The colonel ran to his assistance, and at that moment a single cry came distinctly from a point below the island. "Listen!" exclaimed Canaris. "What is that?" "Help! Help!" rang mournfully through the recesses of the cavern. It was Melton's voice surely, and the familiar tones reached Guy's ears and brought him to his feet in an instant. "It's Forbes!" he shouted wildly. "The canoe, quick," and snatching the heavy craft, he fairly threw it into the river and sprang in. Canaris leaped after him, and seizing paddles they drove the canoe swiftly toward the distant sound. "We are coming, Melton; we are coming," cried Guy. "We'll save you yet." In their haste the lighted torch had been left behind, but fortunately the Greek had matches, and in an instant another torch was lit and flaring cheerfully over the water. "This way, Chutney," came a feeble voice below them. "Hurry up. I'm nearly exhausted." A few rapid strokes of the paddle brought them within sight of a struggling object on the surface of the water, and as the canoe ran skilfully alongside, Guy dropped his paddle, and, leaning out, seized the drowning man by the collar. With almost superhuman strength he dragged him into the canoe without assistance. "Thank God!" he cried, "he's safe. Speak to me, Forbes. Are you hurt?" But Melton lay white and helpless in the bottom of the boat, too exhausted to reply. "He's all right," said Canaris. "Don't make him talk. Take your paddle, Chutney. We'll have a struggle to make the island." The Greek was right. Far above them shone the flickering torch, and the current was bearing them further away. "I can't paddle and hold the torch at the same time," said Canaris. "We must be guided by the light on the island." And they bent to the paddles with a will, shouting from time to time to encourage the colonel and Sir Arthur. It was even a harder task than they had feared--to force the canoe through that fierce rush of water. And for a time it seemed as though they were losing instead of gaining. But at last the distant light grew brighter, and soon their friends could be seen standing on the edge of the island. Ten minutes' more labor brought the canoe to the small eddy behind the island, and then the colonel hauled it gently upon the sand. They climbed wearily out and bore Melton tenderly up the slope. His clothes were foul and slimy from the serpent's embrace, but he did not seem to be injured. A few drops of stimulant would have had a good effect, but as this was out of the question they did the next best thing under the circumstances. His wet clothes were stripped off and wrung out. Then he was wrapped snugly in three or four big rugs and laid in one of the canoes, which was emptied for the purpose. This heroic treatment had a speedy effect, and the patient, much to the relief of all, recovered from his prostration and insisted on sitting up.