his danger; then drawing the dirk, ready for
a blow at the monster's eyes, should he encounter one, he crawled on,
reached the water's edge in safety, parting the canes to peer up and
down the river in search of danger, and seeing none.

From where he crouched the steamer was not visible, but he knew that a
little bold swimming would soon show her lying below; and, all the while
feeling very much like as if he were a frog about to plunge into a
stream haunted by pike, he lowered himself towards the water, gazed for
a moment into its depths, and then plunged in.

Down he went into the clear, cool stream, striking out so as to get well
away from the bank as he did so, and then rising to the surface, to see,
to his horror, that a good-sized boat, that had lain hidden amidst the
reeds, was being pushed out, and with seven or eight occupants was
coming in pursuit.

What was he to do? seek the shore again and take refuge in the jungle?

That seemed impossible; for he had plunged in so close to the boat, that
he would have been speared long before he could reach the place he had
left, even if he had been able to swim against the stream.

Then, to his horror, he saw that the banks were perpendicular or else
overhanging, and any attempt at climbing them from the water must have
failed; for, as far as he could see, where he was being swept down not a
tree laved an overhanging branch in the swift stream. There was only
one course open to him, and that was to trust to the river, and swim for
his life.

He had been taking this as his only chance as the above thoughts flashed
through his brain; and now came in the value of his old school-day
experience, when he had been one of the bravest swimmers of his age. In
fact, as he swam on, recollections of the old alder and willow ait in
the clear river came back, and he smiled as he turned upon his side and
forced his way through the sparkling waters.

The position as he made the side-stroke was convenient, though not
inspiriting; for as his cheek lay on the stream he could keep one eye
upon his pursuers, who were now coming rapidly on. Fortunately for
Gray, in their hurry and excitement the Malays had lost ground, so that
the young soldier had a fair start before they bent regularly to their
paddles. He could see, though, that a couple of men were standing
upright in the boat, each with a foot upon the gunwale, and a spear
poised in one hand, ready for hurling at the fugitive