"They might have given us another half-hour, Herrick," he said. "I should like to get the boys on board unhurt." "Think they can get on ahead, sir?" I whispered. "I hope not. The forest on each side is so dense that I don't fancy they can get along any faster than we do. Make haste, my lads, make haste," he said, almost in a whisper; "we shall have it dark here under these trees before long." Crash came another volley, accompanied by a savage yelling, but we were so low down between the muddy banks that again the slugs went pattering over our heads. "Would you mind passing the word to the other boat, messmate," said a familiar voice. "Tell 'em not to hurry themselves, as we're very comfortable." "Who's that? Silence!" cried Mr Reardon. No reply came to his question, but I could hear the men chuckling. The next minute they were serious enough, for there was a burst of voices from very near at hand. "Aim low, my lads," said Mr Reardon. "You six in the stern-sheets, as near to where the shooting is as you can." The rifles were levelled, three of the barrels being passed over our shoulders. Then came the usual orders, and the pieces went off like one. This silenced our pursuers for a few minutes, during which we continued our progress, snail-like at the best, for the boat in front looked like a slug. "I'd give the order to them to draw aside and let us pass, Herrick," whispered the lieutenant, who now, in this time of peril, grew very warm and friendly; "but--ah, that's getting dangerous." For another volley from very near at hand rattled over us, and was answered by our men. "What was I going to say?" continued the lieutenant coolly, "Oh, I remember! If we tried to get by them they might take the ground with all that load, and be stuck." "And it would be a pity to have to leave that load, sir," I said. "Velly best load--allee best silk!" cried Ching excitedly, "Good, velly good plize-money!" There was a roar of laughter at this, and Mr Reardon cried-- "Silence!" Then, sharply, "Fire, my lads, if you see any one following." "Ay, ay, sir." "Yes, it would be a pity," said the lieutenant thoughtfully; "but it's tempting. If we could get in front, Herrick, we could tow the load, and it would shelter us all from the firing." "Unless they got to be level with us, sir," I said. "And--quick! right and left, my lads. Fire!" cried the lieutenant; for there was the breaking of undergrowth close at hand on either side, and a savage yelling commenced as our pursuers forced their way through. The men, who had been like hounds held back by the leash, were only too glad to get their orders; and in an instant there was quite a blaze of fire from both sides of the boat, the bullets cutting and whistling through the thick trees and undergrowth; and the movement on the banks, with the cracking and rustling of the bushes and tufts of bamboo, stopped as if by magic.