superior force of the enemy, while it was incumbent on him to return to
the boats before nightfall. The party could advance but slowly through
the thick brushwood, in many places having to hew away with their
cutlasses, every instant expecting to see the enemy start up before
them. There were traces of blood on the ground and bushes, showing
where some of the natives had fallen by the bullets fired by Mr
Norman's party, but the bodies of those killed had been carried off.
Indeed, savage as these Papuans appeared to be, they apparently
considered that "discretion is the best part of valour," and seeing a
superior force landing, had beat a retreat into their inland fastnesses.

Jack began to feel sick at heart as hour after hour went by, and several
miles of ground had been passed over, without any traces of Tom and his
companions having been discovered. The heat was intense, and the men
began to show signs of fatigue, though they endeavoured to keep up as
well as they could. Jack, finding a tolerably open space with a rivulet
of fresh water running through it, called a halt. He considered that
here there was no risk of surprise, as by placing men on the watch,
there would be time to stand on the defensive before they were attacked.
The rest, with food and fresh water, restored the men, and they were
eager once more to push forward. The "bush" in front was becoming
thicker than ever; should they once work their way well into it, they
might find it a difficult matter to get out again. He accordingly
ordered them to fire off their muskets and to give a good hearty British
cheer, so that should the missing party be anywhere in the neighbourhood
they might hear it. They waited in silence; no reply came. Jack looked
at his watch. There would be barely time to reach the boats before
dark, and should the enemy get between them and the shore, they would
have to cut their way through them.

With a heavy heart the captain at last gave the order to retire.

"What! are we going off without punishing the rascals for the opposition
they have shown us?" Jack overheard one of the officers remark. "They
will consider that they have gained the day, and will behave in the same
fashion to any who may pay them another visit."

Jack's thoughts had been so completely engaged about Tom and the other
midshipmen that the necessity of inflicting punishment on the natives
had not occurred to him. Perhaps, after all, should their frien