the turn of affairs, and the more
coolly we take these matters, the better able we shall be to act. Now
try and rest."

Murray shook his head, and sat wondering how a man whose son had been
suddenly snatched from him could drop into a calm and restful sleep.
Then he wondered how Amy and the ladies were, and then he ceased
wondering, for when the sun rose above the river mist and the tops of
the jungle trees, it shone in between the mats hanging over the doorway,
lighting up the Resident's room, and the divan where Murray lay back
utterly exhausted, and now fast asleep.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

WHERE THE BOYS WERE.

"Doesn't matter out here, doesn't it?" said Ned. "Well, I tell you what
it is. I shall talk to uncle about it, and he'll speak to the doctor,
and tell him it would be disgraceful."

"Don't talk so loudly; those fellows are close behind."

"But they can't talk English."

"No; but some of them have heard so much that I often think they
understand a little of what is said."

"I don't see any one about."

"Perhaps not, but they're following us all the same, and if you were to
make a rush off now, very likely you'd run up against one of them, ready
to stop you. But I don't know," continued Frank, looking stealthily
about; "I've got regular cat's eyes now, with going to the jungle edge
of a night to set and watch traps with the men. I don't see any one
about. What do you say to a walk down to the jetty?"

"What for?"

"To hear the crocodiles at play. They have fine games there of a night,
splashing and chasing one another."

"Oh no. I'm too tired, really."

"You are a chap! Why, we might take one of the boats and have a row.
Go off to one of the prahus, and startle the beggars. No, that wouldn't
do, because they might throw spears at us."

"But they couldn't hit us if they did."

"Couldn't they! You don't know. They throw them splendidly. Why, I
know fellows here who could hit you with a spear every time at thirty
yards, and send the thing right through you."

"Ugh!" ejaculated Ned, with a shudder. "Come along, and we'll get Hamet
to give us some coffee."

"And bring us pipes. I say, let's try and smoke."

"Nonsense!"

"Well then, let's go down to the jetty. You can see the fireflies down
by the river-side. They look wonderful on the other bank."

"Then let the monkeys and crocodiles look at them. I don't want to look
at anything. I'm so tired."

"Then sit in a sampan