egetation. The moonlight scarcely illuminated it, for it was narrow;
but Drew entered boldly. This matter must be brought to a conclusion.
He felt that the mystery had to be solved without delay.

There was light enough to show him the black wall of the jungle on
either side of the path. There were no openings. Tropical undergrowth
is not like that of a northern forest. Here the lianas and thorns
intermingled with strong brush, make an impervious hedge. One could
not penetrate it without the aid of a machete.

Drew heard no sound as he went on. The man he followed was not
struggling through the jungle in an attempt to escape pursuit. Allen
hastened his footsteps, his hand on his revolver. Was that a figure
moving through the semi-dusk ahead? Should he call? His lips formed
the name of Parmalee, but no sound came from them.

Suddenly he came to a clearing, perhaps a dozen yards across. Here the
lava had formed a pool and cooled in this circular patch. The
moonlight now revealed all.

A figure--the same he had seen upon the edge of the jungle--was
crossing this opening in the forest. The pursuer sprang forward.

"Wait!" he gasped. "It's I--Drew! Wait!"

The other whirled. He held only a club as a means of defense. He was
in rags. His black hair hung in dank locks about his pale brow.

"Who are you?" he cried. "Keep off!"

"Parmalee!"

Allen Drew rushed in, making light of the club, and seized the other in
his arms.

"My God, man! don't you know me? How came you here? Are you real?" he
chattered.

"Is it you, Drew?" queried the other, brokenly. "Lord! don't take my
breath, old fellow."

"They accuse me of taking your life!" ejaculated Drew, with hysterical
laughter. "Don't mind a little thing like being hugged. Gad,
Parmalee! how glad I am to see you!"

"Accused you of taking my life!" the other exclaimed, amazed.

"Ditty, the black-hearted hound, accused me of throwing you overboard.
Said he saw me do it. Captain Hamilton half believes it yet. Heavens,
Parmalee, but you're a sight to put heart into a man!

"Only," Drew added, "you quite took the heart out of me just now when I
saw you standing there at the edge of the forest staring at the fort."

"The fort. Yes. That's what puzzled me," Parmalee said. "I wasn't
sure which party was defending it. The sailors mutinied, didn't they?
You're fighting them?"

"I should say we are, the----"

He got no further. In their eage