them as they drew
nearer the upper landing-place, dropping very slowly along, their
progress being checked by the manipulation of the boat's grapnel under
Pahan's clever management, for he controlled the rate at which they were
carried downward on the swift stream by using the rough little anchor as
a drag.

As far as could be made out in the moonlight, the river was quite clear
of boats, and, to their surprise, they glided on into utter silence,
while not a moving figure could be made out.

Archie had, in a whisper, given such information to his companion as he
could, and attributing the position to their still being at a
considerable distance from the scene of the conflict, he had crushed
down in his own breast the feeling of dread that the worst had occurred.
He had just come to this conclusion when Peter made a horrible
suggestion.

"Mister Archie," he whispered, "ain't it all very quiet?"

"Yes. Perhaps the enemy is waiting for broad daylight, to make another
attack."

"More fools they, sir, when they might catch our poor chaps quite done
up in the darkness and without a shot to fire. But you don't think,
sir, as we are too late, and the niggers have made a rush, carried all
before them, and ended up by finishing our lads off?"

"No, I don't," said Archie shortly; "and now don't talk. What's the use
of making the worst of things?"

"Quite right, sir. There, I've done; but I'd give anything to get to
work again. Just tell me this, sir: how much farther have we got to
go?"

"A very little way," whispered Archie, as he raised his head a little
and peered through the boughs, to see that the fire was burning low and
that they were now gliding into comparative darkness, evidently caused
by the river mist keeping down the smoke, which hung low and partially
obscured the light of the moon.

And now the big Malay was evidently busily using his pole, and thrusting
hard to force the boat into the position he had marked. Then, as far as
the listeners could make out, he had hauled up the little grapnel so
that it hung over the side, worked hurriedly with his pole again, and
then laid it leaning against a pile of boughs so that the two lads could
hear the water dripping where they lay.

Then the grapnel was lowered again, and the boat swung round; and as
Archie raised his head once more, it was to find that they were close up
to their old position whence they had made their successful capture of
the cartridge