what the Indian had said. His
feet seemed heavy and his joints stiff, and it needed an effort to
maintain the speed at which he started, until he stopped at the tree,
panting and trembling from head to foot. He had been conscious while he
ran of a great uproar in the village, but his whole mind was centred on
his efforts, and it was not until he paused that he heard the full volume
of the outcry. A hundred voices were shouting, dogs were barking, and the
women's cries could be heard in the uproar. Far away to the left he heard
occasional shouts, and it was in this direction that the men of the
village were evidently running. The two Indians had no doubt led the chase
in the opposite direction to that which he had taken. Stephen was
wondering how far they would go before turning, when, almost noiselessly,
the two men ran up to the tree.

"We have shaken them off," Hurka said; "there were but two who followed
closely enough to keep us in sight, and our arrows soon stopped them. Now
let us go."

Pita led the way, Hurka followed him, placing as he did so one end of his
bow in Stephen's hand, saying, "Our eyes are more accustomed to the dark
than yours. Keep hold of the bow and follow me closely."

As soon as they were well in the forest the darkness was to Stephen
absolute, and had it not been for the bow he could not have followed the
little Indian, although treading almost on his heels. He appreciated more
strongly than he had ever done before how much keener were the faculties
of the Indians in some respects than his own, for they went along at a
brisk rate, making their way through the trees with as little hesitation
as if it had been broad daylight. Occasionally there was a pause for an
instant as Pita slashed through a creeper barring his way.

"How can he see them?" Stephen asked.

"He does not see them, senor, he feels them. He holds his bow at
arm's-length before him, and so touches even the smallest of the lianas;
the large ones he can see plainly enough, and so could he the small ones
were they level with the eye. It is those that are but a foot or two above
the ground that are dangerous."

"It is marvellous to me how you can see anything, Hurka, for I cannot make
out even the outline of your figure."

"We were born so, senor. Life in these forests accustoms the eyes to see
in darkness. It is the same with the wild animals that run at night."

It was not long before Stephen's breath began to come in shor