Abel gave a low, peculiar whistle like a sea-bird's cry, and it was answered not twenty yards away. "Here, quick!" came in the well-known voice; "I'm here. Jump; never mind the mud!" They all jumped together, to find themselves in a miry place where Mary was waiting. "This way," she said. "I can guide you direct to the boat. Quick, or the dogs will be upon us!" "Well done, boy!" cried Dinny. "That's good. I knew there was a boat." "And now," cried Abel, turning upon him, "off with that pouch and belt." "Certainly, sor," replied Dinny, slipping off and handing his cartridge-bag. "Now, back to your friends, and tell them we're gone." "My friends!" cried Dinny. "Sure, there isn't a friend among them." "Stop back, then, whoever they are." "But the dogs, sor!" "Curse the dogs. Back, I say!" "But, sor, they're the most savage of bastes. They won't listen to anny explanation, but pull a man down before he has time to say, Heaven presarve us!" "Silence, and go!" "Nay, sor, ye'll tak' me wid ye now? Quick! ye're losing time." "Let him come, Abel," whispered Mary. "That's well spoken, young sor. And if we're to have whole shkins, let's be getting on." The advice was excellent, for the sounds of pursuit were close at hand, and the dogs were baying as if they heard as well as scented their prey. "All's ready," whispered Mary. "I heard the shots, and knew you were coming. Abel, your hand. Join hands all." Abel caught at that of his sister, at the same time extending his own, which was taken by Bart, and he in turn, almost involuntarily, held out his to Dinny. In this order they passed rapidly through the jungle, along a beaten track formed by the animals which frequented the place, and one which during her long, patient watches had become perfectly familiar to Mary Dell, who threaded it with ease. It was one wild excitement, for the dogs were now growing furious. The scent was hot for them, and ere the fleeing party had reached the creek the fierce brutes had gained the edge of the jungle, through which they dragged their keepers, who mingled words of encouragement with oaths and curses as they were brought into contact with the tangled growth. But all the same the hunt was hot, and in spite of Mary's foresight and the manner in which she guided her friends, the dogs were nearly upon them as the boat was reached. "In first," whispered Abel; but Mary protested and would have hung back had not Bart lifted her bodily in after wading into the mud, where he stood and held the side of the frail canoe. "Now, Abe," he whispered. "I can hear them," shouted a voice. "Loose the dogs. Seize 'em, boys, seize 'em!" "Here, room for me?" whispered Dinny. "No," cried Abel, fiercely. "Keep back!" "I'm coming wid you," cried Dinny. Bart caught him by the shoulder. "No, no, my lad, we're escaping; this is no place for you."