ing of the stream over its
rocky bed below the cottage, and the chirrup of some insects in the
neighbouring wood. The stars shone brightly forth from the intense blue
sky, their light just glancing on the mimic waves of the rivulet, while
the tall trees and wild rocks on either side were thrown into the
darkest shade.

Scarcely had I spoken, when the silence was interrupted by wild shrieks
and cries. We all full well knew the meaning of those sounds. The
ruthless enemy had surprised the village, and burning to avenge their
late defeat, would spare no one they encountered.

"We must fly!" I exclaimed.

"I am prepared," said Eva calmly, though her cheek grew pale at the
recollection of the dreadful scenes she had before witnessed.

To collect some provisions in baskets was the work of a minute. We
aroused Ungka, who seemed perfectly to comprehend the state of the case,
and perched himself on my left shoulder, while, supporting Eva on my
right arm, I sallied forth, followed by Blount, who took charge of
Little Nutmeg. Our great fear was lest the enemy should have surrounded
the village, in which case our retreat would have been cut off. The
stream I have spoken of ran down to the river, and we now followed a
path which led along its banks. Not a moment was to be lost. The wild
shouts of the enemy seemed to come nearer every instant; but as yet we
did not hear them in front of us. Eva behaved with great courage; she
did not tremble, or even utter an exclamation of fear, but exerted all
her strength to proceed. For an instant I looked back. Part of the
village was already on fire, but the enemy had not yet reached our
cottage. My fear was, that when they did so, we should be pursued. At
length, by the turnings of the stream, we lost sight of it, and the
noise of the dreadful tumult sounded fainter in our ears. Still we
pushed on without stopping; we had to force our way through a thick
wood, and then to cross a broad open space, where I was much afraid,
should the enemy be watching for us, of being seen; but there was no
help for it, so we dashed on. Fortunately both Blount and I had so
frequently wandered in that direction, that we had a tolerably correct
idea of the way we were to go; but still we found a great difference
between passing through a wood in broad daylight, and traversing it in
darkness. Our chief guide was a star which we could see through the
tops of the trees, and which Blount had fixe