the tiller and steer the launch. Presently the
native boat drew opposite their hiding-place, and at once the boughs
were parted and the launch shot out into the river. There was a shout
from the enemy, and half a dozen dropped their paddles and opened a hot
fire, their slugs whistling over the launch.

"That proves that they are enemies," said Dick, in tones of
satisfaction. "Give them a volley, my lads."

It was high time to return the fire, for as he spoke another burst of
flame had come from the boat, and three of the sailors were struck by
the slugs. Not that that made much difference, for the hardy fellows
did little more than grunt. There was a quick answering flash, and
instantly four of the natives threw up their arms and toppled overboard.

"Put us at her hard!" shouted Dick, waving to Jack. "Now swing her
round and bring us alongside. Keep under cover if you can, my lads, and
give them a volley over their heads."

The whole manoeuvre scarcely took five minutes. In less time than it
takes to tell, the launch had swung out into the stream, had headed for
the enemy, and finally had run alongside, a second volley from the
rifles of the seamen ripping the air over the heads of the natives. And
that was sufficient. Within a second they had thrown down their arms
and had grovelled on the floor of the boat.

"Get them all aboard here and lash their arms and legs," sang out Dick.
"That's the way. Smartly does it. Now dash a hole in their boat and
let her sink. Turn the launch's head to the sea, Jack, and let us be
going. Ah, there come the bullets."

There could be no doubt that there were more enemies at hand, and that
the firing had attracted their attention, for hardly had three of the
bluejackets tumbled aboard the native craft, while their comrades held
the two boats together, when a gun bellowed from the low-lying forest on
the opposite shore, and a bullet crashed into the stern of the launch.

"Jest look lively, me lad, will yer?" sang out one of the salts, as he
gripped the shoulder of one of the grovelling enemy. "That's the sort.
Yer don't want to look at me as if I was about to eat yer, but jest hop
aboard the launch."

He used the utmost politeness, while his grip closed about the native
like a vice, and with such force that the wretch gave vent to a cry of
terror. Then he was lifted bodily aboard the launch, where in spite of
the slugs and bullets which were now falling about her, h