alised the fact that the enemy
were about to receive reinforcements, when a number of dusky figures
appeared, while a man stepped from behind a huge cotton tree. It was
the half-caste, James Langdon, saturnine in appearance, looking thin and
wan after his long residence with the Ashantis, and showing on his ugly
features the same crafty cunning look as had first aroused our hero's
suspicion and dislike. He, too, bore a stake in his hand and held it
poised above his head. With careful eye he aimed it at the young fellow
fighting by the bank of the river; then, with a sudden movement he threw
it as if it were a spear, and with such deadly aim that it struck the
object on the temple.

Dick fell like a log. Had he been an ox that had been struck a true
blow with the pole-axe he could not have fallen more swiftly. One
instant he stood there, breathing hard, and whirling his club, defiant
and by no means conquered, and the next he lay an inert mass at the feet
of the rascal who had decoyed him up the river.

"A fine shot!" shouted the half-caste. "On to him, and make his hands
and feet fast. Now a pole, and we will carry him. Later, when he has
recovered, he shall drag his own body to Kumasi for the sacrifice."

He stood by with every sign of satisfaction as the natives obeyed his
orders, and smiled his cruel smile as the last of the lashings were
completed. By this time a pole had been slashed from the underwood, and
with a refinement of cruelty for which this race are known, the Ashantis
thrust the pole between Dick's feet and hands, which were held together
by the lashings, and prepared to carry him away suspended in that
fashion.

"We will look at these comrades of ours," said James Langdon, as they
turned to depart. "Ah, our friend, the white fool, struck true and
well. The man is stunned. It will be hours before he recovers. Who
will wait with him?"

"And risk the coming of this man's friends? None of us," came the
answer. "Let him lie, and if he escapes, then he is fortunate.
Besides, he has comrades to keep him company."

He pointed to three others who had been struck down by the stake, and at
once the half-caste bent over them.

"They are all hit badly, but will regain their senses, I think," he said
calmly. "Well, let them lie there and recover while we push on. What
of this one, though?"

"Dead!" replied the man who had answered his first question. "I saw him
thrown against the tree, and