d that it could find for itself
in the bush, it came running towards Jem, staring up at him, and as he
extended the spear handle, instead of being frightened away, it pecked
at the butt and then came nearer.

"Well, you are a rum little beggar," said Jem, stroking the bird's back
with the end of the spear. "I should just like to have you at home to
run in and out among the sugar-barrels. I'd--Hah!"

He turned round sharply, and levelled his spear at a great Maori, whose
shadow had been cast across him, and who seemed to have sprung out of
the bush.

"Why, I thought it was one o' they cannibals," said Jem, lowering the
spear. "Good job it wasn't dark, old chap, or I should have given you a
dig. What d'yer want?"

"Sleep," said Ngati laconically, and, taking Jem's spear, he pointed to
where Don was lying.

"Me? What, already? Lie down?"

"Sleep," said Ngati again; and he patted Jem on the shoulder.

"All right, I'll go. Didn't think I'd been watching so long." He
nodded and walked away. "Wish he wouldn't pat me on the back that way.
It makes me feel suspicious. It's just as if he wanted to feel if I was
getting fat enough."

Don was sleeping peacefully as Jem lay down and uttered a faint groan,
for his left shoulder was very painful and stiff.

"Wonder how long wounds take to heal," he said softly. "Cuts arn't much
more than a week. Heigh-ho-hum! I'm very tired, but I sha'n't be able
to go to--"

He was asleep almost as soon as he lay down, and directly after, as it
seemed to him, he started into wakefulness, to find Ngati standing a few
yards away, shading his eyes and gazing down the gully, and Don poking
him with his spear.

"All right, Sally, I'll get up. I--Oh, it's you, Mas' Don."

"Quick, Jem! The Maoris are coming."

Jem sprang to his feet and seized the spear offered to him, as Ngati
came forward, brushed the ferns about so as to destroy the traces of
their bivouac, and then, holding up his hand for silence, he stood
listening.

A faint shout was heard, followed by another, nearer; and signing them
to follow, the Maori went along up the gully, with the stream on their
right.

It was arduous work, for the ground was rapidly rising; but they were
forced to hurry along, for every time they halted, they could hear the
shouts of their pursuers, who seemed to be coming on with a pertinacity
that there was no shaking off.

It was hot in the extreme, but a crisp, cool air was blowing