But though they were landed, there was little more to be done, unless they had been provided with billhooks to clear the way. The undergrowth was nearly as dense as a hedge, and after trying in half-a-dozen different ways, and only penetrating some twenty or thirty yards, they were obliged to give up, drenched with perspiration, their flesh full of thorns. "I've got something biting my legs horribly," cried Bob, turning up his trousers, and then giving a shudder of disgust, for half-a-dozen leeches were busy at work making a meal upon him, and several of the sailors were in the same predicament. "There, my lads, we may as well get on board," said Bob, grimly, "I don't like shedding my blood in the service of my country after this fashion. We can do nothing here, and it would puzzle a cat--let alone a Malay--to get through." So they returned on board, satisfied that there was no fear of an attack from that quarter, and the rest of the day was devoted to trying to get the steamer out of her unpleasant predicament. Night fell with the men utterly wearied out, and, in despair, Lieutenant Johnson was taking himself to task for his bad management, as he termed it, when Bob Roberts suddenly seized him by the arm. "What is it, Roberts?" "A shot off yonder in the jungle," he exclaimed. "I did not hear it," was the reply; and they stood listening; but there was nothing but the hum of insects and the distant splash of some reptile in the muddy river. "If we could have only heard some news of those poor fellows, I would not have cared," said the lieutenant after a pause. "Perhaps at this time they are anxiously hoping that help may come, and wondering why we have not sent in search of them; while we, with men and guns, are lying here helpless as a log. Oh, Roberts, it's enough to make a man jump overboard and--" "There it is again," cried Bob. "What?" "A shot!" he cried excitedly. "I'm sure I heard a rifle-shot." "Any of you men hear a shot?" said the lieutenant to the watch. "No, sir; no, sir." "I heard nothing, Roberts," said the lieutenant. "You are excited with exertion. Go below and have a glass of sherry, my lad, and put in a dose of quinine. I can't afford to have you down with fever." "No, thanky," said Bob; "I could manage the glass of wine, but I'm not going to spoil it with the quinine, I'm--There now, what's that? If that isn't a rifle-shot I'm no man." "Then it isn't a rifle-shot," said the lieutenant, grimly. "I heard nothing." "Beg pardon, sir, I think it was a shot." "There's another!" cried Bob, excitedly. "It's our fellows somewhere." There were a couple of distant shots, faintly heard now by all. "You're right, Roberts," said the lieutenant, hastily; "but it is not obliged to be our fellows." "They couldn't have followed up from the island, sir," cried Bob; "so it must be." "Unless it is a party of Malays shooting."