forward with the instinct of flight
which possesses every hunted creature. They heard the ponies' hoofs
rattle over the ridge, they heard the thud of the galloping feet close
at their backs, they heard the mocking laughs and yells of the
triumphant riders.

"I can run no farther, Jack," gasped Mr. Haydon, and pulled up.

Jack whirled round, _dah_ in hand, and stood at bay, his blood on fire
to have a stroke at those who hunted them.

The riders were now not more than a score of yards away, and coming on
at the same furious speed. Scarce had Jack turned, when the leading
horseman was upon him. Jack looked up and saw the tossing mane and
fiery eyes of the pony straining to its utmost speed, and above the
tossing mane leaned forward the half-caste, his dark eyes shining with
savage fire, his mouth widened in a cruel grin. Jack sprang aside and
launched a sweeping blow at Saya Chone. The latter, with hand and
knee, swung his pony round and hurled the animal full on Jack. The
knees of the powerful beast, just rising to the first movement of the
gallop, caught the English lad square in the body and dashed him
headlong to the ground. Stunned and unconscious, Jack was left in a
heap on the sand, while the horsemen encircled the other fugitives.

CHAPTER XLII.

IN THE COURTYARD.

When Jack came to himself after that rough tumble he felt bruised from
crown to heel, and his head was aching dully. For a few moments his
mind was in a puzzle as returning consciousness began slowly to array
before him the last things he remembered. Then he came to himself with
a start, and looked round eagerly to see where he was and what had
happened to his companions.

The first glance told him that he was once more within the deserted
city. He lay in the corner of a ruined house, bound hand and foot; two
Kachins, with muskets across their knees, squatted within six feet of
him, and watched him with a fixed stare. Over his head the sky was
still bright with sunshine, but the low rays told him that the night
was not far off.

"They've got us after all," thought Jack bitterly. "We're in their
hands as tight as ever, and they'll take care, I know, that we don't
slip out of them again."

It was heart-sickening that after their struggle through the pass,
their fight in the pagoda, and their escape by a way which seemed to
open for them in a magical fashion, that they should end by falling
once more into the hands of their cruel foes.