ck in a low voice.

"I don't know, Buck," replied Dent. "But I wish we were ashore. This
isn't a country to take any chances in."

All three watched the dark, long shape behind them, and the Shan
pulled with all his might.

"It's after us." Jim Dent's low, fierce tones broke into the tense
silence, and Buck gave a growl of anger.

"What's their game?" he muttered.

"Run us down, there's no doubt of it," replied Dent. "That skiff is
built of stiff teak planks, with a nose as sharp and hard as an iron
spike. If they once hit this light sampan they'll cut it in two and
scupper us."

"Ay, ay," said Buck, "and drop an oar on the head of a man who tries
to swim."

The long narrow row-boat was now heading for them as straight as an
arrow. There could be no doubt of the rowers' intent. They meant to
run down the slight sampan and hurl its occupants into the deadly
current below. Driven by six powerful oarsmen, the skiff was coming on
at tremendous speed, and the shore was still a dim and distant line.

Jim Dent spoke again quickly to the Shan, and the latter made a swift
reply and bent to his oars with all his might. He understood their
danger better than any one, supposing that his light vessel was run
down, and he beat the water with long powerful strokes which drove the
tiny craft forward with great power. Jim Dent had begun to rummage in
the stern, and soon drew out a broad-bladed steering paddle. He dipped
this into the water and added a strong dexterous stroke to the
efforts of the boatman; now the sampan began to fly.

"Isn't there anything for us, Jim?" cried Jack. "Must we sit idle?"

"There's not another thing to pull with in the boat," said Dent. "I'll
lay in with all the strength I've got with this paddle. We'll take
turns at it."

Now commenced a stern, fierce race for life. The two men in the sampan
fought with set brows and clenched teeth to gain the far-off shore and
save the lives of themselves and their comrades. The six rowers in the
long skiff lashed the water furiously with their oars in order to
overtake and ram the slight vessel they pursued. One, two, three
hundred yards were covered. Jack's heart sank. The skiff had gained
terribly. Manned by six powerful oarsmen, she was cutting down the
distance between them with frightful rapidity. In the sampan the Shan
was still pulling with undiminished energy, but Jim Dent was beginning
to pant. Buck seized the paddle from his grip and took a turn.