hall
be the Rajah's great friend and counsellor, and make him great, so that
he will become a glorious prince and reign over a happy, contented
people. There, you are not afraid now. Your hand trembles, though.
Well, help me to pour out what is in this bag in a heap over that pile
of boxes. Do not tremble so. Nothing can hurt us now. That is good.
Now stand there, behind those bushes, and tell me if you hear any of the
enemy coming. That is good, and there is the good work done. Quick!
Now the other bag. My faith, how you tremble! Now my hand--hold it
tight and lead me through the darkness back to the way we came--in
silence, so that the enemy shall not hear. No, no--too fast! Do you
not understand? You must lead me so that I can pour the powder from the
bag as I walk backwards and lay the train."

The Frenchman ceased his utterance, and though Archie missed some of his
words, the scene that must have taken place in the darkness of the
jungle surrounding the magazine seemed to start out vividly and picture
itself before the listener's eyes. Then the sufferer began to speak
again, in a low, quick, excited way.

"Ah! Idiot! Clumsy! I could have done better without you. Do you not
understand? You have trampled over the careful train I have laid, and I
must scatter more, or the plan will fail. Stay here till I come back to
you.--Curses! He has gone. What matter? I can finish now. That is
well. There is plenty, and it cannot fail. Now the matches.--Stop. Is
the way clear? I shall have time--and--yes, I can find my way as I did
before. I was mad to bring that shivering idiot. He has been in my way
all through. But no; he did carry the bag, and the task that brings
ruin and destruction upon these English is nearly done. Now--the
matches. Ah! Confusion! The box must have been wet. Now another;
then quick! The moment the fire begins to run. Confusion! Is it that
the matches are wet? No. I am all in water, and the touch from my
fingers prevents the match from striking. Now--ah, that is better. But
hark! Could the sentry have seen that? No. I am trembling like that
coward Malay. Courage, my friend. It is such a little thing to do.
But I must hasten, before the powder spoils upon the damp ground, where
everything drips with the heavy dew. Courage, my friend--courage! It
is such a little thing, and for the glory of my beautiful France, and
for my great revenge against these English a