earn his plans and
communicate them at the residency, perhaps to their defeat.

There was danger, then, threatening those whom he had made his friends.
Hamet had yielded to the taunts of Rajah Gantang and others, and also
given up to his own desire for revenge.

The resident had offered him a deadly insult in refusing to listen to
the matrimonial proposal, and also in refusing to give up the slaves who
had taken refuge with him.

Here was plenty of cause for hatred--a hatred that had been concealed
under a mask of smiles; and now it was evident that Hamet meant to
strike a blow at the English, destroying them, gaining possession of
their arms and stores, and--the thought made him shudder as he pretended
to be eating--get the two tenderly-nurtured ladies into his power.

How and when would this be done? Ali asked himself, and again came a
flash of light, and he saw it all plainly enough. A trap had been laid
for the English, and they were walking into it--that hunting-party!

It was all plain enough; the English force would be divided. A part
would be marched to some suitable part of the jungle, miles away, and
beyond the reach of their friends, where even the sounds of firing could
not be heard, and then they would be set upon, and butchered in cold
blood, most likely during their sleep.

This was the tiger-hunt, then, with the unfortunate English party being
led directly into the tiger's lair!

It was terrible! The young man's face became convulsed with horror as
he thought of the massacre that must ensue, and then of the surprise of
those on the island and on the ship. Treachery, he knew, would be
brought to bear in both cases, and here was he, knowing all, and yet
unable to stir.

At all hazards, even that of death, he must make the venture, and warn
those in peril; but where must he go first?

A moment decided that.

To the steamer and the island, and afterwards to the hunting-party;
which would be easy enough to follow by their track, if they had gone.

In the eager impulse of the determination, he sprang to his feet to go,
but as he did so three Malays sprang to their feet, and each man drew
his kris.

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

AT THE PRISON IN THE WOODS.

The menacing act on the part of his captors brought Ali back to a sense
of his position, and he stood there, gazing from one to the other,
thinking what he should do.

Unarmed as he was, any attempt at violence was utter madness, and that