the face of the rocks.

Jem, in passing the sling of the musket over his head, had let it fall
upon the stones with disastrous effect.

"Run, Mas' Don; never mind me."

"Are you hurt?"

"Dunno."

Jem was in a stooping posture as he spoke, but he rose directly, as
there was a rush heard in the direction of the convicts' lair, and
catching Don's hand they ran off stealthily after Ngati, who had
returned, and then led the way once more.

Not a word was spoken, and after the first rush and the scramble and
panting of men making for the rocks, all was very still. Ngati led on,
passing in and out among tree and bush, and mass of rock, as if his eyes
were quite accustomed to the darkness, while, big as he was, his bare
feet made no more sound than the paws of a cat.

Both Don and Jem followed as silently as they could, but they could not
help catching against the various obstacles, and making noises which
produced a warning "Hssh!" from their leader.

As they passed on they listened intently for sounds of pursuit, but for
awhile there were none; the fact being that at the sound of the shot the
convicts believed that they were attacked, and rushing out, they made
for the mountain. But as no further shots were heard, they grew more
bold, and, after waiting listening for awhile, they stole back to the
shed that should have been occupied by Don and his friends; where,
finding them gone, they hurried into their own place, found that the
arms were taken, and, setting up a shout, dashed off in pursuit.

The shout sent a shiver through Don and Jem, for it sounded terribly
near, and they hurried on close to the heels of Ngati, forgetful for the
moment of the fact that they were armed, and their pursuers were
weaponless.

After a time the sounds from the camp, which had been heard plainly on
the night wind, ceased, and for the first time Don questioned Jem as to
his injury.

"Where are you hurt, Jem?"

"Shoulder," said that worthy, laconically.

"Again?"

"No; not again."

"But I mean when the gun went off."

"In my head, Mas' Don."

"Ah! We might stop now. Let me bind it up for you."

"No, no; it don't bleed," replied Jem, gruffly. "I mean hurt inside my
head, 'cause I could be such a stoopid as to let this here gun fall."

"Then you are not wounded?"

"Not a bit, my lad; and if you'll stop now, I think I'll try and load
again."

But Ngati insisted on pushing on, and kept up a steady walk right south