te an hour.

"I suppose we've passed the place where they took us."

"Eh?" cried Frank, starting. "I don't know. I forgot that. I say,
Hamet, hadn't we better go on the other side of the river?"

He had hardly uttered the words, when a spear flew from among the bushes
not many yards away, and stuck in the bottom of the boat close to where
Hamet was seated.

Mr Braine snatched his revolver from his waist and fired in the
direction of the enemy, who replied with a couple more spears, both of
which fell short, dropping into the water with a light splash, for Hamet
had made a tremendous sweep with his oar, and sent the boat's head round
toward the farther shore, so that in a minute or two they were out of
danger.

"I will not fire again," Mr Braine said; "not that it much matters, for
these men will warn any boat which follows that we have gone by."

At last the heat began to be less oppressive, and better progress was
made. The party were divided into two crews, one of which rested while
the other pulled, the four ladies insisting all through the night in
taking an oar, so that as the sun rose next morning, they had reached
the spot where the party had made their first exploring trip--the open
park-like tract beyond the jungle, with a view of the hill-country in
the distance.

"Why not halt here for a few hours!" the doctor said. "It is impossible
for us to go on without getting food, and to stop at any village means
danger."

His propositions were acceded to, and the boat run into a nook, where it
was hidden from any one passing along the river; and the possibility and
risk of shooting something to supplement their supplies were being
discussed, when once more Hamet raised his hand.

There it was again, the faint beat of oars a long distance off, but
plainly indicating pursuit; and with the knowledge that the enemy on the
bank would tell of their passing, it was decided to land at once and
strike for the hills. The mist would hide them for the time, and if
their boat was not discovered, it would still be available after the
danger had passed.

Very few minutes had elapsed before they were all ashore, and once more
taking the way through the park-like country, Frank acting as guide, and
taking care to keep his party well hidden from the river; an easy enough
task, as the open glades were well furnished with clumps of trees, each
of which acted as a screen from any one who might be in pursuit.

Of this,