y the rest of the Frenchmen, while he continued to summon his
followers. They, however, it appeared, were skirmishing on either side,
or rather following the retreating enemy in every direction. Ronald
made the most desperate efforts to cut down some of his opponents, but
each time that he appeared to be gaining a success the big Frenchman
thrust himself before him. He had received one or two severe cuts, and
was beginning to despair that help would come in time to prevent the
Frenchman from escaping.

Edda had from the first recognised his voice, yet she dared not trust
herself to address him by name. Still not for a moment did Ronald relax
in his exertions. The Frenchmen had the advantage of knowing the
ground, and they were evidently, Ronald conjectured, aiming at some
particular spot, where they might hold out successfully. The path was
steep, and numerous creepers of a tropical vegetation crossed it. In
one of these the big Frenchman must have caught his foot; he stumbled,
and before he could recover himself young Doull sprung like a tiger on
his throat, and held him tight. The ruffian still attempted to retain
his hold on Miss Armytage.

"You look after the others, sir--I can settle with this fellow," sung
out the young seaman; but his officer thought more just then of saving
the lady than of beating the enemy.

While the Frenchman was still paralysed with the vice-like clutch which
Doull had taken of his throat, Ronald cast his arm round Edda, and
forced her from his grasp.

"Hurra!" shouted Bob Doull, "I'll soon finish off the villain now."

He was as good as his word, for never for a moment relaxing his hold of
the man's throat, he threw himself on him with such force, that he
brought him to the ground; with his knee he kept down one of the man's
arms, and with his left hand the other.

"I shall have done for him soon, sir," he shouted; "he's giving in, no
fear."

What cared Ronald now for wounds, or for the enemies who were attacking
him! Supporting Edda with one arm, he kept them back, and prevented
them from rescuing their companion. Suddenly Bob Doull sprang to his
feet, and laying about him with his cutlass, quickly put the rest of the
Frenchmen to flight.

"Oh, Ronald, what happiness to be saved by you!" murmured Edda, scarcely
conscious of what she was saying, as Morton, followed by Bob Doull, who
kept a cautious look-out on every side, returned to the huts.

Those words revealed to