his pole, sending the boat higher and
higher, the force of the stream being only slight so close to the bank.

Then, again, the wisdom of his plan became evident, for the bank was now
dotted with dammar torches, and their swarthy bearers could be seen
holding them over the water as they hurried down stream toward where the
closing in of the jungle would soon preclude further progress on foot.

The blue light burning in a vessel on the first prahu died out, but
before it was extinct another flamed up from the second prahu, and the
scene was wonderfully picturesque to the little party still moving up
stream. Both banks were lit up, with the shapes of the trees standing
out distinct and clear, while the river seemed to flow on like
glittering steel, on which, growing distinct now, three nagas were
visible for a few moments and then disappeared.

By this time Hamet's efforts had sent the boat four hundred yards above
the last prahu, and as he grew more distant, his strokes grew quicker
and less cautious, till it was wonderful what speed one pair of arms
kept up.

And now for the first time Mr Braine leant forward to the man and
whispered: "Well done; but you are taking us farther from safety."

"No," said Hamet, quietly. "Up the river. Hide. Some night creep
down. Back to Dindong."

"Yes. I see," said Mr Braine. "He is right."

Silence was preserved once more, and Hamet kept on so close in-shore
that the overhanging boughs swept the thatched roof of the boat. Then
all at once he thrust down his pole deep into the gravelly sand, and, as
it were, anchored the boat.

"Now," he said, panting with his exertions; "all take oars and row."

"Yes," said Mr Braine, eagerly, and the oars were seized; but Hamet
uttered a low "hist!" and all listened.

For a few moments English ears failed to catch that which had struck
upon the more keen sense of the Malay, but soon enough they could hear
beat--beat--beat--beat--the sound of rapidly plied oars, and it was
plain that a naga had now come up the river in pursuit.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

A DETERMINED PURSUIT.

"Lost!" said Murray, bitterly.

"No," replied Mr Braine, quietly; "they have to take us yet."

"Hist!" whispered Hamet, and parting the overhanging boughs, he forced
the boat in till, as far as they could tell, they were hi