rained his head back and tried to pierce the
thick darkness.

All at once there was an ominous crack, a violent rustling sound, and
then a sharp jerk or check.

Murray had slipped, and was coming down fast, but he had saved himself,
and from overhead now came a sharp whisper, "Quick!"

The command was needed, for the guard had taken the alarm. There was
the rush of feet, a louder scrambling from above, and Hamet and Murray
dropped down into the arms of the guards who came running under and
round the house.

The struggle had commenced, and though Murray fought bravely, he had
been taken at a disadvantage, and the help had come, apparently, in
vain.

For, realising that the attempt had failed, Mr Braine and the doctor
rushed to the assistance of the others, and a fierce melee ensued in the
darkness, wherein the fresh comers, who dared not use their revolvers
for fear of injuring friends, devoted their principal efforts to keeping
the enemy from using their krises, weapons admirably suited for a close
encounter.

It was only a matter of a minute or two.

"Murray--is Murray there?" cried the doctor.

"Yes," came from the ground. "I'm held--two men. Never mind me--save
yourselves."

The fierce struggle went on almost in silence, for the Malays as they
wrestled with the Englishmen, sought more to take prisoners than to
strike, and uttered a low growling noise, more like that of wild beasts
than men.

"It's of no use," whispered the doctor. "Braine, Ned, Hamet, make for
the boat."

"Yes, quick! escape!" cried Murray, after a tremendous effort to get
free.

"No, no," cried Ned, hoarsely, wresting his arm from the doctor's
clutch; and with a short run he sprang upon one of the men who were
holding Murray down.

The sudden action and the weight of his body in his leap drove the Malay
from his hold, and, freed thus from one enemy, Murray made another
desperate effort as Ned rolled over, got his right arm free, dashed his
fist into his enemy's face, and sprang up.

"Now!" he panted, "all together for the boat."

He was striking out right and left now with nature's weapons, sending
one man down, and keeping others at bay.

"Where's Ned?" he panted.

"Never mind me, uncle; run!" cried the boy.

"By-and-by," muttered Murray, striking out again and repeating his
nephew's manoeuvre, but with the addition of a blow on the ear which
knocked over the man seated on Ned.

"Now then, are you ready?" cried Murra