customed to it all their lives. Nick and Pipes advised that
they should keep up the fire all night, as otherwise they might find
that somebody had been carried off by a huge species of tiger which they
said infested the woods and forests of their country. Their advice was
followed, and all hands took it by turns to remain on watch. Billy
called up his companions twice, declaring that he saw the head of a huge
tiger peering from between the bushes, but he did not fire, as he was
afraid of missing. Though Desmond grumbled at being roused up, it was
proved that Billy was right by the marks the tiger had left on the
ground.

They had not got far the next day when their scouts came back and urged
them not to proceed. As to reaching the shore without being discovered,
they said that it was impossible, as the country was thickly inhabited
and open, their only chance being to pass through it at night. Should
they advance much further they would run great risk of being seen.

After searching about Pipes and his companion discovered a good
hiding-place, very similar to the one in which they had before concealed
themselves. Towards night they could tell, by the soughing of the wind
in the trees and the appearance of the sky, that there was a change in
the weather.

"I am sure the boats won't leave us while there is a chance," observed
Tom. "I will make my way alone, with the help of Pipes, and see what
has become of them. If I do not come back you will know that I am
caught, and I would advise you to try and get to the southward, where
you may perhaps find the inhabitants more friendly, and be able to get
across to Australia."

Desmond begged Tom to let him go instead; but Tom had made up his mind
to undertake the excursion, and as soon as it was dark he set off with
Pipes, who had agreed to go, although he evidently did not like the
work. Tom and his faithful attendant set off. They had a long distance
to go, and detours to make. Occasionally they heard dogs bark, and saw
lights in the windows of huts; but they kept clear of them, and made
good progress. They had one or two narrow escapes; and on one occasion
both tumbled into a water-course. They, however, scrambled out again,
with only the inconvenience of a wetting, which, considering the warmth
of the weather, was of no great consequence, even to Tom; and Pipes had
only to rub himself over with his hand, and he was dry again in a few
minutes. It was nearly