it should be the captain and Chris, just think what our
passing by them would mean. We might never see them again, Charley. I
am going to have a look."

"All right," agreed his chum, "but be very careful, Walt."

The fire was located well in on the point, and Walter steered to land
some distance out from it. A few strokes of the paddle sent the light
canoe gliding in amongst the mangrove bushes that fringed the shore.
Climbing out upon the curious gnarled roots, Walter pulled the canoe
far enough in to effectually screen it from sight. Next he examined
his pistols to see that they were properly loaded, and with a parting
word of cheer for his chum, he made his way slowly and cautiously over
the intervening roots to the shore.

He soon found that it was no easy task he had set himself. Between
himself and the fire fifty yards away, intervened the heaviest growth
of timber he had ever seen; palms, sweet gums, satinwoods, and pines
mingled in close and wild confusion, while the ground beneath them was
a matted mass of vines and creepers.

For a moment Walter hesitated. Some of the vines and creepers, he
knew, were poisonous. To touch them meant sores, swellings, and
suffering. But it was only for a moment he paused. The thought of how
much might depend on his errand drove him on. Tearing two strips from
his already tattered shirt, he wrapped them around either hand, and
dropping on hands and knees he cautiously wound his way towards the
fire.

His progress was slow and painful. Dangling brier vines drew blood
from arms and face, and sharp thorns repeatedly lacerated hands and
knees. At each move forward he had to pause and remove the dead
branches and twigs from his path lest their cracking should betray him
to the campers. At last, however, he could catch the sound of voices,
and wriggling forward with infinite caution, he reached a place from
which he could get a glimpse between the trees at the group gathered
around the fire.

The sight was not reassuring. Near the blaze a half dozen of the
convicts lay lounging at their ease, while another one was busily
engaged in making coffee and frying bacon. The neighing of ponies in
the background told the watcher how they had arrived at the point
before him. They must have ridden most of the night to have covered
the distance, and Walter felt a sinking of heart as he realized the
determination of their pursuit. The conversation that came to his ears
did