GAVE A HINT, AND THE MALAYS GOT INTO HOT WATER.

Hunter and hunted had been alike too much occupied to note what had been
going on elsewhere. Gray's anxious gaze when he rose to the surface had
been directed backward at his pursuers, and for the time being the
steamer and her occupants were forgotten. On the other hand, the
Malays, keen on the scent of blood, intently watched the place where
their quarry dived, and calculated where he would rise.

So it was then that just as one of the men in the prow of the boat was
about to savagely stab the nerveless swimmer, whose glazing eye met his
with more of defiance than menace therein, there was a rattling volley
from half-a-dozen rifles, the two spearmen fell over the side, to be
swept away by the stream, and their companions, on starting up and
seeing one of the steamer's cutters coming rapidly on, to a man leaped
overboard and swam for their lives, some making for the island, some for
the opposite shore.

Adam Gray was so exhausted and surprised that it was some time before he
realised that the danger was past, but that, unless he made a fresh
effort, a new peril would await him, and he would lose his life by
drowning.

Just then, though, the Malay boat was swept close to him, and he threw
one arm over the side, holding on till he was dragged into the cutter,
which was then rowed rapidly back to the steamer.

"That was a narrow squeak for you, Mr Soldier," said Bob Roberts. "My
marines only spoke up just in time."

"I cannot find words to thank you now, sir," panted Gray, who was pale
with exhaustion.

"All right!" said Bob; "and don't find any words to thank me by-and-by.
I'm glad we were in time. You'd have done as much for any of us, my
man."

"Of course, sir; of course," said Gray, huskily.

"Yes, of course you would; but how came you in the river?"

"I was swimming off with a message to Lieutenant Johnson, sir," replied
Gray.

"Then if I were you I wouldn't go such a long way round next time," said
Bob. "Steady there, marines. Let them see you cover them, and they'll
rush off behind the trees."

This was in regard to some Malays who were showing themselves menacingly
on the edge of the river; but the moment they saw that the marines'
rifles were directed at them they ran to cover, and the cutter was soon
alongside of the steamer, the falls were hooked on, and the boat swung
by the davits, her mission being at an end.

Two anchors had been carri