blows in the air, then reeled
and fell heavily to the ground. Throwing a hasty glance around, I
perceived Max among some bushes at a little distance defending himself
with difficulty against a savage, who attacked him eagerly with one of
those long spears, towards which he entertained such an aversion.
Browne was nowhere to be seen. Morton and his strong antagonist were
still grappling on the ground, but the latter had gained the advantage,
and was now endeavouring, while he held Morton under him, to reach a
club lying near, with which to put an end to the struggle. Another of
the enemy was sitting a few steps off apparently disabled, with the
blood streaming from a wound in the neck. I hastened to Morton's
assistance, whereupon his opponent, seeing my approach, sprang up and
seized the club which he had been reaching after. But Morton gained his
feet almost as soon as the other, and instantly grappled with him again.
At this moment I heard Max's voice, in a tone of eager warning,
calling, "Look-out, Archer!" and turning, I saw the savage I supposed to
be disabled, with uplifted arm, in the very act of bringing down his
club upon my head. I have a confused recollection of instinctively
putting up my cutlass, in accordance with Browne's instructions for
meeting the "seventh" stroke in the broad-sword exercise. I have since
become convinced by reflection, (to say nothing of experience), that the
principles of the broad-sword exercise, however admirable in themselves,
cannot be applied without some modification when iron-wood clubs, with
huge knobs of several pounds' weight at the ends of them, are
substituted for claymores. However, I had no time then to make the
proper distinctions, and as instead of dodging the blow, I endeavoured
to parry it, my guard was beaten down--and that is all that I can relate
of the conflict, from my own knowledge and personal observation.

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.

RECONNOITRING BY NIGHT.

THE SEARCH RENEWED--THE CAPTIVES--ATOLLO AND THE TEWANS.

"Trembling, they start and glance behind
At every common forest-sound--
The whispering trees, the moaning wind,
The dead leaves falling to the ground;
As on with stealthy steps they go,
Each thicket seems to hide the foe."

From the moment when startled by Max's warning cry, I turned and saw the
uplifted club of the savage suspended over my head, all is blank in my
memory, until opening my eyes with a feeling of severe pain