d on as we were setting out.
We found it of much service when we lost the sound of the stream, by
which we otherwise directed our course. The cries of the enemy were in
our rear; we rushed across the open space. I looked anxiously over my
shoulder. I saw no one, and we in safety reached the shelter of the
wood. At length the broader channel of the river appeared below us.
Our next difficulty was to find the canoe; but we judged that Hassan and
Kalong, hearing the tumult in the village, and well knowing its cause,
would be on the watch for us. We had got thus far, when the sound of
voices, as if from people in pursuit, met our ears. My hope was that
they could not tell the exact way we had taken. We all drew close
together, in the shade of some thick trees, where we were perfectly
concealed, while Blount offered to go out by himself to search for the
canoe.

He was on the point of leaving our cover, when we heard the sound of
footsteps approaching, and directly afterwards we saw the figure of a
man cautiously making his way among the trees. He might be an enemy,
the precursor of others; but our fears on that score were soon set at
rest by finding Ungka leap off my shoulder, and, running towards him,
jump into his arms.

"Ah! Massa not far-off," said a voice, which I recognised as that of
Hassan the Malay. We soon made ourselves known to him, to his great
delight. He told us that the canoe was close at hand, but that Kalong
had become alarmed at hearing the signal of the attack, and, at the risk
of his life, had gone back to look for us. Grateful as I was to the
faithful creature, the delay was very vexatious. Of course, however, we
had no remedy but to wait for him. In the meantime we launched the
canoe, and placed Eva and Nutmeg in the centre, with our provisions.
Ungka jumped in after them. Blount and I were to use the two middle
paddles, Hassan was to steer, and Kalong was to use the bow paddle. The
rest got in, and I held on the painter, to be in readiness to shove off
the moment he returned.

Several minutes thus passed, during which time our ears were assailed by
the dreadful sounds of the conflict. They grew louder and louder, as if
the pursued and the pursuing were approaching us. I began at length to
fear that Kalong, in his anxiety to serve me, had ventured too far, and
had been cut off by the enemy. Every moment was increasing our risk of
discovery. The time might have been so advantageo