ow," said Tom Long. "He quite took me in. It was a splendid
disguise."

"Capital!" said Captain Smithers. "The very sentries were puzzled."

"Yes, of course they would be," replied Tom Long; and the captain walked
away.

"The sentries must have been puzzled before he came to me," said Tom
Long to himself. "That man yonder, though, seemed to take it as a
matter of course. I shall be very glad, though, when all this hiding
and dodging is over, and the hunting-party are back, for I am not going
to believe that they are in danger after all."

And yet Tom Long did believe it, and was as uneasy as the rest; but it
was his way of trying to put a good face upon matters.

CHAPTER FIFTY.

HOW BOB FISHED FOR MISS LINTON.

To the surprise and gratification of the English party, the
jungle-station remained unmolested for the next two days, giving them
ample time to make such little additions to the defences as the officers
thought needful. The coming of the steamer gave the occupants of the
fort command of the water and a way of retreat in case of extremities;
moreover, they had the chance of sharing the ship's provisions. So that
with the knowledge of their power of resistance a feeling of confidence
began to exist, especially as it was evident that the Malays had been
taught the danger of molesting the little party.

The enemy came and went from the island in large numbers, but kept
entirely aloof, making no attempt to communicate; while their strange
silence excited suspicion in Captain Smithers' mind that some plot was
hatching.

The lieutenant joined him in thinking that there was cause for
suspicion, and more stringent watch was kept.

Old Dick regretted keenly that for reasons of economy the furnace fires
could not be kept up, for he argued still that plenty of hot water was
all that was needed to keep them safe. He had, however, to be content
with the ordinary precautions, promising himself the extraordinary as
soon as the fires were lit.

The ladies had full occupation in tending the wounded, an occupation
which saved them from much thinking; for there were no tidings of the
party, and now that so long a time had elapsed it became evident that
their worst fears would be realised.

In fact the officers began to debate whether the hour had not arrived
when they ought to retreat; but the idea was set aside, and once more
they determined to hold the station till help should come, since for the
steame