elf," said Jim, and Buck chimed in with,
"So had I."

"They're pretty awkward parties to forget," went on Jack.

"That's so," agreed Buck. "If they hit our trail, we'll see trouble
yet."

No more time was spent over the dangerous brutes which had threatened
to bar their way. They were left lying where they had fallen, and the
little party of fugitives turned once more to their flight, and pushed
rapidly through the jungle.

An hour later the moon came up, and soon after that they reached a
wide, naked stretch of rocky hill-side. This was very hard travelling,
but they welcomed it, as it was country where they would leave very
few traces to guide pursuers. On and on they pushed, until dim grey
streaks in the east told them that the dawn was near at hand. They
climbed a steep slope, and were just on its crown when the morning
broke, and the sun shot up into a sky without a cloud.

"Good place here to make camp," remarked Me Dain, and all agreed
heartily with the remark.

"I reckon this is your first night march," said Jim to Jack,
smilingly.

"Yes," said Jack. "It isn't bad fun either." His tall, powerful, young
figure was as upright as a dart, his eye bright, his cheek fresh; he
could have gone on all day again.

"Well," said Jim Dent, "I don't mind saying I'm ready for a rest," and
he dropped on the grass beside the fire which Me Dain had already
begun to build.

Buck got out the provisions, and they ate from their store of native
bread and dried beef, and washed it down with plenty of tea.

"The country looks empty," said Jack, glancing over the wide stretch
they had traversed, "but for all that we had better keep our eyes
open, perhaps."

"We had," said Jim. "Those Kachins will follow us hot-foot when once
the light comes and they get our track for certain. I should say we'd
better stop here a few hours and then push on again till we've got
clean out of this country-side."

"Very well," returned Jack. "We'll set a guard. Best to run no risks.
I'll take first watch."

The last watch fell to Me Dain, and Jack awoke just as Buck roused the
Burman and lay down himself for another nap before continuing the
march. Jack, who was lying in a patch of thick grass, and wrapped in a
blanket, watched the sturdy figure of the Burman as Me Dain paced
lightly to and fro, looking out keenly on every hand. Then Jack dozed
off himself for half an hour, and woke again. He glanced round and saw
that Me Dain was sitting