they were they could
not tell; still, as they could manage to make their way to the eastward
they went on.

"We must be near the large village Francois spoke of," said Le Duc. "He
advised that we should go to the southward of it, as the country on that
side is more easily traversed, and we may hope thus to get by without
being discovered if we can pass it before daybreak."

They accordingly took the direction as advised. After going some way
they heard the barking of dogs and saw a light gleaming, they supposed,
from the window of a cottage, whose inmates were up early, or, perhaps,
where some one lay dying or dead.

At length the bright streaks of early dawn appeared in the sky ahead.

Jack at last had to acknowledge that he could go no farther.

"If we could but reach some hut or other where the blacks would take
care of me, I would be ready to stop sooner than let you be caught,
sir," he said, addressing Rayner.

"No, I will never allow that," was the answer. "We'll get you along a
little farther, until we can find some place to rest in. There's a wood
I see ahead, and we must conceal ourselves in it until you are able to
go on again. If Mr Crofton likes to lead on the rest and try to get
across the frontier, he may do so, but I'll stick by you, Jack. Don't
be afraid."

"Thank you, Bill, thank you!" said Jack, pressing his old messmate's
hand, scarcely knowing what he was saying, but thinking somehow that
they were again boys together. "You were always a brave, generous chap,
and I know you'd never desert a shipmate."

Poor Jack was getting worse every moment. Rayner made no reply, but
calling Brown, they helped him along between them, lifting him over the
rough places as they made their way towards the wood. They reached it
just as daylight burst on the world, as it does in the tropics, the hot
sun rushing up immediately afterwards to blaze away with intense heat.

Oliver, with Le Duc and Tom, hurried on ahead to look for some place
where they might have a chance of effectually concealing themselves. In
a short time Oliver came back.

"We have discovered just the sort of place we want," he said. "The
sooner we can stow ourselves away in it the better. Let me take your
place and help Peek along."

Rayner would not allow this.

"I can support him a mile farther if necessary," he answered.

In a short time, making their way through the jungle, and crossing a
small stream which would afford