ap!" said Pegg, with a long-drawn sigh, as, utterly exhausted,
Archie sank back upon his rough resting-place amongst the palm-leaves,
and fell off at once into a deep, swoon-like sleep. "Oh! if he only
won't wake again for hours and hours, for all this worrying and talking
must be dreadful for him. Poor girl! She must be here somewhere, a
prisoner too. If I could only find out!"

He had been bending over Archie, and was drawing away as softly as could
be for fear the rustling of the leaf-bed might wake his companion again,
to recommence talking in an excited way about Minnie Heath and her fate,
when he heard the sound of voices, the door of the palm and bamboo
building was unbarred and thrown open, and a fierce, swarthy-looking,
scowling Malay, with the hilt of his kris uncovered, strode swaggeringly
in, accompanied by six spear-armed natives of about his own stamp, their
leader looking sharply at the two prisoners, and then about the place.

"Here, I say, don't kick up such a jolly row," said the private in a
hoarse whisper. "Can't you see that the poor fellow has just dropped
off to sleep?"

The big Malay turned upon him fiercely, and as he took a couple of steps
nearer, the crisp, dry leaves rustled more than ever.

"Will you be quiet?" whispered the private, springing up, and with one
stride planting himself threateningly before the offender, who took a
step back and flashed his naked kris from its sheath, while his
followers lowered their spears for his protection.

"There, put that cook's skewer away," growled the lad, as he pointed at
the kris. "Can't you be quiet? Can't you see that I have got nothing
to fight with? Seven on you to one wounded man! Nice, plucky lot,
aren't you? Why, I'm about the youngest chap in my company, but give me
my empty rifle and bay'net and fair-play, and I would take the lot on
you."

Then, placing his open hands on either side of his lips as if he were
about to hail somebody at a distance, he whispered hoarsely:

"Look at him. Very bad. Thought he was going to die. Can't you
understand?"

Lowering his hands, he first pointed to the insensible officer, and
then, treating the bared weapons which menaced him with as much contempt
as if they were not there, he stepped on tiptoe close to his young
companion, and stood pointing down at his terribly swollen forehead,
which was not only cut but discoloured.

He stood waiting, but neither of the Malays moved, only looke