eep in
through the jungle till they were fifty or sixty yards away, and take
pot-shots at us. But only let us get to-night over, and we will go
shooting or fishing as soon as it's day."

"Hark at that," said Fitz, catching him by the arm. "Here they come at
last!" And not only the boys, but every one present but the skipper,
felt a strange fluttering about the heart, as a curious hollow cry rose
from somewhere at the edge of the jungle.

And then from out of the darkness there was a sharp _click, click_! of
the lock of a rifle, the force of example bringing out quite a series of
the ominous little sounds, which came forth sharp and clear as every one
prepared to use his piece.

"Steady there, my lads!" growled the skipper. "You don't think you can
shoot that bird?"

"There, laddies; I kenned it was a bird--one of them long-legged,
big-beaked chaps that stand out in the water spearing eels. Wish we had
got him now."

"Was that a bird, father?" whispered Poole. "Why, you ought to have
known it was, my lad. There goes another, and another. If you listen
you can hear the cry dying right away in the distance--one of those
great cranes."

"Fine bird to keep for singing," said the cook, "only I want everything
for the pot or the spit. There he goes again. What a rich voice,
laddies! Sounds as if he were fat."

The rifles were uncocked gently and carefully, and all sat listening
again, thoroughly on the _qui vive_, for though fully expecting that the
first warning of danger would be a shot from one of the sentries, all
felt that there was a possibility of the enemy stealing up in the
darkness and making a rush which would quite take them by surprise.

It was depressing work to the wakeful, and as the hours stole slowly on
first one and then another, tired out with the exertions of the day, let
his head sink upon his breast where he crouched and gave audible notice
that he had forgotten everything in the way of danger, in sleep.

From time to time the boys kept up a desultory conversation, but at last
this ceased, and Fitz suddenly lifted his head with a jerk and began to
look wonderingly round at the great stars.

"What's the matter?" said Poole, in a startled way.

"I dunno," replied the middy. "It seemed to me that somebody got hold
of me and gave me a jerk."

"That's just how I felt. Look out!"

Fitz did look out as far as the darkness would allow, and his hands
began to turn moist against the s