dden--a branch
acting as anchor--and they listened to the water rippling by them, and
the beat, beat, of the oars.

Sound travels so rapidly over smooth water, that it was long before the
fugitives could feel that the boat was close at hand. Then, on it sped
nearer, and above the sound of the oars came that of voices in low,
angry discussion. Two of the leaders were evidently disputing, and
their words were plain to three at least on board.

Abreast now, and becoming then just visible through the drooping boughs,
and as Ned and Frank sat together, hand clasped in hand, the unspoken
question was: "Will any of the keen eyes on board see us."

"Our escape cut off this way," thought Ned, the next moment; and then he
placed his lips close to Frank's ear and whispered, for the boy had
suddenly given his hand a quick pressure.

"What did they say?"

"It was the Muntrie," whispered Frank in the same way. "Says there is
no boat missing, and that we can't be on the river. The only boat out
is the one up by, where we are in prison."

"Hist!" came from Hamet, and instead of the sound of oars growing
fainter, they waxed loud.

The boat had been turned, and swept by them again down stream, the
search being deemed useless.

Ten minutes after, when the beat of oars had died away, the boat was
thrust out again, and all joined now in sending her up stream with a
quiet steady stroke, which was kept to for a couple of hours; and then
all at once the river mist began to be flushed with opal tints, the
haggard faces of the occupants of the boat grew plain, and marks of
blood were detected and rapidly washed away.

The bright sunshine and some refreshment sent a gleam of hopefulness
into every breast, and the men rowed on with renewed energy. They were
all together now, and if they could manage to sustain life for a few
days, they would be able either to reach the campong of the neighbouring
rajah, and throw themselves on his mercy, or, after hiding, drop down
the river some dark night.

As the sun rose higher, their exertions began to tell; the strokes given
by Frank and Ned grew more feeble, and a suitable place being found, the
boat was run in under shelter among the overhanging boughs, and an
hour's rest taken. Then once more forward, in spite of the heat, till
well on in the afternoon, when, as Frank and Ned were again resting, and
the boat was slowly making way against the stream, Ned spoke, for the
first time for qui