That they were surrounded by living creatures they had ample proof given them by strange rustlings among the branches overhead, and sometimes by a sudden hasty rush which, as Briscoe said, might be anything. "What do you mean by anything?" said Brace, in a low voice. "Snake, monkey, big bird, or cat; but, you see, everything is afraid of us and scuffling away as hard as it can, even in the water. Look at that." "Yes, I see," said Brace, "another alligator." For the American had drawn his attention to a wave raised up by something rushing past the bows of the boat. "Well, I don't know about that," said Briscoe; "I rather fancy that was one of those gar-fish--alligator gars, they call 'em in the States. They're great pikey fish with tremendous teeth." "But not big like that?" "Oh, but they're big enough and precious fierce and strong. I shouldn't wonder at all if that was one of the brutes." "What's that?" asked Sir Humphrey, a couple of hours later, for the man with the boat-hook turned and spoke. "Don't see as I can get any farther, sir; the boat's about wedged in here, and there don't seem any way of getting on without we had a saw." "Is there no room to right or left?" said Brace. "It seems a pity to go back yet." "P'raps you'd take a look, gen'lemen," said the sailor. Brace was in the act of laying down his gun when his brother, who was before him, stood up, and then uttered a sharp ejaculation, close upon a dull twanging sound from somewhere forward among the trees. "What is it, Free?" cried Brace excitedly. "An arrow," said Sir Humphrey sharply. "Here, quick, Brace; it may be poisoned. You, Mr Briscoe, keep a good look-out for--" The rest of his speech was stopped by the sharp report of the American's gun, who fired as he half-knelt in the stern of the boat, aiming just above the men's heads. The next moment he and his man fired again, and as the report died out the occupants of the boat could hear a splashing sound as of paddles some little distance in advance. CHAPTER ELEVEN. GRIM DANGER. Brace felt an icy chill run through him, and for a few moments he was paralysed. Not longer, for directly after a thrill of excitement set every nerve throbbing. Laying down his gun, he snatched his knife from its sheath, thrust the point inside the sleeve of his brother's flannel shirt, ripped it to the shoulder, and laid bare the great white biceps muscle, in which the head of an arrow was embedded, so nearly passing through that as Brace placed his hand beneath the arm he could feel the point of the missile. "Don't hesitate," whispered Sir Humphrey. "Poisoned or not poisoned, that arrow must be extracted. Will you cut down to it or shall I let Briscoe?" "I'll do it," said Brace, through his set teeth; "but I can't help hurting you, Free: I must do that." "Go on. Act," said his brother firmly. "_I'm_ not a child. Cut boldly."