"There is a path there," said the Malay, and he showed his employer the bank beaten down by footsteps, and that the bushes and trees had been cut away. "Yes," replied the doctor, "someone has landed there, but it does not matter. We have come to the fresh ground. Let's get a few miles farther, and then we'll rest." The doctor was so anxious to get on that no further notice of the marks of other travellers was taken, and with his spirits growing more elate as he went on, he watched the dense jungle on either side, and peered down into the black water as night came rapidly on, so swiftly indeed that they had not progressed more than a couple of miles before the darkness made a halt absolutely necessary. The waterproof sheet made a good covering, and the night passed undisturbed, the rising sun being the signal for a fresh start; but the difficulties of the journey began rapidly to increase. The stream that had been deep as well as swift seemed to have suddenly grown shallow, indicating by its noisy brawling, and sparkling over masses of rock, that the country was rising fast. In fact, the course of the river was now between high escarpments of rock, the jungle and its dense masses of trees seeming to be left behind, the grasses that grew in patches amongst the chinks of the rocks being different in kind from that which tangled the jungle where it touched the water. But in spite of the difficulties of the journey, the doctor was in ecstasies, and, regardless of getting his feet wet, he was constantly out of the boat to examine the shallow sands for signs of gold. VOLUME THREE, CHAPTER THREE. A TIME OF TRIAL. Murad was startled for the moment, Helen's act was so unexpected. Then a calm look of satisfaction crossed his face, and he smiled as he stood there, gazing down at the swarthy beauty, and folding his arms, he waited for her to speak. "Do you wish to abase me more than this?" she said at last, in a choking voice. "No," he replied, calmly, "that will do. I meant to bring the proud English beauty to my feet. See, I have done so, and very much sooner than I expected." Helen felt that she had made a false move, and the blood ran back to her heart, as she crouched there, trembling. "You have brought me to your feet," she said softly. "Be satisfied, and spare me further degradation." "What do you wish me to do?" he said in a low, deep voice. "Send me back home!" she cried excitedly. "And what then--what of your father and the Resident? What of my position at the settlement?" "No one shall know. I will keep it all a secret." "And you would risk all the remarks that your appearance would excite by going back?" "Yes!" she cried passionately, as she thought of Mr Harley, and felt that he would take her to his heart even then. "And you honestly believe that no trouble would follow?" said Murad quietly. "I am certain of it!" she cried. "I tell you I would keep it secret."