tend a long
distance into the forest. From time to time they had to wade waist-deep
across channels by which the water from the marsh was draining slowly into
the river. Before crossing these, at Wilcox's suggestion they each cut
down a bush and beat the water with it.

"I expect there are no end of alligators in this swamp," the sailor said;
"and I know that the natives, before they cross streams where the brutes
are likely to be hiding, beat the water with sticks or bushes to frighten
them away."

It was hard work walking, for they often sunk knee-deep in the wet soil,
but after toiling for nearly an hour they heard a confused noise ahead,
and could ere long make out the beating of drums and the wild shouts of
Malays, mingled with a deep roaring sound made by horns. They now went on
more cautiously, and presently could make out through the trees a large
native village standing upon rising ground by the side of the river.
Creeping cautiously to the edge of the bush they could see that a large
number of men, women, and children were assembled in an open space between
the houses and the water. The women were bringing bundles of wood, and a
column of smoke rising in the centre of the crowd showed that the
preparation for a feast had begun.

"If we had but one of our ten-pounders loaded with grape with us," Wilcox
said, "I would pour a volley into those black devils if it cost me my life
afterwards."

"What do you think they are going to do, Wilcox?"

"I reckon there ain't much doubt about it," the sailor replied; "they are
going to make a feast of our mess-mates."

Stephen uttered an exclamation of horror and disgust. "Do you mean to say
that they are cannibals, Wilcox?"

"In course I can't say for certain, Master Steve. Some of these tribes are
cannibals and some ain't, and I reckon by what I see going on that those
villains are. Are you a good climber, sir?"

"Do you mean climbing a tree. I have never had much practice at that,
Wilcox, but I dare say I could manage it."

"Well, sir, you are lighter and more active than I am, and I was thinking
that if you could get up to the top of this tree you would have a view
down over the village. The leaves are pretty thick, and as the niggers are
busy there is not much chance of their looking about for a man up a tree.
You see the village ain't above a hundred and fifty yards away, and the
ground ain't more than twenty feet above the river. I should say that this
tree