own from the high
ground during the rainy season. They were, however, not spheres, but
disk-shaped fragments of slate, very thin, the sharp corners rounded off
by the water. Here and there, too, we found boulders of opaque,
milk-white quartz. Generally the bed was level, but occasionally there
were holes where the torrent had been wont to rest in its course towards
the ocean. We proceeded along it at a far more rapid rate than we had
hitherto been able to move. The shadows which came across our path had
been growing longer and longer, when my uncle recognised some trees
which grew in the neighbourhood of the house. We had once more to use
our axes, and by exerting them actively, we cut our way through to the
path which he had formed. It was almost dusk when we saw the high
pointed roof of the house before us. Our shouts brought out the
inmates, the Frau leading the way, though not accustomed to running.
She clasped Emily and Grace in her arms, bursting into tears when she
saw them.

"Oh! so glad you come back!" she exclaimed. "We so frightened that you
have been carried away by de pirates!"

What she could mean we could scarcely understand, nor was Tanda at first
very explicit. Mr Hooker, however, after our greetings were over, told
us that as Tanda had been on the sea-shore, collecting shell-fish as a
variety to their repast, he had seen, at no great distance from the
land, several prows, which, from their build and general appearance, he
was sure were those of Sooloo rovers, or perhaps pirates from the coast
of Borneo. He had just arrived with the alarming intelligence, and he
was afraid they were coming to land on the island. The fading light
would scarcely enable us to discover them, for though a few minutes
before it had been broad daylight, darkness comes on so rapidly in that
latitude, that day, as it were, leaps into night in the course of a few
minutes. We hurried down, however, to the beach; but when we got there,
we could only distinguish in the far distance some shadowy forms, which
might have been the piratical vessels. Which way they were steering,
however, the most practised eyes among us could not discover, and
directly afterwards they were totally hid from sight. We returned to
the house to consult what was to be done.

"If you would take my advice, gentlemen," said Mr Thudicumb, "you will
have provisions done up, and arms and ammunition ready for a quick
march, and anything else that