he country, but he had
received minute directions from Francois, which helped greatly to guide
them.

At length they came to a dense jungle. Francois had told Le Duc of
this, and that he would find a path through it. They hunted about for
some time in vain.

"Come this way, messieurs!" exclaimed Le Duc, at length. "This must be
the path Francois told me of." He had gone a short distance to the
southward, and now led on, feeling the way with his long stick. The
others followed. The path was narrow, and the trees met overhead, so
that they were in complete darkness. On they went, keeping close behind
each other, for there was no room for two to walk abreast.

Le Duc walked at a good pace. The jungle seemed interminable. They
must have gone on, they fancied, for two or three miles, when they found
their feet splashing in water.

"I am afraid we are getting into a swamp, messieurs," said Le Duc. "It
cannot be helped; we must scramble through it somehow or other. If we
had daylight it would be an advantage. It won't do to stop here,
however."

The water grew deeper. The ground had now become very soft, and they
were often up to their knees in mud, so that their progress was greatly
delayed.

"We shall cut but a sorry appearance, messieurs, if we meet any one when
morning breaks," observed Le Duc. "As soon as we get to dry ground we
must stop and put ourselves to rights."

"Perhaps we shall, and it would be as well if we can wash the mud off
our legs," said Rayner. "But go on, my fine fellow; if this path is in
general use it cannot be much worse than it is."

Rayner was right. In a short time the water became shallower, and soon
afterwards they got on to firm ground. To their very great satisfaction
they at last found themselves out of the jungle. Before them rose a
hill, over which they had to climb.

At the foot of the hill they came to a clear, broad stream, passing over
a shingly bed. Le Duc, feeling the depth with his staff, walked in. It
was sufficiently shallow to enable them to ford it without difficulty;
and they took the opportunity of washing off the mud which had stuck to
their legs in the swamp.

All this time poor Jack never once complained, but he was suffering no
small amount of pain. His great fear was that he might have to give in
and delay the rest.

On the other side of the stream the country showed signs of cultivation.
They passed outside several plantations, but what