f the thick boughs that
touched the water closer in so as to increase the shelter; but no sooner
had Archie begun to disturb the water at the side of the boat than there
was a violent disturbance, and something dashed out into the open river.

"Croc," whispered Peter, "or some large fish. Wish I had him on my
bayonet, sir. I could eat him raw."

"Hist!" whispered Archie, for the sound of splashing poles was giving
place to the regular beat of oars; and crouching low, wondering whether
their shelter would be pierced by the keen eyes of the enemy, they lay
waiting, listening to the steady plash and the muttering of voices,
which grew louder, and, looking bright in painted gold, with the rowers'
silken bajus gleaming gold and yellow in the sunshine, a large
dragon-boat glided by, so close to the lads' hiding-place that the
rowers' blades on their side nearly swept against the leaves, and they
could see the gleam of the eyes and glint of spears, for the boat was
crowded with armed men, and beneath the palm shelter in the stern they
could note the gaily plaided silken sarongs of the principal leaders of
the party of Malays.

Feeling that they must be seen, the lads hardly dared to breathe till
the gilded stern of the naga had passed; and even then it seemed as if
the steersman was looking back straight through the hanging leaves so
that he must detect the boat.

At last both were breathing freely, for the plash of oars was growing
more distant, and Peter, who had found it horribly painful to remain
silent so long, hazarded a few words.

"Felt as if my heart was in my mouth, sir. But do you know what I was
thinking all the time?"

"That they must see us, Pete?"

"Of course, sir; but something else."

"Speak lower, man!"

"All right, sir; they can't hear. But can't you guess?"

Archie shook his head.

"Well, I'll tell you, sir. Here's a double gun; there's four boxes of
cartridges. Why haven't you got it loaded and ready to blow a couple of
the enemy overboard, and then _click, click_, shove in two more
cartridges, as I should hand to you, ready for two more shots? That
would be enough to send them to the right-about, for they wouldn't know
but what there might be half a company of us hiding here."

"How are we to get at the cartridges, Pete?" said Archie, brightening
up, for his companion's words sent a thrill of hope through his breast,
and their position seemed not half so defenceless as before.

"I'