pportunity. The moon was shining, but was
occasionally hidden by clouds. Motioning to John they took their guns
and bolos, and at the instance of the Professor, a quantity of rope.
Some driftwood had caught at the shore to their left, and this was
recovered, and from that a small raft was built sufficient to carry
both across the narrowest stream.

To the north of them, less than a quarter of a mile away, was a quantity
of small timber, and the Professor suggested that it would be advisable
to go a considerable distance so the cutting of the logs would not be
heard by their watchers.

They pushed the raft silently across the water, and drew it up for
safety, and then stole down to the water's edge to make their way beyond
the sight of the savages on the opposite side. All along the shore
advantage was taken of every piece of wood available to serve as a
floating structure, and when the wood was reached a few of convenient
size were selected and cut up into lengths which would enable them to be
readily rolled down to the river.

This work occupied them until midnight, and four large trees were thus
prepared and lashed together, and one, wading in the water along the
beach, using a pole, the other, with the rope, they held it within
poling distance of the shore. In this manner the logs and detached
pieces were floated down to the mouth of the stream, and having tied the
small raft to the stern, it was finally poled across and landed at the
water's edge not far from the wagon.

It was fortunate that the water was shallow and that the beach was
shelving at this point, as it materially aided in effecting the
launching. The moon went down before four o'clock that morning, and the
yaks were yoked up and led to the river.

When Harry returned he was surprised at what he saw in their camp. The
Professor and George had been at work also. Several uprights had been
put up on the side of the wagon facing the besiegers, and over this had
been stretched an old canvas and parts of such goods as could be
dispensed with, so as to imitate the wagon, as nearly as possible.

Their ramie fiber top was of a light yellowish color, which looked
bright in the moonlight. This had been removed and stored in the wagon,
so that when the wagon was driven away the sham arrangement did not
disclose the disappearance of the vehicle.

The wagon was driven into the water nearly hub deep, and two of the
largest logs were then floated in under the a