u did not see in the dusk that
I am wearing Dula's baju and sarong."

"No; it was all too dark and confused. But I did think you were a
native woman."

"That is good," said Minnie. "Dula brought me down to the creek where
the boat was lying, and Pahan meant to pretend after dark, if we met any
of the Malays, that he was taking in fruit for the Rajah's men. But we
were seen too soon. One of the Rajah's boats came in sight, and the
chief with it called to us to stop. Then Dula said I must lie under the
attap mats, as they were going to pretend that they did not hear the
call. They began poling the boat along as hard as ever they could,
hoping, as the stream was with us, that we could escape; but--" The poor
girl broke down with a sob.

"Don't talk about it, Minnie--dear sister," said Archie quickly. "Sit
quiet and try to believe that you are safe. Pete and I will die sooner
than harm shall befall you now."

"Yes, yes, I know," said the poor girl, stifling her rising sobs; "but I
must talk. Don't stop me. It helps me to grow calm again after the
horrible excitement of that race for life. Oh," she shuddered, "it was
terrible! For they kept gaining upon us, till they got near enough to
begin throwing spears, two of which passed through the attaps; and I
crouched down, praying that the darkness that was so near would come
down and hide me so that Pahan could run the boat in somewhere amongst
the bushes. At last, when it seemed all over, and I was feeling that I
must bid good-bye to life and jump into the river before I saw these
dear people speared to death, my poor heart gave one great throb in
answer to the sound of your rifle, while Dula uttered a cry of joy,
knowing the shots at the Malays could only come from friends, and helped
her husband to force the sampan right in amongst the trees where we saw
the smoke rising; and then--Oh Archie! oh Archie!" She broke down, and
as she clung to her old companion, the lad made what sounded like a
dreary attempt at a mocking laugh, as he exclaimed:

"Upon my word, Minnie, it was too bad! Here were we trying to save you,
and you dashed in, sank our boat, sent all my cartridges to the bottom,
and nearly drowned us into the bargain."

"Don't--don't try to make a laughing matter of it, Archie! I can't bear
it now."

"Of course you can't. Forgive me for being such a fool. I say, your
what's his name--Pahan--he's getting quite a stack of green stuff
aboard, and-