red of the rising sun
to tell him ere long that it was morning and that the disturber of his
would-be restful watch must have slunk away; and Archie Maine crouched
there with his face still buried in his hands, quite sensible, for his
lips were quivering and his breath coming and going more strongly, and
causing a slight rustling of the dry leaves beneath. And then there was
a whisper of thankfulness, as the lad now slowly rose from his knees
with a weary sigh.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

"LIKE AN OLD TOM-CAT."

There was nothing but the suggestion of the faint light of dawn stealing
through the Rajah's hole, as Peter called it; but Archie knew well
enough the way to the cocoa-nut and the stone jar for a refreshing
draught, after which he pulled himself together, and began to wonder at
the different phases of the night.

"I don't think I should have been such a coward before that dreadful
night," he said to himself. "What horrors one can imagine at a time
like this!"

For there seemed to be a something in the coming of day that brought
with it the flagging hope that had passed away, and minute by minute
there was something to take his attention.

He felt that there was no occasion to carry the spear any more, and he
crept to its hiding-place and thrust it in where it would be safe,
before crossing to the door and making use of Peter's steps as he drew
himself up to peer out and breathe in the cool, soft, refreshing air.

And now the varying notes of birds came more often--cries of stork and
crane, the whistle of the smaller parrots, the harsh shrieks of those of
larger growth; and then he seemed to hear nothing, for all his feelings
were concentrated in thoughts of his fellow-prisoner, in repetitions of
how they had canvassed one particular thing, how he had objected, and
how Peter Pegg had fought for and won in his determination that he would
creep out from the roof, lower himself down, and make an expedition that
should put away doubts and prove to them what their position really was,
how near they were to their guards, and where the stables of the several
elephants that passed their prison lay.

"You see, Mister Archie, sir," Peter had insisted, "we must do
something. You are getting well on your legs now, and if we don't make
a heffort we may be kept here for months. You are my officer, and I
take my orders from you, but I do beg and pray, sir, as you will let me
have a try. I can get out easy enough,