lowed by its execution. As the spectators
rushed to the side by which the gorilla was retreating, they saw it lay
hold of the interlocking twigs, draw the branch nearer, bridge the space
between with its long straggling arm, and then bound from one to the
other with the agility of a squirrel.

And this with the use of only one arm, for by the other the child was
still carried in the same close hug. Its legs acted as arms, and for
travelling through the tree-tops three were sufficient.

On into the heart of the deep foliage of the second tree, and without a
pause on into the next; along another pair of counterpart limbs, which,
intertwining their leafy sprays and boughs, still further into the
forest, all the time bearing its precious burden along with it.

The agonised father ran below, rifle in hand. He might as well have
been without one, for all the use he dared to make of it.

And Henry, too, followed with the ship's musket. True, it had missed
fire, and the damp priming was still in the pan. Damp or dry, it now
mattered not. Saloo's sumpitan was an equally ineffective weapon.
Murtagh with his fishing-hooks might as well have thought of capturing
the monster with a bait.

On it scrambled from tree to tree, and on ran the pursuers underneath,
yet with no thought of being able to stay its course. They were carried
forward by the mere mechanical instinct to keep it in sight, with
perhaps some slight hope that in the end something might occur--some
interruption might arise by which they would be enabled to effect a
rescue of the child from its horrible captor.

It was at best but a faint consolation. Nor would they have cherished
it, but for their trust in a higher power than their own. Of themselves
they knew they could not let or hinder the abductor in its flight.

All felt their own helplessness. But it is just in that supreme moment,
when man feels his utter weakness, that his vague trust in a superior
Being becomes a devout and perfect faith.

Captain Redwood was not what is usually called a religious man, meaning
thereby a strict adherent to the Church, and a regular observer of its
ordinances. For all this he was a firm believer in the existence of a
providential and protecting power.

His exclamations were many, and not very coherent; but their burden was
ever a prayer to God for the preservation of his daughter.

"Helen, my child! Helen! What will become of her? O Father! O God,
protec