o what he says, it is for the captain to answer;
but I do not think that he will grant the terms, though possibly he may
consent to spare the rajah's life, and to go away with his ship, if we
are sent back to him without injury."

The rajah uttered a scornful exclamation. "I have six thousand men,"
he said, "and I do not need to beg my life; for were there twenty ships
instead of one they could never find me, and not a man who landed and
tried to come through the country would return alive. I have given your
captain the chance. If, at the end of three days, an answer does not
come granting my command, you will be krised. Keep a strict watch upon
them, Captain, and kill them at once if they try to escape."

"I will guard them safely, Rajah," the captain, who, from the rich
materials of his sarong and jacket, was evidently himself a chief, said
quietly; "but as to escape, where could they go? They could but wander
in the jungle until they died."

By night both lads felt more themselves. They had been well supplied
with food, and though Harry's head ached until, as he said, it was
splitting, and Dick's wound smarted severely, they were able to discuss
their position. They at once agreed that escape was impossible, and
would be even were they well and strong and could manage to obtain
possession of a sampan, for they would but lose themselves in the
labyrinth of creeks, and would, moreover, be certain to be overtaken by
the native boats that would be sent off in all directions after them.

"There is nothing to do but to wait for the captain's answer," Dick said
at last.

"We know what that will be," Harry said. "He will tell the chief that it
would be impossible for him to grant his commands, but that he is ready
to pay a certain sum for our release; that if harm comes to us, he
will make peace with the chiefs who have assisted Sehi against us, on
condition of their hunting him down and sending him alive or dead to the
ships. But the rascal knows that he could hide himself in these swamps
for a month, and he will proceed to chop off our heads without a
moment's delay. We must keep our eyes open tomorrow, and endeavor to get
hold of a couple of weapons. It is a deal better to die fighting than it
is to have our throats cut like sheep."

CHAPTER X.

The next two days passed quietly. The lads were both a great deal
better, and agreed that if--which would almost certainly not be the
case--a means of escape should