ely had I left the canoe than it became dark. I took the
precaution to mark the way I advanced, that I might at all events
retrace my steps to sleep in the canoe. I was obliged to advance
cautiously, and to consider every step I took, so as not to lose the
pathway. I had marked the direction by the stars, as I left the canoe,
and they assisted to guide me. I at length sat down to rest, believing
myself some way from the village. I believe that I must have fallen
asleep,--but how long I slept I know not,--when I was aroused by the
most unearthly shrieks and yells imaginable. I was on a rising ground.
I looked around to discover whence it could come, when I saw bright
flames bursting forth close below me from some buildings which I
recognised as the village or kampong to which I belonged. Among the
burning cottages were some hundreds of warriors in their wildest war
costume, their skin dresses, the bright-coloured feathers waving in
their head dress, adding to the ferocity of their savage features, as
with their short swords in their hands, shining with the light of the
flames, they were cutting and hewing to pieces every person whom the
fire drove from the shelter of their walls. A complete panic seemed to
have seized the inhabitants--little or no resistance was offered--
scarcely a warrior drew his sword in defence of his family. The fierce
assailants seized their victims by the hair, and, with a stroke of their
sharp parangs, added a fresh head to the horrid trophies of their
prowess. Men, women, and children were indiscriminately slaughtered.
My master and his whole family were destroyed. The bitterest revenge,
not plunder, was the object of the assailants. Those who had lately
been boasting of their own unprovoked attack on these very enemies, were
now justly the sufferers. When the warriors had finished their work of
blood, they hurried on to other villages, which bodies of their tribe
had already attacked.

Prompted by a wish to save some who might have escaped death, I ran down
into the village, but not a human being did I find alive. As I passed
among the burning huts, their light fell on the blade of a sword. I
seized it, feeling it might be useful, and stuck it in my girdle.
Anxious to discover in which direction the warriors had gone, I returned
to the hill. Flames rising up in every direction marked their progress.
A horror came over me; for I observed that the fires were advancing in
the dire