was still darkness, but the stars were shining brightly overhead,
when Don opened his eyes again to begin wondering why his head should
ache so terribly, and he should feel so cold.

Those thoughts were only momentary, for a colder chill ran through him
as on both sides of where he lay a low moaning sound arose, as of some
one in pain.

"Where am I?" he thought. "What is the matter?"

Then he realised what had happened, for a familiar voice said almost in
a whisper,--

"Poor little Sally! I wish she was here with a bit of rag."

"Jem!"

"Mas' Don! Oh! Thank the Lord! Amen! I thought--I thought--Oh! Oh!"

A choking sensation rose in Don's throat, for he could hear close beside
him the brave, true fellow sobbing like a woman.

"Jem! Jem, old chap!" whispered Don. "Don't, pray don't do that."

"I'm a-trying not to as hard as ever I can," whispered the poor fellow
hoarsely; "but I've been bleeding like a pig, Mas' Don, and it's made me
as weak as a great gal. You see I thought as you was dead."

"No, no, Jem; I'm here safe, only--only my head aches, and I can't get
my hands free."

"No, my lad, more can't I. We're both tied up, hands and legs."

"But the others? Where is Tomati?"

"Don't ask me, my lad."

"Oh, Jem!"

There was a few minutes' awful silence, during which the low moaning
sound went on from different places close at hand.

"Where is Ngati?" whispered Don at last.

"Half killed, or dead, Mas' Don," said Jem, sadly. "We're reg'lar beat.
But, my word, Mas' Don, I am sorry."

"Sorry? Of course."

"Ah! But I mean for all I said about the poor fellows. I thought they
couldn't fight."

"The women and children, Jem?"

"All prisoners, 'cept some as would fight, and they--"

"Yes--go on."

"They served them same as they did those poor chaps as wouldn't give
in."

"How horrible!"

"Ah, 'tis horrid, my lad; and I've been wishing we hadn't cut and run.
We was better off on board ship."

"It's of no use to talk like that, Jem. Are you much hurt?"

"Hand's all cut about with that pistol busting, and there's a hole
through my left shoulder, as feels as if it had been bored with a red
hot poker. But there, never mind. Worse disasters at sea, Mas' Don.
Not much hurt, are you?"

"I don't know, Jem. I can remember nothing."

"Good job for you, my lad. One of 'em hit you over the head with the
back of a stone-chopper; and I thought he'd killed you, so I--"

Jem ceased sp