ue, and I
will repay the debt. Let there be no fear for our safety. These
enemies will not expect us, and during the night we shall easily pull up
to the creek. In two days, perhaps, we shall return."

All was now bustle and movement aboard the launch, for many preparations
for the coming attempt had to be made. Meanwhile, seeing that he could
not persuade his comrade not to make the journey, Jack Emmett went to
the helm and sent the launch back to her course, down the centre of the
river. And there he held her, sitting motionless and thoughtful at the
tiller, while Dick and his men prepared the native boat. Two rifles and
an abundant store of ammunition were placed in her, and to these were
added a cooking-pot, some tinned provisions, and a keg of water. That
done, and some miles having been covered since they turned towards the
sea, the launch was run in toward the bank and anchored, while all threw
themselves down beneath the awning to sleep. As evening came, they
partook of a meal, and once the night had fallen, they pulled in their
anchor and stood up the centre of the river again, their course guided
by the faint streak which intervened between the two black lines of
forest on either side. A shield of sacking surrounded the top of the
funnel, while precautions were taken to hide all trace of light from the
fire. In fact, the launch might have been a ghost, so silent and
invisible was she.

"Stop her. Bring that boat forward, please."

It was Dick's voice, cool and collected as before.

"Now hold her while we embark. Good-bye, Jack. Good-bye, men. Keep a
watch for us to-morrow night. Shove her off."

A dozen hands stretched out to grip his in the darkness, and a dozen
voices, gruff and deep, and sunk to a whisper, bade him good luck and
good-bye. A push then sent the boat clear of the launch, and within a
few seconds she was under way, the dip of the paddles being just
distinguishable. That sound soon ceased, and as the crew of the launch
stared disconsolately after their leader, they could neither hear nor
see a trace of the boat.

"Good luck to the lad," growled one of the sailors. "Blest if he ain't
the pluckiest gentleman as ever I see."

"And if them fellers gets 'im and does for our young orfficer, I tell
yer they'll 'ave ter pay, do yer 'ear?" growled another. "Strike me!
but we'll give 'em something for interferin'!"

"Silence there, for'ard. 'Bout launch! Steady there with the