ve attempted to pass in their ordinary shape meant either capture
or death; but there was the chance that they might succeed like this.

They went on in the most deliberate way, both Don and Jem following in
Ngati's steps, but at every whisper on their right Don felt as if he
must start off in a run; and over and over again he heard Jem utter a
peculiar sigh.

A harder test of their endurance it would have been difficult to find,
as in momentary expectation of a rush, they stalked slowly on, till the
whispering grew more distant, and finally died away.

All at once Ngati paused to let them come up, and then pointed in the
direction he intended to go, keeping up the imitation of the bird hour
after hour, but not letting it interfere with their speed, till, feeling
toward morning that they were safe, he once more halted, and was in the
act of signing to his companions to cease their clumsy imitation, when a
faint sound behind put him on his guard once more.

The task had been in vain. They had passed the Maoris, and were making
for the farther side of the mountains, but their enemies had been
tracking them all the night, and the moment day broke, they would see
through the cunning disguise, and dash upon them at once.

They all knew this, and hastened on, as much to gain time as from any
hope of escape, till just at daybreak, when, panting and exhausted, they
were crossing a patch of brush, they became aware that the Maoris had
overcome their alarm at the sight of the gigantic birds, and were coming
on.

CHAPTER FORTY NINE.

UNWELCOME ACQUAINTANCES.

"We shall have to turn and fight, Mas' Don," whispered Jem, as they were
labouring through the bushes. "They're close on to us. Here, why don't
Ngati stop?"

There was a faint grey light beginning to steal in among the ferns as
they struggled on, keeping up the imitation still, when a shout rose
behind, and the Maoris made a rush to overtake them. At that moment
from a dark patch of the bush in front three shots were fired in rapid
succession.

Don stopped short in the faint grey light, half stunned by the echoing
reverberations of the reports which rolled away like thunder, while
there was a rushing noise as of people forcing their way in rapid flight
through the bush. But he hardly heeded this, his attention being taken
up by the way in which Ngati dropped heavily to the ground, and just
behind him Jem fell as if struck by some large stone.

A terribl