range _fracas_ of the forest; and the noises continued to come
apparently from the same place.

"Allah be thank!" exclaimed Saloo, in a subdued tone. "He home at lass.
Him family makee welcome. Maybe chile be live yet. Maybe mias no
killee after all. Trust we in Allah, what you Inglees people callee
God. Who know he yet help us!"

These last words came like a renewal of life to the despairing father.
He started on hearing them; fresh hope had sprung up in his breast, at
the thought that his beloved child might yet be alive, and that a chance
of rescuing her might still be possible.

"In thy mercy, O God, grant it may be so!" were the words that fell from
his lips: Murtagh, with equal fervour, saying "Amen!"

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

STRIKING OUT.

Inspired to renewed energy, Captain Redwood rushed to the edge of the
lagoon, with the view of ascertaining its depth, and seeing whether it
might possibly be waded.

He soon discovered that it could not. In less than ten paces from the
edge he was up to the arm-pits, and from thence it seemed to deepen
still more abruptly. Another step forward, and the water rose over his
shoulders, the bottom still sloping downwards. The lagoon was evidently
impassable.

He drew back despairingly, though not to return to the shore. He stood
facing the centre of the lagoon, whence still came the strange noises:
though scarce so loud or varied as before, they did not appear to be any
more distant. Whatever creatures were making them, it was evident they
were stationary, either in the trees or upon the ground. They did not
sound as if they came from on high; but this might be a deception,
caused by the influence of the water. One of the voices bore a singular
resemblance to that of a child. It could not be Helen's; it more
resembled the squalling of an infant. Saloo knew what it was. In the
plaintive tones he recognised the scream of a young ourang-outang.

It was a proof his conjecture was true, and that the mias had reached
its home.

All the more anxious was Captain Redwood to reach the spot whence the
sounds proceeded. Something like a presentiment had entered his mind
that there was still a hope, and that his child lived and might be
rescued.

Even if torn, injured, disfigured for life, she might survive. Any sort
of life, so long as she could be recovered; and if she could not be
restored, at least she might breathe her last breath in his arms. Even
that