hrown round it, so our
progress was unimpeded.

"We must be very cautious now," observed Jack in a whisper.--"Restrain
yourself, Makarooroo; Okandaga's life depends on our coolness."

On reaching the back of the next hut, which was also empty. Jack
motioned to us to halt, and coming close to us looked earnestly in each
of our faces without saying a word. I supposed that, like a wise
general, he was reviewing his troops--seeing whether the men he was
about to lead into battle were fit for their work.

"Now," said he rapidly, "it's evident from the shouting that's going on
that they won't waste much time with their palaver. The hut in which
she is confined is not fifty yards off; I took care to ascertain its
position before leaving this morning. What we have to do is simple.
Spring on the guards and knock them down with our fists or the hilts of
our hunting-knives, or with bits of stick, as suits us best. But
_mind_"--here he looked pointedly at our guide--"no shedding of blood if
it can be avoided. These men are not our enemies. Follow me in single
file; when I halt, come up into line; let each single out the man
nearest to him, and when I hold up my hand spring like wild-cats. If
there happen to be five or six guards instead of four, leave the
additional ones to me." We merely nodded assent, and in another minute
were close upon the prison. Peterkin, Mak, and I had provided us with
short heavy bludgeons on our way. These we held in our right hands; our
left hands we kept free either to grasp our opponents with, or to draw
our knives if necessary. Jack carried his long knife--it might almost
have been termed a short sword--in his left hand, and from the manner in
which he clinched his right I saw that he meant to make use of it as his
principal weapon.

On gaining the back of the house we heard voices within, but could see
nothing, so we moved softly round to the front, keeping, however, well
behind the screen of bushes. Here Jack halted, and we ranged up
alongside of him and peeped through the bushes. The hut was quite open
in front and the interior was brightly lighted by a strong fire, round
which the four guards--stout fellows all of them--were seated with their
spears beside them on the ground. They were conversing in an excited
tone, and taking no notice of Okandaga, who sat behind them, partially
in the shade, with her face buried in her hands. She was not tied in
any way, as the guards knew we