[Illustration: IN RANGOON. ]

 JACK HAYDON'S QUEST

 BY

 JOHN FINNEMORE

 _CONTAINING EIGHT FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS_ _IN COLOUR FROM DRAWINGS BY J. JELLICOE_

 PHILADELPHIA

 J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY

 LONDON: ADAM AND CHARLES BLACK

 1907

 * * * * *

CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER

I. THE ATTACK ON THE HEATH, II. A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE, III. THE BIG RUBY, IV. BUCK SEES LIGHT, V. THE SPY, VI. IN RANGOON, VII. UP THE RIVER, VIII. THE ATTACK ON THE SAMPAN, IX. A CLOSE CALL, X. THE DACOITS, XI. BELEAGUERED, XII. A FIGHT FOR LIFE, XIII. A CUNNING TRICK, XIV. JACK'S PLAN, XV. IN THE JUNGLE, XVI. THE BRIDGE AND THE FORD, XVII. A FRIGHTFUL PERIL, XVIII. THE COMBAT IN THE RIVER, XIX. THE VILLAGE FESTIVAL, XX. THE DANCING GIRL, XXI. JACK FINDS HIMSELF IN BAD HANDS, XXII. THE TWO ELEPHANTS, XXIII. THE PANTHAY WOOD-CUTTERS, XXIV. AN UNWELCOME MEETING, XXV. THE CAVE IN THE RAVINE, XXVI. THE RESOLVE OF BUCK AND JIM, XXVII. THE FIGHT IN THE TUNNEL, XXVIII. THE RUSE OF SAYA CHONE, XXIX. THE TORTURE BY FIRE, XXX. THE STRONGHOLD OF THE RUBY KING, XXXI. FATHER AND SON, XXXII. THE HORROR IN THE SWAMP, XXXIII. THE POTHOODAW, XXXIV. THE HIDING-PLACE AND THE THIEF, XXXV. THE FLIGHT FROM THE VALLEY, XXXVI. PENNED IN THE PASS, XXXVII. HOW THEY MADE A ROPE, XXXVIII. IN THE DESERTED CITY, XXXIX. THE SECRET CHAMBER, XL. THE BATTLE ON THE STAIRS, XLI. THE SECRET PASSAGE, XLII. IN THE COURTYARD, XLIII. THE FACE AT THE DOORWAY, XLIV. HOW THINGS ENDED, * * * * *

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

IN RANGOON, _Frontispiece_

THE ATTACK ON THE MONASTERY, THE DANGER AT THE FORD, THE DANCING GIRL, A SUDDEN ALARM, THE RESCUE OF THE NATIVE CHILD, THE MIDNIGHT THIEF, THE INTERCEPTED FLIGHT, * * * * *

JACK HAYDON'S QUEST. 

CHAPTER I. 

THE ATTACK ON THE HEATH. 

Jack Haydon, prefect of Rushmere School and captain of the firstfifteen, walked swiftly out of the school gates and turned along thehigh road. He had leave to go to the little town of Longhampton, threemiles away, to visit a day-scholar, a great friend of his, now on thesick list. 

He was alone, and he swung along at a cracking pace, for he could walkas well as he could run, and a finer three-quarter had never beenknown at Rushmere. He was a tall, powerful lad, nearly nineteen yearsof age, five foot ten and a half inches in his stockings, and turningthe scale at twelve stone five. At the present moment he carried notan ounce of spare flesh, for he was in training for the great match, Rushmere _v. _ Repton, and his weight was compact of solid bone, muscle, and sinew. As he stepped along the highway, moving with theeasy grace of a well-built athlete, he looked the very picture of ahandsome English lad, at one of the finest moments of his life, thepoint where youth and manhood meet. 

The road he followed was called a high road, but the name clung to itfrom old use rather than because of present service. Eighty yearsbefore it had been a famous coaching road, along which the gallopingteams had whirled the mails, but now it had fallen into decay, and waslittle used except by people passing from Rushmere to Longhampton. Amile from the school it ran across a lonely, unenclosed piece ofheath, the side of the way being bordered by clumps of holly, thorn, and furze. 

Halfway across this desolate stretch of country, Jack was surprised byseeing a man step from behind a thick holly bush and place himselfdirectly in the lad's way. As Jack approached, the man held up hishand. 

"Stop, " he said, "I want to speak to you. "

Jack stopped in sheer surprise, and looked at the speaker in wonder. What could the man want with him? At a glance he saw the man was notEnglish, though upon closer examination he could not place the type. The stranger's skin was darker than an Englishman's, but not darkerthan many a Spaniard's. His eyes were large and black and liquid;their look was now crafty and a trifle menacing; his hair was lank andintensely black. In build he was very slight, with thin arms and legs. Jack's idea was that if he had been a little darker he might very wellhave been a Hindoo. 

"And what, my friend, may you want with me?" said Jack genially. 

"This morning you received a letter from your father, " said the duskystranger. 

"How under the sun do you know that?" asked Jack; "and what if I did?I don't see where your interest comes in. "

"I wish to see that letter. You had better hand it over at once. "

"Don't you ever apply for a further stock of cheek, my little man, "said Jack, "for you've got all you need, and a little bit over. "

"The letter is almost certainly in your pocket, " said the stranger inperfect English, yet pronounced with a curiously odd lisp and click, "and I must see it. "

"It's in my pocket all right, confound your cheek, " replied Jack, "andthere it will stay. Come, get a move on you, and clear out of my way. "

"I shall not get out of your way, " said the other. "I shall stop youuntil I have read the letter. "

"I don't know what lunatic asylum is short of your cheerful presenceto-day, " remarked Jack, "and if you don't clear out quick I shallcertainly rush you. In which case, I beg you to observe that I am, even if I say it myself, a pretty stiff tackler, and about three stoneheavier than you. "

The man laughed mockingly and waved his hand, as if making very lightof Jack's purpose. 

"I assure you, " he said in a soft voice, and giving once more hislaugh of light mockery, "that it would be much better for you to handover the letter at once. I do not wish to hurt you, but I have not theleast objection to do so if it becomes necessary. "

Jack's warm blood was fired at once, and he pulled himself togetherfor a swift charge which would fill this stranger with surprisedregret for what he had brought upon himself. But, for a second, something checked him; a strange, mysterious feeling came over him ashe wondered what lay behind all this. He stood, though he knew it not, at a great parting of the ways. Behind him lay his happy days oftriumph on the football meadow and the cricket field. How was he toknow that this dark, slight figure before him meant that a strange, new life was opening out to him, a life of wild adventures in far-offlands, in lands where the memory of English meadows would seem likethoughts and dreams of another life. Jack Haydon knew nothing of this;yet he paused for a moment as some strange prevision seized upon himand held him in its grip. Then he brushed away this odd influence, andwas back at once in the present. 

"For the last time, clear out, " said Jack. The man laughed, and Jackmade a swift leap at him. They were not three yards apart, but Jacknever reached his man. Without a sign, without a sound, someone sprangupon him from behind, flung a cord over his head, and seized him in astrangling grip. Jack was as strong as a young bull, but in thisawful, noiseless clutch he was helpless. He fought madly to throw offhis unseen assailant, but he fought in vain. He felt a noose closeupon his throat, and his eyeballs began to start out and his head toswim. In front of him stood the mysterious stranger, who had movedneither hand nor foot, and Jack's last conscious recollection was ofthe quiet, smiling face, and the mocking laugh once more rang in hisears. Suddenly the frightful, strangling clutch seemed to tighten, theblood drummed madly in his ears as if every vein was bursting; then heknew no more. 

When Jack Haydon came to himself, he found that he was in the samespot, and that someone was chafing his hands and pouring water on hisface. He gave a deep sigh, and a well-known voice said: "Thank God, Haydon's coming round. Whatever could have been the matter with thepoor lad? What does this mark round his throat mean?"

Jack opened his eyes and saw Dr. Lawrence, the headmaster of RushmereSchool, bending over him. Near at hand stood Colonel Keppel, agentleman residing in the neighbourhood. The Colonel had been drivingDr. Lawrence back from Longhampton, and his trap stood close by. Atthe present moment the Colonel held a hat from which water wasdripping. He had fetched it from a pool near at hand. 

Jack gulped once or twice, then began to speak. The two gentlemenheard his story with the utmost surprise. 

"Garrotters!" cried Dr. Lawrence, "I never heard of such an outrage inthis neighbourhood before. What a frightful thing! Yes, yes, thatexplains the mark on your throat. Their object must have been robbery. What have they stolen from you, Haydon?" But the mystery now deepened. Jack's watch and chain, his purse, everything he had worth stealing, were perfectly safe and untouched. Suddenly Jack started up and thrusthis hand into his pocket. "The letter! the letter!" he cried. He drewout several letters and looked over them. "My father's letter hasgone!" he said. 

"What's that?" said Colonel Keppel, pointing to a sheet of paperfluttering over the heath about thirty yards away. He ran and fetchedit. "This is the letter, " said Jack, "the letter I received from myfather this morning. "

"But what an extraordinary thing that you should be attacked in thismanner, Haydon, in order that this man may read a private letter. Isthere anything in it, may I ask, to explain such a strangeproceeding?"

"Nothing, sir, that I know of; nothing in the least. My father saysnothing there but what anyone may see. I beg that you and ColonelKeppel will glance over it; you will then see how ordinary it is. "

The two gentlemen demurred, but Jack insisted, and they ran their eyesover what Mr. Haydon had written. "Purely and simply an ordinaryletter from a father abroad to his son, " said the Doctor; "it seemsmadness to go to such lengths to gain a glimpse of such a letter. "

"All the same, young Haydon was quite right in not giving up hisfather's note to such rogues to read, whatever their purpose may havebeen, " remarked the Colonel. 

"Oh, quite so, quite so, " agreed Dr. Lawrence. "They had no rightwhatever to see his private correspondence. By the way, Haydon, I seeyour father is on his way home. This is posted at Cairo. In what partof the East has he been staying lately?"

"He has been in Burmah for some time, sir, " replied Jack, "but I donot know exactly what he has been doing. I rather fancy he went out tosurvey some ruby-mines for a big London firm. "

"Quite so, " said the Doctor, "I have seen him referred to many timesas a famous ruby expert. "

At this moment Colonel Keppel came towards them with something in hishand. He had started away after concluding his last speech, and hadgone in the direction where he had seen the letter fluttering. Now hewas returning. 

"Here is something they dropped, something which throws a flood oflight on the affair in one way, and makes it much stranger inanother, " he remarked in a grave voice, holding up his find. It was acuriously-plaited thong of raw hide, with faded strips of silk workedinto the plaits. 

"The cord with which Haydon was garrotted!" cried Dr. Lawrence. "Theydropped it. "

"Yes, " said the Colonel slowly, "but this does not mean commongarrotters. The fact that they stole nothing really disposes of that. This means a much darker and more terrible business. "

"And what is that?" cried the headmaster. 

"Thuggee, " said Colonel Keppel very gravely. 

"Thugs, Colonel!" said Dr. Lawrence in a tone of stupefaction. "Areyou serious? Thugs on the heath here, in our quiet, familiar country?"

"This is a Thug noose, at any rate, " said Colonel Keppel. "I know itvery well. I served twenty-seven years among the hill-tribes ofnorthern India in one capacity and another, and once I served in aThug country, and I shall never forget it. The way young Haydon washandled suggests Thuggee. No common garrotter could have overcome sucha fine, powerful young fellow in that fashion. But the skill of theseThugs is a thing truly diabolical. I remember one instance well. Onenight, just upon dusk, two men of my regiment were entering the gateof the cantonments. The guard saw them pass, and one was relating astory to the other. The man telling the story expected his comrade tolaugh at the conclusion of the anecdote. Hearing nothing, he turnedand found that he was walking alone and talking to the empty air. Thinking his comrade had slipped aside and played a trick upon him byleaving him to himself, he went on to the barrack-room. Later thesecond man was missing, and inquiries were made. A search followed, and the dead body of the unfortunate man was found under the wall ofthe cantonments. He had been seized and strangled by Thugs whenactually walking beside a comrade, and the latter had known nothing ofit. 

"That shows frightful skill and cunning, Colonel, " said Dr. Lawrence. 

"It does indeed, " said the other, "and I could relate a dozen suchstories. But why Thugs should be here and attack Haydon seems a mostextraordinary mystery. How do you feel now, Haydon?"

"Much better, sir, " replied Jack. "My throat's a bit stiff, but forthe rest I am none the worse. "

"You've had a wonderful escape, my boy, " said Colonel Keppel; "thereare not many who have felt a Thug noose and lived to say what it waslike. But now, Doctor, what are we to do? There must be some inquirymade into this. "

"Of course, of course, " agreed Dr. Lawrence. "You are a magistrate, Colonel; what do you recommend?"

"We must put it into the hands of the police at once, " said ColonelKeppel. "The fellows cannot have got far. We saw no sign of them onthe road, so they must have slipped away over the heath, very probablyas soon as they heard the sound of wheels in the distance. Now, Haydon, jump up at the back of the trap. The cob will soon run us upto the constable's cottage in Rushmere. "

All three climbed into the Colonel's dog-cart, and away went the browncob at a slashing pace for Rushmere. Tom Buck, the Rushmere constable, was just returning from a round, and he touched his hat respectfullyto the gentlemen. Colonel Keppel told the story, and Buck slapped thegate-post with his open hand. 

"Well, gentlemen, " he said in surprise, "then they are the very menI've just been hearing about. "

"What's that?" said Colonel Keppel. "Where have you heard of them?"

"From Parsons, the postman, he drives the mail-cart, you know, sir, from Longhampton. This morning, just after six, he was coming throughthe Chase, the wood beyond the heath, when two men slipped out o' thetrees before him and made a dash at the horse's head. There was hardlylight enough to see 'em, an' they'd ha' stopped him as easy as couldbe if he hadn't been drivin' a young, fresh, chestnut mare. She's thatwild he daren't use a whip to her, but seein' these suspiciouscharacters, he snatches the whip out and gives her a cut as hard as hecould lay it on. Off she went like a shot, took the bit between herteeth and bolted. As for the men jumpin' at her head, it was all theycould do to save themselves from being run down and trodden underfoot. Parsons luckily managed to keep her on the road, and after she'dgalloped a couple o' miles or so, he managed to pull her in all of alather. "

"Then those rascals meant to raid the mail-bags to find your letter, Haydon, " said Colonel Keppel. "They seem to have been thoroughlyposted as to its time of arrival. Missing the postman, they hungabout, and a strange chance delivered you into their hands. "

"It's certainly a most mysterious business, sir, " replied Jack. "Butwhy they should want to see so simple and ordinary a letter, who theyare, and what they're after, are altogether beyond me. "

"We must try to get hold of them, " said Colonel Keppel, "then we shallperhaps be able to fathom the mystery. " He gave orders to Buck, whowent off at once to follow, if possible, the track of the strangersacross the heath, to inquire at cottages, and do his utmost to tracethem. 

"For my part, " said Colonel Keppel, "I shall drive back at once toLonghampton, and see the superintendent. The railway must be watched, and every constable for miles round be warned by telegraph to keep alook out for the rascals. "

"You are very kind to take so much trouble, Colonel, " said Dr. Lawrence. 

"I'm working for myself as much as anyone, " laughed the other. "Mywife and daughters use that road continually, and very often they aredriving alone in a pony-carriage. It is imperative that theneighbourhood be cleared of such desperate characters. "

He drove away at once, and Dr. Lawrence and Jack walked up the hill tothe school. Jack had given up the idea of his visit to Longhampton. 

"If I were you, Haydon, " said the Head, "I should go and rest alittle. Sit down quietly in your study for an hour or two; you mustfeel badly shaken by your awful experience. "

"Thank you, sir, " replied Jack, "I will do as you say, though as amatter of fact I am practically recovered now. Luckily, I'm infirst-rate condition, I'm not bothered with nerves. "

"No, " smiled Dr. Lawrence, "I suppose not. Still, I should be carefulfor a time if I were you. "

At the Doctor's gate they parted, and Jack went to his own study andsat down. He could not keep his mind from his extraordinary adventure. Why had those fellows seized him, and what did they want? Would theybe caught, and then would their secret be discovered? His mind workedover these points again and again, like a squirrel working the wheelin his cage. 

CHAPTER II. 

A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE. 

Four days later Jack Haydon was in his study, his heels on themantelpiece, his eyes fastened on the pages of a novel, when there wasa tap at his door and a telegram was brought in. He broke open theenvelope and read the contents in growing surprise and wonder. Then alook of uneasiness came into his eyes. It was a cablegram fromBrindisi, and ran, "Come at once. Most urgent, " and was signed"Risley. " Jack went across to the Doctor's house, sent up his name, and was bidden to go up to the study. Here he laid the cablegrambefore the Head. 

"Who is Risley, Haydon?" asked Dr. Lawrence. 

"My father's man, sir, " replied Jack. "It seems to me that they musthave got as far as Brindisi on their way home. I feel wretchedlyuneasy. Something tells me that things have gone wrong with myfather. "

"Oh, I hope not, " said Dr. Lawrence. "There is no word of ill-newshere. The urgency may be quite on another score. "

"I should like to start at once, sir, " said Jack. "I know my way aboutthe Continent very well. I have spent two or three vacations inItaly. "

"Quite so, quite so, " said Dr. Lawrence. "Have you plenty of money forthe journey, Haydon?"

"I don't need more than sufficient to carry me to London, sir, "replied Jack. "I shall go there to Mr. Buxton, my father's friend, whomanages all his business affairs, and he will supply me with funds. "

Jack was on fire to be off to Brindisi and see what was wrong. He madeshort work of his packing, and within an hour he was driving toLonghampton to catch the London express. He caught it with scarcelytwo minutes to spare, and was soon whirling towards the great city. Ashort distance from Longhampton, he caught a glimpse of RushmereSchool in the distance on its hill, and the strip of heath countryrunning up to the foot of the slope. This brought to mind hisadventure, which remained as mysterious an affair as ever. The policehad been most active, stations had been watched, inquiries had beenmade in every direction, but all to no result. The Thugs had vanishedand left no trace behind. But the thought of his encounter on theheath soon faded from Jack's mind. It was crushed out by the pressingquestion of the moment. What was the matter at Brindisi? Why hadRisley cabled and not his father? Had something happened to hisfather? Jack felt wretchedly uneasy, for he and his father were boundtogether by no ordinary ties of affection. 

In the first place, he had, as far as he knew, no other livingrelation. His mother had been dead for many years, and his father wasthe only close friend that Jack knew. Then the elder Haydon had alwaysbeen a great hero in his son's eyes. His profession of mining engineerhad carried him into many wild corners of the world, and the store ofmarvellous tales which he would pour forth for the boy's delight hadmade Jack's holidays a time of intense pleasure. Mr. Haydon had alwaysmade a point, if it was possible, of keeping himself free for suchtimes, and he and Jack had spent the weeks joyously, until the day forreturn to school had become a Black Monday indeed in the boy's eyes. 

As Jack mused over memories of other days, his anxiety to know whatwas wrong at Brindisi grew moment by moment, and the flying expressseemed to crawl, so great was his impatience to be in London, where heexpected to get further news from Mr. Buxton. But he was destined tolearn something long before he saw Mr. Buxton. The express screamedinto an important junction and pulled up for five minutes. Threefellow-passengers got out, and left Jack to himself. A boy came alongthe platform shouting, "London Pay-pers, " and Jack bought a _DailyTelegraph_. 

He turned to the football news, and was reading it, when the trainpulled out and shot forward once more towards London. But the accountsof his beloved sport failed to interest him, and he turned the paperover listlessly, idly scanning one big sheet after another. Suddenlythe word imprinted on his brain caught his eye. "Brindisi"--here wassome scrap of news from Brindisi. 

What was it? Jack folded the paper, and then a second name seemed toleap at him from the sheet. His own name! Haydon, Brindisi. What now?His eyes darted over the paragraph, and he drew a long, gaspingbreath. This, then, was the explanation of the cablegram. Over andover again Jack read the paragraph, striving to grasp what it allmeant, striving to seize the inner meaning. The paragraph was shortand to the point. It ran:--

 "STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE. 

 "FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. 

 "BRINDISI, _Tuesday_. 

 "There is much stir here over the mysterious disappearance of Mr. Thomas Haydon, the famous mining expert and engineer. He arrived here on Sunday, and it was believed that he intended to travel to England by the mail-train. He went for a walk on Sunday evening, but did not return to his hotel, where his man and his baggage were awaiting him. Since he left his hotel there has been no sign of him, and the authorities are making a diligent search. "

His father had disappeared? How? Why? Jack could make nothing of it, and he stared at the paper with pale face and perplexed eyes. It wasso contrary to his every idea of his father, this extraordinarydisappearance. Thomas Haydon was the last man in the world to settongues wagging and to give anxiety to friends by such a trick. Therewas something very strange at the back of this, and Jack struck thepaper with his open hand. "Foul Play!" he murmured to himself, andthen, for he was alone in the carriage, he said it aloud, "Foul Play!"

Jack glanced at his watch. The train was due at St. Pancras in anhour. How slowly that hour dragged! Now that he knew this momentouspiece of news, Jack burned more fiercely than ever to be in the midstof affairs and doing something to clear up this strange mystery whichhad gathered about his father's name. At last, with a thrill of joy, he heard the engine give its warning shriek as it ran into the bigstation. He had brought nothing but a Gladstone bag with him, and hehad it in his hand, and the door of the carriage open, before thetrain drew up. He made a leap at the first hansom, and shouted, "Lincoln's Inn. Drive fast, " and away he rattled into London streets. 

There was a good cob in the shafts, and little time was lost on theway. Jack paid the man double fare for the excellent speed he hadmade, then bounded upstairs to the landing upon which Mr. Buxton'schambers opened. In answer to his knock, a tall, thin man with a longbeard came to the door, and Jack gave a cry of joy. "You are at home, then, Mr. Buxton. How glad I am! It has been my one terror that youmight be away in the country. "

"No, Jack, I'm here, " said Mr. Buxton, shaking hands. "I've beenexpecting you every knock I've heard. I suppose you've seen thepapers. "

"Yes, " cried Jack, "I saw the _Daily Telegraph. _ Are there any furtherparticulars in the others?"

"No, " replied Mr. Buxton, leading the way into his sitting-room. "The_Telegraph_ has as much as anyone. "

"Have you heard anything? Do you know anything?" cried Jack eagerly. 

"Nothing but what I've seen in the papers, " replied the other. "I'maltogether at sea. I can't fathom in the least what it all means. Whathave you had?"

"Nothing but this cablegram, " said the lad, and handed it over. Mr. Buxton read it aloud slowly, and nodded. "From Risley, " he said. "Ofcourse he wants to get you on the spot at once. "

"I shall start without any delay, " said Jack. "Isn't there aboat-train to-night?"

"Yes, " said Mr. Buxton, glancing at a clock on the mantelpiece, "butthere's plenty of time for that. Sit down and talk it over, andbesides, you must have something to eat. "

He rang the bell and ordered the servant who answered it to set out ameal in the adjoining apartment: he gave Jack a chair beside the fire, and took one opposite to him and began to fill a pipe. 

"Mr. Buxton, " said Jack earnestly, "there's something out of thecommon in this. My father has met with foul play. Before I knowanything else I feel sure of that. "

Mr. Buxton struck a match and puffed out several clouds of smoke. Thenhe tossed the match into the fire, and nodded through the tobaccoclouds. "I agree with you, Jack, " he said. "This is the queerest thingI ever came across in my life. I've known Tom Haydon, boy and man, this forty-five years, and he's as straight as a gun-barrel. If theyexpected him back at that hotel, if Risley expected him back, then hemeant to come back. And if he didn't get back, it was because he wasinterfered with. I'd stake a hand on that. "

Jack nodded with glistening eyes. "And I'm going to see why he didn'tcome back, " said the lad. 

"I'd come with you if I could, " said Mr. Buxton, "but at present I canno more leave London than the Monument can. I'm as fast by the leg, held by press of work, as a bear tethered to a stump. How do youstand for funds?"

"I've only got a sovereign or two in my pocket, " said Jack. "I wasdepending on you. "

"Yes, yes, " said Mr. Buxton, "of course you were. I made time an houror so ago to run over your father's accounts. There's plenty to drawon. " He went over to his desk and ran his fingers through a bundle ofpapers. "Here it is, " he remarked. "At the present moment your fatheris worth the respectable sum of forty-seven thousand two hundred andnineteen pounds eighteen shillings and fourpence; so he certainlyhasn't run away from his creditors. "

Jack nodded. "I'll start straight for Brindisi to-night, Mr. Buxton. Ican't lose a minute till I get on to the spot and talk with BuckRisley. "

Mr. Buxton nodded. "I quite understand your feelings, Jack, " hereplied. "I've wondered whether the matter might not have a verysimple explanation after all. One thing struck me. Has your fatherever said anything about his health to you? You know he's been a greatdeal in India and Burmah. It's a very easy thing to get a touch of thesun, and that will often cause a man to lose the sense of his identityand get lost for a time. "

Jack shook his head. "I've never heard him mention such a thing, " hesaid. "He's always been perfectly fit whenever I've seen him. "

"Yes, yes, " said Mr. Buxton, "and whenever I've seen him, too. He hasa wonderful constitution. But, you know, the possibility crossed mymind, and I mentioned it. "

At this moment the servant announced that the meal was ready, andJack did his best to eat something. It was a very poor best, however, for he was too anxious to be on his way to be able to eat, and he wasrelieved when Mr. Buxton said it was time to start and sent theservant for a cab. 

On their way to Charing Cross they did not talk much: conjecture was apretty useless thing, and, in their present state of utter lack ofinformation, conjecture was the only thing possible. 

The bustle of getting a ticket and finding a seat occupied most of theten minutes they had to spare before the train started, and, as theswift express glided out, Mr. Buxton waved his hat to Jack leaningthrough the window, and cried, "Good luck!"

Of Jack's swift scurry across the Channel and over the Continent it isnot necessary to enter into details. He made the journey with theutmost speed, and chafed at every delay. At last the train ran intothe station of Brindisi, and Jack hung half out of the window, hiseyes searching the crowd for Risley, to whom he had telegraphed histime of arrival. 

"Hullo, Buck, " sang out Jack, as a middle-sized, stiff-built man offive and thirty ran up to his carriage door. 

"Glad to see you, Jack, " said Buck Risley, as they shook hands. "Veryglad to see you. "

"Any news?" snapped Jack. 

"Not a word, " replied Buck gravely, "not a word. Is this your bag?"

"Yes, " said Jack sombrely, for he was very disappointed. He had beenhoping to hear that something had been found out, or that his fatherhad returned. 

Buck took Jack's gladstone, called a carriage, and gave the name ofthe hotel. He did not speak till they were rattling along the streetsof Brindisi. 

"Say, Jack, this beats the band, " he said. "I can't make a guesswhat's happened to the Professor. "

Mr. Haydon and Buck Risley had first met in a "wild-cat" mining campin Dakota. _The Lone Wolf Clarion_ had introduced the English engineerto the local community as Professor Haydon, and Mr. Haydon had beenthe Professor ever since to his part-comrade, part-servant. 

"Tell me all about it, " said Jack, and Buck began his story. It wassoon finished, for there was very little to tell. They had been fourmonths in Burmah, and Mr. Haydon and Buck had gone up to Mandalay, andthen on to the Mogok country. At Mogok Buck had been seized with asharp touch of fever, and had been compelled to remain in that famousmining town while Mr. Haydon went up country, accompanied only by afew natives who had been with him in other journeys. He came backafter an absence of five weeks to Mogok, found Buck better, andannounced that they would return to England at once. They had packedand started forthwith, and returned by the usual route. 

"Did my father seem quite himself, just as usual in every way, Buck?"asked Jack. 

"No, " said Buck thoughtfully. "He didn't quite. There was somethin' onthe Professor's mind, I'm sure o' that. "

Jack put forward Mr. Buxton's suggestion, but Buck waved it aside. 

"Touch o' the sun, " said he. "Oh, no, nothin' like that. TheProfessor was as fit as he always was, right as a bull-frog in aswamp. No, it was a sort of anxiousness there was about him. He wasthat careful that you might almost call him fidgetty. "

"Fidgetty!" said Jack in surprise, as he remembered the perfectlyequable manner of his widely-travelled father. 

"Yes, that's as good a word as any I can jump on at short notice, "replied Buck. "He seemed as keen on getting back to London as some o'these globetrotters who have got sick o' foreign parts. "

"That was rather strange, " commented Jack. "You've been with my fathertwelve years now, Buck. Did you ever see him like it before?"

"Never in my knowledge of him, " said Buck, shaking his head. "As ageneral rule the Professor was as calm an' easy campin' in a jungle asanother man in a front seat at a circus. It was all one to theProfessor, let things come how they might. But this time he seemed asif his only idea was to get back. Not that he said much about it. Themost I ever heard him say was, 'Well, Buck, I don't care how soon Iget into Lane & Baumann's office, ' an' he only said that once when hewas fretted at losing a day by missing a boat at Rangoon. "

At this moment the carriage drew up at the door of the hotel. They hadscarcely entered the door when the hotel clerk came forward with acablegram. It was from Messrs Lane & Baumann, asking if anything wasyet known of Mr. Haydon. 

"If he was anxious to see them, they are just as anxious to see him, "said Buck, handing the form to Jack. "Every day they wire, an'sometimes twice a day, to know if I've got hold of any news. "

"I wish I'd been to see them before I left London, " said Jack. "Imight have got some useful information from them. What do you believehas happened to my father?"

"I dunno what to think, " said Risley, "except that some o' theseDagoes got him in a corner and went for his pocket-book. He'd gotplenty of money with him. "

"But if he'd been attacked by thieves, " argued Jack, "the police wouldhave found something out before this. He could not have been hiddenaway from them. "

Buck shook his head. "Some o' these Dagoes are very sly and deep, " hereplied. "I've heard queer stories about 'em at times. They say thereare brigands around. "

"Yes, yes, " said Jack, "in Sicily and in some of the wilder parts ofCalabria, but not in Brindisi, Buck, not in this big port. "

"Well, I give it up, " said Buck, "but there's a queer twist at thebottom of it somewhere. The Professor ain't the sort o' man to worryus by goin' into hiding somewhere, and lyin' low. "

"Of course he isn't, " said Jack. "My father was prevented fromreturning to the hotel, that's clear enough; and we've got to findhow. "

"Say, I'm your man, Jack, " returned Buck. "I shan't feel easy tillI've had a glimpse o' the Professor with his old, quiet smile on him. We'll hunt every hole there is. "

For two days Jack and Buck hunted every hole about Brindisi, and, stimulated by the promise of handsome rewards, the police, too, didtheir utmost, but all was in vain; the missing man had disappeared asthough the earth had opened and swallowed him. Absolutely the onlything out of the ordinary that the police could discover was that afisherman's skiff was missing one night, and was found the nextmorning a couple of miles down the coast, floating idly about. But thepainter was drifting astern, and it might easily have happened that ithad been carelessly fastened, and the rope had slipped from themooring ring and allowed the skiff to drift away. 

On the afternoon of the second day Jack announced his decision. "Buck, " said he, "I'm going back to London. I want to see Lane &Baumann. It's quite possible that some information may be gleaned fromthem which would give us a basis to go to work upon. "

"It's no good stopping here, " said Risley. "When shall we start?"

"To-night, " said Jack, and, being near the station, they turned in tolook up the time of the fast express. Jack glanced along the platform, and soon found what he sought, one of Cook's interpreters. "I want toask some questions of the booking-clerk, " he said to the man, slippingseveral _lire_ into his hand, "you might come and interpret for me. "

"Yes, sir, " said the man at once, and followed the tall youngEnglishman to the office. In three minutes Jack had learned what hewished as to the shortest route and fastest trains; then he and Risleyset out to return to the hotel. Suddenly Jack remembered anotherpoint, and crying, "Half-a-minute, Buck, " he rushed back to theoffice. He thrust open a swing door and saw that the interpreter wasstill there, and was now in conversation with a smaller man. Jackstepped forward, and the smaller man looked up and gave a short, quickcry of alarm. For a second Jack stood with widely-opened eyes andparted lips, an image of wild surprise. Then darting forward at fullspeed, he seized the second man by the throat, and clutched him as alion clutches his prey. 

CHAPTER III. 

THE BIG RUBY. 

Jack had known the fellow at once, had recognised him instantly as thesmall, dark man who had stood in front of him upon Rushmere Heath anddemanded that he should produce his father's letter. An instantconviction had darted into Jack's mind that these things wereconnected, and that this man knew something of his father'sdisappearance. 

"I've got you this time, " cried Jack, and was upon him in a second. But a most astonishing thing happened. The small, slight man offeredno resistance to Jack's fierce rush, instead, he seemed to give waybefore it as a reed gives way before the wind. Then he bent slightlyand laid one small, sinewy hand on Jack's knee, and, in somemysterious fashion or another, the lad felt that his hold was tornaway, and that he was flying through the air over the little man'shead. All in a heap Jack landed on the dusty floor. As he fell, hecaught a glimpse of Buck's head thrust through the swinging door as hefollowed his young leader, and saw the look of surprise on Buck'sface. 

"Seize him!" roared Jack, and Buck darted forward as the dark strangershot through another door and vanished into a crowd which swarmed onto the platform from a train which had just drawn up. Jack gatheredhimself together, and sprang to his feet, and rushed after hiscompanion. He soon found Buck, who was hurrying through the groups, looking about on every hand, and they searched together, but searchedin vain; the mysterious stranger had gone to earth safely amid theample cover provided by the mass of bustling passengers. At last theypulled up and looked at each other. 

"No go, " said Jack, "he's lost in the crowd. He may be far enough awayby now. "

Buck's look of wonder and surprise was striking to behold. 

"See here, Jack, " he said, laying his hand on his companion's arm. "How in thunder do you come to know Saya Chone, and jump on him atsight like a hawk droppin' on a chicken?"

"You know him, Buck?" cried Jack. "You know his name?"

"Know him all right, " replied Buck. "But what under the sun is hedoing this distance from home? What brings Saya Chone in Brindisi? Thelast time I set eyes on him he was coming into Mogok with a little bagof rubies to sell to U Saw, the chap they call the Ruby King. "

"He comes from Burmah, where you have been?"

"Sure thing, " said Buck, nodding his head. "He's a half-caste. Sayshis father was a British officer, and prides himself on talking NumberOne English. "

"He talked English as easily as we do, " said Jack, "but with an oddclick of the tongue. "

"That's the native strain in him, " returned Buck. "But where did yourun up against him and hear his English?"

Jack told his story quickly, and Risley listened with a knitted browof attention. 

"Say, there's business at the back o' this, " murmured Buck, "but whereit fits in beats me at the moment. We don't know enough, Jack, to besure which way we're moving. "

"We do not, Buck, you are quite right, " replied the lad, "and we'llmake a bee-line for London and see the firm for whom father wasworking. "

"Let's go and see what tar-brush was talking to the interpreterabout, " suggested Buck, and they went at once and found the man, whohad returned to his post on the platform. The interpreter readily toldthem that the half-caste had offered him a liberal sum in order tolearn what Jack was doing, and what route he intended to follow onleaving Brindisi, but the man declared that he had made no answer, had, indeed, been unable to reply to the questions before Jack was onthe scene and making his rush. 

"Is it worth while to stop here and put the police on the search forthis fellow, I wonder?" said Jack, as he and his companion returned tothe hotel. 

"I doubt it, " returned Buck. "There are such numbers of foreigners ofall kinds passing through the port that the police can't keep track ofthem all. Besides, it would take time, and if there's some queer gamein the wind, we've lost a good deal now. If you could learn, Jack, howmatters stand between the Professor and the firm that sent him out toBurmah, it might give you a line to go on. At present we're snuffin'the wind and pickin' up no scent. "

"You're right, Buck, we'll get the baggage together at once. "

Again Jack rushed across Italy, France, and the Channel, never pausingfor one instant on the way. It was a little before noon on a Thursdaymorning when he saw London again, and, at the terminus, he parted withBuck. 

The latter went with the baggage to Lincoln's Inn to report to Mr. Buxton, while Jack, too anxious to lose another moment, jumped into acab and drove straight to the offices of Messrs Lane & Baumann in OldBroad Street. He sent his name in, and was shown at once into a largeroom where Mr. Lane, the senior partner, sat at his desk. 

"Ah, Mr. Haydon, " said he, "you have, I hope, come to give us somenews about your father. "

"Unfortunately I have not, " replied Jack. "I have been in Brindisimaking every inquiry possible, but I have been able to gather noinformation whatever as to his whereabouts. I have come here in hopesthat you may give me some idea of what his arrangements were with you, and from that I might plan a course of action. "

"I think my partner had better join us, " said Mr. Lane, taking up aspeaking-tube. For a few moments nothing was said. The business manwent on with the letter he was writing, and Jack looked about him. Theoffice was large and splendidly fitted up. Jack knew nothing of Lane &Baumann, but it was plain on every hand that it was a large andwealthy firm. Mr. Lane himself was an elderly gentleman, irreproachably dressed, and the picture of an important man in theCity. 

The door opened and the other partner came in. Jack saw that Mr. Baumann was much younger, a fat, heavy German with clean-shaven faceand big, round spectacles, through which little, thick-lidded eyespeered. 

"Has he brought some news?" asked Baumann quickly. "What does he say?"His accent at once betrayed him, though his English was excellent. 

"No, " said Mr. Lane quietly, "he has brought no news. He comes tolearn of us. "

"To learn of us, " said Baumann slowly; "and what is it you wish tolearn?" he demanded of Jack. 

The latter eyed the German keenly. At the first word he detected anenemy. Mr. Lane had been gravely polite and non-committal in hismanner. This man showed hostility at once. 

"I wish to learn anything that will aid me in discovering the reasonfor the mysterious disappearance of my father, " replied Jack, firmly. 

"Mysterious disappearance, " repeated the German, with a sneeringstress upon the words. "_Ach Gott!_ it is no mystery to me when a manwith such a gombanion as that disappears. " He was becoming excited, and his German accent began to thicken. 

"Companion, " repeated Jack, "I do not understand you. My father had nocompanion except Buck Risley, his man, who has now returned to Londonwith me. "

"Had he not, indeed?" said Baumann. "But he had a very closegombanion, one who might easily lead him astray. _Himmel_, what was itnot worth? I think about it night and day. "

"Gently, Baumann, gently, " said Mr. Lane. "You are mystifying Mr. Haydon, and I shall explain to him what you mean. He clearly does notunderstand you, and I do not think it is right to keep him in thedark. Mr. Haydon, do you know why your father went to Burmah for us?"

"I understood that he was going to survey some concession you hadgained, " replied Jack. 

"My goncession, " cried Baumann. "I went over there and saw the place, and I said to myself, _Himmel_, here is the for rubies, yes, finerubies, and I got all rights to dig there. "

Mr. Lane quieted his excited partner and turned once more to Jack. 

"Exactly, " he said; "your father went to survey a concession for us. My partner had been over the ground, and had returned convinced thatthere was a fine field for ruby-mining. We sent your father out tolook carefully over the ground on our behalf, and a short time ago wereceived some very startling news from him. He cabled to us that in afissure of the rock, where, as everyone knows, the finest rubies arefound, he had made a most marvellous find. He had come across a rubyof priceless quality, and, as his work was done, he intended to returnat once, bringing the ruby with him in order to place it himself inour hands. "

"And now he has mysteriously disappeared, " sneered Baumann. Hismeaning was very plain, and Jack leapt to his feet with pale face andshining eyes. 

"Sir!" he cried. "Do you dare to hint that the ruby is the cause of myfather's disappearance?"

The German smiled, and Jack's anger grew. 

"It is impossible!" he cried. "My father is the soul of uprightnessand honour. And do you think he would be tempted by a mere stone, whatever its value? He has handled rubies a hundred and a hundredtimes. "

"Ay, " snarled the German, "but not such a ruby as this. What did hesay himself? What was in his cablegram? 'The finest ruby by far that Ihave ever seen or handled!' He says that. He, Haydon, the first livingexpert on rubies, the man who knows everything of every big specimenin existence. _Himmel, Himmel_, what a stone was that! And what timeare we losing! I would set every police of the world on his track. Andwe do no nothing, nothing!"

"Gently, Baumann, gently, you know very well that I do not agree withyou, " said Mr. Lane. 

Jack turned eagerly to the senior partner. He felt that the whiningGerman was below both his anger and contempt. 

"Sir, " said Jack earnestly, "if my father had in his charge a stone soimmensely precious, I fear he has met with foul play. "

"Who knew of it?" said Mr. Lane. "Had he mentioned anything about itto his man?"

"No, he had not, " said Jack, and narrated at once what he had heardfrom Buck Risley. 

"Yes, " said Mr. Lane, nodding, "it was the possession of the greatjewel which made him uneasy. "

"Who can say what it was worth?" broke in Baumann fiercely. "A bigruby of perfect colour and without flaw, remember, he said its likedid not exist, is of all stones the most precious. Diamonds, poof!This ruby was worth a score of great diamonds. "

"And if my father had with him so wonderful a stone, " urged Jack onMr. Lane, "is it not almost certain that someone has learned of itsexistence? and again I say that he has met with foul play. "

"But who should know of it?" said Mr. Lane. "It is most unlikely thathe should mention it to anyone; and you say, moreover, that his owncompanion knew nothing of it. "

"But, " cried Jack, and thought this point was a clincher, "he cabledhome to you about it, and word of it got abroad, perhaps, from thetelegraph office. "

Mr. Lane shook his head. "He cabled to us in cipher, " he said; "acipher which he had composed himself and wrote down for us before hestarted. The paper has been safely locked up in our strong-room, andit was the only copy in the world, for he told us that, for himself, he should carry the cipher in his memory. "

This was puzzling and baffling, and Jack was silent. In a moment heput forward another point. 

"But we are not sure the ruby has disappeared with my father, " hesaid; "it may be packed away in his baggage. "

Mr. Lane shook his head once more. "No, " he said, "that is veryunlikely. Your father would be certain to carry a thing so small andso valuable on his person. He would never part with it night or day. "

Again there was a short interval in which nothing was said. Into thissilence suddenly broke the grumbling roar of Baumann's great voice. The German had been brooding over the disappearance of the great stoneuntil he was beside himself. 

"_Ach Gott_, " he cried furiously to Mr. Lane. "You are foolish. Youstill believe in the man and trust him. Me, I do not, I tell youplainly he is a thief. He is to-day perhaps in Amsterdam, cutting thatnoble and splendid stone into many smaller ones, and each of themstill a fortune. Yes, he is a thief!"

"You liar!" roared Jack. "My father is not a thief. How dare you takesuch words on your dirty lips in respect of such a man!"

He had bounded to his feet and clenched his fists. Mr. Lane sprangbetween them. 

"Now, Mr. Haydon, " said the elder man, "you must keep the peace. Baumann is speaking very wildly. I do not agree with him. I know yourfather too well. "

Respect for Mr. Lane held Jack back, and nothing else. He would dearlyhave liked to plant his fist on the German's foaming mouth, but hecommanded himself with an immense effort, and tried to speak calmly. 

"The man is mad to say such things, " said Jack with trembling lips. "Why, the whole facts of the case are against any such monstrous idea. If my father had wished to steal the stone, would he have cabled toyou full particulars and started home? What would have been easierthan to pocket it at once, and say nothing?"

"He was not a thief at first, " vociferated the German. "He was honestwhen he cabled. But the jewel, the great, big, beautiful jewel itselfcorrupted him. He looked at it, and looked at it, till the love of itfilled his heart and he could not part with it. _Himmel_, I have feltit all. I know what happened as well as if I had been at his side allthe voyage. "

"Look here, you foul slanderer, " cried Jack. "I'll prove you a liarout and out. Listen to me. I'll find my father if he still remains inexistence, and I'll prove that you wrong him by your unjustsuspicions. " The lad turned to Mr. Lane with flushed face and shiningeyes. "I thank you, sir, " he said, "for the trust you still retain inmy father. I will do my very utmost to prove to you that it was wellplaced. I cannot promise you anything save that I will do all thatlies in my power to trace your great ruby and discover my father'sfate at the same time. "

Jack could say no more. He held out his hand and Mr. Lane shook it, and the tall English lad strode from the office. 

CHAPTER IV. 

BUCK SEES LIGHT. 

Jack walked rapidly through the city, and, free from the presence ofBaumann and his vile insinuations, began to cool rapidly and surveythe situation with a steadier eye. 

"This needs talking over, " he said to himself. "Here's a big newdevelopment. " He hailed a cab and was driven to Lincoln's Inn. Hefound Mr. Buxton's sitting-room littered with the baggage they hadbrought home, and Mr. Buxton himself in close confab with Buck Risley. 

"Hullo, Jack, " said the elder man, rising to shake hands with him;"how have you been getting on with Lane and Baumann? You lookexcited. "

"Rather, Mr. Buxton, " said Jack. "I have been learning a great deal. "He struck into his story at once, and the two men listened with greatinterest. 

"He had an immense ruby of incalculable value in his possession, " saidMr. Buxton slowly, when Jack had finished. "I say, this changes thewhole situation. I'm afraid, Jack, something very serious has happenedto your father. "

"Then that's what was on the Professor's mind, " cried Buck. "I knewvery well there was something. It was big enough to make even himfeel uneasy. "

"It's an odd thing he didn't mention it to you, Risley, " said Mr. Buxton. "I've always understood that you were privy to all hisbusiness movements. "

"That's all right, Mr. Buxton, " said Risley cheerfully. "You've gotthat quite straight. In a general way the Professor hid nothing fromme. But this time he did hide it about the big stone, and I'm goin' toshow you how right, just as usual, the Professor was. You mustremember, " went on Buck, "that when he picked me up at Mogok on theway home, he found only a dim and distant shadder o' the party nowtalkin' to you. I'd been on my back for weeks with fever, and was asweak and nervous as a kitten. I've picked up wonderful on the voyagehome. Well, if he'd told me o' such a thing as he'd certainly got atthat moment in his belt, it would ha' rattled me to pieces. I shouldhave been certain to give the show away in my anxiety for fear anybodyshould get to know about it, and do him a mischief. So he said nothingat all. But it puts everything in a new light, everything. "

"Buck!" cried Jack. "What about that fellow who stopped me on RushmereHeath and then turned up in Brindisi? Can he have something to do withit?"

"Now you're talking, Jack, " said Risley, nodding at the young man. "'Twas all runnin' through my mind. It all hangs together, as straightas a gun. "

Buck knitted his brows in deep thought, and stared into the fire. Mr. Buxton was about to speak, but Buck held up his hand for silence, andthe quiet remained unbroken till the American slapped his knee with acrack like a pistol-shot, looked round on them, and nodded briskly. 

"I've worked it out, " said Buck. "The Professor's been kidnapped, andI'll lay all I'm worth I can spot the parties who have boned him. "

"Kidnapped!" The cry burst in irrepressible surprise and excitementfrom the other two. 

"Sure thing, " said Risley. "Just listen to me. That half-caste SayaChone comes from up-country somewhere in the direction the Professorheaded for after leaving Mogok. That's the starting-point for thewhole business. He's mixed up in it from first to last, that's plainenough, by his showing up at Rushmere and then followin' Jack toBrindisi as he must have done. What brought him trackin' us all thisway if he didn't know about the big ruby and was in with the gangthat's carried off the Professor?"

"But why are you so sure that they have carried Tom Haydon off, Risley?" asked Mr. Buxton. "Perhaps they--" Mr. Buxton paused, unableto put into words the terrible thought which filled his mind. 

"Say it right out, sir, " said Buck encouragingly. "You can say it out, for I don't believe it's the least bit true. You meant, supposethey've murdered the Professor for the ruby?"

Mr. Buxton nodded, and Jack went white about the lips. 

"Well, that's all right, " said Buck cheerfully, "they ain't done that, anyway. First thing, if so we'd ha' found the Professor, for all theywanted was the stone; they'd no use in the world for his body. Butthere's a lot more in it than that. They want the Professor himself. It's a dead sure thing that where that big stone came from there's alot more, and they intend to make him show them the place. "

"Ah, " said Mr. Buxton, "there's a good deal in that, Risley. I hadn'tthought of that. "

"Then, Buck, " cried Jack, "you think that my father has been seizedand is being carried back to Burmah?"

"I'm as sure of it as I am that we are in this room, " said Bucksolemnly. 

Jack drew a long breath of immense relief. To feel that his fathermight be alive, and possibly could be rescued, was to bring a brightgleam of hope into the darkness of this strange affair. 

"How have they carried him away?" cried Jack. 

"By sea, " replied Buck. "Couldn't be done by land, nohow. But you canget a quiet road by sea easy enough. I wonder how much that boat thatdisappeared from the harbour had to do with it. They might have nailedhim, pulled him out in it to a vessel waiting off the harbour, andthen sent it adrift when they'd done with it. "

Mr. Buxton had filled his pipe and was smoking thoughtfully. Now hetook the pipe out of his mouth, and spoke. 

"I can see another thing which, in the light now thrown upon theaffair, seems very possible, " said he. "How many letters did youreceive from your father, Jack, when he was on his way home?"

"Only one, Mr. Buxton, " replied Jack. "The one he sent me from Cairowas the first I had had from him for a long time. "

"Isn't it possible, " went on Mr. Buxton, "that those who werefollowing him up knew of that letter being sent, and were anxious toread it, hoping that he would describe where he had been and what hehad been doing? Then, even if they failed to secure him and the bigstone, they would know the spot where he had discovered theruby-mine. "

"Say, Mr. Buxton, you've hit the bull's eye, " remarked Buck. "That'sabout the square-toed truth. "

"And that's why they threw the letter away when they had read it, "cried Jack. "There was no hint of any such thing in it. "

There was silence for a few moments, while all three pondered over thestrange events which had taken place. It was broken by Jack. 

"Oh, Buck, " he said, "I suppose there is no chance of such a preciousthing being in the baggage after all. "

"Not it, " replied Risley. "I packed every consarned thing with my ownhands. I had just enough strength for a job like that. "

"And you feel convinced, Risley, that Tom Haydon has been spirited offback to Burmah by a gang who have learned of his wonderful find, andmean to seize it for themselves?" said Mr. Buxton. 

"Dead sure of it, sir, " replied Buck. 

Jack sprang to his feet and paced the room excitedly. 

"Then we'll go ourselves, Buck, " he cried, "and run them to earth. "

"Sure thing, " said Buck calmly. "I'm on at once for a look into what'shappened to the Professor. "

"It will be a dangerous quest, " said Mr. Buxton slowly; "a verydangerous quest, among wild lands and savage peoples. I know thatmuch. Do you think the Government authority extends over the districtwhere the discovery was made, Risley?"

"No, it don't, " replied Buck. "They're all savage Kachins and Shans upthere, as ready for a scrap as any you ever met. It's all theauthorities can do to hold 'em off the settlements. "

"A dangerous quest indeed!" repeated Mr. Buxton. 

"But one that must be undertaken, " cried Jack earnestly. "Would youhave me leave my father's fate a matter of uncertainty, Mr. Buxton? Iknow very well it's a long journey on the chance of Buck being rightin his suspicions. But so many things point that way, and if Buck iswilling to guide me to the country where the search ought to be made, I will gladly go. "

"Oh, I'm with you, of course, Jack, " sang out Buck Risley. "We'll havea look into things, anyhow, an' I know more than a bit of thatcountry. I've been three times up the river, an' made all sorts o'little side-trips. "

"Thank you, Buck, " cried the lad. "I knew you'd be willing to help me. We'll start as soon as possible. You'll find us plenty of funds, won'tyou, Mr. Buxton?"

"Oh, yes, Jack, " said Mr. Buxton, "I'll find you all the money youwant for such a purpose. "

CHAPTER V. 

THE SPY. 

Three days later, about four o'clock in the afternoon, Jack and Buckwalked into Lincoln's Inn, and knocked at Mr. Buxton's door. They hadbeen staying at a hotel near at hand, and nothing was said until Jackhad carefully closed the door of the inner sitting-room, where Mr. Buxton was at work among his papers. 

"So you're off to-morrow?" said Mr. Buxton, laying down his pen. 

"No, to-night, " said Jack. 

"What?" returned Mr. Buxton in surprise. "Have you got all yourluggage ready?"

"Yes, sir, " said Buck. "We've got it with us. "

"Oh, your cab is outside?" he said. 

"No, sir, " replied Buck, with a twinkle in his eye. "You see it all onview. "

Mr. Buxton scratched his head. "Do you mean to say that you're goingto start for Burmah with an umbrella apiece?"

"We do, Mr. Buxton, " replied Jack. "We're going to slip off quietly. Buck thinks we're being watched. "

"Watched!" cried Mr. Buxton. "By whom?"

"Can't say that, " said Buck. "But there's someone takin' a deepinterest in us I feel certain. I should venture to spec'late as theruby gang want to know what we're up to. "

"And you mean to start off for the other side of the world equippedmerely for a stroll through the Park?" cried Mr. Buxton. 

"Why not, sir?" asked Buck. "You've found us plenty of money, and wecan rig ourselves out whereever there are shops. Best for us, too, topull out on this business with as little show as we can make. If wedon't, we may find ourselves pulled up mighty soon and mighty sharp. Itell you this is a deep an' cunning gang we've got to fight. An'they've got a big pull of us. They know us and we know very little ofthem. I can tell you there are wily birds east of Suez. They are up toall the tricks, both of East and West. "

The two visitors did not stay five minutes with Mr. Buxton. Theywished their visit to have the air of a mere passing call, and when hehad shaken hands with them and wished them good luck, they left hisrooms, strolled into Chancery Lane, and went gently up towards Holbornas if they had nothing to do but stare at the sights of the town likecountry cousins. 

"Jack, " said Buck softly, "let's pull up and look at this shop window, the panes have just got the bulge I want. "

Jack, wondering a little what his companion meant, stopped, and theystared into a print shop where photographs of eminent judges andK. C. 's were set out in rows. 

"Say, this is bully, " murmured Buck. "Move a bit on one side, Jack, sothat I can see the street behind us reflected in the glass. Now, comeon, I've seen all I want. Don't turn your own head or you'll spoil theshow. "

They walked on together, and Buck muttered in deep satisfaction: "I'vespotted the man following us; a stout chap with a double chin and alook like a fat policeman out o' work. I reckon I've tumbled to thisgame. I've seen him outside our hotel. "

"Is it one of the gang?" asked Jack. 

"Oh, no, " replied his companion. "More likely to be one o' theseprivate detectives hired to watch us. Now we've got to throw pepperinto his eyes, an' then make a break for the station. "

Buck raised his hand and hailed a growler. They got in, Buck said"Marble Arch, " and away trotted the horse. Buck now set himself tokeep a watch out of the little window at the back of the cab, and soongave a chuckle of satisfaction. 

"He's coming, " he said, "he's in a hansom about fifty yards behind. This makes it a dead cert that he's our man. It would be a bit toomuch of a coincidence for him to be outside our hotel last night, following us up Chancery Lane to-day, and now tracking us along OxfordStreet. "

"How will you drop him?" asked Jack. 

"As easy as tumbling off a log, " replied Buck. "We'll use ConnaughtMansions. Do you remember its two entrances? We'll pop in at one andout at the other. "

Jack laughed, and understood at once. His father had a flat atConnaught Mansions, a huge block of flats near Lancaster Gate, whichserved as Mr. Haydon's London home between his journeys. They hadmade no use of it during the few days they had been in town, preferring a hotel near Mr. Buxton's rooms, but now it would be ofservice to their plans. 

As they neared the Marble Arch, Buck gave the address to the driver. He handed up a couple of half-crowns at the same time. 

"We may be detained at the place you're driving to, " he remarked. "Wait a quarter of an hour at the door, and then if we don't send anymessage to you, you can go. "

"Very good, sir, " said the cabby, and on rolled the growler, and soonturned into the courtyard of Connaught Mansions, and pulled up at themain entrance. Jack and his companion left the cab at once and wentinto the lobby, where the porter came out of his office. 

"Hullo, Mr. Risley, you are back again, " said the porter. Then hecaught sight of Jack, whose face was very well known from frequentvisits to his father. The question which had plainly been on theporter's lips was at once checked. He had been eager to talk to Buckabout the disappearance of Mr. Haydon, but Jack's presence put abarrier upon that. 

The cloppety-clop of the feet of a passing cab horse now came inthrough the open door of the vestibule. Jack glanced out and saw thestout man passing in his cab. The spy seemed to be very busy reading apaper, and the whole thing looked as innocent as could be. 

"Well, I'll nip upstairs an' get what I want, " said Buck to theporter, and he and Jack rang for the lift, and were shot up to thefifth floor. Upon this landing there was one projecting window, whichcommanded the front of the great building, and the two comrades wentcautiously to it and peeped out. 

"There he is, there he is, " whispered Jack. 

"Sure thing, " chuckled Buck. 

Far below them they saw their cabman sitting idly on his perch andwaiting for his quarter of an hour to pass. The Mansions looked on toa square, a long narrow strip of gardens, filled with lofty bushesrather than trees. The spy's cab had taken a sweep round these gardensand was now drawing up on the other side, exactly opposite their cab. As they looked they saw the stout man leave his cab and move to andfro till he found a space through which he could look across thegardens and watch the entrance to the great building. From their loftystandpoint Jack and his companion had a splendid bird's-eye view ofeverything. 

"Off we go now, " said Jack. "For if our cabman makes a move he'llbecome suspicious. "

"We've got ten minutes yet, " murmured Buck; "but as you say, Jack, offwe go. "

They turned and crossed the landing swiftly, and ran down the stairs, flight after flight. They did not wish to call attention to theirmovements by ringing for the lift; besides, they were making for theback of the place, where a smaller entrance opened on a quiet sidestreet. They gained this and were once more free to strike where theywished, leaving the baffled spy to watch the main entrance in vain. 

CHAPTER VI. 

IN RANGOON. 

"Now for a start in earnest, " said Buck, as the two comrades hurriedswiftly through the quiet streets, moving westwards in order to put asmuch ground as possible between themselves and the baffled spy. "Ipropose, Jack, that we make for Harwich and cross over to theContinent, avoiding the usual English routes and English steamers. Wewant to get there as quietly as we can. It wouldn't be healthy toarrive in Upper Burmah thumping a drum to let 'em know we were ontheir track. They've got ways of their own of gettin' rid o' peoplethey want to see the last of. "

Jack nodded. "Then we must head for Liverpool Street, " he remarked. 

"Yes, " said Buck. "We're not far from Queen's Road Station. We'll hitthe Twopenny Tube and dodge back east, now. "

They went into the station and were just in time to jump into aneast-bound train, as the conductor was about to shut the gates of thecarriage. 

"Nobody followed us there anyway, " remarked Buck. "We were the last toboard the train. "

They went right away to the Bank, plunged into the City, and threadedthe narrow streets and busy crowds in every direction, graduallyworking their way towards Liverpool Street. They timed their arrivalthere five minutes before a fast express pulled out, and were soon ontheir way. As they rushed through the Essex flats Buck detailed hisplans, and Jack listened and agreed. 

"From Harwich we'll make for Hamburg, " said Risley. "There we can buyan outfit and take passage for Rangoon in a German boat which does notcall in England. "

 * * * * *

Our story now moves on to a point nearly five weeks later, when, asevening fell, a big German steamer slowly moved up to a wide quay ofRangoon, and took up her berth. Over her side leaned two figures weknow, one looking at the scene with eyes which noted the familiarityof it all, the other drinking in every detail with eager interest andcuriosity. 

Jack was too absorbed in the scene to utter a word; the minarets ofthe mosques, the vast spire of Shway Dagon, the famous pagoda, itscrest of gold glittering in the last rays of the sun; the crowd ofmasts, the native boats, the swift little sampans darting hither andthither, the quaint up-river craft, the Chinese junks--all was so newand strange and wonderful that he could not gaze enough upon thescene. And above all, he felt that this was the land whose wildestrecesses he must penetrate upon his quest, and his mind turnedstrongly upon that. 

"Do you know, Buck, " he murmured to his companion, "that the sight ofall these strange new things makes the whole affair very visionary tome?"

"I think I tumble to what you mean, " replied the other. "I had atouch of it myself when I first came to these queer parts. You feel asif you were ramblin' about in a dream. "

"That's it, exactly, " said Jack. "It seems impossible that this isworkaday life in which we have a definite task. "

"You'll soon shake that off, " replied Buck; "the sight o' these placesmakes every tenderfoot moon a bit; and we've got a straight enough jobbefore us. We'll have to rustle some before we've got the Professorout o' the hands o' these people who want to jump his claim. "

"You feel certain my father is here, Buck?"

"Three times as certain as when we started, " replied Risley. "Mr. Buxton's kept the search going, and found nothing. Very good. Thatmakes it all the surer the Professor is in front of us up this river;"and Buck threw his hand northwards, pointing to the broad flood whichslipped past the quays of Rangoon to the sea. 

At different points of their voyage they had received cables from Mr. Buxton giving the news of the search, which was going on in vain. 

The steamer took up her moorings, and the stream of landing passengersbegan to flow swiftly to the quay. Jack and his companion steppedashore, each with a large kit-bag in hand. They had travelled light, and all their luggage was with them. Buck held up a finger, and aChinese coolie darted up to them, his rickshaw running easily behindhim. The two bags were pitched into the light vehicle, and Buck badethe man follow them by a gesture. 

"This way, Jack, " said Risley, and led his companion up a broadstreet, which, now that the dusk had fallen and the sea-breeze wasblowing, was filled with a strange and busy crowd. 

"Everybody turns out for an hour or two, now, " remarked Buck. "It'spleasant and fresh after the day. This is Mogul Street, about theliveliest street in the city. "

Jack looked upon the crowd with wonder, the first Eastern crowd ofwhich he had ever made a part. The thronging pavements were akaleidoscope of the East--long-coated Persians; small, brown, slant-eyed Japanese; big, yellow, slant-eyed Chinamen; a nakedCoringhi, his dark body shining in the lamp-light, and the rings inhis nose jingling together; Hindus of all ranks, from the statelyBrahmin to the coolie bearing loads or pulling a rickshaw; Burmese;and, to Jack's pleasant surprise, three straight-stepping Englishsoldiers, swinging along with their little canes, their lively talksounding pleasantly familiar amid the babel of Eastern tongues. 

At a narrow opening Buck turned and left the main street. Fifty yardsalong the side street he stopped the rickshaw and paid off the coolie, each taking his own kit-bag. Next Buck plunged into a dusky, ill-lighted alley, and Jack followed, wondering. 

"I'm making for a friend's house, " murmured Buck, "an' I'm takin' ashy road. We've got to keep our eyes skinned from now on. "

"Do you think the gang will be on the look-out for us in Rangoon, Buck?" asked Jack. 

"Likely enough, " replied Risley. "No harm in takin' care, anyway. "

The two gained a narrow lane beyond the alley, followed it somedistance, then turned into a wider street. Here Buck paused before ashop whose windows were closed, but rays of light were streamingthrough chinks in the shutters. He tried the door and found that itwas not fastened. 

"Nip right in, " said Risley, and the two entered briskly, and closedthe door behind them. Behind the counter stood a tall, elderly mantaking a rifle to pieces by the light of a brightly-burning lamp. Hewas surrounded by weapons of all kinds, and a single glance told Jackthat he stood in a gunsmith's shop. 

"Hello, Buck, " said the tall man calmly. "Slidin' in like a thief inthe night, eh? What's wrong, and who's your friend?"

"This is the Professor's son, Mr. Jack Haydon, " replied Buck, answering the last question first, as he put down his bag and shookhands with his acquaintance. 

"Pleased to know you, sir, " said the gunsmith, offering his hand toJack in turn. "Me and your father have known each other a long timeand done a lot of business together. Perhaps you've heard him mentionme, Jim Dent?"

"Yes, Mr. Dent, " said Jack, "I've heard your name many a time. "

"I'm very sorry for you, sir, " said Dent. "This is a queer businessabout the Professor. Knocked me all of a heap when I heard of it. "

"The news is about Rangoon, of course, Jim?" said Buck. 

"Came at once, " replied Dent. "The Professor was known to so manypeople here. "

"Well, between me and you, Jim, " said Buck in a low voice, "that'sjust what I've come to talk about. You know the ropes in this countrypretty well, and I want your advice. "

"Been in Burmah twenty-eight years, and spent a good deal of the timeshiftin' about here and there, " remarked Jim Dent. "I know a thing ortwo, as you may say. But come in; I should like to hear all about it. "

He secured the outer door, put out the lamp which lighted the shop, and led the way to an inner room. Here another lamp was burning, andall three sat down. Buck plunged into the story, and Dent listenedattentively, now and again putting a question. 

"They've got the Professor all right, " said Dent at the conclusion ofBuck's narrative. 

"You, too, think so?" cried Jack. 

"Oh, yes, sir, " returned Dent, nodding at him, "they're going to makeyour father show 'em his find, there's no mistake about that. Thething's been done before, but the men have been collared in thiscountry, I admit. I've never known anything so big and daring as this, but still it's on the cards, and Buck has tumbled to the rightconclusion. "

"But how could they carry off my father with such secrecy?" askedJack. "It was impossible to book a passage back in any vessel. Theywould have been found out at once. "

"That's right enough, sir, " replied Dent. "They must have had a vesselof their own, but that's a puzzling thing. Did you see any sign ofthis Saya Chone on the voyage, Buck?"

"Not a hair of him, " replied Risley. 

"He and his pals might have been among the third-class passengersafter all, " said the gunsmith. "You weren't looking out for them, butit's pretty plain they were looking out for you. They must have beenfly to your posting that letter, and got an idea somehow or other ofthe address. Well, this is a rum go. What's your next move, I wonder?"

"Go straight up to Mogok, " suggested Jack, "and strike into thecountry where my father was exploring. Surely we can lay our handsupon one or other of his native guides, and they will lead us to theplace. Then we can discover whether those people you suspect ofkidnapping him are anywhere in that neighbourhood. "

Dent nodded his head in agreement. "Well, sir, " he said, "you'll haveto do something after that fashion. But you must go to work verycautiously. The men you are after are at home there, and have ahundred ways of finding out what you're up to, while you know no moreof them and their movements than you know which way a snake's slippingthrough the jungle. "

"Would it be of any use to appeal to the authorities?" asked Jack. 

The gunsmith shook his head. 

"Not a mite, sir, not a mite. In the first place, you're moving onsuspicion, and you can hardly expect the police to go tramping roundin wild and only partly explored jungle to find out if your suspicionsare correct. Then, again, if inquiries were started you would onlywarn the parties you suspect, and they'd take good care your planscame to nothing. For holding a man tight and keeping the place of hishiding secret, this country is a marvel. I've known many a nativedisappear in a very mysterious fashion and be never heard of again;some enemy had disposed of him. " The gunsmith fell silent and musedfor a few moments. 

"I'll tell you, " said he, "the best thing to do now, and that is tostrike up to Mandalay. There might be a chance there to pick up a bitof river news which would help you. I wonder whether old Moung San isup in Mandalay yet. He started up river with his _hnau_ weeks back, and you know how they dawdle along, picking up every scrap of rivergossip. "

"Moung San!" cried Buck, "old Moung, why, he's the very man whose_hnau_ took the Professor up the river Chindwin, the last trip Mr. Haydon made before he went up to Mogok. He'll give us a hand if hecan, I know. "

"He was in here, buying stuff off me to trade along the river, " saidDent, "and he ought to be somewhere about Mandalay by now. "

"Then we'll start in the morning by the first train, " said Buck; "andthat reminds me, Jim, we shall want some guns; we've got nothing atall at present, and we'll look over your stock. "

"Come in the shop, " said Dent, and all three went back to the littlefront room where weapons stood in racks about the wall. 

"These Mauser pistols are handy things, " remarked Dent, as he turnedsome of his stock on to the counter. "Clap the holster on 'em and theymake a very smart little rifle. "

"We'll have a couple, " said Buck, "they're daisies. I've tried 'em. Have you got a light rifle or two in stock, Jim? We don't want todrag any weight through the jungle, as you know as well as most. "

"What's the matter with the Mannlicher?" said Dent, picking up one ofthose handiest of shooting tools and passing it over to Jack. "Noweight, and as good a little rifle as a man wants to put to hisshoulder. "

"This is all right, " said Jack, putting it up. "I've never tried it, but I've heard about it. Makes pretty good shooting, I think. "

"Wonderful good, sir, " said Dent. "You can't wish for better. And sucha handy little cartridge, too. That's a thing to consider on a march. You can carry a much bigger number for the same weight of ordinarycartridges. "

For half an hour or more Buck and Jack turned over Dent's stores, andlaid in a very complete stock of weapons and cartridges. As thegunsmith talked, speaking of the wild jungle into which they mustwander, the wild people they would be likely to meet, and what theywould need to meet the chances of their journey, his eye fired and hisexcitement grew. He poured forth a flood of information, of warning, of directions, which showed how complete was his knowledge of thewilds into which they were about to venture, how deep was his lore ofjungle-craft, and how great his passion for the life of the explorerand adventurer. His flood of speech ended on a sigh. 

"Five years it is now, " he said, "since I made what I call a realtrip, getting clean off the track and striking a line which you mightfancy no white man had ever struck before. "

Buck had been watching his old acquaintance keenly. Now he leanedover and laid his hand on Dent's arm. 

"Look here, Jim, " he said, "you're achin' in every bone o' your bodyfor a real good trip again. Come with us. "

The invitation was like a spark thrown upon gunpowder. The gunsmithstruck the counter with his open hand till the weapons danced again. 

"By George, I will!" he cried, "I'll come fast enough. It's the sorto' trip I'd choose out of a thousand. "

Jack saw what a splendid recruit offered here, and he hastened tosecond Buck. 

"If you could, indeed, spare time to accompany us, Mr. Dent, " he said, "we shall be delighted to have your company and assistance. "

"Well, sir, " said Dent, "I'll give you a month. I can manage, I know, to get the business looked after by a friend as long as that. Andwithin a month, if we go the right way to work, we ought to get a goodidea as to whether the Professor's in the hands of that gang or not. "

"And if your business suffers at all, Jim, you need never fear you'llbe at a loss in the end, " said Buck. "There's plenty of money foreverything. "

"Oh, that's all right, " returned Dent. "Didn't you say you're offeringa reward of £500 for finding the Professor?"

"That's so, " replied Risley. 

"Very good, " said Dent. "Suppose I hit on him first and pick that up. That'll clear my expenses, and a bit over bar the fun o' the trip. "

"Oh, Mr. Dent, " said Jack, "we're paying all expenses, of course. "

"Better an' better still, " chuckled the gunsmith. "I get all the funand the chance of £500 thrown in, and the lot for nothing. You cancount in Jim Dent on this game. " And so the matter was settled. 

CHAPTER VII. 

UP THE RIVER. 

It was on a Tuesday evening that Risley and Jack entered Dent's shopin Rangoon: late on the Thursday afternoon the three comrades steppedout of the train at Mandalay. 

"I know a little place down by the river where we can stay quietly, "said Dent, and they took a carriage and drove down to the banks of thebroad Irrawaddy. Here, at a native rest-house in a riverside village, they set down their baggage and made a hearty meal in a room whosewindow overlooked the noble stream with its crowd of craft. 

Before they ate, Dent had an interview with the master of the house, ashort, stout Burman in silken kilt and headgear of flaming scarlet, and their business was put in hand at once. The Burman sent a nativeboatman off to see if Moung San had reached Mandalay. 

The meal was scarcely ended before the light sampan was back with goodnews. Moung San had been in Mandalay the last two days, and now lay athis accustomed anchorage. 

"That's capital, " said Dent. "We'll give old Moung a look up beforethe evening's much older. "

Half an hour later all three embarked upon the sampan whose owner hadfound out the anchorage of Moung San, and the tiny craft was thrustinto the river and pulled across the flowing stream. Jack looked withmuch interest on the pretty, picturesque little craft with its bow andstern curving upwards, and on its boatman, a strong Shan clad in widetrousers and a great flapping hat, who stood up to his couple of oarsand sent the light skiff along at a good speed. A pull of a mile ormore brought them to the _hnau_, a big native boat moored near thefarther shore of the wide stream. The sampan was directed towards thelofty and splendidly-carved prow of the _hnau_ and brought to rest. 

Now there looked over the side a dark-faced old Burman, whose facebroke into smiles at sight of his old acquaintances. 

"Hello, Moung San, " cried Dent. "We've come to pay you a visit. "

"Very glad, very glad, " replied the Burman. "Come up, come up. "

They climbed at once to the deck of the _hnau_, where Moung San shookhands with them very heartily. When he heard Jack's name he smiled andshowed all his teeth, stained black with betel-chewing. 

"Me know your father, " he said, and shook Jack's hand again. "Verygood man, very good man. "

Amidships there was a large cabin, roofed with plaited cane, built upon the _hnau_. Moung San invited them to enter it, and all four wentin and sat down. 

"Now, Moung San, " began Jim Dent "You listen to me. You know theruby-mines well, don't you?"

"Yes, " replied Moung San. "Do much trade with the miners for manyyears. "

"Do you know a man named Saya Chone?"

"Yes, " said the trader. "Know him. Don't like him. "

"Who is he with now?"

"With U Saw, the man they call the Ruby King. "

"U Saw, " murmured Dent reflectively. "He's jumped into notice since Iwas up here last. What sort of character has U Saw, Moung San?"

The Burman lowered his voice and looked uneasily round to see if anyof his crew were within earshot. 

"Very dangerous man, " he said, shaking his head, "if he hears of oneof the hill-miners finding good ruby, that man sure to lose it, perhaps lose his head same time. U Saw has many Kachins who followhim, and every Kachin carry strong, sharp _dah_ (native sword). "

"Have the police been on to him, Moung San?" asked Buck. 

"The police!" Moung San laughed disdainfully. "What do the police knowabout the hills and the jungle, and what goes on there? But we know. The word goes from Kachin to Shan, and from Shan to Burman, over thecountry, up and down the river. We know. "

"Where does U Saw sell his rubies?" asked Dent. 

"In China, " replied the Burman. "Takes them along the great road toChina from Burmah over the mountains. Sells them there for big, bigmoney. Very rich and very strong is U Saw. "

Then, with scarcely a pause, Moung San came out with a piece of newsthat made his hearers jump. 

"When I am at Prome two weeks ago, the 'fire-boat' of U Saw pass me, and go up the river. "

"Fire-boat!" cried Jim Dent. "U Saw possesses a steamer. How big, Moung San?"

Moung San went into details. He compared the "fire-boat" with the sizeof his _hnau_, he compared it with a river-steamer which now wentpuffing past, he described it with the greatest minuteness, for he hadlain beside it at Bhamo for three days on the trip before last. 

"Say, " murmured Buck, looking round on his deeply-interestedcompanions, "this beats the band. I didn't know U Saw had a steamyacht of about three hundred tons, for that's what Moung San's talkcomes to. Say, Jim, my son, this clears things up a bit. "

"It does that, " said Dent. He turned to Jack. 

"You see, sir, " he remarked, "that Buck's guess hit the mark prettystraight. I'd stake my shop that the party we want was on that yacht. "

Jack nodded, with bright eyes. "It must be so, " he said, but Buck wasagain in conversation with the Burman. 

"Do you know where the 'fire-boat' had been?" he asked. 

"There was a word that U Saw had been a long cruise in the islands, "replied Moung San. 

"Been a long cruise in the islands, had he?" said Dent, in a meaningtone. There was silence while the three white men made swiftcalculations mentally. 

"If the yacht is a good sea-boat, " said Jack, "they would just abouthave had the right time to do it, supposing they came up the river twoweeks back. " He meant the voyage from the Mediterranean, and theothers nodded. 

The old Burman looked from one to the other gravely. There wassomething he did not understand behind this, and it was plain that hewas about to shape a question. 

Buck whispered swiftly to Jack, then spoke:

"Well, Moung San, we must be going. But the son of your old patronwished to see you and to give you a little present because you haveserved his father. "

Jack smiled and passed over twenty rupees. Moung San's mouth was atonce filled with thanks instead of questions, and an awkward momentpassed safely. 

"I could see the old fellow was going to ask questions, " remarked JimDent, when they were once more in the sampan, and the big Shan waspulling strongly across the stream. "It was a lucky stroke to stop hismouth with the rupees. "

"Yes, " said Jack, "it's quite clear he knows nothing about my father'sdisappearance, or he would have said something. So it was just as wellto leave him in ignorance, and escape a lot of talk. You never knowwhere the simplest question may lead you to. "

"You don't, " agreed Dent. "He may wonder why we want to know about theRuby King, but as long as he's in the dark about things, he'll put itdown to mere curiosity. "

CHAPTER VIII. 

THE ATTACK ON THE SAMPAN. 

Jack nodded and looked out across the wide, shadowy waste of waterswhich surrounded them. The night had fallen and there was no moon, butthe sky was full of the glorious stars of the East, and the greatsilent river spread itself abroad in the bright starshine till its lowdistant banks were lost to sight, and the sampan seemed to be crossinga vast lake. Far away up the stream a myriad twinkling lights showedwhere the shipping lay thickly, and now a huge cargo boat came downstream, its vast bulk looming high above the smooth flood. 

Somewhere on the shore a mandoline tinkled, the faint distant notescoming sweetly to them across the water. Jack dropped his hand intothe stream and found it warm to the fingers. Then he felt that theriver was full of something floating on its surface, which brushed hisfingers, and circled about his wrist. 

"What's this in the water?" said Jack. 

Buck dropped his hand down. 

"Paddy-husks, the husk of rice, " he replied. "There are rice-mills onthe banks up above, and they pitch the husks into the stream. When themills are busy, the husks cover the river. "

"It is a strong current, " said Jack. 

"Ay, and a very dangerous one, " remarked Dent "There's no mercy inthis river. It'll sweep you away like the under-tow of a strong tide, and suck you down to feed the crocodiles, if it gets the chance. "

For a few moments there was silence, and Jack, who was seated with hisface to his companions, watched the big cargo-boat now passing them, but a good distance away. Suddenly he sharpened the glance of his keeneyes and looked more intently. A tiny dark patch shot from the shadowof the great vessel and held its way straight towards them. 

"There's a boat just come from behind that big ship, and it's makingstraight for us, " said Jack. 

"That's queer, " said Dent sharply, turning his head to look. "It musthave come down stream in shelter of the cargo-boat. I've been keepinga watch on the river round us. " He said a few words in the nativetongue to the big Shan, and the latter pulled much faster and alteredhis course a little. 

"If they're only making for the shore they'll go straight on, " saidJim Dent. "If they're after us, they'll change their course. "

"They row fast, " said Jack. 

Jim spoke to the Shan once more, and a few sentences passed betweenthem. 

"It's one of those long creek skiffs, pulled by six men, " announcedJim. "He knows by the shape of it on the water and the sound of theoars. "

"Think they're after us, Jim?" asked Buck in a low voice. 

"I don't know, Buck, " replied Dent. "But I wish we were ashore. Thisisn't a country to take any chances in. "

All three watched the dark, long shape behind them, and the Shanpulled with all his might. 

"It's after us. " Jim Dent's low, fierce tones broke into the tensesilence, and Buck gave a growl of anger. 

"What's their game?" he muttered. 

"Run us down, there's no doubt of it, " replied Dent. "That skiff isbuilt of stiff teak planks, with a nose as sharp and hard as an ironspike. If they once hit this light sampan they'll cut it in two andscupper us. "

"Ay, ay, " said Buck, "and drop an oar on the head of a man who triesto swim. "

The long narrow row-boat was now heading for them as straight as anarrow. There could be no doubt of the rowers' intent. They meant torun down the slight sampan and hurl its occupants into the deadlycurrent below. Driven by six powerful oarsmen, the skiff was coming onat tremendous speed, and the shore was still a dim and distant line. 

Jim Dent spoke again quickly to the Shan, and the latter made a swiftreply and bent to his oars with all his might. He understood theirdanger better than any one, supposing that his light vessel was rundown, and he beat the water with long powerful strokes which drove thetiny craft forward with great power. Jim Dent had begun to rummage inthe stern, and soon drew out a broad-bladed steering paddle. He dippedthis into the water and added a strong dexterous stroke to theefforts of the boatman; now the sampan began to fly. 

"Isn't there anything for us, Jim?" cried Jack. "Must we sit idle?"

"There's not another thing to pull with in the boat, " said Dent. "I'lllay in with all the strength I've got with this paddle. We'll taketurns at it. "

Now commenced a stern, fierce race for life. The two men in the sampanfought with set brows and clenched teeth to gain the far-off shore andsave the lives of themselves and their comrades. The six rowers in thelong skiff lashed the water furiously with their oars in order toovertake and ram the slight vessel they pursued. One, two, threehundred yards were covered. Jack's heart sank. The skiff had gainedterribly. Manned by six powerful oarsmen, she was cutting down thedistance between them with frightful rapidity. In the sampan the Shanwas still pulling with undiminished energy, but Jim Dent was beginningto pant. Buck seized the paddle from his grip and took a turn. But theskiff continued to come up hand over hand. 

"She'll get us long before we reach the shore, " murmured Dent as hemarked the relative distances, and he spoke in the native tongue withthe Shan, who only answered with a grunt or two which had a sound ofacquiescence. 

"Give me the paddle, Buck, " said Dent. 

"No, no, " said Jack, "it's my turn. " Every muscle in his body wastingling to put its strength against the smooth current and the weightof the sampan. 

"We're going to try a little trick, " said Dent, and Jack perforce hadto sit still. He glanced down the river and saw a light low on thewater, as if a boat was coming towards them. He wondered whether itmeant chance of help, but in any case, it was far off, and the enemywere now terribly near, and his attention was drawn again to theirposition of immense peril. 

Dent and the boatman were now pulling easily, and the long skiffdarted up to them faster and faster still. Jack watched their pursuerswith a fascinated eye. There was not the faintest sound made, save forthe regular plash of the rising and falling oars. They were so nearthat he could see the naked backs of the oarsmen glisten as they swungtheir bodies to and fro in the starshine. Nearer, nearer, came thelong darting skiff. 

Jack held his breath. The sharp nose was within half a dozen feet ofthe stern of the flying sampan, for Dent and the boatman were oncemore pulling with all their might. For the first time a sound washeard from the pursuing boat. A single word rang out from thesteersman, and the rowers bent to one last tremendous effort to hurltheir stout skiff upon the fragile sampan. But at that very instantJim Dent dipped his paddle deep on the left side, the Shan made acorresponding movement with his oars, and the light vessel spun roundon her heel and darted away from the impending stroke. 

So close were the two boats when this skilful manoeuvre was executedthat the dripping bow oar of the pursuers was flourished almost inJack's face as the sampan flew round. He seized it, but did notattempt to snatch it from the oarsman's clutch. He had no time forthat, but he made splendid use of the chance afforded him. He gave ita tremendous push, and released it. The rower, caught by surprise, wasflung over the opposite gunwale, and the skiff was nearly upset. Asthe sampan darted away on her new course, the skiff was leftfloundering on the water. 

"Good for you, " chuckled Dent, who had seen the swift action and theconfusion it caused; "that's given us twenty yards, " and now heallowed Jack to seize the paddle. Kneeling on one knee in the bottomof the sampan, Jack put all his strength into the strokes of the broadpaddle. He had paddled a canoe often enough at home on the river whichran near the school, and his powerful young arms backed up theboatman's efforts to such purpose that the sampan travelled as it hadnever done before. Behind him he heard the fierce swish of oars, andknew that the skiff was once more in hot pursuit. 

Suddenly, without a hint of warning, the end came. Jack was justbeginning to thrust the paddle down for a strong, deep stroke when thesampan struck something. The shock was so great that Jack was flung onhis face. As he sprang up again he heard Buck cry, "She's hit afloating log. " The sampan was uninjured. She had struck the obstaclewith her tough keel-piece, and had been turned aside at right angles. The Shan had been flung down too, but was up in an instant andgathering his oars. But this loss of a moment gave the pursuing skiffher chance. Driven by twelve brawny arms, held straight as a dart, hersharp beak of stout, hard teak crashed into the light gunwale of thesampan, hit her broadside, and cut the little vessel down to thewater's edge. 

Scarcely recovered from the first shock, the second hurled Jackheadlong. He felt the sampan turn turtle under him, and in anothersecond he was shot into the dark, fierce current, and felt the watersclose over his head. 

CHAPTER IX. 

A CLOSE CALL. 

Jack did not rise at once. As he sank, the words of Buck flashed intohis mind, and he dived and swam swiftly down stream. When he couldstay under no longer, he came very slowly to the surface and put outhis face. He drew a deep breath and looked eagerly about for theenemy, dreading to see a heavy oar poised against the sky to beat aswimmer under. But there was nothing close at hand, and he trod waterand raised his head very carefully to look round. 

Suddenly the splash of an oar falling upon the water came to his ears. He looked behind him and saw the dark mass of the skiff thirty yardsaway. One of the oarsmen was standing up and striking at some objectin the water. A pang went through Jack's heart as he realised that oneof his companions must be there, struggling for his life, and beingbrutally beaten under. Then he saw the frightful danger in which hestood himself. At any moment the skiff might shoot towards him. Heturned and was about to strike away when a dark object appeared withina few yards of him down stream. 

It looked like a head, and Jack struck out for it. He swam in silence, and within half a dozen strokes had a man by the hair. He turned theface up to the starlight and saw that it was Jim Dent, and that thegunsmith appeared to be unconscious. Taking a firmer grip of Jim'shair, Jack struck out down stream and swam as fast as he could towardsthe approaching light, which was now much bigger and brighter. He hadturned on his side to swim, and looked back now and again as he roseto his stroke. To his horror he saw the long, dark line which markedthe skiff begin to move swiftly after him. It was difficult to swim insilence and support Jim. His splashes had marked them out to themurderers, and they were hastening to beat him and his helplesscompanion under before help could arrive. 

Jack marked the approaching light and lashed out more fiercely thanever. Unencumbered by Jim Dent, he would have had ten times as good achance of escaping from the human tigers who pursued him, but ofabandoning Jim, the gallant lad had never thought for a moment. Like asnake darting over the water, the skiff was upon them, and a figure inthe bow raised an oar to strike at Jack's head. Lifting himself highout of the water with a tremendous stroke, Jack yelled, "Help! help!"at the top of his voice. The oar fell, but the man had been flurriedby that sudden wild cry at his feet, and it missed its mark. Again heraised it and struck. Jack had turned on his back, and as the oarfell, he raised his hand, met the stroke, turned it aside, gripped theblade, and hung on desperately. The figure gave a muttered cry andstrove to draw the oar back. 

But now a warning murmur arose among his companions. The light wascoming on at great speed. Jack's cry had been heard, and the vesselwas rushing swiftly up to the place. The men in the skiff knew wellnow what vessel it was, and their only thought was of instant flight. The oar was abandoned, the skiff was turned round, and away it dartedinto the gloom which overhung the mid-stream. A moment later, a policelaunch, with its brightly-burning lamp, and two Sikh policemen aboard, shot up to the spot where Jack clung to the oar and to his comrade. 

In an instant the two were drawn into the vessel and Jack was tellinghis story. 

"There are two others of us in the river, " he said, and he raised hisvoice and shouted, "Buck! Buck!"

"Hello!" came a cry from some distance, and Jack's heart thrilled withrelief and delight. 

The launch was headed in the direction whence the reply came, and soonBuck's head appeared in the ring of light cast upon the water by thebright lamp. He was drawn into the launch, and then the littlesteamer, circling to and fro, scoured the river to find the Shanboatman. While this was being done, with one policeman keeping a watchfor the missing man, the second policeman, Risley, and Jack were hardat work on Jim Dent, trying to bring him back to consciousness. 

"Say, this is great, " suddenly snapped Buck. "I can feel old Jim'sheart beginning to thump. He'll do, he'll do. "

"Thank heaven, " breathed Jack, who had been terrified at Dent's whiteface and clenched teeth, and thought hope was gone. "He'll come roundthen, you think, Buck?"

"He'll come all right, " said Buck. "Keep on rubbing him. "

"We'll take you ashore, " said the first policeman; "there's no sign ofyour boatman. That was the man they were beating under, there is nodoubt. Do you know anything of the men who attacked you?"

"Nothing at all, " replied Buck. "We have no idea who they were. "

"River-thieves, " said the second policeman, "as hard to catch as amonkey in the jungle. They work by night always. If we hadn't come up, your bodies, stripped to the skin, would have been thrown up on theriver bank to-morrow. "

The police launch put them ashore near the rest-house where they werestaying, and Jim was now sufficiently recovered to be able to walk. 

"It was a close call that time, " he said. "Who held me up? The onlything I remember is hitting my head a terrific crack against the prowof the sampan as I went over. I knew nothing after that till I sat upon the deck of the police-boat. "

"Jack had got hold of you, good and all right, so the policeman toldme, " said Buck. "Where he found you I don't know. "

Jack was compelled perforce to tell his story, and Jim Dent expressedhis deep gratitude. 

"By George, sir, " he concluded, "I should have been a supper for analligator to-night if you hadn't stuck to me. Those murdering rogueswould have beaten me under easy enough, even if I hadn't been drownedbefore giving them the trouble. I've got to thank you for my life. "

"Oh, you'd have done the same for me, Jim, " said Jack. "We're bound tostick together. "

At this moment Buck, who had gone forward, gave a loud cry of pleasureand surprise. Jack and Dent hurried after him, and entered the door ofthe rest-house. Here they saw Buck slapping the Shan boatman on theshoulder. The man, like themselves, was dripping from the river, andwas telling his story to the Burman landlord. The latter acted asinterpreter, and they learned how the Shan, as much at home in theriver as out of it, had dodged the blows of the oar, and dived andswum so far that their assailants had believed him sunk for ever, andhad followed up Jack and Jim. Meanwhile the Shan had swum quietlyashore and walked up to the rest-house. His only trouble now was theloss of his sampan, and his grief was soon turned to joy when hereceived a sufficient sum of rupees to buy another and leave himsomething in pocket. 

"River-thieves, " was the comment of the landlord on the story. "Theyare very daring sometimes. Without doubt they heard you speak English, and hoped to make a fine booty by drowning and stripping you. " Hebustled off to get them a supper, and Buck looked at his companions. 

"I dunno as I put much faith in this river-thief theory, " he remarked. "It's handy and natural, an' all these people jump at it, of course, but I don't think there was much river-thieves about that lot. "

"Nor me, Buck, " rejoined Dent. "I'd be willing to lay a trifle thatsome friends of U Saw had a finger in that little pie. It would havebeen a nice clean sweep of us, and as safe a way of being rid of us ascould easily be found. "

"After this I'm going to wear a gun, " remarked Buck. "I fancy itwould have been rather useful if you could have pumped a few bits oflead into that boat as it came swinging into us. "

"Very useful, Buck, " returned Jack, "but after all, this afternoon wewere in a train where it would have seemed as out of place to wear apistol as if you were going from the Mansion House to Westminster. "

"Yes, things change mighty quick in this country, " said Buck, "andyou've got to be ready to change with 'em. "

"By the way, " said Jack, "those fellows who attacked us seemed to havenothing to shoot with. "

"Best for them not, " remarked Dent. "They've got their own way ofgoing to work, and a good one too. Their chief aim is to work insilence. Suppose they'd cracked off gun or pistol at us. A sound likethat travels a long way over water, and draws a lot of attention. Yousee what a sharp watch the river-police keep. Instead of one launch ona regular patrol, there would have been three or four shooting up tosee what the row was about. "

They stripped off their wet clothes, gave them to the Burman landlordto dry, and put on fresh garments from their baggage. Jim Dentunstrapped the ammunition case, and each took a revolver, carefullyloaded it, and put it in a pocket hidden by the tunic. 

"We don't want to walk about with holsters strapped round us justyet, " said Buck, "and at the same time we might want to do someshooting at any minute. My opinion is that the gang is watching us allthe time. "

"So I think, " said Jack. "How can we drop them, I wonder, so that wecan make a start on our expedition without being ambushed as soon aswe strike into the jungle?"

"It's going to be mighty dangerous to go into the Mogok country andfollow up the Professor's trail straight from the beginning, " saidBuck. "We shall be spotted at once, and, as Jack says, an ambush willbe laid for us as soon as we hit the jungle and leave the lastpoliceman behind. "

Jim Dent scratched his jaw thoughtfully. 

"They're a trifle too handy at layin' a trap for you, " he remarked. "Let's have a squint at the map. We ain't bound to follow just theonly track which would give U Saw and his men the chance to scupper uswithout givin' us a chance to lay one or two of 'em out. "

The map was spread on a table, and all three bent over it. 

"See, now, " said Jim, "everybody knows the road to Mogok. You go upthe river by steamer to Thabeit-Kyim, and then you've got sixty milesof road across the hills to the ruby-mines. "

"And the road about as quiet as Piccadilly on a fine afternoon inJune, " remarked Buck. "There are mule-trains and bullock-carts, an'men walkin' an' men ridin'. You can no more keep yourself hidden onthat road than you can if you walked down the main street ofMandalay. "

"Can't we take the place in flank?" asked Jack. "Drop somehow on myfather's line without giving them such warning as they would receiveby seeing us about Mogok?"

"Why, the bother is, " said Jim, "we don't know the Professor's trail. We must pick up one of his guides. Buck, here, can lay his hand on oneof the people who accompanied your father easily enough, but he's gotto be in Mogok to do it. "

"Wait a bit, " said Buck. "Not so fast, Jim, my son. I see a glimpse o'daylight. What's this place farther up the river, Kyan Nyat. That'swhere the man came from who was the Professor's head man on his lasttrip, the chap who engaged the coolies and looked after everything. Hewas about as useful as they make 'em, the Professor said when he gotback. His name's Me Dain, and he told me he was going back to hisnative village. He was tired of Mogok. "

"We'll look him up then, Buck, " said Jack. "If we can get hold of him, he could pilot us across country. "

"Yes, yes, " said Jim. "Straight from the river. Very good, now we knowwhat we're after. The sailing orders are Kyan Nyat. "

CHAPTER X. 

THE DACOITS. 

Two days later a swift river steamer dropped three travellers andtheir belongings at the riverside village, and a couple of cooliescarried the baggage to a rest-house on the crest of a slope above thewide stream. 

"Me Dain, " said the landlord of the rest-house, a huge, fat Chetti, with shaven head and scantily-clothed body. "Oh, yes, sahibs, he liveshere. He has returned from the ruby-mines with much pay, and has builthimself a fine, new house. I will send a messenger for him at once. "Within half an hour Me Dain appeared, a middle-sized, powerfully-builtBurman, with a broad, flattish, good-humoured face, marked by highcheekbones. At sight of Buck, a merry face lighted up with the widestof smiles, and he rushed forward to greet him. 

"Well, Me Dain, " said Buck. "How are you getting on now?"

"Pretty good, yes, pretty good, " replied Me Dain, who had picked up afair amount of English on his travels. "And you, and the SahibHaydon?"

"This is the sahib's son, " said Buck, pointing to Jack, and the Burmanbent very politely. 

"I am very glad to know you, Me Dain, " said Jack. "My father hasspoken very well of you. "

"The Sahib was always kind to the poorest and worst of his servants, "replied the Burman. "I, Me Dain, was always glad to be of use to sokind a master. "

"Come aside with me, Me Dain, " said Buck, and the whole party movedout of earshot of the inquisitive Chetti, hanging about to hear whatpassed between the sahibs and his neighbour. 

In two minutes Me Dain agreed to go with them. They had no difficultywhatever in enlisting him. Despite his monied leisure and his newhouse, Me Dain was already bored by the quiet life of his nativevillage, where nothing happened save that a river-steamer sellinggoods called once a week. He was already longing for the trail and thecamp fire, and closed without delay on the good offer Jack made him toact as guide to the region where Mr. Haydon had been surveying Lane &Baumann's concession. 

"When we start?" asked Me Dain. 

"To-morrow morning, " said Jack, and the Burman grinned. 

"Then we be very busy at once, " he replied, and their preparations forthe march were commenced forthwith. 

"Can't we manage without coolies?" said Jack, and Buck nodded. 

"Best plan, " said Jim Dent. "Just the four of us, and a couple ofponies to carry the traps. " And so it was decided. 

The dawn of the next day saw them afoot and leaving the rest-house. Their baggage was strapped on a couple of Burmese ponies, strong, shapely little beasts, not more than twelve hands high, hardy as wildboars, nimble as cats. 

Me Dain marched ahead with the ponies, and the three comrades walkedbehind. The Burman followed a country road which soon took themthrough tall palm groves out of sight of the river, and then began toclimb upwards. They made a march of four hours, when a halt was calledon a lofty ridge, where they sat down in a little clearing to eat andrest. 

"That's the country we've got to push through, " said Jim Dent, andpointed ahead. 

Jack gazed eagerly on the magnificent scene which filled the vastoutlook before him. Peak upon peak, spur upon spur, rose a vast arrayof wild mountains running to the north-west, till a range of greatsummits closed in the horizon. 

"See that big mountain shining red over there, the one with twinpeaks?" continued Jim. 

"Yes, " said Jack, "I see it plainly. "

"That's near upon seventy miles from here, " returned Jim, "and lies inthe ruby country. That's the finest ground in the whole world for theruby hunter, " and he swung his hand in the direction of the vast sweepof wild hill country into which they were about to plunge. 

For three days their march was quite uneventful. By day Me Dain ledthem along secret ways, sometimes mule tracks, sometimes hiddencountry roads, sometimes through trackless jungle where he steered acourse as straight as a ship at sea. Then, towards evening on thethird day, he rejoiced them by describing a village where he intendedto spend the night, and at the thought of fresh warm milk, eggs, chickens, fruit, and such like provisions to be obtained there, thefour travellers made swinging headway. 

Presently Me Dain pointed forward and said, "Here we are, " and theysaw the slender spire of a pagoda dart above the low trees ahead. Afew steps again carried them from the forest path they were followingto a narrow track deeply printed with the hoof-marks of cattle. 

"Here's the village highway, " said Buck, and the Burman looked backand grinned and nodded. 

The prospect of a night in a village with an exchange of gossip, athing so dear to the Burman heart, put speed into his heels. Hetrotted forward, and the baggage ponies broke into a trot also. Jack, eager to see every new sight on the march through this strange andwonderful land, ran after him, and the two others came leisurelybehind. Me Dain vanished round a bend in the path, and, almost as hedid so, gave a wild cry. 

Jack bounded forward and gave a gasp of astonishment at theextraordinary sight before him. Four little men, clothed in blue, hadleapt upon Me Dain from the bushes which lined the way. The powerfulBurman was fighting desperately, and the ponies had run on ahead. Butthe four assailants were too much for him. They beset him on everyside, clutching him, grappling with him like four wolves pulling downa deer. But even as Jack came into sight, the strangers had masteredMe Dain, and in a second he was dragged to the ground. With incrediblespeed and quickness they flung loops of rope around ankles andwrists, ran them taut, and made the Burman a prisoner. Then two ofthem dropped on Me Dain's legs and arms, and the third seized his hairand dragged his head forward. The fourth leapt a pace back as nimblyas a panther, and swung up a short, broad, heavy sword. 

It had all taken place so quickly that Jack had barely jerked hisMauser pistol from his holster when all was ready for the decapitationof their guide. But as the gleaming blade flashed above the head ofthe little man in blue, Jack laid the muzzle true for his ribs andpulled the trigger. The heavy bullet tore its way through theheadsman's body, and with a wild cry he pitched forward on thecaptive's prostrate form. His three companions vanished into thejungle beside them as Jack ran forward. He did not dare to fire atthem, for he might have struck Me Dain. Not one of them rose, butdarted away along the ground like four-footed creatures, and just asnimbly. Jack whipped out his knife and slashed the bonds across; theBurman at once leapt to his feet. As he did so, the other two ran up, pistol in hand. 

"An attack!" cried Buck. "What's this game? Why, it's a Kachin. Youdropped him, Jack?"

"Yes, " said Jack, "he was going to lop Me Dain's head off with thissword. "

Jim picked the blade up and looked at it carefully. 

"A Kachin _dah_ (native sword), " he said. "Did you see any more ofthem about, Jack?"

"Yes, there were four; three of them have cut into the jungle. "

"Come on, sahibs, " cried Me Dain, who was very little disturbed by hisqueer experience, "this dangerous place to stop. Perhaps they comeback with _jingals_ (native guns). "

"What do you make of it, Me Dain?" said Buck. 

"Dacoits, sahib, dacoits; let us hurry. That man is dead, " pointing tohis would-be executioner, "but plenty more in the forest. " He seizedthe _dah_ as a weapon for himself, and all four hurried after theponies, who had come to a stand fifty yards farther along the narrowway. 

"Queer business, dacoits so near a village, " muttered Jim. "Let's seewhat the headman has got to say about it. "

CHAPTER XI. 

BELEAGUERED. 

But they found no headman to tell them anything. The forest clearing, where the village had stood, was a scene of destruction. Their eyesfell upon ruined houses and burned huts, with here and there a figurelying about. They paused beside the first which lay in their way. Itwas the body of a big, heavy man, a Chetti, as they saw at once by hisbuild, scored with the most terrible slashes. 

"That's the work of a _dah_, " said Buck. "This village has been raidedby dacoits, and, by thunder, they're not far off. "

Everyone looked round uneasily. The forest lay calm and silent in theevening sunshine all about the clearing, and no sign of a blue-clothedfigure was to be seen on its edge, yet all felt that the dacoits werenear, and that great danger hung over them. Jack had heard many timesof the Kachin dacoits, the terrible mountain banditti who descend attimes from their hills to plunder and slay, and now he was face toface with them. 

"See how it was, " said Jim. "This village was raided at daybreak thismorning. Not a body has been torn by a wild animal, and the beastswould have been busy enough to-night. Then some of 'em were leftlurking about, and they spied Me Dain coming, didn't see us behind, and thought he was coming to the village alone. Of course they slippedout of the bushes and nabbed him, thinking to whiff off his head andturn the ponies' packs out at their own leisure. But Jack upset theirlittle plan, and Me Dain's head stops in the right spot. "

"Many thanks, _phaya_ (my lord), many thanks, " said Me Dain, bendinglow before Jack. "Your servant thanks you for his life. "

Crack! There was a dull roar as of someone firing a very heavyduck-gun from the forest, and a ball whistled by their heads. 

"A _jingal_!" cried Buck. "We've got to hustle round and find shelter. The dacoits are on us. "

"The pagoda, sahibs, " cried Me Dain. "It is the only place of stone inthe village. Let us hasten there. "

He gathered up the leading-reins of the ponies--which had been easilycaught--and hurried towards the spire. The others ran swiftly afterhim, their steps hastened by the roar of a second shot and the whistleof a second heavy ball. 

In a couple of minutes they had reached the pagoda and leaped on theplatform between the columns which supported the bulb-like roofcrowned by its tapering spire. In the centre of the platform was ashrine. Jack glanced quickly round. 

"This won't do, " he said, "not enough cover here, supposing thedacoits attack us. What's that place?"

He pointed to a new, strongly-built house of stone a short distancefrom the pagoda. 

Me Dain looked at it in surprise. "It has been built since I was herelast, " he cried. 

"Looks just the thing for us, " said Jack. "Come on, " and the wholeparty hurried across to the building, whose door stood half open. 

"It is a small monastery, " cried Me Dain, as they approached, "somerich man has been winning merit since I was last this way. Stay amoment, sahibs; I will enter and see that all is safe. " He flung theleading-reins to Buck and darted forward. In a few moments hereappeared, and cried out, "There is no one here but a woundedvillager, sahibs. Come on, we shall be safe from the dacoits' guns inthis new, strong house. "

The party entered through a door formed of strong teak slabs, and MeDain closed it behind them. They now found themselves in a large, wideapartment, formed of the whole ground floor of the building, fromwhich wooden stairs led to upper rooms. 

At the foot of the stairs was huddled a fine-looking old man, whoserich silken kilt and jacket of delicate muslin showed that he was aperson of consequence. He had received a severe cut from a _dah_ onthe left shoulder, and while Me Dain skilfully bound up the wound, hetalked with the old man and learned the story of the affair. 

It proved to be the outcome of a blood-feud, one of those savagevendettas so common among the hill-tribes of Burmah. A band of Kachindacoits had raided near the village some six months before, and threeof the dacoits had been cut off and killed by the villagers. Now, inrevenge, a strong troop of the savage mountain banditti had fallenupon the village, burning, slaying, plundering without mercy. The oldman had fled for refuge to the monastery, his own monastery, for hehad built it to house a party of Burmese monks. 

"I am Kyaung-Taga Pah, 'Builder of a Monastery Pah, '" he declaredproudly, and Me Dain bowed before him in much respect. 

It is the great ambition of a wealthy Burman to show his piety bybuilding a pagoda or a monastery, and when he has done so, he isalways saluted by his fellows as "Builder of a Monastery, " or "Builderof a Pagoda, " titles held in very high regard. This was the meaning ofMe Dain's phrase about some rich man winning merit, for it isconsidered that such good works meet with the deep approval of thegods. 

When "The Builder of a Monastery, " Pah, had finished his story, Buckinquired where the monks were, for, as a rule, such holy men are safeeven in blood-feuds. The old Burman replied that they were absent atpresent. There was a great festival at a large village three days'journey away, and the monks had gone to attend it. 

Jim had stayed at the door, keeping watch and ward. 

"We're in for a little blood-feud, too, " he remarked. "They're dottin'about pretty lively at the edge of the jungle. "

Jack ran across to him and saw a large number of little figures inblue flitting through the trees; now and again he caught a flash ofsteel as some naked _dah_ glittered in the rays of the sinking sun. Buck had come too, and was looking over his comrade's shoulders. 

"Say, we shall have to flip our guns a bit before we drive thoseblood-thirsty little ferrets away, " he remarked. 

"Yes, they'll do their level best to cut our throats, " agreed Jim. "They're like a nest of hornets. Touch one and you've touched thelot. "

"Hullo, they're bringing something forward, " cried Jack. "It lookslike a clumsy gun on a stand. "

"That's a _jingal_, " said Jim. "They're laying it for the door. We'llget out of the way. It's a clumsy weapon and a clumsy ball, but if ithits you, you get all you want an' a little bit over. I remember in'85"--for Jim had once been a British redcoat and had fought in theBurmese war--"we were carrying a stockade with a rush, and a chum o'mine got a _jingal_-ball and went down. He must have been a dead manwhen he dropped, for we found afterwards that the ball had fairlyripped the inside out of the poor chap. "

He closed the door as he finished speaking, and a heavy bar was placedin position across the stout planks. From one of the small, slit-likewindows they watched the movements of the dacoits. The _jingal_, a bigmuzzle-loader on a stand of iron forks, was touched off and a heavyshot crashed into the door. 

"Whew!" whistled Jim. "That's a heavier shot than I thought. That bitof iron weighed nearer half a pound than anything. "

"It's cut into the door pretty badly, " cried Jack, who had run forwardto look, and found a long streak of white in the plank which had beenstruck. "We shall have to stop that or the door will be down. "

"Sure thing, " said Buck, "an' those little tigers away to the left o'the _jingal_ are massing for a rush as soon as the gunners have workedthe door loose. "

"You're right, Buck, " said Jack, who had returned to his window. "Lookhere, " he went on, "there are three windows facing that patch ofjungle where the dacoits are clustered. We'll take a window apiece. I'll give the word, and we'll empty our magazines into them as fast aswe can pull the trigger. "

"Good plan, " cried Buck. "It will show 'em we're well armed and anawkward lot to tackle, even if we don't scare 'em off. "

"There ain't much scare about them, worse luck, " said Jim, "but we'llpepper 'em a bit an' see what happens anyhow. "

Each of them had unslung his Mannlicher and held it in hand since themoment of the first alarm, and now they opened the magazine and sawthat all was in perfect order. Then they threw the deadly littlerifles into the embrasures formed by the window slits, and all wasready for the word. 

"Fire!" cried Jack, and the swift trill of rifle-cracks rang out onthe soft evening silence. As swiftly as they could press finger ontrigger, the three comrades emptied their magazines completely intothe fringe of forest three hundred yards away. This storm of tiny, whirling slips of lead struck among the dacoits at point blank range, and, by the screams and yells of the banditti, did much execution. Thewatchers distinctly saw three or four fall, but these were swiftlydragged among the trees by their comrades, and for a moment not asingle dacoit was to be seen. Then, just inside the shelter of thetrees, five figures were observed very busy placing a new _jingal_ inposition. At a glance the besieged saw that the gun was much largerthan the first, and would throw a heavier ball. 

"We shall have to pick off those fellows at work with the new gun, "said Jack. "Perhaps that will terrify them into flight. "

"I hope so, " said Jim, but there was not much hope in his voice. "Theworst of these little chaps is that they never know when they'rebeaten. They'll give their lives to get yours, as cheerfully aspossible. "

"And they don't set any high value on their lives, either, " chimed inBuck. "Whoever's runnin' the show over there, he'll spend his men'sblood like water for the chance o' catchin' us and puttin' us to deathas slowly as he can make the time spin out. "

"Slowly? Killing us slowly, Buck?" said Jack. "What do you mean?"

"Torture, " replied Buck, and the one dreadful word was answer enough. 

Crack! It was Jim's Mannlicher which spoke, but the bullet missed itsaim. The dacoits at work about the big _jingal_ had artfully placedthe weapon so that its mouth pointed from between two close-growingteak saplings, and the trees formed a safe cover for the gunners. 

"I thought I could pick one of 'em off that time, " remarked Jim, "butI believe I only hit a tree after all. "

At this instant a figure was seen for a moment behind the long gun. Adacoit stepped into view, crouched down, and carefully trained thepiece. There was a second crack, and the freebooter dropped under the_jingal_ and never moved. Jack had fired and sent a Mannlicher bulletthrough the dacoit's brain. 

"I say, you can shoot a bit, " cried Jim Dent admiringly, and Buckchuckled. 

"I guess he can, Jim. He put on a very pretty string o' bull's-eyes atBisley, shootin' in the competition for public schools. The Professorgrinned all over his face when he read how Jack headed the list with ahighest possible. "

Buck's speech was cut short by a loud roar from the _jingal_. Thefallen dacoit had trained it perfectly before he dropped, and acomrade now touched off the piece. At the next moment a terrific crashrang through the building. The heavy missile had lighted full on thepoint where the door was secured by the stout bar, had smashed its waythrough door and bar and hurled the door open. As the portal flewback, there was a tremendous yell from the edge of the jungle. Then acloud of blue figures burst into sight. With gleaming _dahs_flourished on high, or long-barrelled muskets thrown forward ready tofire, the blood-thirsty little men of the mountains rushed upon theirprey. 

CHAPTER XII. 

A FIGHT FOR LIFE. 

Jack ran forward to the door and tried to thrust it into place again. It swung to, for its hinges were uninjured, and as he closed it, MeDain was beside him with a short, thick plank he had brought from theother side of the room. The plank was placed diagonally against thedoor, its head caught under a cross-bar piece of the framework, and, for the moment, the open gap was filled up. The rifles in the hands ofJim and Buck had been going steadily from the moment the Kachins flewout of their cover, and Jack now poked the muzzle of his weaponthrough a broken plank, and fired swiftly and steadily into the massof assailants racing directly towards him. The whole thing happened soquickly that the dacoits had not crossed more than one half of thespace intervening between monastery and jungle when Jack opened fire. 

The withering storm of bullets poured from the three magazines had nomore effect in checking the dacoit rush than if the bullets had beendrops of rain. The men actually struck dropped, of course, but theircomrades were not in the least terrified by their fall. The short, broad, powerful figures rushed on as undauntedly as ever, their dark, wild faces full of the savage light of battle, their rough, deepvoices uniting in a terrible yell of rage and of fierce lust forvengeance. A shower of bullets from their muzzle loaders pattered onthe door or whistled in through the windows. 

Buck gave a grunt of pain as a bullet cut him across a shoulder; Jimand Jack were untouched. The Kachins did not stay to reload, and inanother moment their dark faces and blue forms were massed in thedoorway, and the door rang under the tremendous blows delivered uponit by their _dahs_, weapons so broad and heavy as to be sword and axein one. The windows, luckily, were too narrow for them to swarmthrough, and when Jim and Buck could no longer rake the flying crowd, they ran to the door to help their young leader. This was the momentwhen the Mauser pistol proved itself an invaluable weapon. Quicker andhandier in the narrow space than a rifle, it poured its stream ofheavy bullets into the assailants in an almost unbroken stream, as thedefenders slipped clip after clip, each containing ten cartridges, into the magazine. 

Fanatically brave as were the desperate Kachins, this was a punishmenttoo severe for mortal flesh and blood to endure. Of a sudden theybroke and fled, leaving a heap of dead and wounded about the door, anda trail of fallen men to mark the track they had followed. 

"Are you hurt, Buck?" cried Jack, drawing a long breath. Fiercely asthey had been pressed, he had not forgotten Risley's grunt of pain. 

"Snicked my shoulder, that's all, " replied Buck. 

Jim looked at the wound and nodded. 

"A snick it is, Buck, " he agreed, "and a lucky thing for you. A bitlower, and it would have smashed the bone. "

"We'll wash the wound and tie it up, " said Jack. 

"Later on, later on, " murmured Buck. "We've got no time to spare atpresent. What's the little move next with these boys in blue. "

"Do you think they will attack us again?" cried Jack. 

"Sure thing, " said Buck, "they're a tough crew, I can tell you. We'vegot a lot more to do before we chill 'em cold. "

"That's true, " said Dent. "After they smell blood there's no moreholdin' them than you can hold a tiger. "

"We've punished them terribly already, " said Jack. 

It was his first battle, and in true English fashion he had fought hishardest for his own life and the lives of his comrades. Now he lookedwith a troubled eye on the fallen, and sighed. 

Jim Dent nodded at him with a friendly smile. "I know just how youfeel, Jack, " he said. "But the thing is pure necessity. If you hadn'tshot that chap back in the path there, he'd have had Me Dain's headoff as sure as sin, and after you shot him, the rest followed asstraight as a string. "

"True, Jim, " said Jack, "the whole thing lies at their door. "

"Say, Jack, " murmured Buck, "you'd better get your Bisley bull's-eyetrick on that _jingal_ again. They're goin' to try another shot ortwo. "

Jack ran to the window, and as he did so, the _jingal_ roared, andcrash came the heavy shot into the door. It struck a weak place, burst through, and rolled across the floor. In another moment Buck hadpicked it up and brought it forward. 

"Say, boys, " murmured Risley, "no wonder this _jingal_ makes the poorold door crack. Look here!" He displayed a ball of iron, nearly thesize of a cricket ball. 

"By George! What a smasher!" said Dent. "The door's bound to go ifthey can get two or three of those straight on it. "

Jack glanced at the heavy shot, then turned to the window to watch forthe gunners in order to check them in working their destructive piece. 

"I can't see them, " he said. "There's no sign of them at all. "

Jim and Buck joined him at once. 

"There's the bunch of trees they were at work among, " said Dent. "Theymust have drawn the _jingal_ farther back into the jungle. "

"Yes, but if they can shoot at us we ought to be able to see them, "said Jack. 

"Sure thing, " murmured Buck. "Where's the little old cannon gone to?"

In another moment all three gave a cry of surprise. The mystery wasmade clear before their eyes. A sudden puff of smoke burst from atangle of vines and creepers twenty yards to the left of the _jingals_former position, and a second ball crashed into the door, shook everyplank in it, and ripped a great piece out where it struck. The dacoitshad swiftly cut down and lashed a number of saplings across a coupleof trees to form a cover for their gun. Over the slight barricade theyhad thrown a great tangle of creeping plants, and the whole concealedand protected them in a wonderful fashion. 

"They know how to play their own game, " said Jack, as he searched thespot with a few bullets. "They're hidden all right. "

"Sure thing, " said Buck. "They're up to all the tricks of the jungle. I don't see how we're going to stop 'em gettin' the door down now. It's pure luck firin' into that tangle. "

Within the next half hour Buck's fears were verified. Shot after shotwas launched from the heavy _jingal_, and at the short range thegunners found the door an easy mark, and pounded it again and againuntil it was utterly shattered, and the opening into their strongholdwas left defenceless. Nor could the besieged make the gap good withany other barrier. Between the firing of the heavy balls a steadyfusillade of musketry was poured into the doorway, and no one dared toshow himself there. 

The three comrades stood each at a narrow window, each with hisweapons charged, and his mind sternly resolved to make the bandittipay a heavy price for his life. 

"They'll come again soon, " muttered Jim Dent. "We must pump lead into'em like mad as they cross the open, then hold the doorway as long aswe can. "

"Yes, " agreed Jack. "We must not let them get in if there's any way ofkeeping them out. Once they surround us, their _dahs_ will finish thestruggle in a few strokes. "

"Say, I fancy I see a bunch of 'em just beyond the _jingal_, " saidBuck. He fired, but there was no sign that his bullet had takeneffect. "They're gone again, " he continued in a tone ofdisappointment. 

There was now silence while each watched the fringe of the jungle withthe utmost vigilance. Minute after minute passed, and not a signappeared of the terrible little dacoits. The _jingal_ was fired nomore, the musketry had dropped, and the stillness remained perfectlyunbroken. Anyone less experienced in jungle warfare than Jim Dentwould have concluded that the fierce Kachins for once had had theirfill of fighting, and had retired towards their fastnesses among thehills. But he bade his comrades stand close and be ready. 

"There is some trick in the wind, " he said. "What it is we shall seebefore long if we keep our eyes open. "

Suddenly into this silence came the sound of heavy blows on the planksover their heads. These planks formed the ceiling of the lower roomand the floor of the upper. The noise in this unexpected directionmade them jump, and then Buck roared, "Who's aloft?"

The head of Me Dain was now shown at the head of the flight of stepsleading to the next story. 

"Me up here, " said the Burman. "Me got a job. " He held in his hand theheavy _dah_ which had so nearly been driven through his own neck, andhe now returned to his task without making any further explanation. Buck moved as if to investigate into the Burman's doings, but at thismoment Jack gave a cry of surprise, and he turned hastily back to hiswindow. 

"What do you see, Jack?" said Dent quickly. "Are they coming?"

"Something's coming, " cried Jack, and pointed. "Look straight oppositeto us, " he went on. "It seems as if a piece of the jungle were movingupon us. "

CHAPTER XIII. 

A CUNNING TRICK. 

Jim and Buck followed the direction of his outstretched finger, andthen gasped in surprise. As Jack said, it seemed as if a patch ofjungle had begun to move. A mass of tangled greenery was edgingsteadily forward from the sharp line where the forest ended, and wasmaking its way very slowly across the open towards them. For a momentthe whole thing looked horribly uncanny, then at the next instant theexplanation flashed upon them. 

"Say, that's a deep game, " cried Buck. "We're in for a hard streak o'weather, boys. They're coming on in shelter of a movin' barricade. "

So they were. The cunning little men in blue had set their savagehearts on the blood of the white men, and were sparing no effort tocompass the destruction of their enemies. But the terrible hail ofbullets from those steady rifles was a thing they must avoid, or theattacking party would be wiped out before the shattered door wasreached. So they were coming on under cover. The thing was simplyenough contrived. They had cut down young palms and saplings andlashed them together with tough creepers. Thus they had formed alittle palisade six feet high and fifteen feet along. Into the jointseverywhere they had thrust great feathery bushes of the wild plum, completely concealing every sign of themselves. Six of the sturdylittle highland caterans were strung along behind the palisade. Totheir muscles of iron it was the simplest thing in the world to swingthe barricade forward a step at a time, and behind them crept a scoreof their comrades with _dah_ and musket ready for action. 

"They'll march right up to us if we can't stop them in some fashion, "cried Jack, and he fired his Mannlicher into the palisade. The othersfollowed his example, and for a few moments they searched the oncomingmass of greenery with a close fire. 

"There's something behind those bushes of wild plum, " said Jim Dent. "Can't you hear the bullets striking into wood? They've formed a bigshield of logs, and are pushing it forward. "

Now that their advance was known, the Kachins gave up their silence. The bearers began to shout to give each other the time and to maketheir movements regular and swift. "Ai-ai-Ai!" they shouted. On thelast cry they all lifted and swung the barricade a step forward, "Ai-ai-Ai!" On they came again, "Ai-ai-Ai!" Another swing of theirburden, and so they cut down the distance foot by foot, and theblood-thirsty little men who crawled after them felt the edges oftheir _dahs_ and promised to dull the shine of the great blades in theblood of the English sahibs who had shot so many of their friends. 

In the building, Jack and his comrades were at their wits' end toknow what to do in order to check this deadly advance. 

"They're standing us off easily enough, " cried Jack. "At the ratethey're coming, they'll be up to the door in a quarter of an hour, andthen they'll swarm straight in on us. These bullets are too light tocheck them. " Suddenly he turned on Dent, his bright eyes flashing. "Jim, Jim!" he cried, "what are we thinking of? Didn't you pack aheavy big-game rifle among the baggage?"

Jim Dent leapt as if he had been shot. 

"Of course I did, " he roared. "I put it in on chance of being usefulif we had trouble with tigers or a rogue elephant. " He darted acrossto the baggage ponies, who had been tethered in a far corner of thelarge room, and swiftly cut a case loose. He unstrapped it and drewout an eight-bore rifle, a big powerful weapon. In a corner of thecase was a package of the cartridges which fitted the rifle. Jimcaught up the packet and ran back to his window. 

"The very thing, " he breathed in the utmost excitement, "and I stoodhere like a dummy and never remembered it was with us till you thoughtof it, Jack. Unless they've got some very stiff stuff in yonderpalisade, I'll send a bullet through it as if it was only paper. I'vetried this gun with nickel-covered bullets such as these, and sent thebullet through eight one-inch teak planks and five inches of wetsawdust. "

"That ought to be good enough, " cried Buck. "Pipe the lead into 'em, Jim, and me and Jack will watch for any you drive out of cover if yourbullet goes through. "

"If, " snorted Jim, as he threw open the breech and slipped in the bigcartridge, "I'll show you. "

He threw the elephant gun forward and fired at the centre of thepalisade. There was an instant scream. The immensely powerful weaponhad driven the bullet straight through the centre of a palm log, through the body of the dacoit behind, and wounded one of the partyfollowing up. 

Jim whipped open the breech, and the empty shell flew out, for therifle was an ejector. His practised hands had another cartridge in andthe breech closed in an instant. He fired again and then again, aimingeach time at a different spot in the palisade. There was a roar ofanger from the hidden Kachins, a roar answered by an exultant shoutfrom the besieged. 

"Pipe it into 'em, Jim, " roared Buck. "You're gettin' home every shot. Hark at 'em squealin'. "

The barricade had now come to a standstill, and it trembled all overevery time that it was struck by the heavy bullet travelling atterrific speed at so short a range. 

"Fire low, Jim, " cried Jack, "they have stopped and are crouching atthe foot of the palisade, I know. "

Jim fired low, and his shot was answered by a fresh outburst of yellsof pain and rage. Suddenly the palisade began to waver, then it slowlyfell over, as a stream of blue-clothed figures darted from itsinsufficient shelter. The dacoits did not make either for the door ofthe hut nor for the jungle they had left. The pagoda was the nearestcover to them, and they raced for it with all their speed, thequick-firing Mannlichers scourging them with a whistling shower oflead as they flew. When the last Kachin who could run had disappearedbehind the building, the comrades checked their fire and looked ateach other with joyful eyes. Jim slapped the breech of the eight-boreexultantly. 

"It sent every bullet through their shield like a cannon!" he cried. "Lucky I put it in; they'd have got up to the door all right if ithadn't stopped 'em. "

"They would, indeed, Jim, " replied Jack, "and it would have been allover with us then. "

"Sure thing, " agreed Buck. "We should ha' hit the long trail in shortorder. "

"What's the next move?" cried Jack. 

"Hard to say, " replied Jim. "We can do nothing but watch 'em. "

Watch them they did. The three comrades kept a steady look-out, butthe sun went down, and the swift dark of the tropics fell over jungleand clearing, and the dacoits had given no further sign of theirpresence. The approach of night filled the besieged with the greatestuneasiness. There was no moon to light the early hours of thedarkness, and in the deep gloom the dacoits could creep upon themunseen and swarm over them by sheer force of numbers. But just as duskfell, Me Dain began to drag down a number of planks and posts fromaloft. This was the fruit of his hacking away with the heavy _dah_. Hehad cut loose enough timber to make a very useful barrier at the opendoorway, and he and Jim made the strongest barricade they could whilethe others kept watch. 

When night fell they kept their places, every ear strained to catchthe faintest sound. They had only to watch one side of the groundfloor where they stood. Three of the walls were solid and verystrongly built; the fourth was pierced by the windows and the door, and here they had taken their stand from the first. 

About two hours after dark, Me Dain came to the head of the stairsleading to the next floor. He had been stationed there to move fromone to the other of the upper windows and keep strict watch all round. 

"Come here now, " said Me Dain. 

"I'll go, " murmured Jack, and he groped his way across the floor tothe foot of the wooden steps. Up he went, and found the Burman waitingfor him at the top. 

"Me think some men this way, " muttered Me Dain, and took Jack'sshoulder to lead him through the darkness of the unlighted passageabove. 

"Which way?" whispered Jack eagerly, clutching his rifle. "Are theycreeping on us from the back, Me Dain?"

"Me think so, " replied the Burman, and led Jack to a long, narrow roomat the back of the monastery, a room lighted by a large window. Comingfrom the blackness of the passages, Jack saw the window clearly, agrey patch in the gloom of the walls. He ran across to it and lookedout. The window was high above the ground, twenty feet at least, andlooked upon a tangle of low bushes which ran almost to the wall of thebuilding. 

"Men in the bushes. Me hear them, " said Me Dain. 

Jack nodded, and watched intently. The window was a mere hole in thewall, closed, when necessary, by a shutter. At present the shutter wasfastened back, and Jack could hear every sound that was made below. 

Presently his ears caught a rustling among the bushes, and he threwhis rifle forward. Then he returned it to the hollow of his arm. Hewould wait and see what were the plans of the freebooters now ambushedbelow. At this moment he found Me Dain's lips at his ear. 

"They make ladder and come up here, " breathed the Burman. 

Jack nodded. That was the idea that had already struck him. Well, itwould be easy enough from above to sweep the ladder with a swift riflefire and drive the dacoits back into their hiding-place. 

Then another idea struck him, and he turned it over and over. To drivethem back. Yes, that was all right. But it would still leave him andhis comrades prisoners with the Kachins in hiding about the monasteryand thirsting for their blood. Would it be possible to win a chance ofescape out of this? It seemed to him there was a chance, just a barechance, and he resolved to seize it. He drew Me Dain back into theshadows, and whispered softly, "How many doors lead into this room?"

"One, " answered the Burman, who had thoroughly explored the monasterybefore the dusk fell. 

"Can you fasten it?"

"Yes, very easy. Big lock, strong lock, and key in it. "

"All right, " said Jack. "Now you keep watch on, the men below. I'll beback soon. "

CHAPTER XIV. 

JACK'S PLAN. 

He hurried to the ground floor, and in a dozen swift words laid hisplan before his friends. 

"Frightful risky!" said Jim, "Frightful risky! I don't say there'snothing in it, but a big risk. "

"We stand in fearful danger now, Jim, " said Jack. "I know it's only achance, but we've got to do something, or these fellows will wipe usout for a certainty. "

"Sure thing, " said Buck, "and there is a chance in Jack's idea. I'llcarry it out. "

"No, Buck, " said Jack firmly, "I can't agree to that. Both of you cameinto this thing to oblige and to help me, and it would be a cowardlytrick on my part to put the risky work on your shoulders. I'll tryit. "

"Let's toss up, " suggested Jim, "or draw straws. I'm willing to takemy chance. "

"I know you are, Jim, " said Jack, "but I insist on having a shot at itmyself. If they catch me, it may leave a chance for you two to getclear away. I know it's a mere toss-up whether the plan comes off ornot, but we must try something. "

Jack left his Mannlicher with Buck and slipped away up the stairsonce more. He regained the window where Me Dain was watching, andfound that the Burman had nothing to relate save that much rustlinghad been heard. Within five minutes again Jack saw the very thing hehad been awaiting. A dark, thin shape rose from the bushes and beganslowly to creep up the wall. It was a ladder which the dacoits wereraising to the window below which they stood, a ladder formed of acouple of bamboo stems with rungs of creepers. 

Now came the time for action, and Jack drew the Burman back into thepassage and locked the door himself; luckily the big key turnedquietly and easily. Down to the lower floor hurried Jack and crossedto his friends. 

"They have raised the ladder just as I expected, " he said. "Now I'moff. "

"Good luck, Jack, good luck, " breathed Jim and Buck earnestly, as Jackdropped on hands and knees at the door and glided out at a hole whichthey had prepared for him by moving a portion of the barricade. Whenhe found himself in the open, Jack paused for a moment and listenedwith all his ears. But he could not catch the slightest sound ofeither voice or movement on this side, and he glided on like a snake, keeping his body very low and pressing closely against the dark wall. 

He gained the corner of the building just beyond the door, andcautiously put his head round. Again he listened and looked. All wasquiet, and once more he slipped on. Near the next angle was a patch oflow-growing bushes. He worked his way into these with the utmost care, and raised his head slowly until he could peer through the uppershoots. He now commanded the rear of the building, and his heart gavea great thump of excitement and satisfaction as he saw the sight whichhe had been hoping for. He saw the swaying line of the ladder clearagainst the sky, and mounting it, rung by rung, a line of climbingfigures. The dacoits were swarming nimbly up to the quiet room, fromwhich they expected to fall like thunderbolts upon their unsuspectingenemies below. 

Jack now began to work his way towards the foot of the ladder. He wentvery slowly and with the utmost care. At last he paused. The busheswhich had helped the banditti to approach the back of the monasteryunobserved had helped him too, and he was now within ten yards of thefoot of the ladder. He raised himself to one knee and looked intentlyover the ground. The last of the climbing dacoits was vanishingthrough the window, high above his head, and one stood motionlessbelow. He, clearly, had been left on guard to keep the foot of theladder. Now Jack heard plainly a shuffling and creaking and strainingabove. The Kachins were trying to force the door which he had lockedagainst them. 

"Lucky it's a strong door, " thought Jack. "It'll keep them busy for afew minutes. How shall I dispose of this fellow?"

Suddenly the crash and uproar of heavy blows rang out from the roomabove. The dacoits had given up trying to force the door quietly, andwere beating it down. This noise gave Jack a chance of a thousand tocarry out his plan. He had slung his rifle over his shoulder. He nowunslung it quickly, clubbed it, and bounded forward. The dacoit atthe foot of the ladder was staring upwards, intent on the doings ofhis comrades, when Jack landed without a sound scarce a yard behindhim. 

Down came the butt of the rifle with a terrific swing, fair and squareacross the skull of the dacoit, who crumpled under the blow anddropped without a groan. Jack jumped at the ladder, seized it, draggedit from the window, and flung it among the bushes. The dacoits weretrapped. Then he turned and darted away. He gave a glance at thewindow as he ran. As far as he could see, his plan had met withwonderful success. Not a figure showed at the dark square above; everyman seemed to be taking part in the furious assault on the door. 

Now Jack ran for his life. Would the dacoits beat the door down and beupon them before he could give the word? He flew back to the front andcalled in a low, quick tone, "Come on! Come on! I've cleared theladder away, and they're trapped above. "

"Then we'll be off before they've got the door down, " said Jim softly. "Forward, boys!"

A little procession now streamed swiftly through the doorway andhurried across the open space which led to the friendly jungle, wherethey hoped to find shelter and hiding. 

Me Dain went first leading a pony, Buck followed with a second pony, Jim and Jack brought up the rear, their rifles ready for any pursuerswho might hit on their trail. 

[Illustration: THE ATTACK ON THE MONASTERY. ]

They were on the edge of the forest when a confused uproar of voicestold them that the dacoits had swarmed down the stairs and were inthe stronghold they had so luckily deserted. But even as the shouts ofthe Kachins rang in their ears, the sounds were dulled, for Me Dainplunged into a narrow path running through a thicket of bamboos, andthey left the clearing behind them. 

"Will they follow us?" whispered Jack to his companion. 

"It would be sheer luck if they hit on our track now, " replied Dent inthe same soft tones. "Me Dain is leading us by a path that it isn'tlikely these fellows know. Coming from a distance, they would onlyknow the chief road through the village, and they are almost certainto divide and strike along that in both directions, thinking we havefled towards the next village. "

"Where is the old Burman whom we found in the monastery?" asked Jack. 

"Dead, poor old chap, " replied Jim. "He'd lost too much blood beforeMe Dain tried to patch him up. "

"What savage fellows these dacoits are!" murmured Jack. 

"A merciless crew, " returned Dent. "Any of our poor fellows whodropped into their hands in the Burmese war were cut up in mostfrightful fashion, and in cold blood, too. But we made them pay for itnow and again, when we got in amongst them with the bayonets. "

No more was said, and they tramped on in silence, with their ears laidback to catch the faintest sounds of pursuit. But no sign of dangerwas to be caught. Now and again they halted, and listened intently. The jungle was perfectly silent save for its own noises, chief amongwhich was the sullen, deep roar of a tiger calling to its mate. 

"That's a tiger calling, " said Dent to Jack. 

"I thought so, " replied Jack; "it sounds like the Zoo, but how queerto think that fellow is not behind bars, but roaming free through theforest. "

"Say, " remarked Buck over his shoulder, "I hope that 'Tiger, tiger, burning bright' isn't a man-eater. If he is, he'll have a soft snapwith us, marching along this narrow path through thick cover. "

"By George, he's coming!" cried Jim, in a tone of sudden alarm. "Let'sbunch together, boys. If he doesn't get one of us, he may get a pony, and that wouldn't suit our game at all. " The tiger had again raisedhis voice, but not in a roar so much as a fierce, grumbling snarl, andthe sound was much nearer. 

"Quick, quick!" cried Me Dain, from the head of the procession, andthe whole party hurried forward. Suddenly the trees above their headsparted, and they saw the stars. The little band had reached an openspace in the jungle, and they gathered in the midst of this space andclosely surrounded the ponies. 

"Put your hand on this little beast's shoulder, " said Dent to Jack. 

Jack laid his hand on the shoulder of the pony next to him, and foundthat it was trembling violently and running with sweat. 

"I rather fancy it knows all about that noise, and what's making it, "went on Dent. "They understand when trouble's in the wind as well asanybody. "

"It must be in a terrible fright, " said Jack. "Do you think the tigerwill attack us, Jim?"

"It isn't at all unlikely, " replied Dent. "What do you say, Buck?"

"If he doesn't want one of us, he wants a pony, " replied Buck, "so itcomes to just the same. We'll have to pipe him full o' lead, Ishouldn't wonder. "

"This is a bad place for tigers, " broke in Me Dain. "Very bad place. Three Chinamen killed here four months ago. "

"How was that, Me Dain?" asked Jack. 

"Nobody know, " returned the Burman. "Three diggers going up to thehills to look for rubies. Make camp on little creek not a mile fromhere. Somebody pass the camp next day and see one man dead. Then theylook, and see pieces of the other men in the jungle. Me forgot that, running from Kachins. "

"Never mind, Me Dain, " said Jim Dent. "Don't worry about that. A 'bad'tiger is a very awkward brute to run up against, but a bunch ofKachins is a more desperate case still. Hallo, he's pretty close. Holdthe ponies tight, Me Dain. They're ready to bolt. "

The little creatures were now frantic with fear, and the Burman hadall his work cut out to keep them in hand. 

"Look there! Look there!" cried Jack. "What's that straight in frontof us?" He had been staring hard into the blackness of the jungle, andnow, all of a sudden, two bright green flames seemed to start up inthe gloom. 

"That's a tiger just stepped from behind a tree, " murmured Jim. "Standsteady, boys, and don't let anybody loose off in any too much hurry. "

"There's another, and another, " said Jack. 

In swift succession two fresh pairs of gleaming eyes were seen. MeDain gave a groan of terror. 

"Old tiger and two little ones, " he said in a low voice. He was muchmore terrified of tigers than of dacoits. 

"Say, he's got it quite straight, " said Buck. "It's a tigress and apair of cubs. The eyes of the last couple are nearer the ground. "

It was so dark in the jungle which surrounded them that no sign of thebodies of the savage creatures could be seen, only the eyes, whichburned upon them with a fierce, steady gaze. 

"It's a family party, " said Jim. "Where's the old man tiger? It washis call we heard, certainly. "

At this moment the tigress gave tongue. She let out a horrible whiningsnarl, full of ferocity and threat. In an instant her call wasanswered. Somewhere near at hand in the jungle arose a terrible soundwhich seemed to fill the air and shake the earth, a sound which madethe blood run cold. It was the horrible coughing roar of a chargingtiger. 

"Here he comes, " said Jim in a low voice, and Jack clutched his rifletightly. 

CHAPTER XV. 

IN THE JUNGLE. 

A moment later, and a fresh pair of burning eyes was added to thegroup in the jungle. 

"Shout, shout, or he spring, " cried Me Dain. 

The whole party shouted at the top of their voices. This sudden uproarchecked the tiger; the most ferocious brute hesitates to leap uponpeople who are making a great noise. Then a sudden flame spurted up, and they saw the whole scene plainly. This was the doing of Buck. Hehad been hastily gathering great handfuls of dried grass and pilingthem together. He struck a match and tossed it into the heap. Thewithered grass caught at once, and a great red flare leapt out andlighted the scene. For the first time they saw the tigers clearly, animmense male tiger, his smaller mate, and two large cubs. The tigressand the cubs were retreating a little, and the male was crouching asif for a spring, his tail lashing his flanks, but the sudden flaringup of the fire checked him, and for the moment he did not leap. 

That moment's hesitation saved them, so quickly and well was it usedby Jack. He had his rifle already at his shoulder. As the flame sprangup, his quick eye brought the sights to bear on the huge, round headof the crouching tiger. He touched the trigger, and the rifle spoke. The great tiger gave one convulsive shudder, but did not move. Therewas a general thrill of terror among the party. Had Jack missed, oronly grazed him? If it was so, he would spring at once, and his matewould follow. 

The flame leapt and fell. The grass had burned out. With frenziedhaste Jim and Buck tore fresh handfuls to feed the fire. Every secondthey expected the tigers to rush on them through the darkness. But nocharge came, and once more the red flame ran through the dried grassand leaped into the air. As it did so, they gave a cry ofastonishment. There crouched the tiger, just as before, save that histail no longer swept to and fro. His head was laid low, his paws weredrawn under him just as if he were about to rise in the air anddescend upon them like a living thunderbolt, but he made no movement, uttered no sound. Suddenly Jim Dent broke the wondering silence. 

"By George, " said he in a low voice, "what a shot! What a shot! Jack, that's a dead tiger. "

"Do you think so, Jim?" said Jack, joyfully. "Have I killed him?"

"Sure thing, " said Buck, "that's a brain shot. He never moved afterthe bullet hit him. Now for the others. Where's the lone, lorn widdyand the poor orphans. Jack, they'll rip holes into you for robbingthem of a kind father. "

Buck was still speaking when the tigress returned and rushed up to hermate. She seemed to suspect something, and she bent over the huge, prostrate figure and snuffed at it eagerly. Then she gave ablood-curdling growl and retreated slowly towards the cubs, which camebounding to her side, whining impatiently. 

"Those cubs are very hungry, " said Buck. 

"Yes, " said Jim quietly. "What's her next move? Will she scent dangerand clear off with the young ones, or is she in so great a need offood for herself and them that she will attack us?"

Suddenly Me Dain began to shout, "Shoot, sahibs, shoot! She is coming!She is coming!" His experienced eye had told him that the tigress wasabout to charge, and another instant showed that he had given no falsealarm. Maddened by the scent of the pack animals, and by the whiningof her famished cubs, the tigress turned short and came at them withtwo tremendous leaps! The second carried her full into the light ofthe fire, and as she touched the ground, all three rifles cracked, andthree bullets were driven home into her shining, striped body. 

Again she rose to her leap, her eyes blazing madly, her mouth openedto its fullest extent, showing her huge fangs, and the repeaterscrackled as a rapid fire was poured into her in hopes of checking herrush, for a wounded tigress is the most savage and dangerous beast inthe jungle. The last volley carried the day. Each fired into the openmouth, and each hit his mark. The bullets, travelling at terrificspeed, cut their way through flesh, sinew, brain, and bone, and almosttore the head of the tigress to pieces. She dropped across the fireand lay there without moving, her coat singeing in the embers. 

"Whew!" Jim blew out a long breath. "I thought she was in among usthat time. And if she had been, we should have known about it. There'sa fore-arm for you. " As he spoke, he touched the short, thick legwhere the muscle bulged in huge rolls under the loose skin. 

"And look at her claws, " said Jack, bending with much interest toexamine the dreadful creature now lying so still. "A stroke of thosewould mean mischief. "

"I saw a tiger once rush out of cover and give a beater a stroke inpassing, " said Jim. "I remember I thought the brute had only pattedthe man. I wasn't fifty yards away, and I'm perfectly sure the beastdidn't put any particular force into the blow. But the man dropped, and when we ran up to him, we found five of his ribs torn clean out ofhis body. He died from loss of blood almost at once. "

Buck twisted a bunch of dried reeds into a rude torch and lighted it. "Let's have a look at the boss, " he said, and they crossed to thegreat tiger, still crouching as if about to spring. There was no markof injury on him save a small patch of blood between his eyes. 

"That's where you hit him, Jack, " said Buck. He bent down and feltamong the fur. "I can feel the hole in the skull, " he said, "but thoseMannlicher bullets are so small, there's scarcely anything to beseen. "

"That bullet took him through the brain and then went down the spine, "said Jim. "Must have done, to have settled him so completely. You seehe never moved after he was hit. "

Jack took the torch from Buck's hand and looked proudly over themagnificent proportions of his first tiger. The gleaming, satiny skin, the bright bars of black and yellow, showed that the animal was insplendid condition, and at the height of his powers. 

"Isn't he a splendid fellow?" murmured Jack. "I should just about liketo have his skin. "

"Sahibs, " came a voice behind them, "let us go. Perhaps the Kachinshear the guns. "

"The dacoits!" cried Jack. "Upon my word, I'd forgotten all aboutthem! By Jove, it's a matter of saving our own skins without worryingabout the tiger's. We'd better be on the move. "

"I'd clean forgotten 'em myself, " said Jim, and Buck chimed in with, "So had I. "

"They're pretty awkward parties to forget, " went on Jack. 

"That's so, " agreed Buck. "If they hit our trail, we'll see troubleyet. "

No more time was spent over the dangerous brutes which had threatenedto bar their way. They were left lying where they had fallen, and thelittle party of fugitives turned once more to their flight, and pushedrapidly through the jungle. 

An hour later the moon came up, and soon after that they reached awide, naked stretch of rocky hill-side. This was very hard travelling, but they welcomed it, as it was country where they would leave veryfew traces to guide pursuers. On and on they pushed, until dim greystreaks in the east told them that the dawn was near at hand. Theyclimbed a steep slope, and were just on its crown when the morningbroke, and the sun shot up into a sky without a cloud. 

"Good place here to make camp, " remarked Me Dain, and all agreedheartily with the remark. 

"I reckon this is your first night march, " said Jim to Jack, smilingly. 

"Yes, " said Jack. "It isn't bad fun either. " His tall, powerful, youngfigure was as upright as a dart, his eye bright, his cheek fresh; hecould have gone on all day again. 

"Well, " said Jim Dent, "I don't mind saying I'm ready for a rest, " andhe dropped on the grass beside the fire which Me Dain had alreadybegun to build. 

Buck got out the provisions, and they ate from their store of nativebread and dried beef, and washed it down with plenty of tea. 

"The country looks empty, " said Jack, glancing over the wide stretchthey had traversed, "but for all that we had better keep our eyesopen, perhaps. "

"We had, " said Jim. "Those Kachins will follow us hot-foot when oncethe light comes and they get our track for certain. I should say we'dbetter stop here a few hours and then push on again till we've gotclean out of this country-side. "

"Very well, " returned Jack. "We'll set a guard. Best to run no risks. I'll take first watch. "

The last watch fell to Me Dain, and Jack awoke just as Buck roused theBurman and lay down himself for another nap before continuing themarch. Jack, who was lying in a patch of thick grass, and wrapped in ablanket, watched the sturdy figure of the Burman as Me Dain pacedlightly to and fro, looking out keenly on every hand. Then Jack dozedoff himself for half an hour, and woke again. He glanced round and sawthat Me Dain was sitting on a rock with his back towards thesleepers. The first glance aroused Jack's suspicions. The Burman'shead was sunk between his shoulders. Next moment suspicion becamecertainty. A gentle snore reached Jack's ears, and he knew that MeDain was sleeping at his post. 

Up sprang Jack at once, and crossed to the sleeping man. He was aboutto shake the drowsy watchman by the shoulder, when he paused andlooked intently at the slope below. What were those creeping figuresamong the rocks down there? A second later he knew them, and arousedhis sleeping companions by a low, fierce cry. 

"Up, up! Buck! Jim! Get your rifles at once. The dacoits are on us!"

CHAPTER XVI. 

THE BRIDGE AND THE FORD. 

The two men were on their feet at once. 

"Dacoits! Dacoits!" growled Jim, dashing the sleep from his eyes andgripping his weapon. "How in thunder do they come on us so soon? Havewe overslept?"

"No, " said Buck, glancing at his watch. "We're inside our time. Theymust have picked up our trail quicker than we thought, and followed alot faster than we travelled with the ponies. "

By this time Jack had taken cover behind a boulder, and was drawing abead on the first of the oncoming figures. Up the hill-side wasstreaming a broken line of crouching little men in blue, following, with the skill of born trackers, the signs of the fugitives' march. Jack's finger pressed on the trigger, and the leader dropped. At oncethe men in blue seemed to disappear as if the earth had swallowedthem. They vanished behind rock, or bush, or tuft of grass, and thehill-side was empty save for the fallen figure. At this instant Buckand Jim crept to Jack's shoulder. 

"How do they come to be so near to us as that?" cried Buck insurprise. "In two minutes again they'd have been in the camp slicingus up as we lay. "

"Me Dain was asleep, " said Jack briefly. "I happened to wake up andhear him snore. So I nipped up and took a look round and dropped myeye on the dacoits making straight for us. "

"Good for you, Jack, " replied Buck. "That's saved all our lives, for acertainty. "

A groan of misery behind them drew their attention. They glanced overtheir shoulders and saw Me Dain seated on his rock, a picture ofshame. He had been awakened by Jack's call and the crack of his rifle, but sat still, unable to face the men whose lives he had risked bygiving way to his desire for more slumber. 

"Me Dain, you fat, brown-faced villain of the world, " cried Buck. "What d'ye mean by letting the dacoits nearly get us?"

"Me sorry, me very sorry, sahibs, " cried the Burman. "The sleep justcatch me. Me very sorry. "

"You'd better be sorry, " returned Buck. "I've a good mind to boot youtill your nose turns grey. If it hadn't been for Jack, the king-pin o'this outfit, we should all have hit the long trail this morning. "

"We'd better give those chaps down there a volley, " said Jack. "Seehow the tufts of grass shake as they creep on us. "

"You're right, " said Jim. "They're trying to get within range. Atpresent they can't reach us with their muzzle-loaders, but we canpepper them easy enough. "

Firing steadily but swiftly, the three comrades raked every patch ofcover with a stream of Mannlicher bullets. This checked the advance;no more signs of movement were seen. 

The voice of the Burman was now heard behind them. 

"Sahibs, " he said, "let us go on. Two miles more we reach a deepriver, and break the bridge. No Kachins follow then. "

"Sounds like a chance for us, " remarked Jim. "Get the ponies, Me Dain, and cut along ahead. We'll follow in a minute. "

The Burman at once slipped the hobbles from the ponies, whose packshad not been removed, and led them quickly away. From the head of theslope the path crossed a kind of tableland, and they could easily keeptheir guide in sight for a long distance. 

"Now to search the places where these fellows below are in hiding, "cried Jack. "That will hold them back from following us till we get agood start. "

"That's it, " returned Jim. "Just what I was thinking of. "

Each man spent a couple of magazine loads in firing into every spotwhere a Kachin had been seen to move or to go to cover. Then they drewback out of sight, leapt to their feet, and ran at full speed after MeDain, who was hurrying the ponies along in the distance. 

"After that bit o' shootin' they'll wait a while before they push onto the top of the slope and find we're gone, " said Jim as they ran. "And that will give us a good start to cross the river. "

Within a mile they caught up the Burman. Jack looked back as they ranup to the ponies, but the top of the slope was now out of sight, andhe could not discover whether the Kachins had swarmed up to it or not. 

The fugitives were now following a well-worn path, clearly that usedby the people of the country-side to gain the bridge over the streamin front. 

Jack was now leading the way, while Buck and Jim formed a rearguardbehind the ponies. Looking ahead, Jack saw that the path began todescend very rapidly and fell out of sight. He ran forward and foundhimself on the lip of a ravine with steep sides. At the foot of theravine flowed the river, and Jack gave a shout of joy when he saw hownear they were to the stream which promised safety. 

Then the sound of swift, heavy blows came to his ears, and he lookedin the direction whence they proceeded. His call of joy was checked inan instant. What were those three figures in blue doing down there? Ina second he saw what it meant, and he dropped on one knee and clappedhis Mannlicher to his shoulder with a cry of anger. The dacoits hadbeen more cunning than they suspected. The pursuers knew also of thebridge, and at this very instant three powerful Kachins were hackingaway with their keen, heavy _dahs_, cutting the bridge down. 

The three men in blue were so intent on their work that they neveronce glanced upwards. They were slashing fiercely at the nearer end ofthe bridge, and were about two hundred and fifty yards away. Arifle-bullet would reach them more quickly than anything, and Jackdrew a careful bead on the nearest worker and fired. His bullet wentthrough the arm which had just swung up the heavy blade for a freshstroke at the frail bridge, and the _dah_ dropped into the water, while the dacoit's yell of pain came clearly to the ears of the partynow gathered on the edge of the ravine. 

"Gosh!" cried Buck. "They're ahead of us. "

"So they are, " snapped Jim. "They're cutting down the bridge andpenning us in. Drop 'em, boys, drop 'em quick, or it's all over withus. "

At the next instant a swift shower of the tiny slips of lead waspelting on to the bridge head where the two dacoits still hacked away, striking harder and faster now that the rifles cracked on the lip ofthe ravine. One dropped into the river with a splash, the other leaptinto cover of the big tree to which the bridge was swung, and was safefrom the darting bullets. But his gleaming _dah_ still flashed intosight now and again as he hewed fiercely at the bridge. 

Jack at once bounded out, and, followed by his companions, raced madlyfor the place. The bridge was but a slight affair, a native structureformed of a couple of long bamboo poles with cross pieces lashed intoplace by native cordage. 

The lower slope of the ravine was covered with tall bushes of wildplum, and, as Jack ran through these, he lost sight, for a fewmoments, of the bridge and the busy dacoit. He burst through them witha straight, open run before him of seventy yards to the bridge head. His heart beat thick and fast as he flew across the open. The blows ofthe _dah_ had ceased. Had the bridge gone or not? A little clump ofwater-grasses on the bank hid the bridge from him, but the silence wasterribly ominous. He thought he saw a blue kilt disappearing among thetrees, but he did not stay to intercept it. He shot up to the edge ofthe stream, and saw a horrible space of blank water between bank andbank. The bridge was swinging slowly towards the other side. Held fastthere, the current was thrusting the slight structure across thestream. The dacoits had succeeded in their plan. 

Jack stood still and looked round for their enemies. There was no signof a Kachin to be seen. One had dropped into the river, and thecurrent had certainly carried him away; the others had escaped intothe jungle which grew thickly within a short distance of the bridgehead. 

"By Jingo!" cried Jim Dent blankly, as he ran up. "The bridge hasgone. We're in a pretty fix. "

"Gone, " echoed Buck. "They've cut us off after all. Boys, we're in atight place. "

"Bridge gone!" cried Me Dain. "Bridge gone! What shall we do? Sahibs, oh, what shall we do?"

Jack looked from one to the other in some surprise at hearing thisoutburst of deep anxiety. 

"It isn't very wide, " he cried. "Why on earth can't we swim over? Thatwould be simple enough. "

"Ay, ay, " said Jim Dent. "Easy enough if we were sure of getting tothe other side, but we're not. All these rivers swarm with alligators, big, savage brutes that would pull a man under as easy as if he were adog. "

Jack's looks were now as blank as the others. This put a verydifferent face on crossing the river, and he gazed on the dark, swiftstream with horror. In those gloomy depths lurked huge, dreadfulreptiles whose vast jaws would drag a swimmer down to a frightfuldeath. 

"It's not a short journey across this creek, d'ye see, " said Buck. "The stream's so fast that a swimmer would be swept down full ahundred yards in crossing from bank to bank, and in that time it wouldgive an alligator plenty of chance to lay hold of him. "

"We can't cross here, sahibs, " put in Me Dain. "Stream too swift, toostrong. The bridge is here because the river at this place is verynarrow, but about a mile down there is a ford. "

"We'd better light out for it without losing any more time then, "cried Buck. "We might see an ugly row of Kachins any minute now alongthe brink of the gully behind us. "

"True for you, Buck, " said Jack. "Lead us at once to the ford, MeDain. "

The Burman turned and hurried down the banks of the stream, and theothers followed. In a moment they were lost to sight among the tallbushes which were dotted about the bank. When the sound of theirfootsteps had completely died away, two figures slipped from the edgeof the jungle and approached the spot where the fugitives had stood. The newcomers were a couple of dacoits, one the man who had beenwounded by Jack's first shot. The short, broad, powerful figures stoodfor a moment in close conversation, then the wounded man started toclimb the bank of the ravine. The second dacoit plunged into thebushes, and followed easily the track left by four men and two ponies. It was his task to track the intruders down: his comrade wasdespatched to find the rest of the band and lead them to enjoy therevenge for which the blood-thirsty dacoits lusted. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

A FRIGHTFUL PERIL. 

Meanwhile the fugitives, unconscious that a sleuth-hound was on theirtrack, hurried forward and came to a point where the river spread outbroadly over sandy flats. 

"This is the ford, " cried Me Dain. 

"Why was it given up?" asked Jack. 

"Because it was too dangerous, sahib, " replied the Burman. "Many men, many women have been seized by alligators at this ford. So thevillagers made a bridge at the narrow place higher up. "

"Well, we shall have to face it, " said Jack. "How deep is it in themiddle?"

"To the waist when the water is low, " replied Me Dain. 

"H'm, that's awkward, " remarked Jim Dent, "for the water certainlyisn't low to-day. There's been rain among the hills. You can tell bythe colour. It may mean swimming in the middle. "

"I'll try it first, " cried Jack, "and I'll sing out to you how I findit. Here goes!" He was about to spring into the river, when Jim Dentcalled to him to stop. 

"No, no, " said Jim. "That won't do, Jack. We might lose you that way, and we should prefer a good deal to lose a pony. "

"Sure thing, " said Buck, as Jim looked at him. 

"Now, " went on Dent, "here's our best plan. We'll go in in a bunchwith a pony each side of the party. Then, if some of these ugly brutescome up to see who's crossing their river, they're more likely to graba pony, and if we lose them, why we must. "

"It will be a frightful loss, " said Jack. 

"It lies between that and being scuppered ourselves, " said Dent. 

"Yes, yes, Jim, of course, " cried Jack. "Your plan is the best. "

It was carried out at once. The four men went into the ford in abunch, with a pony up stream and a pony down stream. Jack was leadingthe up-stream pony, Buck the down-stream animal, while Jim and theBurman were between them. The crossing was a broad one, near upon ahundred yards, for the river had spread out on a sandy flat, and theywere thirty or forty yards into the stream before they were more thanthigh-deep. Then the water suddenly deepened a full twelve inches, andthey were up to their waists. The stream, even on the flat here, wasfairly swift, and they could only wade forward slowly. 

"Slow job this, " remarked Buck. "Water's tougher stuff than you thinkto get through. I feel as if I was wading through treacle. "

"Yes, doesn't it clog your movements, " agreed Jack, "but I shouldthink we're a good half-way over. "

"Deep part got to come yet, sahib, " said Me Dain. "We have comethrough easy part of ford. "

Just at this moment Jim's voice broke in; his tones were low andfiercely earnest. 

"Push ahead, boys, " he said. "Do your best. Strike it faster, everybody. "

"What is it, Jim?" The question broke from Jack's lips, but a glanceup stream answered it before Jim could speak in reply. A hundred yardsabove the ford a small sand-bank rose above the water. On this banklay, to all appearance, three logs washed thither by the current. Butnow, oh horror, Jack saw these logs move and raise themselves. Theywere huge alligators sunning themselves and waiting for prey. It wasclear that the vast saurians had noted the movement on the surface ofthe river. One by one they slid down the sand and vanished into thestream. 

"They are coming, sahibs, they are coming!" cried Me Dain, and hisbrown face was hideously ashen with terror. 

"Strike it faster, everybody, " growled Jim, and the party pushedforward at their utmost speed through the stream. 

"Gosh!" panted Buck. "It's getting deeper and deeper. That's deadagainst us. "

"Let us go back, sahibs, " cried Me Dain, beside himself in terror ofthe awful reptiles now coming down stream upon them with frightfulrapidity. "Let us go back. Better to face dacoits than alligators. "

"Easy does it, Me Dain, " said Jack. "Peg along and do your best. It'sfacing death either way. Let's have a go at the other bank. "

[Illustration: THE DANGER AT THE FORD. ]

"That's the way to talk, Jack, " said Jim, through the teeth set inhis white, grim face. "We've got to go through with it now. And hark, listen to that!"

There was the crack of a musket on the shore behind them, and a ballwhistled over their heads and splashed into the water before them. Jack glanced back and saw a blue-clothed figure on the river bank. 

"They're coming, " he said. "One of them's trying to pot us now. Impossible to turn back. "

"Gosh! it's deepening again, " growled Buck. 

So it was. The stream ran nearly shoulder deep, and the other bank wasstill a good forty yards away. Jack pushed on as fast as he could, urging the pony forward. His breath came fast, and his heart thumpedlike a trip-hammer. The situation was inconceivably desperate. Somewhere through the hidden depths of the rushing stream, threemonstrous and frightful reptiles, fearfully dangerous and terriblecreatures in their own element, were darting swiftly towards them, andbehind them the dacoits now lined the shore and prevented return intoshallower waters which might promise safety from the huge saurians. 

Suddenly the pony which Jack led gave a great leap, and pawed thewater madly with its fore-feet, and uttered a loud snort of agonisedterror. Jack held him tight and looked over his withers. Nor could thebrave lad keep back a cry of alarm at the frightful thing he sawthere. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE COMBAT IN THE RIVER. 

The river, though swift, was not muddy, and through the clear brownwater he saw plainly the vast open jaws of a huge alligator rising inthe stream, and about to seize the pony by the neck. In another secondthe great saurian would have seized its prey, but the pony swervedaside, and the huge snout shot out of the water, and the jaws, missingtheir prey, clashed together with a sharp snap. At the next momentthey were opened, as the alligator drew back a little for a freshassault. 

Jack had been marching with his Mannlicher held on top of the pony'spack, and his Mauser pistol held up in the other hand, hoping to keepthe weapons dry. Now he seized the opportunity of pouring a stream ofheavy Mauser bullets into the open jaws. 

So swiftly did he press the trigger that he drove five shots in beforethe alligator once more snapped its jaws close. The great saurian wasbadly wounded, and in its rage and agony began to lash the waterfuriously with its huge tail, while blood and foam poured out at itsjaws and nostrils. The deadly, ripping, soft-nosed bullets, whichwould have glanced off its hide of mail, had torn their way down itsthroat and through the soft parts of the body with fearful destructivepower, inflicting mortal wounds. At sound of the pistol shots so closeto its ear, the pony leapt forward more frantically still, and thehuge dying brute was left floundering in the water. 

"One done for, " roared Jim in delight. "Peg away, boys. We may comesafe yet. "

The words were scarcely out of his mouth when Buck let out a yell ofalarm. 

"Say, " cried Buck, "there's one here. He's got hold of the pony. "

Buck's words were drowned by the loud shrill squeal of affright fromthe pony, whose off-hind leg had been seized by the second of the vastbrutes to attack the party. 

"Here's another, " shouted Jack, and he and Jim, who had been alsoholding his pistol above the stream, fired rapidly. The thirdalligator was sailing straight upon them down stream, floating on thesurface, his evil, unwinking eyes fixed full on the pony which he wasabout to attack. Jim planted a lucky shot in one of the wicked-lookingeyes and knocked it clean out of its socket. Jack plainly saw thebleeding hole before the alligator threw up his huge tail, slapped thewater with a crack like thunder, and dived. 

In the meantime Buck was engaged in a terrible struggle with thealligator which had seized the pony. He held the bridle of the unluckybeast, and assisted it as much as possible in the strong fight it madefor its life. So desperately did the powerful little animal strugglewith its terrible foe that it actually gained a dozen yards or more, dragging the huge reptile along the river-bed. But the immenselypowerful jaws, fanged with strong, sharp teeth, never loosed theirgrip. 

Jim now turned to Buck's assistance. At that instant the alligatorrolled in the water, showing its softer underside. It rose towards thesurface, yet never easing its grip, and lashed the river into foamwith its powerful tail as it tugged backwards with tremendous force, aiming to pull the pony into the deeper water. For a moment Jim sawits underside near the surface, the four horrible legs armed with hugeclaws striking out savagely in the water. 

He thrust his rifle into the stream, pressing the muzzle against thesaurian's body. Luckily the magazine still remained above water, andhe fired several shots in swift succession into the vast brute, thewater boiling and swirling as the gases of the discharge came to thesurface in huge bubbles. One of these shots must have reached a vitalpart; the alligator gave a final convulsive shudder, its jaws groundsavagely together, then they gaped wide, and the pony was free. 

Jack was pushing on swiftly with the pony under his charge. That washis business, and he hurried forward, feeling joyfully that the waterwas growing shallower with every step. His shoulders were out, and nowthe pony's withers began to rise. Suddenly a horrid dark snout wasthrust up in front of him. It was the wounded alligator, which hadreturned to the assault. 

Before Jack could fire the saurian dived, and Jack saw the huge darkform dart at him under water. He felt his legs swept from under himat the next instant, and down he went. He had not been seized, he hadsimply been knocked from his foothold by the rush of the great brute, and he landed full on the alligator's back. He felt plainly with hishand its rough scaly covering like knobs of horn. He had kept his eyesopen, and saw clearly the horrid brute below him, and the dark formsof his companions at hand. 

He dropped his pistol, whipped out a great hunting-knife from hisbelt, and drove it time and again into the underside of the bigreptile. Then he struck out for the surface and came up gasping forbreath. He swam a dozen swift strokes before he dared to drop his feetagain and find the easy depth which the whole party had now reached. He saw that the Burman was leading ashore the pony he had been tornaway from, and that Buck and Jim were doing their utmost to keep thesecond pony on its legs. Suddenly the bottom began to rise swiftly, and the whole party, fearfully exhausted, but very luckily unhurt, staggered ashore and threw themselves down on the warm sand. 

"You all right, Jack?" snapped Buck. "I thought I saw you go under. "

"Yes, " said Jack, "the brute that Jim knocked an eye out of attackedme and fetched me off my legs. But I dug a knife into him and gotaway. How are you two?"

"Oh, we've come through with a sound skin, " replied Jim. "But that wasa near shave. And look what we've missed. " He pointed to the water, where, thirty yards out, half-a-dozen huge ridged backs were now to beseen cruising to and fro. 

"By Jove!" said Jack, "it's a fresh lot turned up just as we got out. "

Everyone shuddered as they thought what their fate would have been ifthe alligators, attracted to the scene by the scent of prey, hadarrived a few moments earlier. 

"Where are the dacoits?" said Jack, looking across to the other bank. "They've all cleared out, except a couple who seem posted to watchus. "

"So they have, " rejoined Buck. "What's their little game?"

"I wonder if there's another bridge handy, " remarked Jack. "Where'sthe next bridge, Me Dain?"

"A long way down the river, sahib, but there is a village about fourmiles off. "

"Then they've gone there to borrow a boat, I'll wager a trifle onthat, " cried Jack. 

"Right for you, Jack, " said Dent. "We'd better be on the move. Butwhat can we do with this pony?"

The poor beast, which the alligator had mauled, had managed to getashore and that was all. Its leg was frightfully torn. 

"This pony 'll never hit the trail again, " remarked Buck, after he hadexamined it carefully. "We shall have to carry its pack partly betweenus and partly on the other pony. "

"Poor little brute, " said Jack. "It's suffering fearfully. Look at itseyes!"

"We can do nothing for it, I'm afraid, " remarked Jim. 

"No, " said Buck, "but if we don't hump round a bit, somebody'll dosomething for us. "

This hint of the danger in which they still stood from theblood-thirsty and revengeful dacoits quickened their movements, andthe wounded pony was stripped in a few moments. The other pony wasquite unhurt, and a good share of the baggage was added to its loadfor the present; the remainder was swung up on the shoulders of thefour members of the party. 

Jack, Jim, and the Burman now marched swiftly up the river banktowards the road which ran from the broken bridge. Buck stayed behindfor a moment. Soon his companions heard the crack of the pistol whichput an end to the sufferings of the wounded pony, then heard Buck'sfootsteps as he hastened to rejoin them. 

"What a lucky thing you packed the ammunition in water-tight tins, Jim, " remarked Jack, as they pushed at full speed along the bank. 

"Yes, " said Jim, "I've been in this country a time or two afore. Itwasn't wetter in that river than it is in the jungle at times when astorm catches you. "

"I've lost my Mauser pistol, " said Jack. "It had to go when that bruteknocked my legs from under me. I had to drop it to whip my knife out. Luckily I've got my rifle all right. That was on the sling. "

"We've got another Mauser in the outfit, " said Jim. "I slipped a coupleof spare ones in. We'll turn it out at the next stopping-place. "

No more was said, and they pushed on swiftly along the river bank. Theday was fearfully hot and the road rough. Jim Dent began to puff andblow under his burden. 

"Say, " grunted Buck, "this is a tough job running away under loadsfrom dacoits who'll scour after us like coyotes as soon as they hitour bank of the river. "

"It is, " panted Jim. "Me Dain, how far is it to the next village whichis strong enough to make us safe against the Kachins?"

The Burman shook his head. 

"Soon the road leaves the river, " he said. "Then it goes throughjungle. But it passes only little villages, very little. "

"A jungle road, and no chance of a haven, " said Jack. "This soundsprecious awkward. It strikes me our only chance will be to pick astrong position, or as strong a one as we can find, and wait for them. They'll certainly run us down pretty soon at the pace we're travellingnow. "

"And we can't go any faster, " said Buck, "without we leave our traps, and then we should be up a tree for want of them, even if we escapedfrom the dacoits in the end. "

"I'm getting beat, and that's a fact, " murmured Jim Dent. "I had asharp touch of fever about three months ago, and it's not gone soclean out of my bones as I thought. "

"I'll carry your pack, Jim, " cried Jack. 

"In addition to your own?" said Dent. "Not likely. I'll peg along abit farther before I agree to that. "

At that moment the path ran into a grove of tall bamboos clusteredalong the bank. The grove was of no great width, and they emerged fromit to see a little camp pitched on a sand-bank beside the stream. Afire was burning, and a pot of rice simmering over the flame. Watchingthe rice, sat, or rather squatted, a couple of Shan boatmen, and theirboat was moored to a tree at the water's edge. 

"Hallo!" cried Jack, "these chaps have got a big boat here. Can't weget them to run us and our stuff up the river?"

"By George!" said Jim Dent, "there's something in that. "

"Ask them, Me Dain, " called Jack. "Tell them we'll pay them well ifthey'll carry us up the river. "

The Burman ran forward at once and began to talk quickly to thebig-hatted boatmen. In two moments everything was settled. The menwere poling their boat back up the stream after selling a load oftobacco in a down-river village, and were glad to serve travellers whowould pay them well. The baggage was stripped from the pony, andhastily swung into the empty boat. 

"What shall we do with the pony?" said Jack. 

"Turn him loose into the jungle, " said Buck. "He's got heaps of sense, they all have. Before night he'll hit on some village, and then he'llsoon find a master. A stray pony comes in very useful to anybody. "

This was done. Me Dain led the pony a short distance from the riverbank and loosed it, and gave it a cut with a switch. The littlecreature threw up its heels joyfully to find itself free, thencantered off among the trees, and they saw it no more. 

By this time the Shans had swallowed their rice, and were ready toseize their poles. All sprang aboard, the Shans and Me Dain graspedthe boating-poles, and the craft was soon being driven steadily upstream. For some time Jack watched the boatmen with deep interest. They drove their craft along just as a punt is propelled in England. Each man handled a long stout pole, and, where the water was shallowenough, he set the bottom of his pole in the gravelly bed and urgedthe boat forward. Where the water was too deep the craft was turnedinshore, and the polers thrust the ends of their staves against thebank or against tree trunks lining the water's edge. Jack saw thatquite deep holes had been made in many of the trunks where boatmanafter boatman had gained the purchase which sent his craft spinning upstream. 

"Well, Jim, " said Jack, "this is a bit easier anyhow. "

"It is, " sighed Dent, wiping the streaming sweat from his brow. "I waspretty near caving in, and that's a fact. "

"We'll drop the dacoits for a sure thing, " said Buck. "They'll stop tohunt all about the place where they lose our trail, and then they'llfollow up the pony for a dead cert. "

"True for you, Buck, " replied Jim Dent. "We left no marks at all toshow them where we got into the boat. "

They had embarked secretly by pushing the boat up to a big stone, andmoving carefully in order to leave no trace. 

"Where does the road turn off from the river bank, Me Dain?" askedJack. 

"We have passed it already, sahib, " replied the Burman. "It is solidjungle on both banks now, with no path at all The dacoits cannotfollow except along the river itself. "

"Then we've dropped 'em, " said Jim Dent decisively. "We shall neversee 'em again. "

And Jim's words proved to be right. They had at last eluded thepursuit of the blood-thirsty little Kachins. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

THE VILLAGE FESTIVAL. 

For three days the strong arms of Me Dain and the two Shan boatmendrove the river boat up the stream, and every day's journey broughtthem nearer to the mountains where the rubies were found, and amongwhose recesses they believed that Jack's father was a close prisonerin the hands of men who coveted rubies above all things. 

Jack said very little to his companions about the object of theirjourney, but his own thoughts were full of it at every waking moment. Since he had discovered that U Saw, the Ruby King, had a steam yacht, and that it had returned and gone up river shortly before their ownarrival, he had felt no doubt whatever in his own mind as to hisfather's fate. He knew that the great ruby expert was on that yacht aclose captive, and that he had been carried by secret ways, throughthe jungle and over the hills, to the place where U Saw wasall-powerful, and would do his utmost to wrest from Thomas Haydon theknowledge which the latter certainly possessed of a great ruby-mine. 

Very good. They, too, would push into the Ruby King's country, and dotheir utmost to foil his plans and snatch his prisoner from hisclutch. Hour after hour Jack thought over the situation, while his eyerested almost carelessly on the lovely scenes of hill-side and jungle, past which their boat was driven. 

At the end of the first day they left the main current of the river, and poled eastwards by a network of creeks leading to the village fromwhich their boatmen came. For the most part the water-way was verysolitary. Here and there they passed a village, but, as a rule, nolife, save that of wild animals, was to be seen. Monkeys chattered inthe trees over their heads, panthers and deer came down to the streamto drink, tigers roared in sullen fashion in the jungle, and once, atroop of wild elephants crossed a ford before them in stately line. 

With the evening of the third day the boatmen reached their nativevillage, and the travellers stepped ashore. A new hut, built of reedsand cane, was set apart at once for their use, and, after supper, theytalked over their future movements before turning in. 

"How do we stand now as regards striking the course my father followedfrom Mogok?" asked Jack. 

Jim Dent, who knew the country well, cross-examined Me Dain for a fewmoments. 

"We ought to hit it to-morrow afternoon, " he said. "We've come a longway on the right road by dropping on these boatmen. We're just handyto the foot-hills, and the Professor skirted 'em, according to what MeDain says. "

"Very well, " said Jack. "Then we'll roll into our blankets, and be offby daybreak. "

Jack was so eager to start on the real trail, and so excited by itsnearness, that he slept but little. He was up an hour before the dawn, and had got the fire burning when his companions awoke. Buck sat up, and rubbed his eyes, and sniffed the smoke. 

"Keen on a start, Jack?" he murmured. 

"I am, Buck, " replied the tall lad. "Haven't you told me a score oftimes how the news of travellers in a country runs with marvellousswiftness through the jungle, from village to village? Well, I want tobe ahead of the news. It might make Saya Chone and U Saw suspicious. They knew very well we were in Mandalay. I don't want them to learntoo soon that we're at their very doors. "

Jim Dent nodded. He, too, had wakened, and had been listening to Jack. 

"Me Dain, " said Jack, "go to the headman, and tell him we want acouple of good ponies to carry the packs once more. Bring them herefor us to see, and then we'll pay the owners. "

Within half an hour they had the pick of a score of capital littlebeasts. They looked them over carefully, chose the couple which seemedbest suited to their needs, paid for them, and set to work to pack thetraps on them. Within an hour after sunrise they were on the march. 

For several miles they followed a well-worn road running due northfrom the village. This was to conceal their true line of march fromthe knowledge of the curious villagers. But when they were well awayfrom the place, and safe from all prying eyes, they swung to the eastand marched straight through open country for the foot-hills, plainlyin view a score of miles away. 

The sun was low and they had made a good day's journey, when Me Dainhalted on a little ridge, overlooking a sloping green valley with abrook tinkling down its centre. Jack was beside him. 

"There, sahib, there, " said the Burman. "We have reached now the pathwhich the sahib, your father, followed. We made our camp, one night, under those trees. "

He pointed to a group of noble teak trees growing beside the littlebrook, and Jack strode forward, and was soon standing on the spotwhere his father had camped a month or two before. He had scarcelyreached the place when he received proof positive that Me Dain wasright. Something glittered in the rays of the sinking sun. It was anempty tin tossed carelessly into a clump of wild-fig bushes. Jackpicked it up with a cry of recognition. 

"Look here, " he said; "the Burman's hit the trail all right. Here'sone of the governor's empty tobacco tins. He's never smoked anythingelse in my knowledge of him. "

Jack held in his hand an empty tin which bore the name of a brand ofCarolina tobacco. Though little known out of America, the tobacco wasan immense favourite with Mr. . Haydon, who carried an ample supply ofit with him wherever he went. 

"Sure thing, " chuckled Buck. "That's one o' the Professor's tins. Well, we'll follow him up. "

They camped that night under the teak trees, and with the first lightof the next morning, began to follow up the track which Mr. . Haydonhad taken some time before, the track which led into the wildhill-country, where U Saw, the Ruby King, was all-powerful. 

They now moved with the utmost caution. When they saw a caravan ofcattle, laden with salt, marching along a hill road they were about tocross, they hid from it in the jungle. When they saw afar off thespire of a pagoda peeping over the trees, and knew they were near avillage, they sent Me Dain ahead to make inquiries, and find whetherthe villagers were familiar with the name of U Saw. And so for threedays they worked cautiously along the track running up into the hillswhere Thomas Haydon had found the immense ruby of priceless value. 

On the fourth morning they were just breaking camp, when, to theirsurprise, a troop of gaily dressed villagers passed them, and calledout a cheerful greeting to Me Dain. The Burman went forward to talk tothem, while Jack, Jim, and Buck went on with their packing, and triedto look unconcerned. 

They were in reality vexed that they had been seen. But the bunch ofwalking figures had descended the ravine in which they were camped sosuddenly and unexpectedly, that there was no time to get out of theway. 

"Where under the sun have these people turned up from, in so lonely apart of the hills?" said Jack to Buck. "Why, we haven't seen a villagesince yesterday morning. "

"I dunno, " replied Buck. "This beats the band. They seem to havedropped from the sky. "

When Me Dain came back to them, the explanation was simple enough. Four hours' march ahead was a large village, where every three years agreat religious festival was held. To this festival the wholecountry-side gathered, and the band of villagers, now pushing aheadand almost out of sight at the foot of the ravine, had already comethree days' journey to attend the feast. 

The Burman reported that the villagers had been filled with curiosityat the sight of three white travellers in this out-of-the-way region, and had overwhelmed him with questions about them. 

"What did you tell them, Me Dain?" asked Jack. 

"Said you were crossing the hills to strike up to the great road fromBhamo, " replied the Burman. "Sahibs, we must go to that village now, and pass through it openly. "

"But won't that make our presence known throughout the wholedistrict?" cried Jack. 

"Not half so much as if we don't show up, " said Jim Dent "D'ye see, Jack, it's uncommon, but not impossible, for travellers to strikeacross the hills this way. Now, if we pass through this village in anopen sort of fashion, it won't make a tenth of the talk as if we wereto slip off and never be seen again. Then there'd be such a chatter inthe country-side as we don't want to start. "

"I see what you mean, Jim, " returned Jack. "We must hope that we canget through the place quietly. "

But Jack's hopes proved utterly vain. Half a mile outside the villagethey were met by a dozen of the leading inhabitants, each wearing afine new silk _putsoe_, and with a _gaung baung_ of gorgeous colour onhis head. The strangers were politely bidden to take up theirresidence in the house of the headman, and to be present at the greatfeast which was that night to open the week of religious festival. Itwas impossible to refuse these attentions, and the little group oftravellers, whose keenest wish was to pass unnoticed, entered theplace under the stare of many hundreds of eyes. 

A large room was set at their disposal in the house of the headman, and here they talked together. 

"It's vexing, but it can't be helped, " said Jack. "We must slip offagain in the morning. After all, this fandango, you say, will last aweek. At that rate, we shall get a big start of the people assembledhere, and shall outrun the country gossip far enough. "

CHAPTER XX. 

THE DANCING GIRL. 

After the dusk had fallen, the travellers were conducted by theheadman himself, a white-headed old fellow, who showed them the utmostrespect, to the spot where the festival was to be opened with a playand a performance of dancing girls. 

Jack was fascinated with the wonderful sight now presented to hisview. He, alone, among the party, had never seen such a spectaclebefore, and he looked on with the deepest interest. He was seated on aheap of cushions, before a wide open space surrounded by thickets oflow trees and tall bushes. On the branches of these were hunginnumerable coloured lamps, which lighted the scene with a soft, bright radiance. 

In the centre of the space were ranged sixty dancing girls, in tenrows of six in a row, and each dancer stood at an equal distance fromher next neighbour on either hand. Each girl was dressed in beautifulsilks of the most glowing, or the most delicate shades. Her shortembroidered jacket, her tightly folded skirt, were of the brightestand newest, and her hair was decked with beautiful flowers. 

The dance began, and the graceful swaying movements, to which theclink of the bangles worn in rows on every arm kept time, were full offascination and charm. All round the open space the villagers from farand near were gathered, and this mass of spectators in strange garbs, but everything of the freshest and gayest, formed a striking settingfor the scene. 

When the dance was over, the headman, through Me Dain, begged them toinspect the pagoda and the offerings which had been brought to it bythe faithful. They went and saw a very quaint and beautiful structure, its columns inlaid with mosaics and coloured glass which glitteredwith a thousand glancing rays in the lights of the myriads of lamps. Chief among the offerings at the shrine were huge packets ofgold-leaf, for the religious Burman loves to decorate his favouritepagoda with sheets of gold-leaf, till it glistens in the sun like apalace of gold. 

Among the offerings ranged on the steps of the pagoda was a nativepainting, a quaint piece of work which drew Jack's attention at once. He bent down to look at it, while his companions rambled on with MeDain and the headman. 

As Jack straightened himself again, he felt a light touch on his arm, and looked round. Beside him stood a dancing girl, wrapped in aclose-fitting robe of yellow silk, and a scarf of muslin so woundabout her head that he could not see her face. 

Jack stared for a moment in surprise, wondering what the girl couldwant with him, then he gave a great start as she began to speak. Sheused the softest, gentlest whisper, but her voice came easily to hisears, and, marvellous to relate, she spoke in perfect English. 

"I know what you seek, " she said, "and I can help you. "

Jack's surprise was so great that, for a moment, he could not answer, and the veiled figure went on:

"Would you not like to know where the object of your search is?"

"How do you know that I seek someone?" said Jack in wonder. 

"Oh, I know, " murmured the dancing girl with a soft, light laugh. "Iwill go a little further. Would you not like to know where yourfather, Thomas Haydon, is imprisoned, and what is happening to him?"

For a moment the whole glittering scene of lamps and gaiety went roundbefore Jack's eyes. Then he pulled himself up steady once more. Thissavoured of the utterly marvellous, that a dancing girl in thisvillage which he had never seen before, should glide up to him andtell him the innermost secret of his heart, the purpose of his quest. 

"Who are you, and how did you come to know such things?" said Jack. 

"Oh, " said the girl lightly, "in this strange land we can do manystrange things. But I cannot talk to you long. Do you wish, I ask youonce more, to gain tidings of your father?"

"There is nothing I wish for more upon earth, " returned Jackearnestly, for it was idle to pretend that the girl was wrong, and tryto hide his secret. It was known only too clearly to this strangecreature in the yellow robe, with a score of silver bangles tinklingon her arm. Jack turned his head towards his companions who hadstrolled on, and were now a dozen yards away, and half hidden by agroup of villagers standing before the shrine. 

"No, " said the girl, laying her hand on Jack's arm, "no, you must notcall to them. I do not wish to talk to your Burman guide. It wouldplace me in great danger if it became known that I had warned you. Ifyou do not listen to me, and alone, I shall vanish into the crowd, andyou will never see me again, or learn that which you long to know. "

The girl's hint that she stood in danger by warning him, at oncechecked the call on Jack's lips. He looked at her keenly, but couldonly see a pair of lustrous eyes flashing through the folds ofdelicate muslin, her features he could not make out at all. His brainwas in a whirl. Here seemed a most extraordinary, a most wonderfulchance to gain news of his father, but at the same time his reasonbade him be careful. 

Suppose he were to seize the girl and declare that she must tell himat once what she knew? But Jack's feelings revolted at such conduct. Suppose she should come into danger by his doing so, by his makingpublic the fact that she was warning him? No, he could not do that. Besides, they were but a few strangers amid a great concourse ofnatives. Such an action might give great offence, and place, not onlyhimself, but his friends in a position of the utmost peril. 

These thoughts went through Jack's head in a flash. The girl at hisside gave another light laugh. 

"You can find out all you want in so simple a fashion, " she murmured. "Turn your head to the right, and near a patch of acacia bushes youwill see a monk with his begging-bowl. Cross over to him, and drop apiece of money into the bowl. At the same moment you can take out ofit the letter which your father has sent to you by his hands. I wouldfetch it for you, but he will not give it up to anyone but you. "

This became more and more bewildering, but at the same time, Jack sawthat this matter was very simply settled. He looked away to the right, and saw the monk plainly enough, a Buddhist monk in yellow robe, hisbegging dish of bronze held out before him. The man stood upright andmotionless, not thirty yards away. 

Jack turned on his heel and strode straight across towards the monk, resolved to see at any rate what was in the dish. The dancing girlfollowed him with graceful, swaying step. 

At the instant that Jack moved towards the monk a fresh band ofrevellers came out of a path leading from the acacia bushes andcrossed towards the steps of the pagoda. From among them a tall, thinman dressed in white robes stepped out and moved with long, softstrides after the young Englishman. His companions lingered and staredidly about them. 

As Jack approached the monk, he saw the latter raise his head andglance at him meaningly. Then, with a slight movement of the hand, the monk pointed to the bottom of his bowl. Jack had taken a rupeefrom his pocket and stretched out his hand to drop it into the bowl. As he did so he glanced eagerly into the bronze vessel. A folded pieceof white paper lay in the bottom of it. Jack dropped his coin andstretched out his hand to seize the paper. But he never touched it. 

With horrible swiftness and suddenness, someone clutched him frombehind. Once more he felt his throat in the frightful strangling gripwhich had seized him on Rushmere Heath, in far-away England. He triedto shout, but his half-choked voice was drowned in the sudden burst ofsong which rose from the band of gaily dressed figures which nowswarmed around him. He tried to struggle, to throw off the fearfulgrip which held him, but now the dancing girl sprang to him andpressed against his face a cloth she had drawn from beneath her yellowrobe. Almost at once the powerful drug with which the cloth wassaturated took effect. Jack's head dropped forward, and the dancinggirl nodded to the strangler to loose his frightful clutch. 

At that moment Buck looked round and missed his young companion. 

"Where's Jack got to?" he asked. 

"I don't know, " said Jim. "He was looking at a picture just alongthere, the last time I saw him. "

[Illustration: THE DANCING GIRL]

"I don't see him anywhere about, " said Buck, in an uneasy voice, andhe walked rapidly back. He came to the picture, stopped in front ofit, and looked eagerly round for Jack. He saw the band of singers ashort distance away, but took no notice of them. He had seen scores ofsuch bands during the evening. Little did he dream that, under coverof those harmless looking revellers, the body of his young comrade wasbeing dragged among the acacia bushes by the monk and the dancinggirl. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

JACK FINDS HIMSELF IN BAD HANDS. 

When Jack came to himself again, he felt faint and sick, and his headached dully. This was the effect of the powerful drug which had beenused to overcome him, but for the rest he was unhurt and quitehimself. He found at once that he was securely bound hand and foot. His ankles were fastened together by a short cord, his hands were tiedbehind him, and a rope ran round the middle of his body and tetheredhim securely to a strong post. But he was not gagged, and his eyeswere free. 

He looked eagerly around the place in which he found himself. It was anative hut, built of canes and reeds, woven upon a framework formed ofsaplings and stronger trees. The floor was of earth, and he could seethe whole of the bare, empty room, for in one corner a lamp stood onthe floor, and gave sufficient light to show him every nook in theplace. Somewhere, not far away, there was a hoarse roar of water, asif a river leapt over falls near at hand. 

Jack raised his voice and shouted. He could not move, but his throatwas free. Twice or thrice he shouted the names of his companions. Theonly answer to his call was a light mocking laugh outside the door, which swung half open straight before him. Then a figure appeared inthe doorway, a figure in a tight yellow robe and short embroideredjacket, the dancing girl who had ensnared him. But even as he openedhis mouth eagerly to speak to her, he was silenced. The figure wasdrawing aside the muslin veil from its head. As the soft shimmeringfolds of the delicate wrapper slipped away, Jack's heart leaped withinhim. He knew that face. This was no dancing girl. It was thehalf-caste in disguise. It was Saya Chone, the man who had stopped himon Rushmere Heath, the man who had slipped out of his clutch atBrindisi. 

"Ah, " said the half-caste, squatting down in front of Jack, "I have noneed to ask if you know me. I see recognition in your astonished face. Well, does it now surprise you that a dancing girl should know so muchof your business up in these hills?"

"So it was you, you rascal, was it?" said Jack, drawing a deep breath. "You, all the time. "

"I, all the time, " chuckled the half-caste, clicking consonantsbetween his teeth. 

"If you'd have spoken out, I should have known you, " said Jack. 

"Ah, possibly, " said Saya Chone; "but then for my purpose the softvoice, the gentle whisper, was the only thing. "

"What do you mean by this, and what do you want with me?" demandedJack. 

"Orders, orders, I am acting under orders, " murmured the half-caste, waving his brown hand in the air. "And I do not want you at all. Itis merely my business to hand you over to my patron U Saw. It is hewho wants you, not I. "

"And what does he want me for?" said Jack. 

"Ah, " murmured Saya Chone, "that I shall not tell you now. It is notgood for the servants of U Saw to interfere too much in their master'sbusiness. Well, I must prepare for the march. "

He clapped his hands, and a tall, thin man in white robes came in. Saya Chone said a few words to the newcomer, and the latter sat downand fixed his dark, menacing eyes on Jack. 

"This is a Malay, who is entirely devoted to U Saw's service, " saidthe half-caste, with an evil grin. "He is a very useful man, for he isabsolutely the cleverest hand with the strangling noose that I haveever known. I believe he could strangle a child in its mother's armsand she would know nothing about it. You have already had a slighttaste of his skill on two occasions. Once on that heath in your queer, cold England, and again to-night. But as he was under strict orders onboth occasions not to take your life, he spared you the last touch ofhis art, that sharp, neat twist which breaks his victim's spinalcolumn as if he was snapping a bit of dry stick. "

Saya Chone turned to go, but paused at the door and looked over hisshoulder. 

"I heard you shouting as I came in, " he said. "If you have a fancy forthat amusement, pray shout as much as you like. But I ought to warnyou that it is a pure waste of breath. We have carried you nearly acouple of miles into the jungle, and fifty times the uproar you couldmake would be quite useless to attract attention. "

He left the hut, and Jack sat back against the post to think over hisdesperate situation. He had fallen into the hands of the very peoplethat he and his comrades were trying to circumvent. How they haddiscovered their line of march, and been enabled to lay this clevertrap for him, he could not imagine. But one thing he saw clearly, thatU Saw's arm was very long in this country, and that his net forinformation was spread abroad very widely and very successfully. 

He looked across at the Strangler, and found the dark bright eyes ofthe Malay fixed intently upon him. Jack had been thinking to test thestrength of the knots and the cords which bound him, but in thepresence of this keen watchman it was useless, and he bent down hiseyes in thought once more. 

"I am to be carried to U Saw, " he thought. "Then my father must bethere already. At any rate I shall see him, I hope, and find out whathas happened to him, and how he has been treated. "

Several hours now passed in complete silence. Jack's bonds chafed himmiserably, but he could do nothing to relieve himself, and the Malaywatched him with fierce alertness at every moment. Then the rickettydoor was jerked open again, and Saya Chone came in. 

"It is the dark hour before the dawn, " he laughed jeeringly. "Acapital time to slip away while all the revellers are sleeping, andthe forest paths are empty. Your conveyance awaits you, my lord. "

He said two words to the Strangler, and drew a revolver from beneathhis jacket. He had thrown aside his disguise as a dancing girl, andnow appeared in the rich tartan silk kilt, the jacket, and turban-likehead-dress of a prosperous Burman. 

"Get up, " he said curtly to Jack, while the Strangler unfastened therope which bound the captive's feet and also that which bound his bodyto the post. 

Jack got up, and Saya Chone motioned to him to go outside, and Jackwent, with the Malay and the half-caste in close attendance. Resistance was impossible. His hands were still bound behind his back, and the half-caste held a big, blue "Smith and Wesson" within twoinches of his ear. 

In front of the hut loomed up a huge beast looking monstrous in thelight of a couple of lanterns held by attendants. It was an elephant, and a ladder was placed against the open howdah fixed on its back; thegreat beast was swinging trunk and tail impatiently, and its driverwas already seated behind the huge head. 

"Up with you, " said Saya Chone. Jack glanced round, and saw nothingbut dark, fierce, inimical faces all about him. 

"No chance in the world at present, " he thought, and began slowly toclimb the ladder. It was very awkward work with no hand free, but theStrangler stretched out a long arm, supported him to the top rung, then thrust him violently forward, so that Jack rolled into thehowdah. It was the simplest form of this kind of carriage, and wasexactly like a huge open basket of strong wicker-work fastened on theelephant's back. Before Jack could recover himself from his fall, theMalay and two other men bounded into the howdah, and flung themselveson the prisoner. In a trice they had strapped his ankles togetheragain. Then they swung him into a sitting posture, and lashed his armsfirmly to the back of the howdah. 

Next they descended, another figure leapt up, and the ladder was takenaway. The newcomer gave an order, and the elephant driver spoke to hishuge beast in a low voice. The elephant at once swung forward, and ina moment the hut and its lanterns were left behind, and they weremoving through the darkness of the jungle. 

Jack had known by the voice that it was the half-caste who was hiscompanion in the howdah, but he said nothing, and Saya Chone, too, wassilent. Soon the half-caste lighted a huge Burmese cheroot, and in thelight, almost the flare, of this immense cigar, nine or ten incheslong and an inch thick, Jack saw now and again his beardless brownface, his big, shining, evil eyes. 

When the dawn came and Jack could look about him, they were traversinga narrow path through jungle so thick that the sky could scarcely beseen overhead. 

"Ah, " said Saya Chone, breaking the silence at last, "you may lookround, my lord, but you will never be able to keep in mind the detailsof the route. I shall take you into the hills by paths so hidden inthe jungle or along ravines so deep that to track you will beimpossible. "

Jack was silent for a moment. Then he spoke. "Shall I see my father?"he asked. 

Saya Chone laughed. "You will see what U Saw wills that you shallsee, " he said mockingly. "I am U Saw's humble servant, and can say nomore. "

Jack made no reply. He was sorry he had spoken, but the question hadslipped out on the impulse of the moment. 

All that day they travelled on, and at night they camped in a hollowamong the rocks at the foot of a tall cliff. Jack was not ill-treated, and plenty of food was given to him, but the keenest watch was keptupon his every movement, and escape was a thing altogether beyond hisreach. His captors were six in number, including the man who drove theelephant. The driver and Saya Chone were Jack's companions on thegreat beast, and when they were on the move the captive was alwayslashed tightly to the framework of the howdah. The other four, theMalay and three companions, rode the strong, nimble ponies of thecountry. The baggage of the party was conveyed on a pack-pony, andthey travelled at a good speed. 

On the second morning, Saya Chone sat on the edge of the howdah, purring at his huge cheroot, while the Strangler and a companionlashed Jack into position. The half-caste had been superintending theoperation with his revolver at Jack's ear, until the knots were tight, and our hero could not move. 

"This is a very good idea, indeed, " he murmured, "this carrying of aprisoner in a howdah on a pad-elephant. I had an idea it would be asuccess, but it is better than I thought. It is a neat, little, portable prison. It is far better than tying the feet of an activeyoung man under a pony's barrel. The young man may dig his heels inand gallop off after all. But tied up in a howdah he is quite safe. "

Jack paid no attention whatever to the half-caste's sneers and jeers:he had resolved to take his gruel without whining, and he boreeverything in stoical silence. 

Two hours' march brought them to a clearing in the jungle, and theroad ran between small paddy-fields. This meant that a native villagewas near at hand, and Jack looked out for the slight huts of reed andcane in which the villagers lived. To his surprise he saw nothing. Andnot to his surprise alone. He could not understand the words used byhis companions, but he saw plainly that they were puzzled aboutsomething. Then the cries of wonder broke out loudly as they passed agrove of bamboos and came upon a scene of extraordinary destruction. The native village had been built in shelter of the bamboos, only alittle place, a cluster of fifteen or twenty huts. But every house layin ruins as if the place had been knocked about the villagers' earswith a huge flail. Near at hand a man lay dead, his body horriblycrushed and battered. No sign of life was to be observed about theplace. 

But while the travellers stared in wonder on the havoc which had beenmade, they were suddenly attacked by the author of it, and knew thattheir own lives were in deadly peril. There was a terrific crashingamong the bamboos, and then a huge, dark object was seen to bebursting a way through the tall stems. All but Jack knew at once whatit meant; he was enlightened in an instant. 

"A 'rogue' elephant! A 'rogue' elephant!" cried Saya Chone, and thedriver urged the pad-elephant forward with voice and spear. 

Then Jack understood. His father had told him many times how that abig, savage male will often leave a herd of wild elephants, take up asolitary life in the jungle, and become a "rogue. " There is no moreterrible beast to be met with. His enormous size and strength, histerrible ferocity, make him the king of the jungle. He attacks all hemeets, and tramples every foe under his huge feet. 

This "rogue" had evidently been attracted to the clearing by thepaddy-fields, where the elephant loves to feed. Then, irritatedprobably by some attempt of the natives to drive him away, he hadattacked their village and swept it out of existence. Now he wascharging savagely upon the newcomers. 

He came at them across the open with terrific speed. Jack had not thefaintest idea that so ponderous a beast could move at such a pace, andhe stared with fascinated eyes at the extraordinary sight. The "rogue"was an immense tusker, a big, wild, savage-looking brute, who chargedwith up-lifted trunk, and now trumpeted with so tremendous a note thatthe jungle and the hill-sides rang with the hoarse thunder. His coursewas laid straight for the men in front, two of the attendants onponies. The Malay, the remaining attendant, and the pack-pony werebehind the pad-elephant. 

The ponies, obedient to their riders, had at first bounded forward, but when that frightful trumpeting broke out, and they saw the hugetusker thundering upon them, they were seized with such fear that theystopped and stood still, trembling in every limb. Before their riderscould urge them on, the immense brute was upon them. One of theriders, a bold fellow, stood up in the stirrups, and struck at the"rogue" with his _dah_. But he might as well have struck with a straw. The monster literally swept the two ponies down in his stride, trampling them under foot in his frightful charge. The man who hadused his heavy sword to so little effect, went down with his pony. Thesecond man had leapt from his saddle, and he ran at full speed for ateak tree, intending to swarm up its trunk. 

His flying figure caught the eye of the "rogue" just as he was aboutto turn and trample on those he had hurled to the ground. Now thesavage brute strode on, and it was seen how swift was his greatlumbering stride. He caught the man up, long before the fugitive wasanywhere near the tree, and hurled him to the ground with a stroke ofhis tusk. Then he pulled up and deliberately knelt down on the unluckywretch, who screamed horribly as his life was crushed out of him bythe tremendous weight of the gigantic beast. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

THE TWO ELEPHANTS. 

All this passed directly below Jack's horrified eyes. The pad-elephantwas so frightened at the advent of this savage specimen of his ownspecies, that he had turned stupid and made no attempt to obey hisdriver's orders. Instead, he turned and backed slowly from the place, keeping his head towards the "rogue. " Thus Jack saw the ferociousbrute swiftly crush the life out of the man upon whom he knelt, thenleap up and rush back to the spot where the two ponies and the riderwho had used the _dah_ were still lying on the ground. 

The ponies had both been trodden on in that terrific charge, and theman, untouched by the elephant, had been flung three or four yards, and lay half-stunned by his fall. As he scrambled to his feet the"rogue" was upon him. With a scream of rage the maddened brute bentdown his huge head and delivered a sweeping stroke with his tusk. Thegreat sharp spear of ivory struck the man in the back and was drivenclean through the body. The elephant raised his head and swung the manhigh above the ground. Jack shuddered as he saw the writhing figureimpaled on that huge tusk. 

For a moment the elephant held his victim aloft as if in triumph, thenwith a swing of his head he hurled the man far away, and looked roundfor fresh victims. At the next moment the earth shook under his treadas he thundered down upon the pad-elephant and the burden it bore. 

"Cut me loose!" roared Jack to the half-caste. "What chance have Igot, tied to this howdah?"

But Saya Chone, ashen with fear, clung to the edge of the car, and hadeyes and ears for nothing save for the great beast charging full uponthem. Jack hurled himself to and fro, trying to slacken a little thebonds which held him a prisoner under such fearful circumstances. Ifthe pad-elephant would only make a fight of it, there would be achance for its riders to slip down and escape, but how could Jack helphimself?

As the "rogue" made his last few sweeping strides upon them, thepad-elephant seemed to pluck up the courage of desperation. He was afine, big, powerful fellow, though not equal in size to his wildenemy, and now he took a step or two forward, threw out his hugeforehead, and met his enemy in full career. 

The crash as the two huge beasts charged into each other wastremendous. The pad-elephant was driven back half a dozen yards, buthe kept his feet. Then the two immense creatures, head braced to headand tusks locked in tusks, began a steady trial of strength, eachstriving to force the other back. 

Now Saya Chone plucked out his heavy revolver, and, leaning over theedge of the howdah, began to fire swiftly into the head and body ofthe savage "rogue. " But though the bullets cut deeply into the flesh, and the blood spouted freely, the big brute troubled nothing aboutthat. As far as reaching any vital part went, the revolver might havebeen a pop-gun, and the wild elephant gave himself up entirely to thestruggle with his tame brother. 

In a few minutes it was seen that he was carrying the day. Thepad-elephant, with deep grunts of anger and fear, began to give waybefore the fierce strength and impetuosity of his terrible opponent. Jack looked round and saw that they were alone; the Malay and thefourth attendant had fled from the place. 

Then, at the next moment, the elephant under them gave up the fight. He suddenly backed off, turned, and lumbered across the clearing infull flight. The "rogue" threw up his trunk, and trumpeted a roar ofvictory, then dashed after the pad-elephant in savage pursuit. He wasmuch swifter, and soon came up on the flank where Jack, by turning hishead, had him in full view. Jack saw the small, fierce eyes burningwith fury, and then the head was bent and the great forehead wasdriven against the flying enemy. The shock was such that thepad-elephant was driven to its knees, the driver was hurled over itshead, and Saya Chone flung headlong out of the car. Jack aloneremained in the howdah, held fast by his bonds. 

Again the "rogue" elephant charged his enemy, and now the latter wasflung over on to its side, and the rim of the howdah brushed theground. Jack looked up in despair. The vast bulk of the infuriatedelephant hung right over him as the "rogue" prepared to trample uponthe foe whom he had hurled to the ground. In vain did Jack dashhimself to and fro in his bonds; he was fastened only too securely, and he knew that the least stroke of the foot now raised above hishead would crush him as surely as a steam-hammer would crush a nut. Atthe next second Jack saw a gleaming white tusk dart down towards himas the "rogue" bent his head and struck. 

The tusk went through the howdah within six inches of Jack's leg, andwas buried deep in the back of the pad-elephant Then the "rogue, " ashe withdrew the dripping spear of ivory, caught sight of something andturned his wicked little eyes on it. He saw the driver and Saya Choneat some little distance running for their lives, and his fickle fancyturned to the thoughts of making short work of them before he finishedwith his tame brother. 

Away he went in pursuit of this new object, and the pad-elephantscrambled to its feet, and stood for a few moments as if bewilderedand uncertain what to do. During these few moments Jack saw the drivercaught and felled to earth by the huge beast before whose savage mightall stood helpless. Saya Chone had far outrun his companion, and thehalf-caste disappeared among the trees as the "rogue" began to trampleupon the driver, whose frightful screams were silenced as both breathand life itself were swiftly crushed out of the body, so soon madepulp under those huge round feet. 

Suddenly the pad-elephant wheeled about with big clumsy movements, andwas off at a good round lumbering trot in the opposite direction. Hehad seen quite enough of this savage brother of the jungle, and had nowish for further punishment. But the "rogue" had no intention ofletting him go so easily. Leaving the driver, the wild elephant dashedafter the tame one at full speed. 

And now began a most extraordinary race. The pad-elephant dartedstraight into the jungle and took the country as it came, straightbefore him, thinking of nothing but escape. He dashed through grovesof bamboos and saplings, cutting his way clean through; he racedgrunting and puffing up hill-side and down ravines; he dodged throughthe big trees with an agility and swiftness most wonderful in so heavyand clumsy a beast, and all the time his enemy hung upon his rear, sometimes near enough to gore his flank, sometimes out-distanced for alittle as the tame beast, frenzied with fear and pain, put out anextraordinary burst of speed. And in the howdah, fast bound still tothe tough wicker-work, was Jack, the only spectator of this marvellouschase through the jungle, and one with an immense stake in it. 

When the "rogue" came up, Jack's heart beat thick with anxiety. If thecreature that bore him was once more knocked down, then he knew thatit would be all over with him. He would certainly be crushed like afly in the terrific struggle which would follow. When thepad-elephant got away, Jack breathed a little more freely, until heheard his enemy's ponderous steps once again thundering up. 

Mile after mile, through jungle or over open plain, this marvellouschase went on, and still the pad-elephant raced snorting for his life, still the furious "rogue" pounded at his heels in hot pursuit. 

Jack was nearly shaken to pieces. He braced his feet against the sideof the howdah, and propped himself firmly against a corner of the hugebasket in which he rode. More than once the curling trunk of thepursuer was raised above his head, but, as is well known, the wildelephant hesitated to attack a rider on the tame one's back. For threefull hours the furious monarch of the jungle drove the pad-elephantbefore him, a ride Jack never forgot to the end of his days. Then theycame out on a wide grassy plain by a river, where a large herd of wildelephants was standing knee-deep in the stream, solemnly spoutingwater over their backs. 

On rushed the pad-elephant, now panting and almost ready to fall fromexhaustion, towards his fellows. But the "rogue, " a hater of his kind, pulled up, trumpeted a few shrill notes of defiance, turned, andtrotted back into the jungle. 

The pad-elephant now stood still, trembling from head to foot with histremendous exertions. The herd of wild elephants, more than twenty innumber, left the river and came towards the beast which bore thehowdah and Jack. They marched up in slow and stately fashion, withoutany sign of anger, but apparently full of curiosity as to thisnewcomer and his strange equipment. 

At the next moment Jack found himself in a most extraordinaryposition, his elephant being surrounded by the wild herd, whose trunksran here and there over their tame brother like so many hands beingstretched out to examine him. One big bull put his trunk into thehowdah and ran it over Jack, who remained perfectly still, knowingthat an incautious movement might arouse the animal's anger. But thesecreatures seemed as mild and gentle as the "rogue" had been ferocious. Before long their curiosity was satisfied, and they strolled away tocrop the young bamboo shoots. 

At last Jack breathed a little more freely. His wild ride had been aterrible business for him. A hundred and a hundred times had his heartcome into his mouth when the great beast that bore him had plungedthrough groves where it seemed that over-hanging boughs must sweephowdah and rider from the elephant's back. But he had come through allthese dangers safely, and now the "rogue" had gone back to the jungleand the pad-elephant was at peace. 

Presently Jack underwent an odd experience. His elephant walked downto the river and took a long drink. Jack envied the lucky brute; he, too, was parched with thirst. But in another moment he had waterenough and to spare, for the elephant, filling his trunk with water, began to cool himself by spouting it over his body, and in a veryshort time Jack was drenched to the skin. 

"It's refreshing, at any rate, " thought Jack, as he shut his eyesagainst a fresh deluge of yellow water. "I wish to goodness I couldonly work myself free. I've got clear away from Saya Chone and theStrangler, and that's something to the good. "

He began again to work himself about in his bonds, but he was soonobliged to desist. He was already stiff, and he soon became very soreas he struggled with his fastenings, which seemed to be eating intohis very flesh. 

"It's no go, " he said half-aloud. "I cannot shake myself loose, " andhe fell back into his corner. 

His elephant now came out of the river, and looked around eagerly forfood. The herd of wild ones was already deep in a large bamboothicket, and the tame one went at once after them and began to cropand munch the bamboo shoots. The wild elephants, feeding as they went, plunged farther and farther into a region of wild jungle, far from anyhabitations of men, and the tame one steadily followed them, bearingon his back the young Englishman, a prisoner, and forced to accompanythe elephant wherever he might go. 

"I've heard, " thought Jack, "that these tame ones will often breakaway and join wild herds. I'm in a pretty desperate fix if I've got toremain lashed in this howdah while this brute rambles far and widewith this troop of companions he has hit upon. "

He looked around on every side, but saw nothing that could give himthe slightest cause for hope. With every step he was being carrieddeeper and deeper into the recesses of the jungle where no hunterdare venture, where the elephant, the tiger, and the leopard rule asundisputed masters. His plight was terrible. Who would free him, whocould free him of the bonds which held him in subjection to so cruel afate?

CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE PANTHAY WOOD-CUTTERS. 

It was within an hour or two of dark, and Jack, faint with hunger andthe strange and exhausting experience through which he had gone thatday, was hanging listlessly in his bonds. The elephants had gatheredin an open stretch at the foot of a deep ravine, and all was veryquiet. The pad-elephant stood with his trunk gently swinging, his hugeears slowly flapping; he had eaten and drunk, and now he was taking arest. 

Suddenly into the silence of the narrow valley there fell the sound ofblows. Thud--thud--thud. A pause. Thud--thud--thud, again and again. Jack started and listened eagerly. There was a ring about the soundwhich told him what it was. 

"It's the sound of an axe on a tree, " cried Jack to himself, and heknew that other human beings were in the neighbourhood. He collectedall his breath and gave a loud shout. Again and again he shouted. Thenoise on the hill-side far above was now stilled, and once more Jackroared at the top of his voice. 

At the next moment his outcries were drowned in the wild trumpetingof the elephants. The human notes had disturbed them, and theytrumpeted shrilly and moved uneasily away from the neighbourhood ofthe pad-elephant. Then the wild herd set off at a trot, went a mile ormore up the ravine, and came to a halt near another feeding-place, aclump of young bamboos. The tame elephant with its burden had followedsteadily, and now Jack shouted no more. He feared lest his criesshould disturb the herd so much that the wild creatures should takeflight, and run a great distance. If they did so, the pad-elephantwould be sure to follow them, and thus very possibly carry Jackcompletely out of reach of the human beings, whoever they were, thathe had heard at work among the trees high up on the bank of theravine. 

So now Jack was silent, but he looked about eagerly on every hand forsome sign of human life. If the people had heard his cries, surelythey would come to see who called for help in such a place. Hiselephant was now quietly feeding with the rest, and the last rays ofthe sun were shining through a gap in the hills straight into thehollow where the elephants were gathered. 

Looking eagerly back on the track the herd had followed, Jack sawsomething moving in the wild plum-bushes about three hundred yardsaway. He looked closer and saw that it was a man, a native. His heartleaped for joy. Whether friends or enemies, perhaps he was about to beloosed from his dreadful position. Now he saw a second man, and thetwo dark figures, both naked save for a waist-cloth, crept slowlytowards him under cover of the bushes. 

They were a couple of Panthay wood-cutters, felling teak trees on theedge of the ravine. At present the ravine was dry, but in the rainyseason an ample flood of water roared along the hollow, a flood whichwould carry the teak logs down to the big river below. They had heardJack's cries, and, wondering at the strange sound, had followed up inrear of the flying elephants. 

Their surprise was immense when they saw a white sahib in the howdahon the elephant's back. But in this part of the country, where whitemen very rarely came, a white face was regarded with the deepestreverence, and the simple, harmless Panthays at once set about thetask of relieving the sahib who seemed unable to rise in his carriage. One of them disappeared at once into the jungle, one remained in thebushes. 

Jack saw that they were engaged upon some plan, and hoping that itmeant his deliverance, he remained silent, and watched eagerly forwhat was about to happen. 

Within ten minutes he saw one of the woodmen swarming up a tree somedistance ahead, a tree growing beside the well-trodden path which wildbeasts had made along the foot of the ravine. Then his companionshowed himself among the bushes below and uttered a peculiar cry. Thewild elephants stopped feeding at once. Always sensitive to thepresence of man, which means danger, they gathered uneasily in agroup. Then, following the lead of an immense bull, the patriarch ofthe herd, they lumbered along the path up the ravine and away from thewood-cutter who had shown himself. 

Jack saw, to his immense relief and delight, that his elephant wouldpass directly below the branch where the second Panthay was nowperched. As the pad-elephant jogged up, closing the file of theretreating herd, the native, swinging himself from the bough, droppedwith the greatest ease and certainty into the howdah. 

For a moment the Panthay, a short, strong, powerful man, looked uponJack and his bonds with great surprise. Then he thrust forward thehead of his axe, which he had carried with him all the time, and laidthe keen edge against the cords which bound Jack to the howdah. In atrice Jack was free. He flung his arms up thankfully, but dropped themagain with a groan. They were so stiff that all movement was painful. 

He thanked the Panthay again and again, and patted his bare, smoothshoulder, and the native grinned and bowed before him. Then thewood-cutter pointed to the ground, and Jack nodded. He saw that theman wished him to drop from the howdah and leave the elephant. Jackwas perfectly willing. It was plain that the pad-elephant meant tostick to his new friends and follow them wherever they roved. 

The Panthay slipped down the right flank of the elephant and droppedto his feet like a cat. Jack was wretchedly stiff, but he also climbedover the side of the carriage which had been his prison, and lethimself slide over the elephant's tail. 

"I shall stand the least chance of being trodden on that way, " thoughtJack. He dropped to the ground all right, for the pad-elephant tooknot the least notice of their movements. But as for keeping his feet, that was impossible. He rolled to the earth, for his ankles were evenmore numbed than his wrists. 

At this instant the second Panthay ran up. The natives seemed tounderstand at once what was wrong, for both began to rub Jack's anklesand wrists briskly. Jack had to set his teeth to keep back a cry ofpain. After the long numbing confinement, it was pure agony when theblood began to move freely once more, but he grinned and bore it, andsoon began to feel better for the treatment. 

When he could stand up and walk a little, the Panthays beckoned to himto accompany them, and they went down the ravine, following the trackused by the wild inhabitants of the place. The dusk was falling overthe jungle when they reached the camp of the Panthays, a deep cave inthe side of the ravine, where a few simple cooking-pots and a smallstore of rice furnished all the woodmen needed. 

By signs Jack was invited to sit down on a big heap of dried grass atthe side of the cave, and one of the men swiftly built a fire and puton a pot of rice to cook. Soon the simple meal was ready. Thecooking-pot was swung from the fire, and the rice was flavoured withsalt and other condiments; each of the latter articles was containedin a small neat cylinder of bamboo, and packed away again when donewith in the basket which was the only baggage of the teak-cutters. 

Jack was as hungry as a wolf, and he ate heartily of the food whichhis new friends offered to him. They were extremely respectful, calledhim _phaya_, my lord, the only word of their speech which he couldmake out, and did not touch a single grain of rice until he hadfinished. 

While they ate, Jack rested on the soft, dried grass, and went throughhis pockets to see where he stood. Somewhat to his surprise, Jackfound that his captors had relieved him of nothing save his weapons. His money-belt round his waist, the contents of his pockets, hiswatch, everything had been left untouched. 

"No, " thought Jack, "I don't know what their game was, but it was alot bigger thing than just collaring what I had about me. However, it's lucky my money's left. It's bound to be useful even in thejungle. If I can only get these fellows to lead me to a village, I canfind a guide to put me on the road towards joining Buck and Jimagain. "

The thought of Buck and Jim turned Jack's thoughts towards them, andtheir surprise and consternation when they found that he was missing. 

"What will they do, I wonder, " thought Jack. "They'll never in theworld be able to discover what's become of me. I must try and hit aline back towards them as soon as possible. "

His eyes now turned on the Panthays, busily devouring the last oftheir rice. 

"How can I talk to these chaps?" thought Jack. "I'll give them a tip. They've done me a first-rate good turn. Perhaps they'll be willing todo more if they see there's something to be got by it. "

He drew a handful of rupees from his belt, and gave them five each. The woodmen stared in astonishment at so much wealth, fingering thebig silver coins with childlike wonder and delight. Then they bentbefore Jack, and made him at least a score of deep obeisances, andpoured forth floods of thanks. Jack did not understand their words, but their movements told all they wished to convey. 

Each tucked his new-gained riches in his waist-cloth, and then theybusied themselves in making Jack comfortable for the night. He wassoon satisfied. He was far too tired to be very critical of hissleeping quarters. As a matter of fact, they were excellent. The cavewas dry and warm, and the Panthays made up for him a big heap of softdried grass. 

The thought of sleep made Jack's eyes drop to of themselves. In acouple of minutes after he stretched himself on the couch of grass, hewas deep in slumber. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

AN UNWELCOME MEETING. 

When he awoke the next morning the pot of rice was once more bubblingover the fire, and one of the natives was squatted near by, feedingthe fire with dry chips; the second man was not to be seen. ThePanthay feeding the fire looked up with a cheerful grin when he heardJack move, and pointed to the cooking-pot, as if to assure him thatbreakfast would soon be ready. 

Jack stretched himself and yawned. After his long sleep he felt like agiant refreshed. He wondered what time it was, and glanced at hiswatch. But his watch had stopped, he had forgotten to wind it up. Thesun, however, showed him, by its height, that the morning was welladvanced. 

"I've slept off my weariness with a vengeance, " murmured Jack tohimself. "It must be nine or ten o'clock by the look of the sun. "

At this moment the native by the fire uttered a cry which was answeredfrom without. The second Panthay ran up at that moment, panting as ifhe had travelled fast and far. He bore upon his shoulders a basketfrom which he took a couple of chickens, half a dozen plantains, anda fresh supply of rice. 

"Then there's a village somewhere in the neighbourhood, " thought Jack. "But it may be ten or a dozen miles off. This fellow looks as if hehad had a long run for the stuff. I suppose it is in my honour. "

The two men prepared one of the chickens in a trice. They stripped offthe feathers, cut up the fowl, and broiled the pieces over the fire onlittle skewers of hard wood. In a short time an excellent breakfast ofbroiled chicken, rice, and plantain was set before him, and Jackdevoured it with the utmost relish. Then he set himself to work bymeans of signs to make them understand that he wished them to lead himto the village from which the Panthay had fetched the supplies. 

In the end they understood him, and put their axes in a corner of thecave. By motions of their heads and hands they gave him to understandthat they would lay by work for the day, and become his guides. Jackpatted them on the back, and gave them another couple of rupees apieceto strengthen them in this excellent resolution. 

When he had finished his meal, Jack sat down again on the heap ofgrass to await the pleasure of his companions. The second man had noteaten, but he soon despatched his portion of rice, and then they wereready for the road. 

They left the cave, and the two Panthays led the way down the ravine, retracing the line the elephants had taken in coming into this part ofthe country. 

"That's good, " thought Jack. "We're striking on the road back atonce. I wish I knew the name of the village where the festival washeld, but I'm pretty certain to find someone in the place these chapscome from who can tell me. People were marching to the feast from amuch greater distance away than this can be. "

Their progress was slow, for the day was one of scorching heat. Thenaked Panthays slipped through the jungle as easily as the monkeysskipped through the trees, but Jack could not move at any speed. Asthe sun approached high noon a halt was called in shade of a thicketon a little ridge, where the air was fresher than in the dark, steaming hollows. Here they stayed for three hours, and Jack, after hehad eaten the meal the Panthays prepared, dozed in the shade. 

When he saw his guides gathering their baggage and packing it into thebig basket which one carried slung over his shoulders, Jack sprang tohis feet, stretched himself, and strolled forward half a dozen yards. They had halted beside a narrow path which crossed the ridge, and hewished to see toward what kind of country below the path led. 

The bushes thinned, and he saw that a vast plain was opening outbefore him. But he did not leave the cover of the edge of the thicket. Something moving below caught his eye, and he parted the tall shootsof a bush before him, and peeped through the huge trails of pink andcrimson convolvuli which festooned the branches of the low trees. Straight before him the path ran down a steep slope and then woundover a broad plain, showing itself here and there in the gaps betweenpatches of bamboo and acacias and palms. It was among a clump ofpalms at some distance that Jack had caught sight of a moving object, and he now looked eagerly to see it come into view again. 

It was not that he feared any particular evil at the moment, but inhis present desperate circumstances, utterly stranded in these wildsamong savage hill-tribes, he knew not at any moment when a savageenemy might appear. He knew well that he had been lucky in falling inwith these quiet wood-cutters, and he hoped that such luck would staywith him for a little till he could rejoin his friends. 

The thought had scarcely crossed his mind when he saw that it wasvain, and that at this very moment he stood in the utmost danger fromhis worst and deadliest foes. The moving objects he had seen came insight once more, a couple of naked fellows in turban and waist-cloth. Jack knew them for Panthays, like the men who were now behind himmaking ready for the march. Then, at the next second, he saw twobrilliant spots of colour, and knew that the Panthays were not alone. A little cavalcade of six riders, mounted on ponies, followed the twonaked men on foot. The whole of the tiny procession passed over alittle clearing, and was lost again in a clump of bamboos. 

Jack's heart beat fast and he drew a deep breath. Who were these menthe Panthays were leading towards him? He remembered two of hisenemies yesterday, and the two leading riders brought them to mindagain. Saya Chone had worn a head-dress of brilliant flaming scarlet, the Strangler a turban of bright yellow. 

Again the little procession filed into sight, out of the bamboos. Scarlet and yellow the head-dresses of the first couple of mounted menflashed vivid into the burning radiance of the sunlight. The riderswere too far off for Jack to make out their faces, but he did not needthat; he felt in his bones that his terrible enemies were upon himonce more, and he turned to fly. It was plain enough, too, how theyhad hit upon his whereabouts. They had followed up the tracks of theflying elephants, and inquired in every village round-about. Then thePanthay, returning to his home for food, had spoken of the sahib theyhad found among the hills, and had put the pursuers on Jack's trail. 

As Jack turned he heard a grunt of surprise. One of the Panthays hadstepped forward and caught sight of the approaching cavalcade. Jacksprang upon him, seized his naked shoulder, and drew him back intoshelter of the thicket. The two men looked at him in wonder. Our herohad nothing but signs with which to communicate to these men thedanger in which he stood. He chose three effective movements. Hepointed to the oncoming strangers, he pointed to himself; finally heseized the _dah_ which one carried swinging in a thong over hisshoulders, and made a motion as of passing the keen weapon across histhroat. 

By their looks of intelligence he saw that the Panthays had fullygrasped his meaning. They spoke swiftly to each other for a fewmoments. 

[Illustration: A SUDDEN ALARM. ]

Jack awaited the upshot in keenest anxiety. If these men did not standby him he was indeed lost. Then, to his immense relief, the elder man, he who had dropped into the howdah and had taken the lead from thefirst, stepped forward, raised Jack's hand, and kissed it. Then hepointed to the depth of the jungle. Jack nodded and patted him on theshoulder. The younger Panthay swung the basket on his back, and awayglided the three, leaving the path, and striking off directly amongthe trees. 

In two minutes they were out of sight of their camping-place, and asthe advancing party was not yet at the foot of the slope, Jack neverdoubted but that the half-caste would be thrown off the scent, andwould pass on towards the ravine where the wood-cutters were known tobe at work. But he had made one mistake, the error of supposing thatthe two Panthays in front of the horsemen were the first of the party. They were not. A single tracker had led the way some distance ahead, and him Jack had missed among the thickets and groves which hid thepath here and there. So that, as the three fugitives disappeared amongthe thicker growth of jungle, a dark figure gained the crown of theslope, and with swift and noiseless tread approached theircamping-place. 

The quick eye of the Panthay at once caught sight of the retreatingmen, above all of the sahib, so easily to be known by his dress, andthe tracker drew back instantly into the bushes. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

THE CAVE IN THE RAVINE. 

In the meanwhile Jack and his companions hurried forward, quiteunconscious that they had been spied upon. The elder Panthay led theway through the jungle, and within a mile they came to the edge of asteep descent. Down this they climbed with much difficulty, swingingthemselves by creepers and holding on to the boles of saplings untilthey gained the foot of a deep ravine. 

The Panthay paused and pointed with a laugh. Jack nodded cheerfully. 

"By George!" he murmured to himself, "we shan't be hard up for ahiding-place here. "

The wall of the farther side of the ravine was honey-combed with blackholes, looking for all the world as if a colony of giganticsand-martins had built their nests in the place. Jack knew that thesewere the mouths of caves, and he ran swiftly after the Panthays asthey hurried for a hole which was within easy reach of the ground. 

A small fig tree grew below the mouth of the cave. Jack slipped hisfoot into the crutch where a bough struck away from the parent stem, swung himself up, and tumbled into the hollow, which was an irregularcircle about nine feet across. The Panthays at once followed him, andall three pushed over the broken floor within, towards the shelter ofthe cave. 

Inside, the place hollowed and widened out. Thirty feet back from theentrance it was dusky, and here Jack seated himself on a huge fragmentof rock which had fallen from the roof. He was very glad of a rest andof a chance to wipe the sweat out of his eyes, as it was terriblypunishing for a European to have to hurry on foot through thefrightful heat of so scorching a day. 

The elder Panthay had followed Jack to the back of the cave, and wasnow squatting on his haunches in front of the English lad. The youngernative had remained nearer the entrance, and, placing himself behindanother big fallen boulder, was keeping watch through the mouth of thecave. 

The Panthay who had accompanied Jack now entered upon a series ofgestures so clear and striking that Jack understood them as if hespoke. The signs were to the effect that they should stay in the cavetill darkness had fallen, and then they would resume the journey. 

Half an hour later, when Jack was lying at full length on the rock, lazily staring into the gloomy heights above him, a sudden, low, sharpcry broke into the stillness. The cry had been uttered by the watcherat the mouth of the cave, and now he said a few quick words. The elderPanthay leapt to his feet and shot down the cave with the glide of apanther. Jack sprang from his rock and followed. 

The English lad had known at once that the cry meant danger, so deepan anxiety had lain in the low troubled note. As he crept up to theboulder behind which the two Panthays crouched, he saw that the perilwhich threatened him a short time ago still hung over his head. Looking through the hole, they commanded a full view of the upper edgeof the opposite side of the ravine. Gathered aloft there, in fullsight, was a bunch of figures, and, in the front of the group, thescarlet and yellow turbans still blazed. 

Jack knew at once that danger was closer than ever. By some means SayaChone and the Strangler knew that he and his guides had turned asidefrom the ordinary track, and had followed on their new trail. 

Now their pursuers began to climb down the steep side of the ravine, led by a Panthay tracker. In a moment Jack saw that the man wasfollowing the path they had followed. His quick eye was marking thedisplaced stones and torn creepers, and he was leading Saya Chone andthe Strangler straight upon their prey. 

Jack looked swiftly round the cave in which they stood. Did it offerany securer hiding-place than the part in which they were? To leave itwas impossible! They could only step out in full sight of theadvancing band of enemies. He looked at the Panthays and saw that theycould render him no help. They were trembling like leaves with terror. He caught a name on the elder Panthay's lips, and knew it. 

"Saya Chone, " the man was murmuring. "Saya Chone. "

"Oh, " thought Jack, "this fellow recognises the half-caste and fearsthe vengeance of a powerful enemy. Then we can't be far now from thecountry where the Ruby King rules the roost. But the point for themoment is, how to dodge Mr. Saya Chone. "

He beckoned to the Panthays to follow him, and all three retreated tothe depths of the cave. The elder Panthay ran ahead, waving his handto Jack to follow. 

"Hullo!" thought Jack, "looks as if this chap knew of a spot to hidein, " and he hurried forward. At the lower end of the cave the roofdipped sharply down, and the sides closed in, forming a tunnel aboutsix feet high and five feet wide. This tunnel was three or four yardslong, and then it opened out again into a second cave of fair size. The second cave was dimly lighted from a rift in the rock, forty feetabove their heads. In two minutes Jack had made the circuit of it, andknew that, except for the fact that it was an inner cave, it offeredthem no refuge. The walls were smooth and unclimbable, and there wasno break in them except at the point where the tunnel ran in. 

Jack returned from his swift search and peered down the tunnel. Fromthe cool darkness he looked out and saw a ring of brilliant light, themouth of the outer cave. Suddenly a head shot into the patch ofblinding sunlight without. The head was covered with a yellow turban, and Jack saw the Strangler slowly draw himself up and stand in themouth of the cave. The big Malay did not rush forward. Instead, hestood gazing curiously about, and then Jack understood. He and hiscompanions had left no track on the smooth hard rocks which paved thebottom of the ravine, and their enemies were not certain in which cavethey lay; each cave was being searched in turn. 

"Oh, " thought Jack, "what would I not give for my handy littleMannlicher, and a good pocketful of cartridges. I could hold an armyat bay in this narrow tunnel. But they stripped me of every weapon, even to my knife. "

At this instant there flashed across his mind the thought of the _dah_carried by the younger Panthay. He turned and found the man at hisshoulder. Jack seized the thong by which the man bore the weapon, andlifted it over the Panthay's head. The native made no resistance, butgave up the sword at once. 

Jack drew the weapon from its sheath and looked at it carefully in thedim light. He saw at once by the bright gleam that it was in excellentorder, and well polished. He tried the edge with his thumb; it was askeen as a razor. He stepped back two or three paces to give himselfroom to swing the blade, and flourished it about his head in order tofind out its swing and play. These, too, were perfect. So wellbalanced were the huge, broad blade and heavy handle, that the greatsword swung easily about Jack's head in his powerful young hands. 

"By George!" thought he, "I'll make it warm for these rogues beforeI've done with them. If I can't give it 'em hot in this narrow tunnelwith this good bit of steel, I'm a Dutchman. "

He stepped forward and peered once more down the tunnel. He started. Saya Chone was climbing up, and after him came three or four figuresin blue kilts. Jack had seen such before, and knew them for tough, wiry, hard-bitten little Kachins, small men, but immensely muscularand powerful. Behind him he heard a sound as of a withered leafblowing along the floor. He turned his head and saw the two Panthaysfleeing to the uttermost part of the cave. They trembled before theseterrible enemies. 

At this moment the Panthay tracker climbed into the cave. He spoke fora few moments to Saya Chone, pointing to the tunnel where Jack stood, but where in the darkness no one could see him. Saya Chone nodded, andthe whole party moved forward until they were within a couple of yardsof the mouth of the tunnel. Now Saya Chone began to speak. 

"Haydon, " he called in a loud voice. "Come out at once. The game isup. We know you are within there. You have left a score of signs inthe outer cave to show whither you have retreated. Come out, I tellyou. "

He ceased, and stood as if awaiting a reply, but Jack made no answer. He meant to give his enemies no idea of the point where he hadstationed himself. Again the half-caste's voice rang out. 

"I will give you one minute again to come out, " he called, "and then, if you do not appear, I shall send in those who will fetch you outmore roughly than you will like. "

Jack made no answer, but went down on one knee to give himself plentyof room to strike overhead in the combat which was now near at hand. 

The minute passed, and Saya Chone called out some orders to thesavage little men in blue, who were now hovering about the mouth ofthe tunnel as if burning to rush in to the assault. Upon the ordersbeing given, three Kachins started forward. 

Jack saw them clearly against the bright light outside, and his heartswelled with rage and fierce anger. Not because each man held in hishand his broad and glittering _dah_. Oh, no. That was all in the game, and Jack was willing to give and take in the struggle between man andman, out-numbered as he was. But each man had now drawn out a coil offine rope and slung it about his left arm. Jack saw that shamefulbonds were being prepared once more for his free limbs, and his heartburned with fury. 

"I'll die fighting before they shall tie me up again, " breathed Jackto himself, and he clutched still more tightly the heavy _dah_. Thenhe drew a short, sharp breath, and held himself ready, every nervestrung up to its highest tension, every muscle braced and ready foraction. 

The Kachins were coming. Already their figures darkened the mouth ofthe tunnel. 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

THE RESOLVE OF BUCK AND JIM. 

We must now return to Buck and Jim, whom we left in great perplexityat the village festival, wondering what had become of their youngleader. 

At the moment that Jack was dragged into the bushes by the Buddhistmonk, who was not really a monk at all, but one of Saya Chone'sfollowers in disguise, and the dancing girl, who was Saya Chonehimself, Buck was within a dozen yards of them, looking all about forJack. But he saw nothing of his young master, because a group ofpeople, also in Saya Chone's pay, covered the movements by which Jackwas drugged and carried off by his enemies. 

"Thunder and mud, " growled Buck. "Where's Jack got to? I left him herenot five minutes ago, laughing over this picture. "

At this moment Dent came up. 

"Where's Jack?" said he quickly. 

"I don't know, and that's the square-toed truth, " replied Buck. "P'raps he's rambled off in a different direction. "

The two comrades began to move swiftly about in search of their youngleader. They kept together, for, with their knowledge of the country, they felt uneasy at once, and were not willing to separate, lest eachmight not find the other again. They found Me Dain, and set him tohunt in every direction. They found the headman, and he seemedbewildered at the idea that Jack had disappeared. He gave, or seemedto give, them every assistance possible in their search, but within anhour the two comrades were looking at each other very blankly. Jackhad gone. There was no sign of him from end to end of the village, buthow or where he had gone was a completely impenetrable mystery. 

Buck and Jim and the Burman gathered in the hut which had beenassigned to them, and held a council of war. 

"Say, " muttered Buck uneasily, "this beats the band. What's come toJack?"

Jim Dent shook his head, and made no reply for a moment. 

"Well, Buck, " he said at last, "there's one thing quite certain; hehasn't gone on his own account. "

"Sure thing, " replied Buck. 

"And if he's been nabbed in some mysterious fashion or another, we'repretty certain who's got hold of him, " pursued Jim, and Buck noddedwith a blank face. 

At the next instant Jim's suspicions were confirmed by the Burman. 

"Well, " grunted Me Dain, "U Saw got both now, for sure, both youngmaster and old master. "

"What makes you think that, Me Dain?" cried Buck. "Have you seen orheard anything?"

"Nothing, nothing, " replied the Burman, waving his hand. "But whatelse can be? They catch him and take him off. Oh yes, sure to be. "

"After all, it would only be in line with plenty of things we've heardof, Buck, " remarked Jim Dent, and again Buck had to give a sorrowfulnod. 

"Well, " said Buck, in a decided voice, "s'pose we put it at that. Insome fashion or other he's been kidnapped by the people who kidnappedhis father. Let it go at that. Then, next thing is, what are we goingto do?"

"I'll bet I know what you're going to do, Buck, my son, " said JimDent, with a dry chuckle. "You'll follow on a bit and see what'shappened to father and son, or I'm making a big mistake. "

"You're quite right, Jim, " said Buck Risley. "I don't hold withbackin' down on a pardner, and I'm goin' along to see what's happenedto the Professor and Jack just as far as I can crawl. "

"And I'm with you, old man, " said Jim quietly. "I owe Jack my life, too. One good turn deserves another. "

"And me, sahibs, and me, " said Me Dain quickly. "The young sahib savemy life also when the dacoit thought to chop off my head. I go withyou everywhere to help the two sahibs. "

"Bully for you, Me Dain, you're a good sort, " cried Buck, and hethrust his hand out to the Burman. Me Dain, highly delighted toreceive the white man's sign of friendship, shook hands very solemnlywith both Buck and Jim, and they formed at once a confraternity ofthree to hunt up U Saw's quarters, and see where he held theprisoners, whom they now firmly believed to be in his grasp. 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

THE FIGHT IN THE TUNNEL. 

We must now return to Jack, whom we left crouching at the end of thetunnel which led to the outer cave, and awaiting the onslaught ofthree powerful Kachins. 

As the natives drew step by step along the tunnel towards Jack, hebalanced the great broadsword he held by both hands, and poised itready to strike at the foremost. Though he was greatly out-numbered, yet he held one advantage. The forms of his enemies were clear againstthe sunlight which poured into the mouth of the outer cave. He couldsee every movement they made, but they could not see him. The innercave was very dimly lighted, and, coming from the bright lightwithout, his enemies could not mark that Jack was waiting for them. 

A second advantage he enjoyed was that they did not know that he wasarmed. They knew that they had stripped him of every weapon when hewas first seized, and now they did not dream that he had secured a_dah_ for himself, and was thoroughly resolved to make the deadliestuse of it before he would submit to capture. 

On crept the Kachins in the boldest fashion, urged forward not merelyby their native bravery, but convinced that they had before them thesimplest of tasks, the seizing of an unarmed lad who would surrenderat sight of their weapons. 

At the next moment they were terribly undeceived. Fetching a sweepingblow, Jack cut down the leading Kachin with a terrific stroke. Theedge of the keen, heavy blade fell at the point where neck andshoulder meet, and the doomed man was nearly cut in two. He droppedwith a single groan, and the two men behind caught him by the feet anddragged him swiftly back. 

Jack drew a deep breath, regained his heavy weapon, and poised itanew. But for the moment he was left in peace. The group in the outercave had gathered about the fallen man. They uttered loud cries ofsurprise when they saw the deep and dreadful wound he had receivedwith such terrible force from the dah. "_Dah! dah!_" Jack heard thename of the native sword pass from lip to lip, and knew that they hadrecognised by what weapon that frightful slicing blow was delivered. 

But in another moment he recognised how grim and fell were thesepeople who were his foes. As coolly as though it were but a dog thatJack had slain with that tremendous blow, the Strangler lifted thedead Kachin and tossed him carelessly aside. Saya Chone said a sharpword, and a fresh man stepped forward, drawing his _dah_ with a grinas he was ordered to join his companions in a fresh assault. Jack knewthese little men in blue kilts to be brave to desperation, utterlycareless of life, either their own or another's, and he bracedhimself once more for the struggle. 

But this time the Kachins came on in different order, and in adifferent fashion. A sudden flare of yellow light filled the tunnel, and Jack saw that two men marched ahead, each with his _dah_ ready tostrike, and that behind them the third man held a flaming torch. Hesaw at once how cunning was the trick. The glare would flash over theassailant's shoulders straight into his eyes, confusing him, whilethey would be lighted perfectly to the attack. 

In a second Jack had devised a plan of meeting this danger. He droppedhis _dah_ over his left arm, bent and seized a huge pebble from thefloor. He poised the stone for an instant, then flung it with greatpower. At this short range he struck the mark to a hair, and his markwas the grinning face of the Kachin who carried the torch, andrejoiced that his friends would now make short work of the fierceyoung Feringhee who had hidden in the cave. 

The dark face of the native was wrinkled with a savage smile, and allhis gums were on view when the heavy stone struck into his open mouthwith a crash of splintering teeth. The first pebble was followed by asecond, which took him between the eyes. Stunned and blinded, hereeled back and dropped the torch. His comrades, bereft of theirguiding light, upon which they had counted so much, hesitated for amoment and hung upon the next step. There was no hesitation with Jack. Things stood at too desperate a pass with him that he should letthings hang in the wind. No sooner did he see the Kachin with thetorch reel back and drop the firebrand, than he swung his weapon onhigh and darted at the two men who had halted in the tunnel. As he didso he let out a mighty shout. Shout and blow fell together on thehesitating Kachins. Both thrust their _dahs_ forward to parry theunseen assault. 

Jack's weapon fell with a ringing clash of steel across the _dah_ ofthe leading man, beat it down, went on, and bit deeply into theKachin's skull. The latter reeled against his companion and clutchedhim. For a second they swayed, then both men fell heavily together tothe ground. 

Lying helpless as they were at his feet, it was a mere matter of acouple of blows for him to utterly destroy both, and so lessen thenumber of his enemies. But Jack could not strike fallen men. Hereturned to his own end of the tunnel, and allowed them to creep backto the outer cave, the wounded man crawling slowly after his friends. 

This second repulse seemed to put Saya Chone and the Strangler besidethemselves with fury. They screamed invective and insult against Jack, and threatened him with the most frightful penalties when he shouldfall into their hands. Both had a perfect command of some of the worstlanguage in English that Jack had ever heard, but he took it all forwhat it was worth, clutched his faithful broadsword tighter still, andwaited to see what their next attempt would be. He still cherished ahope of escape. He had crippled pretty well half of the attackingforce, and if he could but hold them off till darkness came, theremight be an opportunity of escape in the moonless night. 

"There were only four Kachins with them, " thought Jack, "and thenatives they have picked up from the neighbouring village may bedismissed as fighting men, if they are anything like the chaps who aresomewhere behind me here. The half-caste and the Malay seem to keepout of the scrimmages. If I only have a bit more luck, I can chew themup enough perhaps to make them sheer off and leave me alone. "

As far as appearances went, they were leaving him alone now. But Jackknew that appearances are too often deceitful. The outer cave lookedperfectly empty. Neither sign nor sound of human presence was given. Saya Chone and the Strangler had gone away, leaping down from themouth of the outer cave to the ravine. But Jack was certain that theunwounded Kachins were still lurking in the cave out of his sight, andhe had no intention whatever of creeping out and engaging in ahand-to-hand struggle with the iron-limbed little mountaineers. Fullyhalf an hour passed in this profound silence. Jack kept the sharpestlook-out, but could catch no sign to show that his lair was stillwatched. 

"If they can wait, " thought Jack, "so can I. I'll not stir an inchfrom my cover, however silent they may be. "

At that instant he caught a sharp, low cry of surprise behind him. Hewhirled round swiftly, for in his intentness he had actually forgottenthe two Panthays, his fellow-prisoners. With a gasp of relief, Jackfound that it was the elder Panthay who had called out. The two menhad been crouching in a corner of the inner cave, and had given nosign of their presence while Jack struggled with his foes. Now one wascalling out, and both were pointing upwards. 

Jack took a step back from the mouth of the tunnel and looked aloft. The rift in the rock forty feet above, which lighted the cave, wasobscured and darkened. In a moment he saw that the gap was filled witha human body, and that a Panthay was peering down upon them. 

"What's this game?" thought Jack. "They've climbed up to that hole, but unless I obligingly stand under it, and let them drop a stone onmy head, I don't see what they get by it. "

Little did the heroic lad dream of the fearful use to which hisenemies meant to put the rift in the rock high above him. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

THE RUSE OF SAYA CHONE. 

In a moment the native drew back, and Jack jumped to cover as he saw adark object come whirling through the rift and fall straight into thecave. But the thing flung in was harmless enough in appearance, a merebundle of dried grass bound loosely with a shred of creeper. Then, thick and fast, bundle after bundle was hurled into the cave, driedreeds, more grass, big loose splinters of pine, fat with resin, withered brushwood, and the like. 

Down they came, thicker and faster, until a great pile of this rubbishwas heaped on the floor of the cave. Jack was staring wonderingly atthis novel method of attack by flinging rubbish apparently at large, when once more the Panthay above thrust his head through the rift andspoke a few words, his voice ringing down hollow into the depths wherethe three prisoners stood. Jack did not understand what was said, buthe saw that the effect on his companions was most extraordinary. 

They sprang to their feet, and, braving all the terrors of SayaChone, whose name had appeared so dreadful to them, they darted forthe tunnel, brushed swiftly by Jack, and were gone. The English ladwatched them eagerly. He saw them fly down the outer cave, leap wildlyinto the ravine, and disappear. A minute later he saw them cross hisfield of view as they climbed the opposite bank. They were going likethe wind, and there seemed not the slightest attempt made to stopthem, nor was the faintest sound of pursuit to be heard. 

"All the same, " murmured Jack to himself, "I don't think I shallfollow you, my nimble friends. It's pretty certain you've been allowedto go in peace in the hopes of drawing me out as well. I hardly fancyI should be permitted to pass so quietly. Well, I'm thankful the poorbeggars have got away in safety. But what scared them so frightfully?They went like rabbits bolting from a hole when the ferrets have beenput in. There seems nothing very terrifying about this heap ofrubbish. "

But was there not? was there not? Ten seconds later Jack was ready totake his words back, and acknowledge that heap of rubbish to be a veryterrible and awful weapon in the hands of his enemies. Somethingflashed above him, and he glanced up to see a flaming torch hurledthrough the rift. It did not, however, fall into the heap of lightinflammable materials awaiting it. It struck against a projectingpoint of rock, was turned aside, and fell almost at Jack's feet. Hestamped the flame out swiftly with his boot. 

But his breath came fast and short, and his brave face paled as he sawthe frightful cunning of this master-trick. He had luckily quenchedone torch, but he could not be sure of quenching the next and thenext. One of them had but to fall into the mass of reeds, canes, drygrass, and withered brushwood, to cause a swift, fierce flame to runthrough the whole mass. 

This, then, it was which the Panthays had learned from their fellowwho looked down from the rift. The Englishman was to be roasted out, and they were warned of the fearful fate about to befall him. Beforethis vision of horrors they had fled, the greater fear conquering theless. 

Jack stood looking up at the rift with blanched face, and teeth setlike a steel-trap. His heart gave another jerk within him. A secondtorch flashed through the rift. But this time the torch whirledflaming through the air, and fell at the mouth of the tunnel, within ayard of Jack's foot. He stamped it out. A second torch followed, almost in the same place. He stamped this out too. He looked eagerlyto see where the next would fall. 

It seemed extraordinary fortune that not one of them should fall inthe midst of the waiting heap. Then he heard a low, evil, chucklinglaugh from someone beside the rift, and he understood. Saya Chone wasthere, playing with him, as a cat plays with a mouse. The half-castewas tossing torches within Jack's reach, simply to torture him withthe idea of what would happen when one of the flaming splinters ofpine fell into the heap of tinder awaiting it. 

Five minutes of perfect silence passed, and not another torch fell. ToJack the time seemed like five years rather. He cast swift alternateglances at the rift above and through the tunnel, where he felt thatenemies waited and watched for the opportunity the fire might givethem. 

And now a great flare appeared in the rift. A huge bundle of reeds, blazing fiercely, was thrust in, and dropped. His enemies meant now tofire the pile and bring the play to an end. The flaming mass rolledslowly down the steep face of the cliff within, and Jack was torn in afierce dilemma as to what was the best course for him to follow. Should he leave the mouth of the tunnel and try to beat out the flameswith the broad blade of his _dah_, or should he not?

But if he left the tunnel, then he would give up the key of thesituation, and be swiftly surrounded. If he did not, the roastingflame and the masses of billowing smoke would render the inner caveuntenable. Yet, before the bundle of reeds had rolled down to the massbelow, the question had been settled for him. 

A second and a third faggot, each blazing fiercely, and each directedtowards a fresh part of the heap, were flung through the rift. 

"I can't stop all three, " thought Jack. "The pile must burn. "

Within a few seconds it was burning in very truth; the fire ranthrough the heap of light combustibles with magical power andswiftness. Scarce had the first bunch of burning reeds fallen, than avast scorching flame was leaping up and roaring towards the rift, while a powerful current of air was drawn through the tunnel andfanned Jack's face. 

"What's this?" thought Jack; "they reckoned without the draught, Ifancy. It looks as if I shall be no worse off than before. It's veryhot, certainly, but with this rush of air through the tunnel I canmanage all right. "

But he soon found that his enemies had not made any miscalculation. For five minutes the air rushed fiercely past Jack, fanning thetremendous flame which leapt from the blazing pile and carrying itupwards to the rift, then it began to slacken, and the flame, insteadof roaring upwards to a point, began to sink, and spread its wide redwings abroad in the cave, fluttering from one side to the other. 

Jack looked upwards with a sinking heart: _the rift was closed_. Ithad been left open till a terrific fire had burned up, and now it wasblocked, and the whole of the heat and the smoke was pent up in thecave; and Jack was pent up, too, in this roasting inferno. 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE TORTURE BY FIRE. 

For some time Jack was but little troubled with the smoke. It billowedup and up, and rolled in huge clouds about the lofty roof. Butgradually the cave filled, and Jack saw that with every moment thesmoke came lower and lower, threatening to fill the cave from thefloor to roof and choke the life out of him. A cloud whirled about himand was gone again. But it left Jack coughing and half-choked, sopungent and keen was the whiff which he had drawn into his lungs. 

Thicker and thicker rose the clouds of smoke as the fire burned, for, cunningly intermingled with the dried tinder of the canes and reeds, his enemies had flung great bunches of fresh-cut boughs. The greenwood of the latter, roasting and spluttering with sap in the midst ofthe roaring fire, threw out vast rolling clouds of choking smoke. 

The freshest air was still at the mouth of the tunnel, and here Jackcrouched, his head as low as possible, for he knew that the last freshair would be found nearest to the floor. He was resolved not to goout. His stubborn British blood was aflame at the thought of beingplaced afresh in bonds, and he was ready to face the fiery torturewithin rather than creep out and give his enemies the joy of knowingthat he was beaten, and of seeing him surrender. 

Hope, too, was not yet dead in his heart. The heap of blazingbrushwood was at some distance from him, for the rift was at the otherside of the cave. If he could but set his teeth and endure this agonyof fire until the heap had burned out, he would not be forced from hispost. 

But at that instant the fire reached several great faggots of greenpalm branches, and fresh clouds of aromatic smoke rolled out stillthicker and faster than before. A swirl of the air currents within thecave sent a thick billowing mass full on the spot where Jack crouched. The brave lad felt that he was choking, that his senses were desertinghim, as he drew, involuntarily, the pungent, biting smoke into hislungs. 

He flung himself on his face, coughed out the smoke he had swallowed, and caught one refreshing gasp of sweet air blowing up the tunnel. Then the fresh air was driven back by the huge billow of smoke, andthe heavy clouds settled about Jack. He could not have moved now hadhe wished. He was the prey of the thick suffocating smoke, and a swiftmerciful unconsciousness fell upon him and put an end to the agonieshe had so nobly endured. 

When Jack came to himself again, the first thing he knew was that hehad failed to keep himself out of the clutch of his enemies. When heopened his bleared and smarting eyes and looked round, he saw thedark face of Saya Chone straight before him. The half-caste saidnothing, only grinned in evil joy, and Jack closed his eyes again witha groan of despair. He felt that he was once more in bonds, thoughthey were not so close and galling as before. He was dripping wet, andhis eyes pained him cruelly. 

He lay still for a few instants, then pulled himself together, jerkedhimself into a sitting position, and looked round boldly, determinedto put the best face possible on the situation, and not give thehalf-caste the joy of gloating over an enemy who acknowledged himselfbeaten. 

He found he was in the outer cave, and through the tunnel he could seeplainly the glow of the fire still blazing in the inner recess. But nosmoke came this way. Clearly the rift had been opened, and the firewas pulling up towards the natural vent. Jack looked round and sawthat he was in the midst of a pool of water; he supposed that it hadbeen flung upon him to bring him to. 

"Well, " said Saya Chone at last, "are you not going to thank me forsaving the life you seemed obstinately bent upon throwing away? If Ihad not been able to order a couple of fellows, as careless of theirlives as you of yours, to go into the smoke and drag you out, it wouldhave been all over with you by now. "

Jack made no answer. He did not so much as trouble to look at SayaChone. He ignored him entirely, and glanced down at the fetters whichconfined his limbs. He found that his ankles were bound together withlight and slender links of steel, a steel ring encircling each ankle, and similar fetters bound his wrists. At first glance it seemed as ifthese light bonds might easily be broken, but Jack gave up that ideavery soon. He saw that they were the work of a very cunning andskilful craftsman, highly wrought and beautifully tempered, slight inappearance, but immensely strong. 

A head now came in sight outside. It was the Strangler, and he calledout a few words to Saya Chone. The half-caste had been sitting withhis hand in the breast of his jacket. He now drew it out and showedthat the butt of a heavy revolver had been in his clasp. He pointedthe weapon at Jack's heart. 

"I must beg of you to get up, my lord, " he said, in tones of sneeringdeference. "Your conveyance awaits you outside the cave. "

When he saw that Jack hesitated to obey, he gave a shrill whistle. Acouple of Kachins at once sprang up at the mouth of the cave. Soonerthan be handled by these evil little ruffians, Jack now got up andshuffled slowly down the cave, his fetters allowing him to move aboutten inches at a stride. But this, however, did not save him from theirhands. At the mouth of the cave the two Kachins and the Malay seizedupon him and swung him down to the bed of the ravine. Here a strongpony was waiting, and when Jack's ankles had been freed, he was tossedastride and the reins put in his hands. 

The half-caste followed him at every step with the revolver, nor didhe put the weapon away until the Strangler had once more locked thefetters which bound Jack's ankles together. This he did with a smallkey, and, as the links of steel were brought under the pony's barrelfrom one foot of the prisoner to the other, Jack was securely tetheredto the animal. 

CHAPTER XXX. 

THE STRONGHOLD OF THE RUBY KING. 

As soon as Jack was mounted, Saya Chone and the Malay also got totheir saddles, and the party moved off down the ravine. Save for hisfetters, Jack rode as usual, but the two Kachins, one on either side, held his pony by stout thongs of raw hide, fastened in the bridle. Athis heels trotted the two leaders, and Jack knew that both were wellarmed. 

On the journey that followed it is not necessary to dwell, for it wasquite uneventful. They travelled steadily till dusk, when they haltedin a small village where Jack was assigned a hut, and a strict watchwas kept over him at every moment. The next morning the journey wasresumed at earliest dawn, and now they held their way for mile aftermile through wild, gloomy passes between lofty mountains, where nosign of human life or cultivated fields was to be seen. Hour afterhour they pushed on through this deserted hill country, until, late inthe afternoon, they topped a stony ridge, and Jack gave a sharpexclamation of surprise. 

Below him the ground fell away steeply to a small and fertile valleywith a river running down its midst, and fields of paddy and plantainlining the course of the stream. Groves of palmyra, and teak, andpalms were dotted about the scene, and in the midst of the valley rosea tall house of stone. Instinctively Jack felt that they had reachedtheir journey's end, and that before him was the goal he had sethimself to win, the stronghold of U Saw, the Ruby King. But howdifferent was his approach from that he had hoped to make! Instead ofadvancing upon it in company of his trusty friends, he was marching inas a prisoner, fettered hand and foot. 

Jack fixed his eyes eagerly on the great house below as another ideasprang to his mind. Was his father there? Had his quest been in vain, and was Thomas Haydon far away from this lonely valley set among thewild hills? But Jack believed that his father was there; everythingseemed to point to it. Well, he would soon know, one way or the other. 

The path now ran through a native village, whose slender huts of reedand cane bordered both sides of the narrow way. The people ran totheir doors to gaze upon the passers-by, and Jack knew them forKachins. He recognised the short, dark, sturdy forms of the men. Beside the latter, women in embroidered kilts, with big, queerhead-dresses, and brown, naked, nimble children, came to look upon thesahib who rode into their valley, the captive of their lord andmaster, U Saw. 

The village was passed and a grove of palms was entered. Beyond thepalms the land ran smooth and open to the front of the great stronghouse of stone which U Saw had built to keep himself and his treasuressafe. 

The cavalcade halted before a strong gate formed of huge bars andbeams of teak, and in another moment half of the gate was flung openby a pair of blue-kilted Kachins. Jack's pony was led inside, and theEnglish lad now found himself in a large courtyard beside the house. The walls of the courtyard were formed of great logs of teak, andround them ran rows of thatched huts built against the palisade. These, as Jack learned afterwards, were used as the lodgings of thestrong body of retainers whom U Saw kept about his person, hisbodyguard. 

Only one small door opened upon the courtyard from the house, andtowards this Jack's pony was led. The Malay unlocked the fetters whichbound Jack's feet, and he was hauled roughly to the ground. 

"March in, " said Saya Chone, and pointed to the small, narrow, darkdoorway. Jack went in, staring hard into the dark before him, andwondering what fate would befall him in this great, lonely house towhich he had been led in so strange a fashion, and through such wildadventures. He found himself in a small, dusky hall, lighted only byone tiny window, and that heavily barred with iron. The door was nowclosed and bolted behind him, and he was taken up a narrow flight oftortuous stairs. Then he was conducted along a maze of narrowpassages, being led now and again through doors which Saya Choneunlocked and carefully locked again after them. The stone walls, theiron bars which covered every opening, the narrow passages, the lockeddoors, all told of the caution of U Saw, he who trusted no one, andsuspected all. 

At last they arrived before a narrow door, heavily banded with iron, and fastened by a huge bar of teak. Before it squatted a little man inblue, with a big naked _dah_ across his knees. Saya Chone spoke to himand it sounded like a password, for the man sprang to his feet andstepped aside. The great bar of teak was drawn from its staples, andthe door was opened. The Malay thrust Jack into the room, and the doorwas at once closed and barred behind him. 

Jack now found himself in a bare stone cell, lighted only by one smallwindow eight feet or more from the ground. There was nothing in theplace save a small bench in one corner, and he sat down on this andawaited the next movement of his captors. For full three hours he satthere, and had begun to wonder whether they had forgotten him, whenthe door was suddenly opened and the Strangler appeared, attended by acouple of the bodyguard. The Malay beckoned to Jack to come forward, and the latter went. 

He was now led into a large room, where a tall, stout man sat on aheap of rich cushions, and Jack knew by the deference paid to him thatthe latter was U Saw, the Ruby King. The room was lighted by a coupleof large lamps, for the dusk had fallen, and the English lad was ledinto the bright light and placed before the Ruby King. 

The latter looked steadily at Jack, and Jack returned the stare withinterest. The Ruby King had a huge, gross face, thick-lipped andevil-eyed. He was dressed splendidly in a rich embroidered jacket ofpink silk, a silken kilt striped in red and white, and a huge pink_gaung-baung_ on his head; in the front of his head-dress blazed amagnificent ruby. 

He looked long and keenly at Jack, and the latter thought that U Sawwas going to speak to him, but the Ruby King said nothing, and at lastwaved his hand. Upon this Jack was led aside by the Malay and made tosit down upon a large, heavy chair near the right-hand wall. All thiswas done in perfect silence, and for some minutes Jack sat therewaiting, while U Saw seemed to forget his presence, and rested uponthe pile of cushions with head bent as if in deep thought. 

Suddenly the Strangler, who had been moving to and fro, disappearedbehind Jack's chair. Jack was about to turn his head to keep an eye onhis enemy's movements, when he felt a soft silken band slipped swiftlyover his head and tightened about his shoulders. At the same instant acouple of attendants flung themselves upon him and held him downtightly in the chair. 

Jack tried to throw them off and wrench himself free, but his handshad never been unfettered, and he was easily mastered. In a trice hefound himself securely lashed to the heavy chair, and then feltanother broad band of silk drawn over his mouth. Coolly andmethodically the Strangler gagged him in so skilful a fashion that hecould not utter a sound, though he was able to breathe quite easily. When both bonds and gag were secure he was released from the grip ofthe men who had held him down, and the attendants and the Malaystepped aside. 

The next movement puzzled Jack beyond measure. A muslin curtain, running on a light bamboo rod, was drawn before him, thus cutting himoff from the main body of the apartment. With the exception that hehad been firmly seized and held down while the Strangler bound him, Jack had not been roughly treated, and he was quite free to turn hishead from side to side and mark all that went on. 

In a few moments the Ruby King raised his hand. As if in response tothe signal an attendant struck one deep booming rolling note on agreat gong. Jack looked eagerly to see what would follow. And thatwhich did follow held him spell-bound with amazement and wonder. 

A door opened and Saya Chone came in. Jack recognised him at once, forthe delicate filmy veil of muslin which hung just before him was soslight in texture that he could see through it easily and make out allthat went on in the light of the lamps. But the part of the room wherehe was a prisoner was unlighted, and the veil served to hide himsufficiently from anyone standing in the brighter part of the place. Saya Chone came forward and conversed with U Saw for a few moments, then a second note was struck upon the resounding gong. 

Again the door opened, and a couple of Kachins came in, leading a manbetween them, a tall, thin man with grey hair and pale face. Jack'sheart leapt within him, and he felt suffocating under his gag. Yes, there was his father, there he was. They had been right in theirsuspicions all the time. Thomas Haydon had been carried off by the menwho served the Ruby King. 

Jack's heart swelled within him at sight of that well-known form andface, and he strained every muscle against his bonds. But he had beensecured too strongly, and his efforts were utterly in vain. He couldonly stare and stare at the old familiar figure, and long for themoment when his gag should be loosed and he could acquaint his fatherwith his presence. He wondered whether his father would see himthrough the curtain, but he felt sure at the next moment that it wasimpossible. He was seated in a dusky corner, and his father stood fullin the light of the lamps. 

What an end was this to his quest! He had set out to find his father. He had found him: they stood within a few yards of each other. But hehad found him a prisoner in cruel and merciless hands which now alsoheld Jack captive. What an end to all his fine dreams of rescuing hisfather! What a mockery of his hopes! As these thoughts throngedthrough Jack's mind, Saya Chone began to speak. Jack was at once allattention to the words of the half-caste. 

"Well, Mr. Haydon, " began the latter, "you have now had several daysto know whether you are more inclined to be reasonable. You have only, you know, to write down on a scrap of paper the bearings of the placewhere you found the big ruby, and then you are free to go where youplease. "

There was silence for a moment, then Mr. Haydon replied. How thewell-known tones thrilled Jack through and through as they fell on hisear!

"Exactly, " said Thomas Haydon, in a tone of quiet but bitter scorn. "Ihave only to give up the interests which were confided to my hands, toprove myself a traitor to those who trusted me, and then you say I maygo. I take leave to doubt the latter statement. In any case, I shallcertainly not do as you wish. "

"You still refuse to disclose the secret of the ruby-mine you found?"

"I do. "

"It would be better, I think, for you to reconsider that decision, "said the half-caste, in his cold, cruel voice. "There are ways, youknow, of making people speak, however obstinate they may be. "

"You refer to torture, without doubt, " said Mr. Haydon, in as cool atone as though he were speaking on the most indifferent subject. "Well, I do not wish to boast, but I hardly think you will getanything out of me that way. "

"Why, there I am inclined to agree with you, " said the half-caste, inhis silkiest tones. "That is to say, so far as applying torture toyourself personally is concerned. You are a stubborn Englishman, andthat means you will cheerfully die before you give in; is it not so?"

"Then, if you think it useless to deal with me in such fashion, whyenter upon talk of it?" demanded Mr. Haydon. 

"Oh, " said the half-caste, "such a thing may be useful yet. If youwere careless about torture applied to yourself, you might see it inanother light when brought to bear on someone to whom you wereattached?"

Mr. Haydon gave a scornful laugh. "And where will you find such aperson in this den of thieves?" he asked, drily. 

Upon this reply, Saya Chone and U Saw burst into a great shout ofmocking laughter. They rolled to and fro in their mirth, and the roomrang again with their hideous merriment. Mr. Haydon looked from one tothe other, his brow knitted in puzzled wonder. 

But behind the curtain Jack's heart had sunk very low indeed, and alight of terror had come into his eyes. Now he saw at a flash why thehalf-caste had carried him off, and pursued him so closely andfiercely, yet without doing him the least harm. It had puzzled Jack ascore of times why Saya Chone had not killed him, and so put an end toany further trouble, but now he saw the whole plan only too clearly. 

By this time the Ruby King knew the character of Thomas Haydon, andhad learned that neither threats nor force had power to sway him fromhis duty in order to save himself. But what if his only son, his boyJack, was exposed to a like danger: would that not break down his ironresolution?

The terror which had come into Jack's eyes was not for himself, notfor an instant. But he saw at once what the arch-rogues meant to do, to put pressure upon his father through him. And Jack felt sick atheart to think that he had won the thing he had longed for, that hehad gained his father's side, and yet he came only as an addeddifficulty to a cruel situation. 

"You have a son, I think, Mr. Haydon?" began Saya Chone again, in hispurring tones. 

"How do you know that?" replied Thomas Haydon. 

"Oh, we know many things, " replied the half-caste lightly. "We haveeven heard of your only son, Jack Haydon. "

Mr. Haydon made no reply. 

"You would, I suppose, be very unwilling to see any harm happen tohim?"

"Thank God!" cried Thomas Haydon fervently, "that, at any rate, is farbeyond your power. He is safe at home in England. "

Again the mocking laughter burst out in redoubled volume until therafters rang again. The Ruby King and Saya Chone enjoyed their mirthto the full, then the half-caste sprang to his feet, and pointed withglittering eyes and laughing face to the soft white muslin veil. 

"Look there! Thomas Haydon, " he cried, "look there!"

CHAPTER XXXI. 

FATHER AND SON. 

Mr. Haydon turned his calm, steady eyes on the filmy curtain, but hecould see nothing. Then, as he gazed quietly at it, U Saw raised hishand, and a deep booming note resounded from the gong. The full, musical trembling of the note still rang through the room when anunseen hand drew back the curtain, and the light of the lamps fellfull upon Jack. 

Thomas Haydon stood for a moment with the wild, distraught look of onewho sees a sight altogether beyond belief or reason, then he made tospring forward. But he was chained to the Kachins who stood uponeither side of him, and two more leapt forward from their posts by thewall to check his movements. And again the mocking laughter of hisenemies filled the room. 

But Thomas Haydon had neither eyes nor ears for them. He could onlystare and stare upon his son as if he found it impossible to believethe evidence of his own sight. At last he spoke. 

"Jack!" he said in a tone of wonder beyond all wonder, "Jack, is ityou?"

Jack could not reply, for the gag effectually checked his utterance, but he nodded, and his eyes spoke for him. 

"My son here, " murmured Thomas Haydon again, and a bitter groan brokefrom him. He could not restrain it; this last stroke was utterlybeyond all human endurance. When his son had been mentioned by hisunscrupulous enemy, his thoughts had flown thousands and thousands ofmiles, far away from the hot, glaring East, with its mysteries anddangers, to the cool, quiet English meadows amid which lay RushmereSchool, where his only son, as he believed, worked and played insafety. 

And all the time Jack was within a few yards of him, hidden, aprisoner, behind the muslin curtain. How he had got there, how he hadfallen into the terrible hands of U Saw, were the most insoluble ofmysteries to the elder man, and he could only stare at his son with awhite and ghastly face, for he knew only too well the character of themen in whose power they both lay. 

The jeering voice of the half-caste broke out on a high note ofderision. "And is there no one among this den of thieves for whom youcare, Mr. Haydon?" he cried. "If there is not, what an unnaturalparent you must be!"

A deep guttural chuckle from U Saw echoed this speech. The Ruby Kingsaid never a word from first to last. He sat on his cushions as oneenjoying the play. His gross face was filled with an evil joy, hissmall dark cunning eyes twinkled for ever with laughter at the scenewhich was enacted before him, but he maintained, except for hislaughter, a perfect silence, and there was something terribly uncannyand threatening about this. 

"Where has he come from?" asked Thomas Haydon, in a low and troubledvoice. Yes, it was Jack, bound there; he was compelled to believe hisown eyes at last. It was not an hallucination; it was a piece ofdreadful fact, and in it the elder man saw his difficulties trebledupon the spot. 

"Oh, as to that, he will have plenty of opportunity to tell youhimself in a short time, " smiled the half-caste. "We shall shut you uptogether to talk things over. In the meantime, another piece of workdemands U Saw's attention. "

He waved his hand and the Kachins led Thomas Haydon aside and placedhim against the farther wall. There was a shuffle of feet at the door, and three or four natives from the village brought in a man whosehands were bound behind his back. They were followed by at least ascore more of men and women, and for the next half hour there was afearful babel of tongues. As far as Jack could gather it seemed a sortof trial, and the Ruby King acted as judge. 

The latter uttered never a word, all the questioning being done bySaya Chone; but at last he opened his mouth and pronounced a verdict. It was received with cries of joy by some, and howls of grief by oneor two women. Now the bodyguard drove the whole crowd, save theprisoner, out of the apartment. 

When the uproar of the noisy horde had died away in the narrowpassages, Saya Chone waved to the guards to bring Mr. Haydon forward. 

"Look at this man, Thomas Haydon, " said the half-caste in a low, hardvoice, pointing, as he spoke, to the native; "he has killed aneighbour; he is a murderer. Very good. U Saw has sentenced him todeath. Now I tell you that if you do not give us the information wewant, you have as surely sentenced your son to death as U Saw hassentenced this man. "

He said no more: there was a far more dreadful threat in his quiet, cool words than any violence could have shown. He waved his hand onceagain, and Mr. Haydon was led away by the guards. 

When he had disappeared, Saya Chone turned to Jack. 

"You have heard what was said, " he murmured. "Do not be so foolish asto think it was spoken as a mere threat. Base all that you do or sayon that statement as a fact. There is no hope for you unless you getyour father to do as we wish. "

He turned away, and the Strangler at once released Jack from the chairand removed the gag from his mouth. Next Jack was led away by a coupleof guards and conducted once more through a labyrinth of narrow, winding passages until they halted before a door, where the Malayunlocked and took off Jack's fetters. The door was opened, and he wasthrust into the room, his limbs once more his own. 

The room in which Jack now found himself was lighted by a small lamp, and, as he entered, a figure sprang up from a low bench. "Father!"cried Jack, and at the next moment their hands were clasped together. 

"Jack, Jack, " said Mr. Haydon, in a low voice which he strove to keepsteady; "where, where have you come from, and how do you come to behere?"

Jack at once plunged into his story. They sat down together on thebench, and now Mr. Haydon learned the whole history of Jack'sadventures. 

"Your quest, Jack, was well and bravely undertaken, " he said, when hisson had finished the story, "but these powerful and cunning rogueshave been one too many for us up to the present. "

"But how were you seized, father?" cried Jack, and Mr. Haydon relatedhis story in turn. It was short and soon told. He had gone for a walkalong the shore near Brindisi, when, in a lonely spot, he had beenattacked from behind and felled by a severe blow on the skull. This, however, did not entirely reduce him to unconsciousness, for he had adistinct recollection of inhaling the smell of some powerful drugbefore he became insensible to everything about him. 

He had awakened to consciousness to find himself in a cabin of U Saw'ssteam yacht, and here he had been kept the closest of prisoners on thevoyage back to Burmah and up the river. He had been put ashore bynight on some deserted part of the river bank, and then carried, byunfrequented ways, through the jungle and across the hills to U Saw'sstronghold. In the latter place he had been kept in strictconfinement, and urged by threats to disclose the ruby-mine he haddiscovered. Hitherto his enemies had not proceeded to torture, thoughhe had been daily expecting it. 

"And now they threaten me through you, Jack, " concluded his father inan anxious voice Jack laughed, a quiet, steady, confident laugh. 

"They will threaten in vain, father, " he said. "We shan't give way aninch. What do you think that half-caste said to me last thing before Iwas brought here to you?" He related the speech Saya Chone had made tohim, and Mr. Haydon gave an uneasy movement of the shoulders. 

"Yes, " he said, "they hope that you will plead with me, Jack, to giveup the secret of the ruby-mine in order to save the pair of us. "

"Not likely, father, " returned Jack at once. "Whatever they do to me, mind you are not to give way on my account. We'll keep a stiff upperlip and win through this yet. "

His bold, brave words cheered Mr. Haydon, and the latter eyed hisstraight, strong lad with pride. But at the same time the look of deepanxiety never left his face. He had met his enemies boldly enough faceto face with them alone, but to have Jack in their clutches too was aterrible thing. 

"At any rate, " burst out Jack, "it's awfully jolly to be in here withyou, and be able to talk things over. I hardly expected such luck asthis. "

Mr. Haydon made no reply, only smiled. He saw plainly enough why theyhad been allowed to share the same cell. His enemies knew that themore he talked with his frank, brave boy, and looked into thosebright, courageous eyes, the less would he be inclined to let ill cometo Jack, the more powerful would be their hold upon him. 

"And was the ruby that you found such a very fine one?" asked Jack. 

"It was a most wonderful stone, Jack, " replied his father. "I havenever seen one like it. Unfortunately a couple of natives, oldruby-miners, were with me when I found it, and of course I could notkeep their tongues quiet. "

"These fellows went to a tremendous lot of trouble, the rascals, tofollow you up and get possession of it, " remarked Jack. 

"They were well repaid, my boy, " returned his father. "The stone isworth a large fortune, and the greed of a man like U Saw for aprecious stone is beyond your understanding, for you do not know thetribe. "

"And the mine, was that rich?" asked Jack. 

"Very rich, " said his father, "but it is best for us not to speak ofthese matters, Jack. Walls have ears with a vengeance in theseplaces. "

Their talk now turned to the channel of their own doings while theyhad been separated. For nearly twenty-four hours father and son stayedtogether, and were as cheerful as the dark fate hanging over themallowed. Then towards sunset of the day after Jack's arrival at USaw's stronghold, the door of the cell was opened, and the Stranglerappeared at the head of a strong guard. 

By signs he ordered the two prisoners to follow him. As they steppedforward, they were placed in single file, and the guard closed roundthem. Jack and his father were now led into the courtyard, where theysaw that a larger procession was awaiting them. At the head of thelatter was placed the villager who had killed his neighbour. His handswere bound behind his back, a loop of cord was thrown about his neck, and he was in charge of a couple of the Kachin bodyguard. 

Jack and his father were placed behind this prisoner, and were nowallowed to walk side by side. 

At the next moment the Ruby King and Saya Chone rode forward, and tooktheir places at the head of the procession. They moved on, walkingtheir ponies quietly, and the line of men on foot at once marchedafter them. 

Neither Jack nor Mr. Haydon was bound. They were entirely free exceptfor the Kachins who marched on either side and kept a wary eye ontheir movements. 

"After all, " thought Jack sadly to himself. "What need is there tobind us? Suppose I broke loose now and ran? Even if I got away fromthese fellows, where could I go to? The whole valley is a prison justas sure as the stone walls we have left behind for the moment. "

But scarce two minutes had passed before Jack had burst from the guardand was running at his fleetest. It happened in this way. They filedout of the courtyard and along a broad, ill-kept, dusty road passingthe village. 

Near the first houses of the village, a woman sprang out of the crowdwhich was waiting to see the procession pass. She rushed forward, aninfant in her arms, and flung herself on the ground before the poniesridden by the Ruby King and the half-caste. Holding the infant out atthe fullest reach of her arms, she lay in their path, and poured out astring of loud, supplicating cries. Jack knew not a word she said, buthe understood very well that the wife and child of the doomed man werebefore him. 

He looked to see the riders pause upon witnessing this spectacle ofwretched despair. Then, with a start of horror, he saw that they wereintending, in cold-blooded fashion, to trample mother and childbeneath the hoofs of the animals which bore them. The woman hadstretched herself out so that her body was in front of thehalf-caste's pony, her infant in front of that of the Ruby King. SayaChone's pony was more merciful than the flinty-hearted wretch whobestrode it. It started back, reared, shied, refused absolutely tostep forward upon the unhappy woman. The Ruby King uttered a brutallaugh, and urged his own animal on. 

The latter beast went forward willingly, and was within a stride ofplacing its fore feet on the little brown, naked body, when Jack gavea sharp cry of horror and darted forward. Several of the bodyguardsprang after him, but they might as well have leapt after a deer. Jackraced forward, flew between the ponies, and caught the child from theground. At the same instant three or four of the villagers ran to thespot, lifted the woman, and dragged her away. One of them took thechild from Jack and put it in her arms. 

Now the guards came up, seized Jack, and hustled him back to his placein the procession. 

"Well done, Jack, " said his father quietly. "You were just in the nickof time. Another second and U Saw's pony would have trampled the lifeout of the poor little mite. "

"Really, he would have done it, " breathed Jack incredulously. "Evenafter cutting in and picking it up, I can hardly believe it. "

"Oh, he'd have done it, without doubt, " said Mr. Haydon drily. "Youwill find out, Jack, that these people hold human life very cheaply, and human suffering cheaper still. "

The Ruby King and the half-caste had taken no notice of Jack's actionsave to laugh derisively, and now the procession moved forward oncemore. They went about a couple of miles, and halted on the edge of asteep descent which ran down to a broad swamp. It wanted now abouthalf an hour to sunset. At the foot of the descent, on the edge of theswamp, a cross had been raised. Jack's blood ran cold within him. Whatawful sight were they now to see? Were these monsters about to crucifythe condemned man?

[Illustration: THE RESCUE OF THE NATIVE CHILD. ]

CHAPTER XXXII. 

THE HORROR IN THE SWAMP. 

He breathed more freely when he saw that the men who led the villagerforward had coils of rope in their hands and nothing else. In a tricethe man was bound to the cross, his arms at full length, his bodyfirmly lashed to the upright. 

The half-caste now beckoned to Jack. 

"Come down the slope, " said Saya Chone. "I want you to look at thisman now. You will see him again in the morning. Perhaps you will findit useful to note the difference. "

Jack was led down the descent and brought face to face with thenative. The English lad saw at once that the man bound to the crosswas stupefied with an extremity of terror. His brown skin was afrightful ashen shade, his eyes were wide, distended with horror, andfixed on the swamp, his mouth open, his jaw hanging limp. 

"You will see him again in the morning, " repeated the half-caste; "andyou will see, I assure you, another kind of man. "

"Yes, " said Jack, "after you have practised your brutal devilries onhim. "

"No, no, oh no, " laughed Saya Chone in his soft, cunning tones. "Weshall do no more to him. His whole punishment consists in remaininghere in bonds from sunset to sunrise. Then we shall loose the ropes, and he will be free. "

"Yes, " said Jack, who thought now that he saw daylight, "with everyvein full of the fever and malaria that haunt this swamp. "

"Fever, " laughed Saya Chone, "this fellow is absolutely safe againstfever. You could no more give him jungle fever than you could make himten feet high. A night here would give you a fever that would kill youin ten days, never him. "

Jack was puzzled once more, and said nothing. He resolved to ask hisfather what it all meant. 

But he soon found that this chance was not to be afforded him. He wasled back up the rise, and placed at some distance from the spot wherehis father stood. He saw his father taken down the slope andconfronted with the condemned native, then brought back. At once theprocession was reformed. Jack was placed at the head, his father atthe rear, and they were not allowed to exchange a word. 

Jack's heart sank a little. Did this mean that they were to beseparated? It did. When the great house was once more gained, Jack wasshut up by himself in a room which he had not seen before, and therehe spent the night. 

The sun had been up a couple of hours next morning before Jack heardthe sound of any movement outside his cell. Then there was a rattleof creaking bolts and the door was flung open. Saya Chone stood in thedoorway with the usual band of blue-kilted and well-armed Kachins. 

He did not speak, only beckoned with his hand, his malicious eyes litup with their usual evil grin. Nor did he speak throughout thesubsequent journey when Jack was led over the track he had followedthe night before. Jack looked round for his father, but no sign of Mr. Haydon was to be seen. The half-caste ambled ahead on a pony, Jack andfour of U Saw's retainers followed behind, and that was the whole ofthe party. 

As they approached the edge of the declivity which ran down towardsthe swamp, the sound of a loud, measured voice came through the air. 

Saya Chone started, touched his pony with his heel, and canteredforward. Then he dropped back to his former pace as they cleared apatch of bamboo and saw the origin of the sound. On the edge of theslope stood a man dressed something like a monk. His head was closeshaven, and he carried a large yellow parasol through which thesunlight poured, and made his polished skull shine like gold. Hecarried a large basket on a pole slung over his shoulder. 

Jack had seen such a figure before, and Buck had told him all aboutit. It was a _pothoodaw_, a man who, without belonging to the order ofregular monks, still leads a life of prayer and pious works. The holyman had paused on the edge of the slope to recite his prayers, moveddoubtless thereto by the sight of the condemned man below. Now, as thelittle procession arrived, he swung up his basket and moved awaywithout a glance at them. 

Nor, save for Jack, was a glance cast at him. A _pothoodaw_ is afamiliar sight in every corner of the country, and his wanderings fromplace to place take him to every nook, however desert or solitary. 

Jack, too, soon had eyes for something beside the holy man. Theyreached the edge of the slope. Saya Chone turned with a grin and spoketo one of the Kachins. The latter at once whipped off his turban, unrolled it and folded it over Jack's eyes, and so the latter was leddown the slope. 

"Now you can look, " said a mocking voice, and the turban was whippedaside. 

Jack gave a cry of horror. He could not help it. He had meant torestrain all signs of feeling, but this was too much. He had beenplaced so that he stood almost breast to breast with the most dreadfuland grisly horror that the mind of man could conceive. He looked uponthe horrible, dry, shrivelled mummy of something which had been a man. The shape of the villager hung there in the bonds, but it was a mereframework of bones, upon which hung wrinkled brown folds of shrivelledskin. The haunting terror of the vision was beyond all description. 

Jack tried to speak, to ask what had done this fearful thing. But hisdried tongue refused its office; it clung to the roof of his mouth. 

The half-caste at his shoulder now broke into a chuckling laugh. 

"He looks pretty, does he not?" said Saya Chone. "And you see nothinghas happened but what I said. He has been tied here all night. " Hewas silent for a few moments in order to let the awful sight sinkdeeply into Jack's mind, then he went on. "You are puzzled. I can seeit in your face. What has happened to him? I will tell you. You nowsee what a man looks like when _every single drop of blood has beensucked out of his body_. "

The half-caste paused a little, then laughed gaily. "It is having abetter effect on you than I should have hoped for, my young friend. You look sick with horror. But even through your disgust I see aglimmer of wonder as to the manner in which it is done. Simply enough, I assure you. This swamp is famous throughout the valley for theimmense size and virulence of the mosquitoes which breed in it. Withthe fall of dusk they pour from its recesses in vast swarms, andfasten on man or beast or any creature into whose skin they may drivetheir stings, and from whose body they may suck its blood. Here hasbeen a feast royal for them. "

He waved his hand towards the dry, rattling, shrivelled remnants ofhumanity, fastened to the cross, and Jack understood the awful, thesickening cruelty of this exquisite torture. 

"It is a slow death, but terribly sure, " went on the half-caste. "Asone gorged horde drop off, be certain that a thousand hungry swarmshover round, eager to fill the empty places, and taste also of thefeast. Think of it to-day, think of it well. "

He waved his hand and the Kachins marched away up the hill, leadingJack with them. The road back to the great house was taken insilence, and Jack was thrust once more into his solitary cell. Therehe spent the whole day alone, not seeing even those who thrust hisdish of meat and rice through a small trap in the door. 

The afternoon had worn far on, and he was sitting on his bench deep inthought. He had striven to keep out of his mind the spectacle he hadseen that morning, but the impression it had produced upon him was oneof such terrible power that it was before his eyes at every moment. What did it threaten to them, to his father and himself? His mindrecoiled before the idea. 

Suddenly, without a sound, the door of his cell swung back, and therewas a swift rush of naked feet on the floor. Four of the guard wereupon Jack before he could lift a finger, and at the next moment hishands were bound behind him, and his ankles fastened together with arope which permitted him to walk with fair ease, but gave him nofreedom to do aught beside take short steps. Within five minutes againhe was in a procession such as he had walked in the night before. 

In front once more rode Saya Chone and the Ruby King. The latter rodeon a fine white pony, and was attended by a couple of retainers, oneof whom held a huge scarlet umbrella above U Saw's head, and the othercarried his betel-box of solid silver. Jack turned his head, and sawat first no sign of his father, but when they had gone about half amile, he looked back and saw his father's tall figure, conspicuousamong the short, sturdy Kachins who guarded him, among a group nowsetting out from the gate. 

This order of the march was kept until they reached the edge of theslope. Down this Jack was hurried, and now saw a sight which filledhim with the gloomiest of fears. The villager still hung in his bonds, and two yards in front of the cross to which he was bound stood twosimilar crosses, each surrounded with a framework of strong cane. 

Jack stiffened himself for a struggle against the horrible fate whichmenaced him, but his struggles were all in vain. His enemies, smallperhaps, but many, and with muscles of iron, had him strung up to thecross in a trice, and here he was gagged, after he had been boundsecurely. 

In a few moments he saw his father bound in like fashion, and then, tohis surprise, he saw a couple of men swiftly and thoroughly cover theframework of cane around each cross with strong mosquito-netting. 

"What does this mean?" thought Jack. "Are they only putting us here toterrify us? The mosquitoes cannot get at us through this netting. " Butat the next moment he learned that this was but a trick to prolongtheir agony, and cause them to endure an extremity of mental sufferingwhich the villager had never known. Saya Chone, as ever, was thespokesman of his master's will. 

"You will be safe under these nettings until these cords are pulled, "he said. Jack and Mr. Haydon looked to the ground whither thehalf-caste pointed. There they saw a couple of stout cords, onefastened at the corner of each mosquito-net. 

"A sharp tug at the cord will displace the nets, " went on Saya Chone. "But you will have a chance to save your skins before that is done. Inany case, the first cord will not be pulled until an hour aftersunset. Then, " went on the half-caste, addressing himself to Mr. Haydon, "this is the cord which will be pulled, " and he pointed to thecord fastened to Jack's net. Mr. Haydon ground his teeth. "If youdon't want it pulled, " purred Saya Chone softly, "you know what youhave to do, a few words, nothing more. An hour later the other cordwill be pulled, and you will be left for the night. On the other hand, if you wish for release, you have only to shout that you will tell us, and a dozen men will rush down with torches and smoking green boughsto beat aside the mosquitoes, and bring you out in safety. I myselfshall remain under shelter and within earshot. "

Without another word he turned and marched up the slope. Theattendants had already retired, and within a few moments the edge ofthe swamp was empty save for the prisoners and the dead villager. 

Jack closed his eyes. He and his father were so placed that straightbefore them, almost at arm's length, was the horrible, shrivelledfigure which was so dreadful a pledge of the terrible powers whichlurked within the dismal swamp behind them. 

Jack now heard his father begin to speak. "I see you are gagged, Jack, " said Mr. Haydon. "It is a compliment to your staunchness, mypoor boy, if nothing else. Had they fancied there was the least chanceof your showing the white feather, they would have left you yourpowers of speech, that you might beg for release. This is a frightfulposition. I have been expecting some cunning device, but this is awfulbeyond what I could have dreamed of. "

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

THE POTHOODAW. 

Jack could make no answer. Mr. Haydon now remained silent, and hisbrow was knitted in deep thought as he turned their cruel situationover and over, yet saw no hope of release for his son save inbetraying the secrets of those who employed him, secrets he was inhonour bound not to disclose. 

The sun sank swiftly. Before it had disappeared Jack saw swarms of thedreaded mosquitoes begin to thicken in the air, like flights of gnatson a summer evening in England. The swift tropic dark swept over swampand hill-side, and almost at once the framework which covered each ofthe captives was literally hidden with the vast masses of the venomousinsects, which knew that a fresh prey awaited them within. 

It did not need sight to tell the prisoners that an incalculablenumber of their tiny but deadly enemies awaited the moment when thenets would be drawn aside, the sense of hearing told them only tooclearly. The air was filled with a steady hum caused by the beating ofmyriads upon myriads of tiny wings. 

Jack shuddered. He had already been bitten severely by mosquitoes whenthey had invaded a camp in their dozens and scores, and he had beenfree to defend himself, but what hideous torture would lie in thatmoment when they would be exposed to the onslaught of theseinnumerable swarms, and be unable to move a finger to disturb them attheir dreadful feast upon the life-blood of their victims. 

Jack and his father had spent half an hour in silence, when a yellowglow brightened over the swamp, and presently the moon came up andcast a strong light over the scene. Now Jack saw the mosquitoes. Theyhovered in vast clouds around and above the netting, they hung in hugefestoons from every fold, from every corner, from every point ofvantage where foothold could be gained. It had seemed incredible tohim at first that such tiny creatures could drain the body of a man ofevery drop of blood, but now that eye and ear together assured him ofthe vast number of their swarming myriads, he wondered no longer. 

He was still staring at them when there was a flare on the edge of theslope above. He glanced up and saw a couple of men in the moonlight. They bore burning green branches, and waved them to and fro to keepoff the clouds of mosquitoes which danced about them. From the midstof the smoke came a voice. "In ten minutes more the first hour willhave gone and the first cord will be pulled. "

It was the voice of Saya Chone, and he added no word to that briefmessage. He and his attendant withdrew, and the prisoners were left insilence to stare at the horrible death which now hung with terriblenearness over the head of Jack. 

Mr. Haydon gave a deep groan. 

"This is too dreadful, Jack, " he said, in a low, shaking voice. "I seethey mean it. There can be no possible doubt of that now. " Thensuddenly the note of his voice changed. It became tense, vibrating, eager. "What's that?" he said, and again, "What's that?" and fellsilent. 

Jack turned his head and saw what his father meant. Twenty yards totheir right a large patch of reeds grew on the edge of the swamp. Fromthe reeds the figure of a man was slowly creeping towards them. Swathed from head to foot in folds of thick white linen, to defendhimself from the bites of the venomous mosquitoes, the man was workinghis way inch by inch along the ground. 

Jack watched the stranger's progress with deep and burning interest. Surely he came as a friend! The bitterest enemy could not come to maketheir situation worse than it was at present. 

With a last swift wriggle the creeping figure was at the foot of thenet which shrouded Jack. The latter looked down and saw that the manwas literally covered from head to foot with masses of the swarminginsects. Then, with wonderful dexterity, the newcomer jerked aside theinsects which were massed upon him, raised the lower edge of the net, and shot with a swift, sinuous movement inside. 

As he sprang to his feet, his linen wrapper fell aside, and, to hisgreat astonishment, Jack saw the bald shaven head of the _pothoodaw_flash up into the moonlight. Then the holy man smiled, and Jack knewthe cheerful grin. His heart leapt for joy. It was Me Dain, the Burmanguide. Out gleamed a keen knife, half-a-dozen rapid cuts weredelivered, and Jack's bonds, gag and all, hung in shreds about him. Jack caught a fervent, grateful whisper from the neighbouringframework. 

"Thank God! a friend, a friend!" Mr. Haydon breathed in a tone ofintense relief. 

"Wait!" breathed Me Dain in Jack's ear, and was gone. The Burmanwrapped himself again in his linen shield, wormed his way across tothe framework where Mr. Haydon was a captive, and cut him free in aninstant. 

"Me Dain!" Jack caught the whisper from his father, and knew that thelatter had recognised his old guide. A few whispered words passedbetween the Burman and Mr. Haydon, then the latter whispered across tohis son: "Wrap your coat round your head, Jack, to keep these venomouslittle brutes off as much as possible, then follow us. "

Jack whipped off his Norfolk tunic and folded it about his head, leaving himself a peep-hole to watch the guide. He did as he saw themdo. He dropped to the ground, wriggled under the net, then sprang tohis feet and hurried beside his father, following Me Dain, who led theway back to the patch of reeds whence he had crept. Skirting the reedshe raced at full speed along the edge of the swamp, keeping at thefoot of the slope which ran down to the marsh, but heading away fromthe spot where Saya Chone and his attendant Kachins were posted. 

The torture of that journey through the swamp was a thing which Jacknever forgot. The mosquitoes worked their way into every crevice ofthe tunic he had folded about his head. They crept into his hair, downhis neck, and swarmed over his face through the breathing hole he wascompelled to leave open in front of it. The pain of their sting wassuch that he had to set his teeth to keep back a growl of maledictionupon their evil fangs. Every venomous little wretch seemed to carry ared-hot needle which it thrust joyfully into the soft flesh whereverit happened to alight. 

At last, after three hundred yards of silent scurry through thispestilential tract, they struck hard ground, and went at full speed upthe hill-side for open country and purer air. Still following Me Dain, who pushed on as fast as he could go, Jack and his father plunged intoa bamboo groove, and followed a narrow path. This brought them in afew minutes to a small clearing, where the Burman paused, and all wereglad of an opportunity to draw breath, and knock off the mosquitoeswhich still clung to them. 

Jack sprang forward and seized the guide by the hand. 

"Me Dain, " he cried, "wherever have you sprung from to lend us a handin this fashion, just in the nick of time?"

"Ay, ay, " said Mr. Haydon, "just at the moment of our hardest trialand greatest danger. Me Dain, old fellow, we are enormously indebtedto you. "

Father and son shook hands with the Burman and thanked him over andover again, and Me Dain grinned all over his broad, pleasant face. 

"Better get on, " he said, "Saya Chone not far away yet. "

These words recalled the fugitives to a sense of the great danger inwhich they stood as long as U Saw's valley still held them, and theyhastened to follow Me Dain, who was now walking briskly forward. Twenty minutes of swift and silent progress brought them to a nativehut in a little clearing. 

"Here you must stay for a time, " said the Burman. 

"But will it be safe, Me Dain?" murmured Mr. Haydon. "Whoever liveshere must belong body and soul to U Saw. We shall be informed upon atonce. "

"No, no, " said the Burman emphatically, "not by this woman. She tellnothing. She help you all she can. She is the wife of the man who waskilled in the swamp. The young sahib save her child. She never forgetthat. Oh, no, I settle with her to-night. She keep you safe. "

Mr. Haydon said no more, and all three crept under cover of a patch ofplantains to the shelter of the broad eaves of the thatch of reedswhich covered the dwelling. Here they found that a hole had been madein the cane walls, and they crept into the house, thus avoiding theentrance by the door, which faced another house at some littledistance away. 

Inside the place they found no one but the woman and her child. Shecame forward and _shekoed_ again and again, and Mr. Haydon, who had afair knowledge of the language of the country, spoke to her andthanked her for the refuge which she offered to them. 

At one end of the cottage there was a rude loft of logs where thelittle household had stored their stock of rice and other necessarieswhen the time of harvest came. The loft was now partly empty, and atits farther end there was plenty of room for two men to lie in hidingbehind a row of tall earthen jars in which the paddy was stored afterthreshing. 

In this place of safety Me Dain bestowed them, assuring them that noone ever went to the loft save the woman herself, and that he must beoff at once to show himself at the local monastery in his character of_pothoodaw_, and so avert all suspicion that he had been concerned inthe escape. 

"The monks give me a room, " said Me Dain. "I jump through the window, and jump back. No one knows then that I leave it. Must be careful. USaw and Saya Chone, both bad men, very bad men. "

We must now return to that very bad man Saya Chone, who was also aboutto be a very disappointed and furious one. On the stroke of the hourhe reappeared at the brink of the slope, just after the fugitives hadvanished round the patch of reeds. Had they not muffled their headsthey would have heard his call to Mr. Haydon. Had he not been thicklysurrounded by the smoke of the green boughs which partly kept off theclouds of venomous assailants, he would have seen that the frameworkswere empty in the moonlight. But such an idea as that his victimscould escape never for an instant came into his mind. The wholeneighbourhood was under the thumb of his brutal lord, and he knew thatno one would interfere to save a friend from U Saw's hand, much less apair of strangers and foreigners. 

Thrice he shouted his threats and warnings to the empty cages, and hejudged that the silence meant stubborn resolution not to be conquered. Then, with his own hand, he pulled the cord which should have strippedthe net from Jack. 

"Now the father will give way, " thought the half-caste, and strainedhis ears to catch a sound of yielding from Thomas Haydon. 

When never a sound was heard, the half-caste played what he thoughtwould be his trump card. He ordered a Kachin to dart down, and cut thegag loose from Jack's mouth. Saya Chone counted for certain that theson's moans of agony would be too much for the father to stand, andthat the latter would give way. But in an instant the nimble blue-kiltwas back, his face full of a surprise beyond description. 

"The white men have gone, " he gasped. 

"Gone!" screamed Saya Chone, and he rushed down the slope waving asmoking bough about his head. A glance at the prisons told him thatthe man's words were true, and for a second he stared in stupefiedamazement at the severed bonds before he rushed back up the slope. Heran at full speed to the place where U Saw was placidly chewing beteland waiting the upshot of the affair. The Ruby King was fearfullyincensed at the idea that anyone had dared to meddle with theprisoners, and both he and the half-caste breathed the most furiousthreats of torture and death against all concerned in the affair. Thatthey would re-capture Jack and his father they did not doubt for aninstant. The fugitives must be somewhere in the valley, and within anhour they had a hundred men threading every path and searching everycorner of the vale. 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

THE HIDING-PLACE AND THE THIEF. 

Jack and his father spent the night safely stowed behind the greatearthen jars on the loft. Stretched out on a heap of soft, driedgrass, they slept and watched in turns, for it was not safe for bothto go to sleep at once. 

At break of day the woman brought them a meal, and they ate and drank, and Jack gave her a few rupees. A couple of hours after dawn theyheard a movement below and saw a sight which they welcomed gladly. Theloft stood upon a dozen wooden supports raised six or seven feet fromthe ground. It had no window, but, upon moving the dried grass aside, they could peep through the chinks in the floor of logs. Peeringcautiously down, they saw a yellow umbrella, and presently that waslaid aside as the _pothoodaw_ seated himself in shade of the loft andbegan busily to recite his prayers. 

When these were ended he sat to all appearance absorbed in profoundmeditation. But had anyone been near enough, they would have foundthat a busy whispered conversation was going on between the_pothoodaw_ and those hidden in the loft above his head. 

For half an hour the holy man sat there, then went his way. But inthat time Jack and his father had learned much of deep interest tothem. Me Dain told them that Buck and Jim Dent were now camped in alonely place among the hills near upon twenty miles away, awaiting theBurman's return. The latter had been sent in disguise to U Saw'svillage to pick up what information he could, and had only justarrived when Jack saw him on the edge of the slope above the swamp. Hetold them he would stay in the neighbourhood and watch for afavourable moment to make a start for the camp where their friendsawaited them. 

For two days the fugitives lay in hiding under the care of the nativewoman and in perfect safety. They proved once more the truth of theold adage that "the nearer to danger the nearer to safety. " U Saw andSaya Chone urged the pursuit with the most savage eagerness. Theysearched every corner of the great swamp, every cane-brake, everypatch of forest, every nook, and every corner. They had a cordon ofsentinels drawn round the valley, patrolling day and night, so that noone could slip through their hands. But it never occurred to them foran instant to search a cottage lying almost beneath the walls of theRuby King's stronghold, a hut so slight that it seemed incapable ofconcealing anything. 

Another piece of luck greatly befriended them. 

On the day that they were tied up at the edge of the swamp, one of USaw's retainers had been cruelly flogged for some misdemeanour. Theman had deserted the same night, and was never heard of again. Theidea at once got abroad that it was he who had released the prisonersin order to spite the Ruby King, and had guided them out of thecountry. 

Then, on the third night, the luck of the Haydons came to an end, andtheir hiding-place was hit upon in a very odd fashion, a fashion whichcould not have been foreseen or guarded against. It was aboutmidnight, and Jack had the watch, for one or other stood on guard allthe time. He sat with his back against a great post which ran fromground to ridge-pole, and, without the least warning, he felt that itwas shaking very slightly. 

In an instant Jack was on the alert. He could not hear the faintestsound, but the post still trembled, and Jack felt certain thatsomething or someone was climbing up it. In a few moments he wascertain of this, for he heard faint rustlings on the reed roof as ifsomeone was moving about. He stretched out his hand and shook hisfather gently. Mr. Haydon woke at once. He made no sound, only shookJack's arm in return to let his son know that he was on the alert. 

The rustling on the roof grew a little louder. The thatch was beingtorn aside, but so cautiously, so cleverly, that the two watchingbelow could only catch the sound by listening intently. Suddenly thestars flashed upon them. A hole had already been made above them, andin this hole they saw the head of a native against the sky. 

They remained perfectly still and silent, and watched the hole grow. Silently, deftly, the midnight marauder plucked handful after handfulof the reed thatch away and enlarged the opening. Both of those belowwho watched him, had grasped by this time what it all meant. This wasno man in the pay of U Saw, who suspected a hiding-place; it was justa common thief, pure and simple, who had an eye to nothing save thewidow's paddy. Believing that she was alone and defenceless in thehouse, he had come to plunder her loft. 

But, whatever his motive, the risk to the Haydons remained the same. In another moment he would drop among them and infallibly discovertheir presence. Then his outcries would arouse the village and theircapture would be certain. 

Very, very slowly the thief slipped his legs in at the hole, which wasnow big enough to admit him, and began to slide downwards. As Jackwatched the rogue gently drop upon them, he felt for a second hisfather's hand laid upon his throat, and he understood; the man was tobe seized and choked into silence; nothing else remained for them todo. 

Inch by inch the rascal slipped down. So cunning was he that he madeless noise than a mouse moving among the dried grass, and, withoutdoubt, he thought that he was carrying out his raid finely, and wouldmake the widow's store of rice smart for it. 

The thief loosed his hold upon the rafter of the roof by which hehung, and his long, slender, naked body, bare but for his waist-cloth, dropped as a great snake might drop between Jack and his father. Mr. Haydon made one clutch, and closed his fingers in a tremendousthrottling grip about the rogue's neck. Jack caught him by the arms. 

A most extraordinary struggle followed. The fellow was like an eel, and it proved a task of the greatest difficulty to hold him and keephim from getting loose and raising a disturbance. He was like an eelnot only in his marvellous agility, his twists, his feints, hiswriggling, but in his actual bodily slipperiness. The cunning rascalhad smeared his naked body from head to foot with oil, so that, ifseized, he could the more easily wriggle out of the hands of hiscaptors. 

How clever a device this was Jack learned to his great surprise. Thearms he seized were whipped out of his clutch as if he was trying tolay hold of quicksilver. He grabbed something which proved to be aleg. A swift jerk, and his fingers slipped off the greasy limb. Finally he settled the matter by throwing both arms round the slim, bare waist, and closing upon the rogue with a bear's hug which drovethe breath out of the thief's body. 

Together they threw the man upon the dried grass, and Mr. Haydon, whohad made his hold good by locking his fingers about the fellow'swindpipe, now eased his grip a little so that the man could breathe. 

Suddenly a light flashed upon this scene of fierce but silentstruggle. The woman herself had been aroused from her couch in theroom below, had lighted a small lamp, and climbed the rude steps tothe loft. 

Mr. Haydon turned his head, saw her, and snapped out a single word. She set down her lamp, disappeared, and was back in an instant with along strip of cloth in her hand. Mr. Haydon took this, and soonwhipped a gag round the mouth of the intruder, while Jack held himdown. In response to another whispered request of Mr. Haydon's, thewoman fetched a length of cord, and in two minutes the thief was boundhand and foot. Then father and son got up and stood looking down attheir captive, who stared sullenly up at them from his dark eyes. 

"If this isn't a confounded fix, " murmured Mr. Haydon. "Why shouldthis thieving rogue choose us to drop in on, of all people?"

"The unprotected house drew him, I expect, " replied Jack. 

"Ah, true, " returned his father. "I wonder, though, if he had anyaccomplices. "

He turned and spoke to the woman, and she at once blew out the lamp. 

"The light in any case is dangerous as likely to attract attention, "whispered Mr. Haydon. "Now, listen. "

They listened intently for some time, but there was not the faintestsound of any movement in the neighbourhood. 

"I hope to goodness this rascal was working by himself, " went on Mr. Haydon, "and no one knew what he was about. We don't want a companionpeering in to see what has happened to him. "

[Illustration: THE MIDNIGHT THIEF. ]

"What under the sun are we going to do with him, father?" whisperedJack. 

"We must leave him tied up here and run for it, " replied Mr. Haydon. "I see nothing else that we can do. "

"Nor I, " replied Jack; "and the sooner we march the better. We don'tknow that there was not someone outside to help him carry off thespoil, and the accomplice may have learned of our presence. "

"You are right, Jack, " said his father. 

"But there is Me Dain, we must pick him up, " pursued Jack. "Withouthim we do not know where to strike. How can we get hold of him?"

"The woman will be of service there, " said his father. "She is ouronly hope. "

He spoke with the native woman for a few moments, then gave a whistleof satisfaction below his breath. 

"She knows where he is lodging, and thinks she can rouse him withoutdisturbing anyone else, " whispered Mr. Haydon; "at any rate, she isgoing to try. "

The woman shuffled down the steps, and was gone in an instant. 

"We may as well go down and be ready for a move, " murmured Mr. Haydon, "but we'll try this chap's knots first. "

They examined the bound thief, and made certain that he could noteasily shuffle out of his bonds, then they went down to the main roomof the hut and posted themselves near the door. 

The time they waited seemed never-ending. In reality it was not morethan twenty minutes. But when they feared that every sound would seean alarm raised upon them and their escape hopelessly cut off, everyminute seemed an hour. 

Jack had his eye at a huge crack in the door, and to his immenserelief he made out at last a couple of figures approaching the houseunder the dim shade of the trees. 

"Here they are, " he breathed. "She's brought it off all right. I canmake out Me Dain. "

Two seconds later the Burman shot into the hut with a stealthy, noiseless glide. 

"Come on, " he said. "Not stop at all. She tell me everything. "

Away they went at once, Me Dain leading the way, with Jack and hisfather close behind. The Burman dodged round the corner of the hut, and struck at once into a hard well-trodden path which was at onceswallowed up in the thick shade of a close-set grove of bamboos. Itwas a path leading to a pagoda much frequented by the villagers, andwould show no sign by which they might be tracked on the morrow. MeDain had made himself familiar with the ins and outs of the place, andhe marched forward with a swift and assured step. Luckily, the hutstood right on the outskirts of the village, and in a few moments theywere out of sight of any house, and when they turned aside from thepath to the pagoda they soon left behind all sign of human presence. 

As they crossed a little clearing, Jack thought he heard a softfootfall in their rear. He turned, and saw, to his surprise, that thenative woman was a short distance behind them, with her child in herarms. 

"Why, " said Jack, "the woman of the hut is following us. "

"Yes, " replied Me Dain. "She must come, sahib. If U Saw catch her, heburn her alive for hiding you. "

"Likely enough, the unspeakable brute, " murmured Mr. Haydon. "We mustput the poor woman in a place of safety, Me Dain. We owe her a greatdeal. "

"She not want to stop in that place, anyhow, sahib, " replied theBurman. "She belong to a village over the hills. She want to go back, now her husband is dead. "

"Oh, very good, " said Mr. Haydon. "We'll put her right if we have thechance. "

"Yes, yes, " said Jack. "She's been a good staunch friend to us, thesame as you, Me Dain. "

"Very true, Jack, " said Mr. Haydon. 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

THE FLIGHT FROM THE VALLEY. 

They now went a couple of miles in silence, keeping a sharp look-outon every hand. But they gained the foot of the hills which encircledthe valley without seeing or hearing anything which might promisedanger. 

With Me Dain still in the van, they climbed steadily up a steep slopeand over a rocky saddle between two peaks which lifted sharp pointsagainst the starry sky. 

As they gained the saddle, Jack whispered sharply: "Stop, Me Dain, what's this? I smell something. "

"Me too, " said the Burman, snuffing cautiously. "There is a firesomewhere ahead. "

"A fire, " said Mr. Haydon. "We must take care. Who have lighted it, and what are they doing in a lonely spot like this?"

A dozen steps again and the questions were answered. They cleared alittle ridge and saw, two or three hundred yards ahead, a greatglowing patch of red where a big fire blazed up, and figures moved toand fro about it. 

"A watch-fire, " said Jack. "We'd better dodge back. Luckily they're upwind. "

The fugitives retreated until the fire was hidden from their view by agreat rock, then put their heads closely together to whisper to eachother. 

"Watchmen, " said Me Dain; "they are watchmen keeping guard over thepath which runs out of the valley towards the hills. "

"Then those cunning villains have set a watch over every road, "murmured Mr. Haydon. "Do you know of any way to get out withoutfollowing a path, Me Dain, any way by which we can clamber over thehills?"

"No, sahib, I do not, " replied the Burman; "but here is the woman whohas lived ten years in the valley. I will ask her. "

For a couple of minutes Me Dain and the native woman held a whisperedconversation, then the Burman breathed a deep sigh of relief. 

"She can take us out of the valley, sahibs. She can lead us by a way, very rough and hard to follow, but very little used, where they wouldnot trouble to set a guard. But we cannot follow it in the darkness. She will take us to the mouth of the pass, and there we must wait fordaylight. "

"Good, good, " said Jack in a cheerful whisper, "we'll dodge thesefellows after all. What luck that the woman marched with us!"

The words were scarcely out of his mouth when a fierce yelping andsnarling broke out not forty yards away, and the sound swiftlyapproached them. 

"Confound it all, a dog, a dog!" growled Mr. Haydon. 

In another instant the animal was leaping and bounding within two orthree yards of them, snarling savagely, and then making the hill-sidering with its piercing barks. It belonged to one of the guards, andhad been prowling about in search of food when it caught the scent ofthe fugitives. 

"This way, this way, sahibs, " cried Me Dain in low, eager tones. "Quick, quick, the men sure to come to see why the dog make a noise. "

"Sure to, for a certainty, " groaned Mr. Haydon. "Well, we must run forit. "

Away they hurried as fast as the darkness would permit, and thewretched cur hung on their heels, yelping and barking without pause, and thus guiding the guards straight to their prey. 

"We must stop this brute's mouth or we are utterly done for, " saidJack. At that instant he stumbled over a large stone. He bent, pickedit up, and turned round. Four or five yards behind them, and plainlyto be marked by its eyes shining green in the darkness, was the dog, which, by its mere power of drawing enemies upon them, was, at themoment, the most terrible enemy of all. 

For a second Jack hung on his aim, the heavy stone poised high in hisright hand. Then he hurled it with all his force. Crash! He heard themissile strike the brute with a heavy thud. The dog gave one lastfrightful yelp of pain, then dropped and lay silent Whether the beastwas dead or only stunned Jack did not know, nor did he care. He knewthat he had silenced the miserable cur, and that was all he wished. 

Enough harm had been done already. A bunch of dancing lights now shotinto view, and he saw them borne swiftly on. The watchmen, carryingtorches, were running to the spot where the dog had given the alarm. 

Jack now caught up his friends with a few swift strides, and all theparty hurried on, the woman leading the way and guiding them. 

"Well done, Jack, " murmured his father. "Well done, my lad. If youhadn't put a stop to that brute's yelping, he'd have brought thosefellows on us as straight as they could run. Now they've got to lookfor us in the dark, and that's a very different affair. "

"Do you think they'll pick up our trail from the spot where they findthe dog?" asked Jack. 

"Oh, no, " said Mr. Haydon, "not easily. The ground is hard, andrunning a line by torchlight is a very different thing from running itby daylight. I hope to goodness we can make good headway before thedawn, for with the first peep of day they'll be after us as fast asthey can lay foot to ground. "

At this moment both looked back and saw the plump of torches come to astand. The watchmen had reached the spot where Jack had struck downthe dog, and, through the silence of the night, the eager, excitedvoices of the Kachins could plainly be heard as they debated hotlyabout the dog's fate, and what it meant. 

Then the bunch of lights scattered and began to flicker here andthere. The guards were looking for the trail of those who had struckdown the dog. On and on ran the fugitives, and soon Jack saw that hisfather had been right about the difficulties of tracking bytorchlight. The points of fire behind them became more and morescattered, and not one came on or followed them. Then they turned theshoulder of a hill, and all was darkness and silence once more. 

It wanted an hour of daylight when they came to the mouth of the passby which they were to escape through the ring of hills which encircledthe valley. 

"Must wait now, " said Me Dain. "She say no man can go through the passunless he can see the way. "

"Are we to lose time, Me Dain?" said Jack. "Can't we creep on slowlyand make a little headway?"

The Burman talked again to the woman, but she was most emphatic indeclaring that nothing could be done until the day broke; so theycrouched in silence under lee of a great boulder until the first faintbars of light began to show in the east. 

As soon as it was possible to see a yard or so before them the marchbegan. The woman led the way, with her sleeping child in her arms, MeDain followed her closely, and Jack and his father brought up therear. 

They soon saw why daylight had been needed for the task of escapingfrom the valley by this road. Their way lay through a narrow passwhich ran through a deep cleft of the mountains, a cleft which seemedas though it had been carved out by a blow of a Titanic axe. Therewas scarcely a yard of the narrow path upon which a step could betaken smoothly and easily. For ages upon ages the forces of nature hadbeen tearing huge boulders and slices of rock from the frowningheights above, and toppling them into this crevice between themountains. Thus the way was littered with huge stones, over which theyclimbed, between which they threaded their way, down which they oftenslid and scrambled as best they could. 

For some hours they toiled steadily along this wild, rocky gorge, thena halt was called to rest and breathe. The native woman, a lithe, nimble creature, was as little discomposed by the hard, rough march asany of them, although she carried her child, nor would she allowanyone to help her with her burden. 

Their breathing space was but short. They had halted on a ridge whichcommanded a big stretch of the country they had crossed. Jack wasseated on the ground, with his back to the wall of rock behind them. Suddenly he sprang to his feet. He looked steadily for a moment downthe pass, then he said quietly, "We are pursued. "

Mr. Haydon had stretched himself at full length on the ground to rest. Hearing those words from his son, he leapt also to his feet and lookedeagerly in the direction to which Jack's outstretched finger waspointed. Far away a patch of the pass lay in sunlight. For the mostpart the narrow cleft through the hills lay in gloomy shadow of theprecipices which bordered it on either hand, but the climbing sunshot pencils of light here and there into the deep rift. Across one ofthese sunny patches a line of tiny figures was streaming. Only for amoment were they visible. They crossed the field of light, thenvanished into the huddle of rocks which littered the foot of the pass. 

"Fifteen, " said Jack, as the last of them disappeared. 

Mr. Haydon whistled sharply and nodded. 

"We've travelled fast, Jack, " said he, with a troubled brow, "butthese hard-bitten, wiry, little mountaineers have travelled faster. Wemust put our best foot foremost. It will be fatal to be caught in thisnarrow gully between the rocks. They will get round us and rush usfrom all sides at once. "

"I thought we'd got a much better start than this, " said Jack. 

"So did I, " replied his father, "but it has turned out otherwise. "

Me Dain's words were short but to the point. 

"Kachins!" he cried. "Come on, " and pushed ahead with the woman, whowas off like a deer at the first hint of danger. 

"How far to the end of the pass, Me Dain?" called Mr. Haydon. 

"Not more than two miles, sahib, " replied the Burman. 

"Good, " said Jack, "if we can only clear the pass we may find somemeans of throwing them off. In the pass they have us tight between thewalls. "

"That's it, Jack, " returned his father, and then they hurried over thewild broken track in silence. 

Half a mile farther on Jack pointed forward. "Hallo!" he said, "here's another of those roads built along the precipice. I hope itwill be a bit sounder than the last. "

In another moment they arrived at a stretch of the path where the roadwas carried in mid-air over a deep chasm in the bed of the pass. Theyhad already passed two such places, and at each point the road wasconstructed in the same manner. Holes had been cut horizontally in thesheer face of the precipice and huge beams driven into them. About sixfeet of each beam was left projecting from the hole, and upon theseoutstanding bars, smaller beams were laid parallel to the face of therock. The earth had been heaped on all, and the result was a narrowroad running along the cliff like a shelf. 

The last they had passed had been very rotten, and Me Dain had gonethrough one hole up to his arm-pits. He had only been saved from afall into the yawning gulf below by the promptness of Jack, who hadflung himself on his knees and whipped his hands under the Burman'sarms, and held him up. Warned by this misadventure, they moved slowlyand carefully along the narrow track which now lay before them. 

"Take care, take care, " said Mr. Haydon, "this road is worse than theothers. We must go in single file. These beams will not take any greatweight. "

They spread themselves out in a line, with a yard or more between eachperson, and went gingerly forward. 

The truth was, that hundreds of years before, when some native rulerhad gone to immense trouble and labour to build these roads, the passhad been an important highway. But a tremendous land-slide had blockeda portion of the pass, and swept away a number of the wooden roads, and the way had fallen into disuse. Since then the vast beams of teakwhich formed the road-bed had been slowly crumbling into decay, andmany were very insecure. 

As Jack brought up the rear of the little procession, he kept his eyesfixed on the road at his feet, and this for two reasons. One, to avoidthe rotten places, and the other, because to look around from aroadway six feet wide into the yawning gulf which gaped beside him wasvery dizzying. 

Suddenly he heard a scream from the native woman who guided them. Helooked ahead at once, but could not see her. The little procession wasnow winding its way round an acute angle of the cliff about which theroad had bent sharply. The woman was out of sight; Me Dain wasdisappearing. Mr. Haydon quickened his steps, and Jack hurried on too. What had that scream meant? It had not been loud, but low and full ofawful terror. What lay beyond the angle?

Jack turned the corner and saw, and his brown face blanched as he sawthe frightful corner into which circumstances had driven them. Tenyards beyond the angle, the road ended abruptly, broken short off. Whether the beams had given way and fallen into the chasm, or whetheran avalanche of rocks had beaten the road into ruins, they knew not, nor did it matter. What mattered was this, that fifty yards beyondthem the road had again joined the solid bed of the pass, and that nowalong that fifty yards nothing was left save here and there a brokenstump of teak standing out from the face of the precipice. Nothingwithout wings could pass over the wide space where the road had beenstripped from the cliff. 

For a moment no one could speak. They could only stare aghast at thegulf beside and before them, at the little strip of road broken offshort and square at their feet. How were they to pass this frightful, yawning abyss?

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

PENNED IN THE PASS. 

"What's to be done now, father, " said Jack in a low, quick voice; "theroad's clean gone. We're trapped. "

Both stepped forward and looked over the edge of the sheer descentwhere the road ended. A broad torrent foamed along fifty feet below. The side of the precipice fell away to the stream as smooth as a wall. It rose above them just as smooth. No way up or down. They saw that inan instant. 

"Better go back and try another way, " said Mr. Haydon. "Ask her, MeDain. "

A few swift words passed between the Burman and the native woman. Thenthe guide shook his head soberly. There was no other way that she knewof. 

Jack stepped back to the angle and peered carefully round it. "TheKachins are coming, " he said. 

The shelf-road had risen as it ran along the precipice, and from thispoint he could see a long way down the pass. He saw the bunch ofpursuers sweep into sight and race up the pass. His father joined himat once. 

"They would see us now if we went back, " said Mr. Haydon. "What onearth are we to do, Jack?"

Jack knit his brows in perplexity, but made no answer. He could notsee what to answer. Behind them a band of savage and determinedenemies; before them a gulf over which none but a bird could pass. 

"We're in a frightful fix, " he murmured at last. 

"Frightful, " rejoined his father. "I give you my word that I see noway out. "

"Nor I, father, " said Jack. "It seems to me that all we can do is totry to hold them off at this corner. "

"But how?" asked Mr. Haydon. 

"The road's fearfully rotten just at the bend, " said Jack. "I think wecould break it down pretty easily. It trembled and shook as I passedover it. "

"I see, " returned his father, "break the road down and keep them fromrushing us. But what of ourselves? How will it advantage us to beisolated on a patch of road, stuck against the face of the cliff likea swallow's nest against a wall?"

"Frankly, I don't know, father, " replied Jack. "I simply put thatforward as the only means I can see of gaining a slight respite. Otherwise they will be among us and cut our throats in short order. "

"Or make us captives, which would be a long sight worse, " said Mr. Haydon. "Well, Jack, we'll give ourselves an hour or two longer tolook at the sun. Down goes the road!"

The three men sprang to the task at once. First, with their hands, they scraped away the earth, which was very thin on the face of manyof the beams. When this was removed, there was exposed to sight theflooring of small beams laid lengthways across the big beams whichjutted from the rock. From this flooring each selected the soundeststick he could find. 

Jack was lucky in dropping across a bit of teak in capitalpreservation, a bar eight feet long, four inches square, and as hardas iron. With this he began to batter at the rotten patch of roadwaywhere the angle of the cliff was turned, and a few strokes on therotten timbers served to tumble them headlong into the raging torrentbelow. His father and Me Dain were hard at work beside him, and in avery few minutes they had broken away the softest part of the road, leaving a ragged gap fifteen feet wide, just at the turn. 

They made the last strokes at the outer side in the very face of theirenemies. When they withdrew to the shelter of the inner angle, theracing Kachins were not a hundred yards away. In another moment thefugitives heard their pursuers gather close at hand. The little men inblue were now only a few yards away, clustered about the farther edgeof the gap, and chattering to each other in a very excited fashion. 

Me Dain listened intently. "They make a bridge, " he whispered. 

"Ay, ay, " returned Mr. Haydon. "Drop a few sticks across and come atus. "

Jack gripped his stout bar of teak as a plan flashed into his mind. Hecrept forward inch by inch until he was on the verge of the gap theyhad torn in the road. Yet all the time a friendly rib of rock at theprojecting angle of the precipice protected him from the longiron-barrelled muzzle-loaders carried by U Saw's retainers. 

The expert hands of the Kachins made short work of tearing up a numberof small beams. Jack heard them dragging the timbers forward, and hepoised his bar. A beam was flung across, and a second almost at oncefell beside it. Out darted Jack's bar, and both were hurled into thechasm. 

The Kachins gave a yell of anger, and threw the next beam across atthe outer angle, as far as possible from the face of the cliff. ButJack could just reach it, and that, too, he thrust into space. Againand again they tried to make for themselves a footbridge by which thegap could be crossed, but every time Jack's ready bar foiled theirpurpose completely. There was a still louder yell of anger from thesavage little men as the last beam they had torn up was hurled fromits place. Then for a few moments there was a respite. The fugitivescould hear them draw off to a short distance and hold a conference inlow murmurs. Jack now looked round at his companions. His father andMe Dain were close behind him. The native woman, her child closelyclasped to her breast, was watching his every movement, her facefilled with mingled feelings of fear and hope. 

"Well done, Jack!" murmured his father. "You've been one too many forthem at that game. "

The Burman now crept forward, and thrust his head as far as he daredround the angle. The voices of the Kachins had risen in eager debate, and many of their words could be caught. Me Dain listened intently. Ina few moments he turned his head, and there was a very puzzled look onhis face. 

"They are--they are, " he began, then stopped. Clearly his Englishcould not bear him out this time. He said a few words in Burmese toMr. Haydon. 

"They are casting lots, " said the latter to Jack. 

"What for, I wonder?" said Jack. "Seems a queer thing. "

"They're a queer little crew, " returned his father. "As savage andblood-thirsty as so many ferrets. We shall soon see. "

Within five minutes they did see, and the event proved how desperatean enemy they had to deal with. 

Me Dain had retired, and Jack had once more taken up his place besidethe gap, his bar in his hands, and his ears strained to catch thefaintest sound made by those who beleaguered the little party. 

Lucky for them was it that he kept so close a watch. For there was asudden patter of feet beyond the gap, and then a figure with flyingkilt, and fierce, dark face flashed into sight. Upon this Kachin hadthe lot fallen to leap the gap and lead an attack on the fugitives. Had not Jack's bar been ready, the fiery mountaineer would have beenamong them, with his gleaming _dah_ poised for the stroke. 

But even as he landed, his splendid bound carrying him a couple offeet over the edge, the heavy bar shot out and caught him a tremendousbutting blow, full in the chest. He reeled, staggered, and his _dah_flew from his hands, as he made a frantic clutch at the bar. For asecond he struggled to make his foothold good on the brink of theabyss, but failed. He dropped back and vanished into the gulf withouta sound. 

Jack recovered his bar, and waited with a stern, grim face for thenext attack. It was a life and death struggle now, and it was his dutyto guard the gap. Mr. Haydon caught up the _dah_ which had flown fromthe hand of the Kachin, and swung it with a deep guttural sound ofsatisfaction. Me Dain had his great knife in his hand. 

For some time there was complete silence among their enemies. Theterrible fall of the man who had been chosen by lot to lead the way, seemed to teach them a little caution. But it had not the smallesteffect in the direction of quelling their desire to come to closequarters with the fugitives. The Kachin is utterly too careless ofhuman life, whether his own or another's, for that. 

Half an hour passed before a fresh assault was made. The minutesdragged by with horrible slowness to those who awaited their fate onthe isolated patch of ledge. 

Then, with no more warning of their approach than the patter of nakedfeet on the earthen path, a second assault was made in the samefashion. Again a Kachin leapt into sight, but farther out, and so moreout of reach of the bar. His hands were empty, too, and as Jackstepped forward and thrust at him, he clutched the end of the bar. This he did just as he alighted, and, dropping on his feet as nimblyas a cat, he strove to turn the bar aside. Swift upon his heels threemore Kachins came, clearing the gulf and landing in safety, whiletheir comrade and Jack struggled for mastery of the bar. 

Upon the instant the tiny ledge was filled with the fury of adesperate combat. Mr. Haydon sprang out and cut down the secondKachin, as he ran forward to strike at Jack with his heavy weapon. Thethird attacked the Burman, and the fourth closed with Mr. Haydon, their heavy swords clashing together as they slashed fiercely at eachother. 

Jack had no eyes for any but his own enemy. The Kachin, perched as hewas on the very brink of a horrible abyss, fought as coolly aspossible to master the bar and avoid the swift thrusts by which atevery second Jack threatened to drive him over the edge. 

Suddenly the Kachin gave way and dropped flat. Jack thought his enemywas disposed of, but the shifty mountaineer had only fallen along thelip of the gulf to dodge the powerful strokes delivered by the Englishlad. With a swift movement the Kachin rolled under the bar, and thenwas up like lightning and rushing on Jack, a long dagger, plucked fromhis girdle, in his hand. 

Jack had no weapon but his fists, but with these he sprang to meet thesavage, blue-kilted figure. Taking advantage of his longer reach, helet fly with his right fist. The Kachin was clearly no boxer, forthough he raised his left arm, Jack's fist went straight through thefeeble guard and landed full between his opponent's eyes. This shookthe Kachin so much that the vicious knife-thrust he launched went wideof its mark, and at the next moment Jack closed with him and tried towrench the knife from his grasp. 

But though the Kachin was no boxer, he was a wrestler of uncommonpower and skill, and Jack felt the little man seize upon him with aniron clutch. To and fro they swung on the horrible, dizzying edge, each straining every nerve and muscle to free himself from his enemy'sclutch and fling his opponent into the torrent which roared and foamedfar below. 

Locked in this clinging embrace, they stumbled and fell headlong, still bound together by that straining clutch. They were now actuallyhanging with heads over the brink of the gulf, and the uproar of therushing waters below sounded loud in Jack's ears. Suddenly he feltthat they were both going over, slowly but steadily. The Kachin was nolonger trying to master his foe. So that his enemy went, he waswilling to fall with him. He was now driving his heels into theroadway, and, with all the force of the iron muscles packed in hiscompact body, was trying to force himself and Jack over the brink. 

Before Jack had mastered his meaning, the pair were head and shouldersclear of the last beam, and the Kachin was working his way outwardsand downwards, inch by inch. Jack made a terrific effort and hurledhimself backwards. He gained a few of the lost inches, and felt hisshoulders against the edge of the beam. Getting a purchase, he stroveto raise himself and fling the Kachin off. In vain. The arms wereclosed around him in a powerful grip, the savage face within a fewinches of his own was working convulsively with hate and rage, and theKachin now was blind to everything save the desire of destroying thewhite man. 

Another twist and turn in the desperate life-and-death wrestle, andJack's face was turned towards the opposite side of the gulf. But thiswas only to show him that a new danger hung over him with fearfulmenace. He looked straight down a gun-barrel. On the farther brinkknelt one of his enemies, a long-barrelled muzzle-loader in his hands. He was leaning across with the evident purpose of firing a heavy ironbullet into Jack's brain. Yet, though beset with death on every hand, Jack struggled on gamely. 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

HOW THEY MADE A ROPE. 

"He may miss, " muttered the plucky English lad to himself. "Anyhow, I'm not going to let this chap chuck me over here if I can help it. "

At this moment an unexpected diversion was made in his favour. Thenative woman had crouched stolidly in rear of the combat, until shesaw the Kachin about to empty his weapon into his English foe. Now sherose swiftly to her feet, a heavy stone in her right hand. Just as theKachin was crooking his finger on the trigger she hurled it with allher force. 

It proved the luckiest of shots. The missile struck the stooping mansquare on the top of his head and caused him to start violently. As hedid so the jet of smoke and flame spurted from the long barrel and thebullet sped. But not in the direction he had intended. The muzzle ofthe piece was jerked a foot aside, and the wrestler received thecharge full in his body. He gave a convulsive start, then his arm felllimp, and Jack was free. 

Up he sprang, aflame to see what was happening with his father and MeDain. Long as his own struggle had seemed, it had only been a matterof seconds, and Mr. Haydon and the fourth Kachin were still engaged infierce sword play. Me Dain and the third man had closed in savagewrestle, and were trying to find each other's heart with their knives. 

Jack whipped up the bar with the speed of thought, and dropped it onthe head of the man with whom his father was engaged. Down went theKachin, stunned and helpless. But at that very instant a wild screamwent up from the two struggling figures close at hand. Jack turned hishead to see the last flutter of their garments. The rotten footholdhad given way beneath them, and, held fast in each other's clutch, they had fallen headlong into the deeps below. Jack and his fatherwere about to leap forward to see the last of their faithful guide, when a musket cracked and a bullet flew by their heads. They sprangback into cover and looked at each other. 

"We have lost Me Dain!" cried Jack. "Brave fellow, he has gone, fighting to the last. "

Mr. Haydon nodded gloomily. "It is a cruel, bad business for all ofus, " he said. 

A profound silence now fell upon the little battlefield. The remainingKachins made no further attempt at an assault. Jack peered out verycautiously to see what they were doing, and was surprised to see themdrawing off. His father joined him, and they watched the mountaineersretire to the point where the shelf-road began. Here they squatted onthe ground, lighted their pipes, and calmly smoked, motionless as therocks around them. 

"There are two short, " said Jack, after counting them. 

"Yes, " returned his father, "they have been despatched forreinforcements, and to give word that we have been discovered. Theirfriends are on guard. "

At this moment the Kachin whom Jack had felled with the bar began tomove. Jack was upon him in a moment, whipping off his girdle, andtying him hand and foot with stout strips of it. Mr. Haydon now beganto talk with the native woman. As a rule he had preferred to speakwith her through Me Dain, for her dialect contained many wordsunfamiliar to him. But now Me Dain, their stout-hearted, faithfulguide, was gone, and it seemed as if no great interval could elapsebefore their fate, too, would be settled. 

The woman had brought a small store of food with her. She ate, andoffered some to her companions. But they would not touch it, thoughhunger was gnawing keenly at them. 

Mr. Haydon sat down with his back against the cliff, but Jack couldnot keep still. He moved restlessly to and fro on their narrow patch, and glanced into the depths on every side. Was there nothing to bedone? Must they wait idly here until their enemies were strong enoughto rush them in overwhelming force?

Jack had gone to the farthest point of their refuge, and was lying atfull length with his head over the edge of the last beam. He wasstaring into the wild foaming torrent, when an inequality in the faceof the descending cliff caught his eye. He looked intently, and sawthat some fifteen feet above the river a narrow ledge ran horizontallyalong the cliff. He followed the ledge with his eye. It ran downtowards the river, narrowed, and disappeared. He raised his head andcalled his father. Mr. Haydon was by his side in a moment. Jackpointed out the ledge. 

"If we could drop on to that, " he said, "we might get away up the passafter all. "

"I'm afraid there's not much of a chance there, " returned his father. "The ledge shelves away to the river. But in any case, how are wegoing to descend a precipice as smooth as glass? It's a goodfive-and-thirty feet down to that point. "

Jack bit his lip in perplexity for a moment. Then his brow cleared, asa sudden idea slipped into his mind. 

"We'll make a rope, " he said. "There's stout stuff in these fellows'kilts and jackets, " and he pointed to the Kachins lying near at hand. 

Mr. Haydon slapped his son on the shoulder. "Good for you, Jack, myboy!" he cried. "We'll have a try at it. "

He spoke a few words to the native woman, and she laid her child downand sprang at once to help. She proved by far the deftest andcleverest of the three at the task now to be performed. Jack and hisfather quickly stripped off belt, jacket, girdle, and turban from thefallen Kachins, and their clothes were tossed over to the woman. Witha small, sharp knife which she produced from the little basket inwhich she had carried her food, she swiftly cut up kilts and jackets, while the other two knotted together turbans and girdles. Half anhour's hard work saw the heap of clothing converted into a stout, well-knotted rope. Jack took a glance at the men on guard. They werestill seated at the end of the shelf-road, smoking calmly, andconfident that their prey could not escape them. Jack now tied a heavystone at the end of the rope and let it down. The stone slid along theface of the precipice and rested on the ledge. Nine or ten feet oftheir rope were still unpaid out. 

"Plenty long enough, " said Jack, and they hauled the rope up quickly. 

The woman and her child were, of course, sent down first. With a broadstrip of the strong home-spun the child was bound on its mother'sbreast, so that she might at least have one hand free to hold herselfsteady as she was lowered. At the end of the rope they made a broadloop, and this was drawn tight about her body. When all was ready, sheslipped over the edge of the abyss with all the coolness and braveryof her race, and the strong hands began to lower her. Foot by foot sheslid down the face of the cliff, and at last those above felt thestrain upon their muscles suddenly relieved. The woman was safely onthe ledge. 

They now made the rope secure around the outer beam, which, luckily, was fairly sound. The Kachin who was their prisoner was shouting andyelling at the full pitch of his voice to warn his comrades that thefugitives were escaping. His dark eyes snapped and glittered withfury. He cared not what danger he brought upon himself if he couldbut warn his friends. Jack and Mr. Haydon took no notice whatever ofthe man's clamour. A hundred voices would have been drowned in thehoarse roar of the torrent which thundered below. 

"I'll go down now, father, " said Jack, "and hold the rope steady foryou. " He slipped over the side and was gone. Hand below hand he swunghimself swiftly down the rope, and was on the ledge in a few moments. He held the rope steady, and Mr. Haydon descended in safety. 

They left the rope where it hung, and crept forward along the narrowledge. Jack led the way, the woman came next, and Mr. Haydon broughtup the rear. There was very little room on the ledge, but it was soundand smooth. It had clearly been made by the river eating away thesofter rock in times of flood. It descended gently towards the stream, and within thirty yards it broke short off. The river was now not morethan five feet below, and Jack bent and looked into it. Then he swunghimself off the ledge, and dropped into the stream with a cry ofdelight. It was clear and shallow, and he stood in it barelyknee-deep. He helped the woman down, his father sprang after them, andthey all waded on in a shallow backwater, where the furious torrent ofthe main stream died away to an easy flow. 

Moving on in this manner, they gained the farther side of the ravine, which had been spanned by the shelf-road. Here a vast mass of rock andboulders lay piled along the cliff wall. 

"That's the landslip which carried away the road, " said Mr. Haydon. 

Jack eyed it critically. 

"We can get up into the pass again by it, " he said. "It'll be a roughclimb, but we can do it. "

Jack was right. They did it. It took them an hour's hard climbing, butat last they stood at the point where the shelf-road had joined themain path along the pass. Here they rested awhile, for the steep climbunder a burning sun had been very exhausting. 

Then Jack sprang to his feet "Come on, " he cried cheerily. "We'll hiton Buck and Jim's camp yet, and with them at our back we'll stand offU Saw and his men easily enough. "

"I think I can strike towards it all right once we clear this path, "said his father. Mr. Haydon had had much talk with Me Dain about thespot where he had left Buck and Jim, and he believed that he couldfind the place. 

"Poor old Me Dain, " said Jack, in a tone of bitter sorrow; "if we'donly brought him up with us out of the fix there, it would have beenall right. He was a fine, brave chap. "

"He was, " said Mr. Haydon; "it is a terrible loss to us that he hasgone. "

They pushed on in silence, thinking of the good, faithful Burman whohad fallen, close-grappled with his enemy, into the raging torrent. From this sad reverie they were roused by the voice of the nativewoman speaking to Mr. Haydon. 

"She says that we shall soon be out in the open country, " said he tohis son. 

"Good business!" replied Jack. "As long as we are between these wallsof rock, there seems a trap-like feeling about the affair. "

Ten minutes later they crossed a low ridge, and at once the precipicewhich had encompassed them opened out swiftly on either hand. Beforethem lay a huge, cup-like hollow, filled with buildings. 

"A town!" gasped Jack. "We shall be seen!"

"Deserted, my boy, " said his father quietly. The more experienced eyehad at once seen the true nature of the place. Jack looked again, andsaw that all was silent, and that the buildings were empty shells. Thewalls of the houses stood up along the streets, the vane of a pagodadarted aloft and glittered in the sun, but no form moved along thenarrow ways, no face peered out upon them as they passed. 

Their way lay along what had been the main street of the city, and thesilence, which had been pleasant in the pass, became strange andcreepy here. It told of utter ruin, and seized upon the spirit ofthose who passed with a sense of haunting desolation. 

Suddenly, into this eerie silence, there broke a sound which set everyheart leaping. It was the swift rattle of a pony's hoofs gallopingtowards them. The sound had broken out sharply and near, for the mainstreet was paved, and the rider had burst on to it from the sandytrack beyond, where he had ridden in silence. They could not see therider, for the way bent sharply just before them, and their onlythought was to hide from this newcomer, for to be seen by anyone inthis country spelled danger. 

Close at hand was a narrow alley, and into this they hurried. Justinside the opening was an empty doorway, and they ran through it, andpaused inside a house which turned a blank wall to the street A hugecrack seamed this wall from top to bottom, and Jack, springing forwardsoftly, clapped his eye to it. 

The wall stood at an angle to the street, and the rider darted intosight as Jack peered out. The latter turned and shot a single whisperover his shoulder, "Danger, " and all stood silent. 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

IN THE DESERTED CITY. 

Jack had known the rider at once. It was the tall Malay, theStrangler. He was mounted on a nimble pony, and flogging it to itsutmost speed. A few yards from the house the pony slipped on thesmooth stones and nearly came down. This, perforce, checked itsheadlong career, and the Malay drew it in to a walk. Everyone heldtheir breath, and Jack watched the dark, sinister figure pace by, wishing that his furious speed had not been interrupted. 

He was past, he was gone, and Jack breathed more freely. Then, oh, unhappy turn of luck, the infant in its mother's arms stirred and gavea feeble cry. 

The mother hushed it at once, and the fugitives looked at each otheraghast. Had that cry been heard? The answer came at once. They heardthe pony swiftly wheeled on the stones without. A second later itdashed back the way it had come, the Malay flogging fiercely, recklessof slips or stumbles. 

"It was U Saw's man, that big Malay, " said Jack to his father. "Whatshall we do?"

"We must push on and see what lies beyond the town, " said Mr. Haydon. "It is clear that he suspects something. All depends now on whetherour line into the open country is blocked. "

The little party swiftly sped up the farther part of the alley, andworked their way through the town by the narrow lanes which threadedthe mass of buildings like runs in a rabbit warren. Through theseby-ways the native woman proved a sure guide, and soon, through a gap, they saw the open, sandy waste which lay around the deserted town. 

From the last patch of cover they looked out cautiously and saw adismal sight. The town, as has been said, lay in a great cup-likedepression. On the rim of the farther rise, straight in their path, ahorseman sat motionless. Jack knew him again at once. It was theMalay. He had drawn up his pony on the ridge above the town, and nowsat there, watching intently, a dark figure on the sky-line. 

"We are beset front and rear, " groaned Mr. Haydon. "He is waiting forcompanions, and watching to see which way we break cover. "

Mr. Haydon had hit upon the truth. At earliest dawn skilful trackershad been set upon the trail of the fugitives at the point where Jackhad silenced the dog. Thence they had followed them to the mouth ofthe pass, and had divined their number and the identity of those whomade up the party. 

U Saw and Saya Chone had been on the scene without loss of time. TheRuby King ordered that a party of his men should march up the passand pursue the fugitives. He himself, with the half-caste, theStrangler, and a score of other men, all well mounted, had galloped bya long detour to gain the other end of the pass, in hopes of cuttingthem off. It was a long journey which the mounted party had to make, and they would have failed if Jack and his friends had been able tokeep steadily forward. But the long delay on the shelf-road had toldheavily against the fugitives, and now, as they suspected, fierceenemies lay between them and the open country. 

As the Ruby King and his followers approached the place where the passran out on to the plain, the Malay had been sent forward to gallop atbreakneck speed down the path the fugitives must follow, and reportany sign he could observe of their presence. He had heard the cry ofthe child, and suspected at once their presence in the deserted city. Now he sat watching the hollow and waiting for his companions. 

"Can we dodge back through the city, and slip out on the other side?"said Jack anxiously. His father shook his head. 

"The lie of the ground is dead against that, " said Mr. Haydon. "Theplace is built in a cup. Leave it where you may, you must go up openhill-side, and he will see us at once. "

"Then we must find a hiding-place among the ruins until nightfall, "said Jack. 

"That's all there is for it now, " replied his father. "If we can keepout of their hands until the dark, we can slip off and travel by thestars. "

He told the native woman what had been decided upon, and she nodded. She knew perfectly well what terrible fate awaited her and her childif they fell alive into the merciless hands of U Saw. The little partyturned in search of a hiding-place, and their steps were quickened byseeing the figures of half a dozen mounted men rise over the rim ofthe ridge and join the Strangler. 

In a few moments the fugitives had lost all sight of the men withoutthe city; they were swallowed up in the maze of narrow lanes andby-ways which had once been thronged by busy crowds of city folk, andwere now given up to the snake, the owl, and the wolf. 

Here and there they glided, looking on every hand for some securehiding-place, but found none; every house, every room seemed open tothe sun and the broad light of day. 

"Surely among so many houses we should hardly be found, if we layclose in some of these open places, " murmured Jack, but Mr. Haydonshook his head. 

"They will split up, and every man will take a patch of the city forhimself, " replied Mr. Haydon. "And they are adepts at a search of thiskind. "

"Hallo, what's that?" said Jack in a low voice. They paused andlistened, then looked at each other. The chase was afoot. They couldhear afar off the voices of men shouting to each other as they huntedthrough the deserted city. 

"That sounds as if they were about the main street, " said Mr. Haydon. 

"Sure to be there first, " replied Jack. "They're searching the placewhere the Malay heard the youngster cry. "

"Very true, " said the father. "Let's strike towards the pagoda. Itlies away from the danger zone, and there may be a chance for usthere. "

As they hurried towards the tall shaft which shot high above the mazeof ruined houses, Mr. Haydon chatted coolly about its possibilities. 

"A pagoda, my boy, is often a solid piece of masonry, built above arelic chamber. The latter is a large room of immense strength, and ifanything has stood in the place, that is the most likely. If it hasstood, and we can find the way in, we may be able to hide tillnightfall. In any case, we can make it an awkward job to attack us. "

Both father and son had brought a _dah_ from the battle-ground, and atclose quarters no better lethal weapon can be found. 

They arrived before the pagoda, and Mr. Haydon, leaping on the firstplatform, ran swiftly to and fro in search of the entrance. His wideknowledge of such buildings guided him to the spot where it would mostlikely be found, but, as it happened, the entrance was not difficultto find. They saw a low doorway half-blocked by a huge fallen stone, but with ample room left for them to creep in. 

"Here's the spot, " said Mr. Haydon. "In we go. But, " he hesitated fora moment, "we don't know what may be inside. I'd give a trifle for atorch. "

"We'll make one, " said Jack. "There are heaps of dried sticks andgrass about, and I've got some matches. "

He put his hand into an inner pocket of his tunic, and pulled out awaterproof metal box half full of vestas. 

"Good! good!" ejaculated Mr. Haydon. "I haven't had a match for a longtime, and I'd forgotten you might have a few. "

He caught up a bundle of dried grass, and Jack took up several sticks, dry and tindery, ready to burst into flame as soon as a light was setto them. All three now crawled through the low, half-blocked doorway. As soon as they crept into the darkness, a strong, fetid, musty smell, mingled with a horrible scent of decay, made the air pungent andchoking. 

"Some beasts or other here, " murmured Mr. Haydon calmly. "Let's see ifthey're dangerous. "

He struck a match and applied it to the great bundle of dried grasswhich he had collected. The flame ran through it at once, and itflared up strongly. Jack thrust a stick into the blaze, and they nowhad ample light to see around them. 

They found themselves in a large, low room, whose floor was litteredwith bones and the remains of animals dragged there for food. Theydarted glances on every side to discover what kind of beast it waswhose lair they had entered. But for a moment they saw nothing. Therewas a movement in a bed of dried reeds in one corner, and presentlythey saw two pretty little creatures, having the appearance of bigcats, bound out and begin to yowl plaintively. At sight of them thenative woman gave a shrill scream of terror. 

"Tiger cubs!" snapped Mr. Haydon. 

He glanced quickly around the place, but there was no sign of anyother living creature there save the two cubs, which now began tofrisk about the light. 

"Lucky for us Mrs. Stripes isn't at home, " said Jack, "or it wouldhave been a case of out of the frying-pan into the fire. "

"It would, " agreed his father. "But it isn't long since she was here, "he added. "Here's a fresh kill. "

He pointed to a small buck lying almost at their feet. The blood wasstill wet on the graceful creature's coat, and it was untorn save forthe rents made by the huge claws which had brought it down and draggedit to the tiger's lair. 

"If this is the only place available, " said Mr. Haydon quietly, "weshall have to creep out again. It isn't healthy to ask a tigress to gohalves in her den when she's rearing a family. "

"We'll have a look round in any case, " laughed Jack, and they crossedswiftly to the other side of the place, holding their torches high, sothat a red, dancing light was cast before them. 

"What's this?" cried Jack, who was a little ahead. "What's this?" Hewas standing at the foot of a narrow flight of stone steps which ranupwards and was soon lost to sight in the thickness of the wall. 

"Up, up!" cried Mr. Haydon. "This is what I hoped for. "

The little party climbed the narrow, winding stairs as fast as theycould go. Round and round in the wall the steps twisted, and then theysaw a dim light ahead, and came out into a second room, as large asthe one below. A broken door of teak hung loosely at the narrowopening which led into the room, and Mr. Haydon put his shoulder to itat once. 

"Here's our refuge, Jack, " he cried joyously. 

"Half a minute, father, before you clap that door to, " said Jack. "I'mfrightfully hungry. "

"So am I, ready to drop, " returned his father. "What of that?"

"I'm going to fetch that buck up, or a good piece of it, " remarkedJack. "It's a fresh kill, and quite sweet. "

"I'll come with you, " said Mr. Haydon. "Food is priceless at present, for we may well need all our strength. "

"No, no, " said Jack, "I don't want to brag, father, but I can leg it alot quicker than you if the old lady comes home suddenly. "

"Very likely, " said his father. "I don't doubt that for an instant, Jack, but I'll come all the same. " They lighted a couple of freshtorches and went quickly down the steps and across the room below. They found the tiger cubs, drawn by the scent of blood, playing withthe new kill, trying to fix their baby fangs into it, and leaping toand fro like a couple of kittens. 

"Clear off, " said Jack, thrusting one of them aside with his foot, "wewant this. "

The buck was only a young one, not more than forty or fifty pounds'weight, and Jack swung it up from the ground by its horns. As he drewit away from them, both cubs gave a loud cry of complaint. Their crywas answered upon the instant by a frightful roar, and turning theirheads, the two men saw a long, low, huge form gliding in at theopening with lightning speed. 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

THE SECRET CHAMBER. 

"Shout, shout!" cried Mr. Haydon, and the two yelled at the top oftheir voices and waved their torches as they ran for the steps. Butneither the noise nor the fire saved them. They owed their safety tothe cubs. These ran at once to their mother, and the fierce creaturestayed a moment to lick and fondle them and assure herself of theirsafety. 

Jack and his father used the respite to full advantage. They tore upthe steps and hurled themselves into the room above. Mr. Haydon andthe woman pushed the broken door into place before the opening andheld it, fearing a rush from the great savage beast But the tigressmade no charge. They heard her prowling about the foot of the stepsbelow, and growling horribly, but she made no attempt to pursue themfarther, and presently her fierce notes of anger died away. 

"She has gone back to the cubs, " said Mr. Haydon with a deep breath ofrelief. "That was a close shave, Jack. If she'd come straight at usinstead of staying beside them for an instant, it would have been allup with us. "

"We could have had a chop at her with a _dah_, " said Jack. Mr. Haydonshook his head grimly. 

"Not good enough to tackle a charging tigress, " he said. "Might aswell chop at a hurricane. "

"Well, " said Jack, "a miss is as good as a mile; and anyhow, we'velanded the buck. "

Jack had hung on to their quarry like grim death, and the buck now layon the floor at their feet. But before they satisfied their hunger, they looked carefully around the place in which they found themselves. Like the vault below, the room was large and low, and it was lightedby a number of small apertures on two sides. They approached theselittle holes, and found that none was of greater size than to admit ofa fist being thrust through them. Mr. Haydon looked carefully at them. "These holes, " said he, "are hidden among the ornaments and carving ofthe exterior. The room below is in the base of the pagoda. This roomis built in the second of the three terraces known as Pichayas. Aboveus the pagoda is solid right away to the vane. "

"We're in a queer fix now, " said Jack. "Mrs. Stripes below is veryuseful to keep out U Saw and his friends, but she'll keep us in aswell. It will be an awkward job to slide out after dark and take thechance of blundering into her with claws and fangs ready forbusiness. "

"Yes, " replied his father, "it cuts both ways. "

"Well, we won't worry about it now, " said Jack. "Let's have somethingto eat. Here's plenty of meat, but how shall we cook it?"

It would have been easy to make a fire, for the remains of a couple oflarge chests lay in one corner, but smoke curling from the holes wouldbetray their hiding-place. 

"We'll make some biltong, as I've done many and many a time in SouthAfrica, " said Mr. Haydon. "In this sun the meat will parch veryquickly. "

He cut some long and very thin slices from the leg of the buck. Thenhe thrust them through one of the holes which lay towards the sun, andspread them on the flat stone outside. The stone was burning hot, sohot that the hand could not be borne upon it, for the sun had beenbeating there with immense power for many hours. Between the fiery sunand the hot stone, the meat parched swiftly, and ere long they weresatisfying their ravenous hunger with the excellent venison. Theyoffered some to the native woman, but she preferred to eat from herown stock of food. 

"I wonder why this city was deserted, " said Jack, as he devoured hisvenison. 

"War, pestilence, or famine, " replied his father briefly. "I'll pumpthis woman and see how the local tradition runs. "

He conversed with her for some time, then turned to his son. 

"I can begin as I used to begin stories when you were a nipper, " saidMr. Haydon. "Once upon a time there was a great king. "

"How long ago?" queried Jack. 

"Goodness knows, " said his father. "Time is a mere blur in these oldstories. A hundred, two hundred, five hundred years, all are one to apeople who keep no written records. Well, a great king ruled here overa busy and wealthy people. He built this pagoda and was immenselyproud of it He delighted to deck it with gold and precious stones. Shesays that once the whole of the exterior was covered with plates ofsolid gold, and the _Hti_, the umbrella, that is the topmost stage ofthe pagoda, was hung with thousands of golden and silver bells, anddecked with huge rubies and other precious stones. Most of thesedidn't belong to him. For he had a habit of marching upon neighbouringrulers and stripping their treasuries to brighten up his pagoda. 

"At last the usual thing happened. A better fighting man came alongand stripped him. He and his people fought well, but in the end theywere overcome and the whole city was put to the sword. The conquerorhad the plates of gold and a vast number of rubies, emeralds, anddiamonds. But many of the finest rubies slipped out of his grasp. Thepriests fled and carried them off. Since that day the city has been adesert. And so you have the legend. "

"Is it true, do you think?" asked Jack. 

"Substantially true, without a doubt, " replied his father. "The thinghas happened again and again. It might easily happen to-day in Burmahitself, were it not for the British Raj. These local rulers wereforever cutting each other's throats. "

At this point the low murmur of his voice became mingled with alouder noise without. The sound of busy Kachin tongues in full flowcame through the tiny apertures which lighted the room, and Jack andhis father sprang to their feet. 

"The enemy have arrived, " murmured Jack, and his father nodded. Theystole swiftly across the room and peered through the little apertureswhich lighted the place. No better spying-place could be needed. Theylooked straight into the broad open space before the pagoda, and sawtheir pursuers defiling from a narrow street. One man was mounted, andthey knew him at once for U Saw, the great ruby in his head-dressglinting scarlet fire in the rays of the sun. At the tail of his horsestrode the Strangler, and a dozen busy little blue-kilted figures ranhither and thither, chattering and calling to each other, andsearching eagerly for traces of the fugitives. 

A loud shout presently told the Haydons that something had beendiscovered. Half a dozen Kachins began to yell together, and Mr. Haydon listened intently. 

"They've found the hole, " he murmured coolly. "What next?"

"It's very lucky for us that Mrs. Stripes is at home and on guard, "said Jack. "We could hold them in the narrow stairs there with our_dahs_, but she'll do the job much better. "

"Yes, for a time, without doubt, " replied his father, shaking hishead. "But these chaps are splendid little shikarees, and fear nothingthat stands on four legs. "

They could not see the group of Kachins which had gathered before theopening, but they saw the Ruby King wave his hand, and knew that theblue-kilts had been ordered to explore. They listened breathlessly, but, for some moments, all was silence. Then in the vault below therebroke out a frightful roar of anger, and mingled with it came yellsand outcries. The two watchers looked eagerly from their apertures, and saw the Kachins recoiling in a disorderly body, carrying amongthem a man whose legs dragged along the ground. 

"Looks as if she'd settled one of them, " remarked Mr. Haydon. It wassoon apparent that the tigress had thinned by one the number of theirenemies. The man was laid down in the open space, and his fellowsgathered about him. But very soon they left the body lying where ithad been placed, and collected about the Ruby King in a chatteringcrowd. 

"Clearly the man is dead, " said Jack. "They do not attempt to doanything for him. "

"I should say she smashed his skull in, by the look of things fromthis distance, " remarked his father. "See how the blood spreads in apool about his head!"

Their eyes were fixed on the debating crowd, and they were wonderingwhat the next move of the Kachins would be, when they heard a low callbehind them. Both whirled round at once, and saw that it was theircompanion who was attracting their attention. She was kneeling on thefloor, and they ran to her at once. She knelt beside a large stonewhich was sunk three or four inches below its fellows and shook easilyunder the touch. 

"This is strange, " said Jack. "We dried our meat and ate our meal justabout here, and the stone was not out of its place then. "

"Perhaps our movements loosened it, " replied his father. He spoke withthe native woman for a little, then turned to his son. "It sank amoment back when she stepped on it, " he said. "Just when she criedout. She feared she was going to fall through the floor. "

Jack knelt down and pressed heavily on the stone. It slid away fromhis hands, and, had he not grasped the edge of the hole quickly, hewould have rolled after it The stone vanished, and was heard to landwith a heavy ringing crash on stone below. 

"By Jove, I nearly went head first after it, " said Jack. "It was asloose as possible. Where does this lead to?"

Mr. Haydon knelt down and looked carefully around the sides of thesquare hole left in the floor. 

"It's a secret entrance to some place or other, " he said. "See, Jack, the wooden bar on which this stone worked. It has rotted through, andthe stone held its place, as you may say, by clinging to theneighbouring stones. But a slight weight was sufficient to start itmoving. "

"What's underneath, I wonder?" murmured Jack. 

"Some chamber built in the thickness of the floor between this roomand the vault below, " replied his father. 

"We ought to have a look into this, " remarked Jack. 

"We will, " said his father; "but I hardly see how it will avail us. There might be a chance to make it useful if we could get the stoneinto place, but it is very heavy, and the machinery on which it workedhas rotted away. "

Jack took a half-burned torch, whose flare had been quenched upontheir regaining the room from the raid in which they had secured thebuck, and relighted it. He held it as far into the darkness as hecould, and the red light showed that a ladder, built of heavy beams ofteak, ran downwards from the edge of the hole. Mr. Haydon sniffedcautiously. "The air doesn't smell bad, " he remarked; "close andmusty, but no mephitic vapours. I think we'll go down. "

Jack swung himself over the lip of the hole, dropped his feet on thestout ladder, and went down first, holding the torch before him, andhis father followed. They found themselves in a low room of fair size, but not one-half as large as that above and below. 

"What's that?" said Jack, and pointed to the far corner, wheresomething gleamed white. They crossed to it, and stood before a knotof skeletons. Nine they counted, each lying as the dead man had fallenlong, long ago. In the houses of the city, where roofs had fallen in, where wild beasts had devoured the flesh, and where sun and rain andwind had worked their will upon the bones, all trace of the citizensof that long bygone day had utterly disappeared, but here, where thesecret chamber had protected their remains, the skeletons wereperfect. 

"These are some of the men who fell in the sack of the city, " saidJack. 

His father bent and carefully examined them by the light of the torch. 

"I scarcely think so, Jack, " he said. "The bones are perfect and bearno sign of injury. It is more likely that they were priests of thepagoda who took refuge here, and perhaps died of famine, not daring toleave their hiding-place. "

Jack moved a little, and started. In his new position a ray of redfire darted at him from one of the heaps of white bones. He steppedforward, bent, and picked up the glittering object. 

"Look here, " he said to his father, "this is something in your line, if I'm not very much mistaken. "

His father turned it over, rubbed the dirt off it, and held it up tothe light. It lay in his palm and winked in the light of the torchwith dancing gleams of deep scarlet fire. 

"Whew!" whistled Mr. Haydon, "a magnificent ruby, large, and of thepurest water. Where did you get it, my boy?"

Jack pointed to the skeleton at his feet, among whose bones it hadlain. 

"Could this have been their secret treasure-room?" said Mr. Haydon, looking round. "Yet it is very unlikely. It is too large, and hardlyin the place where they would have built it. "

At this moment they heard a murmur at their shoulders. The woman hadfollowed them, and they turned to see that she had picked up a coupleof rubies from among the bones of another skeleton, and was holdingthem out to Mr. Haydon. 

The great expert took them and examined them swiftly. 

"Finer than the one you found in point of size, " he said to his son. "As to purity, they are all of the highest quality. These three stonesin my palm represent a substantial fortune. "

Jack had never before seen such magnificent stones. He gazed in wonderat the three gleaming splendours, and turned them over with hisfinger. 

"They are true oriental rubies, " said his father, "of the finestcolour and without flaw. Any one of them is ten times as valuable as adiamond of the same weight. "

The native woman was turning over the bones of another skeleton. Shestraightened herself, came forward, and dropped another noble rubyinto Mr. Haydon's hand. 

"Jack, Jack, " cried the latter to his son, "don't you see what thismeans, my boy? Here is proof positive of the truth of the legend. "

"I see, " said Jack, "these are the monks who were said to have fledwith the pick of the rubies. "

"These are they without a doubt, " said his father. "They disappeared, and the conquerors believed that they had escaped, and so the story oftheir flight was worked into the tradition. But they had hiddenthemselves here, and here they died. The rubies were shared amongthem, and concealed in their garments. The ants have made short workof the robes long since, and the stones have fallen among the bones. "

"Then among these skeletons lie the chief treasures of the ancientcity?" said Jack. 

"The thing is beyond all question, " replied his father. "Theseglorious stones bear ample witness. "

The intense interest of this marvellous find had almost driven thethought of their enemies from their minds. But the recollection oftheir deadly peril came back in full flood when a hoarse thunder brokeout beneath their feet in the lower vault. 

"The tigress!" cried Jack. "Is it a fresh assault?"

Not another thought did they give to the gleaming treasures withintheir grasp. Life was worth a mountain of rubies. 

They rushed at once to see what U Saw and his retainers were doing. Mr. Haydon did not even pocket the rubies, such was his haste. Hetossed them aside among the mouldering bones, where they had lain forso many generations, and flew after his son, who was already climbingthe ladder. 

They raced across the room, and now heard the savage roars of thetigress pealing louder and louder up the narrow stairway. In the vaultbelow they heard shots and yells. 

"They have attacked her in her lair, there is no doubt of it, " saidMr. Haydon in a tone of deep anxiety. "They have without doubt flungtorches in to light the place up, and shot her as she stood before hercubs, checking her charge with fire, noise, and spears. I have known aband of them take as desperate a risk for the sake of a mere skin tosell, so they would certainly take it to seize us. "

The growls of the tigress became more furious and deafening. 

"They are running out!" cried Jack. "They are flying before her. "

In the open space below, the Kachins were running swiftly from theentrance to the vault. Some looked over their shoulders, as if fearingpursuit. 

"Very possibly, " said his father. "They are running for the moment, but I fear they have done their work. See how joyous they look!"

This was quite true. The dark faces of the little mountaineers werebright with smiles, and their teeth flashed white as they grinned ateach other, and shouted as if in triumph. 

"Their muskets at close range are not to be despised, " murmured Mr. Haydon uneasily. "They fling a heavy ball, and drive it with greatsmashing power. And again, the bullets may be poisoned. They oftenare. "

The Kachins did not run far. They faced about, and three or four whowere armed with spears threw their weapons forward, ready to receivethe charge of the wounded creature. But no charge was made. Had thetigress been alone, she would have rushed out, but the presence of hercubs made a great difference. She stayed beside them, growling androaring with rage and pain until the very building shook. 

Half an hour passed, and the tigress was now making no more than alow moan. Little by little her growling had died away. The Haydonsheard the sound diminish with uneasy hearts. They knew that thestrength of the great fierce beast was going with it, and that verysoon the Kachins would be at the foot of the stairs. 

They talked the situation over, and looked at it from every point ofview, but could see only one thing to do. That was to wait for theenemy on the narrow winding steps, where but one could pass at a time, and hold them at bay. 

Jack looked round. "Where's the woman?" he said, "she has not comeup. "

"No more she hasn't, " said his father. They had been so deeply engagedin watching every movement of their enemies that they had utterlyforgotten their companion. When Jack rushed up from the secretchamber, he had thrust the flaring torch into her hand, in order thatshe might follow at her leisure, but there was no sign of her in theroom behind them. 

Jack ran across to the spot where the square black hole yawned in thefloor. 

"It's all dark down here, " he cried in surprise. "Has the torch goneout? But why has she not come up?"

Near at hand lay a large lock of dried grass, part of a bundle whichthe woman herself had gathered and brought up on their first entrance. 

Jack caught it up, struck a match, and thrust the burning vesta intoit. In an instant the tuft of grass was ablaze, and he flung it intothe secret chamber. It dropped to the floor, and the flame shot upbrightly, lighting the little room from corner to corner, from roof tofloor. 

"She's gone!" gasped Jack in utter amazement "She's gone!" Save forthe skeletons, the little room was completely empty. There was not thefaintest sign of the native woman. She had disappeared absolutely andentirely. 

CHAPTER XL. 

THE BATTLE ON THE STAIRS. 

Jack was about to spring down the ladder and see what had become oftheir companion, when a low cry of warning burst from his father'slips. The elder man had been watching the enemy, and now he calledout, "They are coming! they are coming!"

Jack caught up his _dah_ and ran at once for the stairs. The mysteryof the woman's disappearance must wait; the first thing to be done wasto keep the Kachins from their throats. 

He and his father had already settled upon the point which they wouldoccupy for defence. Halfway down the narrow winding flight there was asmall landing, about six feet long, with a sharp turn above and below. Jack felt his way down to this in the darkness, then stood andlistened eagerly for any sounds of movement in the vault below. Heheard his father softly tiptoeing after him, and then all was silence, save for the mournful cries of the tiger cubs trying to rouse theirdead dam. 

"They have not come in yet, " whispered Jack to his father. 

"No, " replied Mr. Haydon, "but I saw seven of them start across theopen space, clearly bent on a fresh attack. "

At this moment a muffled sound of voices rang through the vault andcame up the narrow stairs. The Kachins were at the entrance. Thenthere was silence for a short time. The next sound was a joyous yell, which rang and re-echoed from wall to wall. The Kachins had discoveredthe dead tigress. Then the vault resounded with voices as they ran toand fro, searching every corner. 

The fugitives knew that the flight of steps running upwards must bediscovered at once, and Mr. Haydon gave a low murmur as they heard aparty of searchers gather at the foot of the stairs. Up to this momentJack and his father had stood in complete darkness, but now a faintglimmer of light began to shine up from below, and they knew that theflare of their pursuers' torches was being reflected along the windingwalls. 

The preparations of the savage little men in blue were quickly made, and up they came. As Jack heard their feet shuffle swiftly up thesteps, and saw the shine of the torches become brighter and brighter, he poised his heavy blade and prepared to launch a swinging blow. Nearer, nearer came the light and the chattering voices, for theytalked as they came. Then a gleaming spear-head flashed round the bendbelow. It was held by the leading Kachin, and the second man carried atorch to light his comrade's way. 

Jack drew aside to the wall, and waited for the man's head to appear. In an instant it came, and the dark face and glittering eyes of themountaineer were filled with excitement as he saw the white men withinarm's length. He shortened his grasp of the spear to strike at Jack, but the broad, gleaming _dah_ fell at that very instant withtremendous force. 

The Kachin whirled up the spear to guard his head, but the trenchantblade, wielded by those powerful young arms, was not to be denied. Itshore clean through the stout shaft of the spear, it fell upon theshoulder of the Kachin, and clove him to the spine. He pitchedbackwards among those following, and the torch was dashed from itsbearer's hand. But it was caught as it fell, and another of thedauntless little men sprang up to cross swords with the defender whocould strike so dreadful a blow. 

Again Jack launched a sweeping cut at his assailant, but this time hisblade was caught upon a blade of equal strength and temper, and theiron muscles of the wiry Kachin turned the slashing stroke. He fetcheda swift return blow at Jack, and the latter avoided this by springinga pace backwards as he recovered his own weapon. 

The little man followed with the leap of a cat, and gave a grunt ofsatisfaction. This was his aim, to make ground, and Jack saw it in aninstant. It allowed another man to come round the turn and support theassault with a long spear. The second Kachin was crouching low, and atthe next moment the shining head of a spear darted past the firstassailant and was directed at Jack's thigh. Jack avoided it by amiracle. He did not see it, did not know the man had struck at him, for he was too busy cutting and parrying with the leader. But as thespear-head was darted at him, he sprang aside to avoid the _dah_, andso dodged both sword and spear. 

The Kachin with the spear had made his stroke so heartily, and withsuch certainty of reaching his mark, that on missing his blow hesprawled forward. Mr. Haydon bent down, gripped the strong shaftbehind the spear-head, and tore the weapon from the baffled Kachin'sgrasp. Then, with a growl of satisfaction that he could take a sharein the fray, he reversed the long weapon, and swung its keen pointforward. 

The spear came to his hand at a most opportune moment. A third man wascreeping on hands and knees beside the wall, aiming to pass hisleader. He gripped a huge knife in his hand. In another instant hewould have seized Jack by the ankles and dragged him down, had not Mr. Haydon driven the spear into him with such force that the head wascompletely buried in his body. He dropped to the floor with afrightful yell, and at that moment the leading Kachin gave way andleapt back among his friends. Jack had half cut through the swordman'sright arm, and the latter could no longer wield the heavy _dah_. 

"Come back a few steps, Jack!" cried his father. "They are meeting uson the flat, and that is to their advantage. "

Father and son darted up half a dozen steps from the landing, gainedthe sharp turn above, then faced about again. But no Kachin wasfollowing them. The little men chattered and yelled, argued anddisputed with each other, but did not advance. Finally, they retiredto the vault below, taking their fallen with them. 

"First round to us, " breathed Jack. "How strange they brought nomuskets with them! My dread from first to last was of a bullet beingloosed into us. "

"I observed as they crossed towards the door that they carried onlyspears and swords, " said his father. "That is U Saw. He wishes to takeus alive, wounded, perhaps, but still alive. So he forbade shooting. "

"What next?" murmured Jack. 

"I wish we knew, " replied his father, "then we might be prepared forit. " But no preparation within their power could have availed againstthe cunning of the next assault. They had been watching and waitinghalf an hour or more in the darkness, when again the red shine of firebegan to glow on the walls below them. 

"What is this?" muttered Mr. Haydon. "This light is far too strong fortorches. " And now with the gleam of fire came gusts of heat sweepingup to them, and clouds of thick pungent smoke. Half choked, and withsmarting eyes, they watched for the fire to appear. Presently they sawit below them, and saw that a furnace of leaping flame was advancingtowards them, flame which filled the whole of the space, lickingwalls, roof, and floor. They watched it with horrified eyes. It wasimpossible to meet this subtle and dreadful enemy with spear or _dah_. 

"What is it?" cried Jack. 

"A cunning trick, a cruelly cunning trick, " replied his father. "Theyare thrusting great burning bundles of dried reeds and grass beforethem. The draught comes up the stairs and keeps the air cool and sweetfor them, while it drives suffocating smoke and heat upon us. "

Jack ground his teeth as he saw how perfectly the plan was calculatedto drive them out of the staircase into the open room above, where thenumbers of the Kachins could be used to deadly purpose. 

"The fire is flagging, " gasped Jack. 

"For the moment, yes, " said his father. 

The glowing mass of flames wavered and began to sink. Then they sawhow it was fed. A huge bundle of dried canes and reeds on the end of aspear was thrust into the flickering glow, and at once took fire andburned with the utmost fury. Fresh bundles were pushed forward besideit, and these, too, flared up with a shrill crackle of snapping canesand the roar of a fire fanned by a strong draught. Inch by inch theflames moved forward, themselves a terrible enemy, and behind themcrept up and up a savage and merciless foe. 

CHAPTER XLI. 

THE SECRET PASSAGE. 

Within that confined space, the heat became that of a fiery furnace, the pungent smoke became overpowering. 

"We must get back or we shall be overcome, " gasped Mr. Haydon, andthey climbed the steep steps of stone. 

"Who's here?" snapped Mr. Haydon, as they turned the last bend. Jacklooked under his father's arm. 

"It's the woman, " he gasped, for the pungent smoke had almost stoppedhis breath. "She's come back. Where has she been?"

Now the woman's voice came to them calling earnestly, "Sahib, sahib, sahib!" she cried. 

Jack and his father leapt into the room, where the wider space, thoughdim with smoke, made the air taste wonderfully fresh and sweet afterthe choking passage. 

The woman at once sprang at Mr. Haydon and seized his arm, talkingearnestly. As she spoke, the elder man's face lighted up with a greathope. 

"Jack! Jack!" he cried. "Come on! come on! Here's a wonderful chanceturned up. "

Jack asked no questions. He only followed as the other two hurried forthe hole which led to the secret chamber. The woman went swiftly downthe teak ladder, and the other two followed. At the foot of the laddera torch, freshly lighted, was thrust into a wide crack between twostones, and stood there burning steadily. The woman caught it up andled the way. They passed the heap of skeletons, and went to the farcorner, where a very low, small door stood open. It had been closedwhen Jack looked into the chamber, and so he had been able to gain noidea of the fashion in which the woman had left the place. 

The woman shot through the opening, and the light of her torch showedthat she had entered a low tunnel not more than four feet in heightand about the same in width. 

"Duck your head down and come on, " said Mr. Haydon, and Jack broughtup the rear in the march along this tiny passage, where he had almostto scramble on hands and knees. 

"What is this?" he called to his father, as the latter scrambled aheadof him. 

"This, " said Mr. Haydon, "explains the secret chamber. It is a passageby which the priests could enter or leave the pagoda without theknowledge of worshippers. The secret chamber was merely its ante-room, as one may say. "

"How did the woman hit on it?" asked Jack. 

"Looked round the place and saw the door and found it would openeasily. She crept along the passage till she saw daylight, then shereturned to give us the word. "

"Good for her!" said Jack. "She's a first-rate sort. But I wonder howlong it will be before those little ferrets behind are after us. They'll come along here in double-quick time. "

"We've got a fair start, " replied his father. "They'll come up thesteps very slowly, having to push the fire before them. "

They had gone fifty or sixty yards along the tunnel, when the womanlooked over her shoulder and spoke to Mr. Haydon. 

"We've got to be careful here, " said the latter to Jack. "The roof issagging and hangs very low. We must go through one at a time. "

At this moment the woman threw herself on the floor and began to windher way along like a snake. By the light of her torch Jack saw thatthe roof threatened at every second to fall in and block the passage. One great stone hung half-released from the grip of its fellows, as ifabout to topple headlong. The woman went through the tiny space insafety, and then crouched down on the other side and threw the lightinto the gap to show her companions the road. 

"For heaven's sake, be careful how you come through, Jack!" breathedhis father. "Don't touch this huge stone for your life. It tremblesnow, and there isn't thirty inches fairway. "

Very slowly and cautiously Mr. Haydon and then Jack wriggled alongflat to the ground until the dangerous spot was cleared. 

At last all were on the other side, and the woman began once more tohurry forward. Mr. Haydon began to follow her, but Jack sang out, "Half a moment!"

"What for?" cried his father. 

"Can't we put a stopper on the pursuit here?" said Jack. "Seems to mewe can tumble these wobblers down, and block the route. " He pointed tothe over-hanging stones. 

"Right, right!" called his father. "Where's my sense? I never thoughtof it. "

Mr. Haydon took the torch from the native woman and looked at the roofabove his head. "Mustn't fetch too much down, " he remarked, "and pinourselves under the ruin. "

"There's no fear of that, " replied his son. "Look at the roof over us. It's as sound as a bell. The loose stones come from a flaw in themasonry, not from general decay of the roof. "

"I believe you're right, my boy, " said Mr. Haydon. "You hold the torchand I'll have a try at it. "

Jack took the torch, and Mr. Haydon raised the spear which he hadbrought with him. He thrust the head into a long crack above the greatstone, and bore with all his weight and strength on the extremity ofthe long shaft. Luckily the latter was very stout and of a tough wood, enabling him to bring a great stress on the big stone. 

"Look out!" cried Jack, "it's going, it's going!"

Both of them moved back, as the huge stone toppled swiftly to theground. It was followed in its fall by a dozen more, and in an instantthe path through the tunnel was blocked by a heap of ruins which rosefrom floor to roof. 

"That's all right, " said Jack, in a tone of deep satisfaction. "Itwill take an hour or two to shift those whacking big stones. Thistunnel's a case of no thoroughfare at present. "

The torch was handed once more to the native woman, and on they went. The next time she paused was to dash the head of the torch against thewall of the tunnel and put out the light. As soon as the red flare hadbeen extinguished, they saw that the beams of day were pouring faintlythrough branches and brushwood a little before them. 

"Ah, " said Mr. Haydon, "that's why the air was fairly sweet in thetunnel. There has been a draught through, more or less. "

Jack sprang forward, _dah_ in hand, and began to slash at the networkof creepers and saplings which blocked the mouth of the tunnel. In afew minutes he had cut a path out, and they crept cautiously forth andlooked round to see what place they had gained. 

They found themselves in the broad courtyard of a large, ruined house. 

"May have been a monastery, " said Mr. Haydon. "Now for U Saw and hismen. Are we clear of them or not?"

He moved cautiously forward to reconnoitre, Jack following him. 

"Where's the pagoda?" murmured Mr. Haydon. "That will give us ourbearings. "

"I see it through this doorway, " said Jack, and pointed to a gap inthe wall. Mr. Haydon looked at the pagoda, and noted how it stood withregard to the sun and their present position. 

"This is capital, " he said. "We've come out on a side opposite to theopen space where U Saw is waiting for reports from his men. We can goahead in safety. He will have men on the watch all round the pagoda, of course. But we've come clean under their feet, and risen to earthamid the ruins behind them. "

"I should say our best plan now would be to try to get clear of thecity before they push a way through the tunnel, " said Jack. "We'vecertainly got a couple of hours before they find where we came out. Then, very likely, they'll start a fresh search for us among theruined houses. That would give us a bit more pull in making a flit ofit. "

"We can't do better, " said his father, and the latter spoke a fewwords to the native woman, who would be by far the best guide to setthem on the line they wished to follow. Led by her, they threaded oncemore the narrow by-ways and lanes tangled with creepers, and sometimesso choked with growth that they had to turn back and choose anotherway. At last they came to a broken gap in what had once been the citywall, and from it they looked across the bare, bright, open plain. 

"There's no one to be seen, " murmured Jack, "and if we can once getover the rim of the hill, we shall be out of sight. What is it? Notmore than four hundred yards. "

They stayed for a few moments longer in shelter of the ruined wall, and looked warily on either hand again and again. But there was notthe slightest token of danger to be seen or heard. The sun, nowsloping to the west, shone brilliantly upon the open space of stonesand sand, stones too small to hide a spy, and sand too bare ofbrushwood to afford him an ambush. 

"There's a risk, of course, in venturing into the open, " murmuredJack. "But there's risk whichever way you take it. We may as well makea dash for it as hang about in the ruins till someone drops on us oron our tracks. "

"That's true, " agreed his father. 

"Come on, then, " said Jack in a low voice, and he led the rush acrossthe open. 

For the first hundred yards they ran breathlessly. How naked and barethe land seemed around them after the friendly shelter of the narrowlanes and alleys they had just left! Then, as they forged steadilyahead, and the rim of the cup-shaped hollow came nearer at everystride, hope awoke in their hearts and they strained forward, countingon the moment when they would slip over the sky-line, and be lost tosight of the broken walls and towers amid which their enemies soughtthem. 

"See that big white stone, " said Jack, who had to draw himself in toan easy trot lest he should outrun his companions, "we have only gotto make that, and we're clean out of sight. "

Thirty yards from the white stone the woman tripped, stumbled, andfell. Before they left the ruins Jack had wished to carry the child, but she had refused. 

"Push ahead, father, " called Jack. "I'll pick her up and bring heron. "

He sprang to the woman's side, and swung her to her feet by mainstrength. He glanced back as he did so--he had looked back every fewyards as he ran. He gave a mutter of deep satisfaction, "All quiet!"But the words on his lips came to a sudden end in a gasp of dismay andhorror. Round a far angle of the ruined wall four horsemen swept intosight at a gentle trot. 

For a second Jack stared at them aghast He knew at once what it was. Their enemies had foreseen the possibility of such a bolt from coveras they were now making, and a patrol was on guard about the desertedcity. 

Jack hurried the woman forward, hoping against hope that no eye wouldbe raised to catch sight of the knot of fugitives on the hill-side. Awild yell raised from four savage throats told him a moment later thathis hopes were vain. He glanced back, and saw that the riders hadlashed their speedy ponies to a furious gallop and were climbing theslope towards them at terrific speed. 

The fugitives exchanged not a word. They ran now in silence, lookingon every hand for some way of escape from the horsemen who followed. Jack burned to gain the ridge and see what was beyond. "If it's brokenand rocky ground, " he thought, "it may prove too rough for theirponies to face. "

[Illustration: THE INTERCEPTED FLIGHT. ]

He looked eagerly out as they gained the ridge, and a bitterexclamation broke from his lips. The ground was more open and easythan that they had just crossed. They still ran on, but now withouthope of escape, merely running forward with the instinct of flightwhich possesses every hunted creature. They heard the ponies' hoofsrattle over the ridge, they heard the thud of the galloping feet closeat their backs, they heard the mocking laughs and yells of thetriumphant riders. 

"I can run no farther, Jack, " gasped Mr. Haydon, and pulled up. 

Jack whirled round, _dah_ in hand, and stood at bay, his blood on fireto have a stroke at those who hunted them. 

The riders were now not more than a score of yards away, and coming onat the same furious speed. Scarce had Jack turned, when the leadinghorseman was upon him. Jack looked up and saw the tossing mane andfiery eyes of the pony straining to its utmost speed, and above thetossing mane leaned forward the half-caste, his dark eyes shining withsavage fire, his mouth widened in a cruel grin. Jack sprang aside andlaunched a sweeping blow at Saya Chone. The latter, with hand andknee, swung his pony round and hurled the animal full on Jack. Theknees of the powerful beast, just rising to the first movement of thegallop, caught the English lad square in the body and dashed himheadlong to the ground. Stunned and unconscious, Jack was left in aheap on the sand, while the horsemen encircled the other fugitives. 

CHAPTER XLII. 

IN THE COURTYARD. 

When Jack came to himself after that rough tumble he felt bruised fromcrown to heel, and his head was aching dully. For a few moments hismind was in a puzzle as returning consciousness began slowly to arraybefore him the last things he remembered. Then he came to himself witha start, and looked round eagerly to see where he was and what hadhappened to his companions. 

The first glance told him that he was once more within the desertedcity. He lay in the corner of a ruined house, bound hand and foot; twoKachins, with muskets across their knees, squatted within six feet ofhim, and watched him with a fixed stare. Over his head the sky wasstill bright with sunshine, but the low rays told him that the nightwas not far off. 

"They've got us after all, " thought Jack bitterly. "We're in theirhands as tight as ever, and they'll take care, I know, that we don'tslip out of them again. "

It was heart-sickening that after their struggle through the pass, their fight in the pagoda, and their escape by a way which seemed toopen for them in a magical fashion, that they should end by fallingonce more into the hands of their cruel foes. As the light faded, Jacklay and wondered what had become of his father and the native woman, and what would be the next turn in their strange and wild adventures. 

The sun sank, and the night fell with tropic swiftness; soon he wasgazing at a velvety sky, full of bright stars. Still no one came nearthem, and his guards sat before him like two statues. 

An hour after nightfall a voice called to them from the lane without, and they obeyed the command at once. They sprang up, and removed fromJack's ankles the thong which bound them together. Next they draggedhim to his feet and led him forward. 

At the gap in the wall, where once a door had been, two other guardsawaited the prisoner, and marched one before and one behind him. Thusclosely watched, Jack was led along the narrow lane. They went fiftyyards or more, and then entered the very courtyard into which thesecret passage opened. Here a huge fire of brushwood and broken beamswas burning, and the place was as light as day, and filled with busyfigures. Jack was led across the courtyard and placed near theopposite wall. 

He looked round, but could catch no glimpse of his father. He saw thenative woman, their companion in misfortune, seated in a corner, aKachin beside her as if on guard. The woman's head was bent upon herbreast, and her child was closely clasped in her arms. She did notlook up when Jack was brought in, and her attitude was one of utterdejection. She had already learned her fate. She was to be taken backto the village from which she had fled, and there suffer by fire inthe presence of the other villagers. Thus would U Saw teach a lessonof obedience to all. 

The Ruby King himself was seated on a rug spread over the stones ofthe courtyard on the other side of the great fire. A meal was justover. A smaller fire was smouldering near the entrance to thecourtyard, and beside it lay cooking-pots and the long, square basketsin which food had been carried. Several of the retainers were stilldevouring the last fragments of their portion, and the rest wereplacidly smoking as they moved to and fro. U Saw was quietly pullingat a huge cheroot, his eyes fixed dreamily on the leaping flames ofthe great fire, and, save for the prisoner and his armed guards, thewhole scene had the air of a peaceful camp, of a caravan of merchantsresting for a night on their march. 

An hour passed, and the scene had but changed to this extent that themoving figures had settled down to a man to give themselves up to thesoothing influence of tobacco. On his rug, U Saw had not stirred alimb save to flick the ashes from his cheroot, nor had his gazewandered aside from the glowing flame. The quiet had become profound. Then, in deep silence, there was a sound of footsteps approaching thecourtyard. Without turning his head, U Saw raised his hand. Thegesture was scarcely begun when Jack felt himself gripped from behindby more than one pair of hands, and he knew among them the deadlyclutch of the Strangler. 

He was gripped at the same instant by the throat, the waist, and theheels, nor, so cunning had been their approach, had he dreamed that anenemy stood behind him. In an instant the thong at his wrists wassevered and his arms drawn out to their fullest extent, a rope tightabout each wrist, while his ankles were lashed together with magicalswiftness and dexterity. He was swung against the wall despite hisstruggles, and his body and feet bound to an upright beam. Then theropes which were about his wrists were drawn taut and made fast, andhe was a helpless prisoner. 

Just as the last twist was given to the bonds, a group of four enteredthe courtyard. Saya Chone, the half-caste, came first, and he wasfollowed by Mr. Haydon, under guard of a couple of Kachins. Now U Sawslowly rose from his rug and moved forward, his silken kilt catchingthe light and glowing with the softest, brightest hues of crimson andgold. 

"How are you, Jack?" called out Mr. Haydon anxiously. "Any bonesbroken?"

"Not one, I believe, father, " replied Jack; "only bruises. "

"If either of you speak another word, " said the half-caste smoothly, "I'll gag you till you choke. "

Jack and his father knew that much significance lay under the quietwords, and they remained silent. U Saw and Saya Chone now spoketogether in a low tone, and then father and son were brought face toface. 

"You are such a slippery couple, and have evaded us so often, " saidthe half-caste, "that we are going to pay you the compliment ofdealing with you once and for all upon the spot. Now you can beassured that your last chance of saving your skins has arrived. Hereand now we settle the matter. You can start for Bhamo or Mandalay withthe break of dawn, or you can become food for wild beasts. It remainswith you to decide. "

"Don't say a word, father, " broke in Jack impetuously. "Don't you seethat we're done for in any case? If you told, do you think such men asthese would keep their word? Dead men tell no tales. "

"That's horribly true, Jack, " said his father in a low voice. 

The faces of the Ruby King and the half-caste had blackened with rageupon hearing this swift, shrewd speech, which laid bare their motivesand intentions, for Jack had hit the mark fair in the centre. SayaChone thrust his face forward till it was within six inches of Jack's. 

"Bold words, " he hissed viciously, "bold words; but we shall seebefore we have done with you. "

At this moment there ran into the courtyard a man who panted as if hehad travelled far and fast. He bore beneath his arm a small basketmade of rushes very closely and strongly woven. The Ruby King gave agrunt of satisfaction, and moved towards him. 

Saya Chone now sprang forward and seized the collar of Jack's tunic. He fixed both hands in it and ripped it open. Then he gripped thecollar of the flannel shirt beneath and made a snatch at that With agrin of vicious pleasure he rent that open too, and tore a piece ofthe stuff clean out. He raised his open hand and struck the barebreast of the English lad with a resounding slap. 

"Now we shall see, " he cried, "now we shall see!"

At sight of this Mr. Haydon had attempted to spring forward, but halfa dozen of the iron-muscled little men had leapt at him like cats, andkept him in his place. They hung on to him and held him a closeprisoner during the scene which followed. 

Jack was little affected by the slap. He had his eyes on U Saw. Hefelt strongly that the grim, silent Ruby King was the man to be fearedabove all. 

U Saw and the man with the basket had retired to the other side of thefire, and a group of Kachins watched the Ruby King respectfully from alittle distance. The watching group now gave a loud murmur of wonderand admiration, as if they had divined some superlatively clever trickof their master's, and were applauding it. Then U Saw turned and cameacross the courtyard, his right arm oddly and stiffly extended. 

Jack watched him come, and wondered what it was that seemed to moveand writhe about his arm as he came. The Ruby King stepped into thefull light of the great, blazing pile, and Jack saw what it was thatmoved, and felt his blood run cold within him. 

Upon his right hand U Saw wore a thick leathern hunting glove, and hisright arm was heavily swathed with a woollen girdle. About his armthe body of a snake was twisted, and he held the head firmly in hishand. A terrible groan of agony burst from Thomas Haydon's lips as hesaw the venomous reptile coiling and uncoiling its short, thick bodyround the arm of the Ruby King. It was a small cobra of the mostvenomous kind, a creature whose bite took effect at once, and wasfollowed swiftly by death. 

U Saw walked up to Jack and held the head of the horrible creaturewithin a foot of Jack's face. The latter tried to look steadily at thefrightful death which menaced him, and, for a few seconds, wasfascinated by the dreadful sight. The tiny, glittering, bead-like eyesof the reptile sparkled with rage, and its hood swelled and swelled inits fury as it sought something to strike, something upon which itmight expend its store of deadly venom. But the grip of the Ruby Kingheld head and neck immovable except as he wished, and the cobra had nopower save over its coils. These were in constant and furious motion. They were now wrapped tightly round U Saw's arm, now flung loose, andthen tightened anew as the angry snake twisted and writhed and soughtto free itself from the clutch which imprisoned its head. 

Inch by inch U Saw advanced the frightful flat head until the forkedtongue played immediately before Jack's eyes, and the grip on the headwas now slightly loosened, and the cobra opened wide its horrid jawsand disclosed its poison fangs, and made convulsive efforts to reachand strike the face just before it. 

Jack closed his eyes and drew a long, quivering breath. This torturewas exquisite beyond any bodily pain. But there was no thought ofyielding in his heart. Among these dark-skinned Asiatics he and hisfather stood alone, and it lay with them to maintain the English nameand credit in this moment when men of a weaker race would have givenway and cringed and begged for mercy. 

Summoning up his utmost resolution, Jack opened his eyes again, resolute to deny to his enemies the smallest token of their triumph. But he found that the horrid, gaping jaws were no longer close to hisface. U Saw had stepped a pace backwards, and was adjusting his gripof the reptile with the greatest care. 

He grasped it anew and more tightly, and stepped forward once more. Now he advanced the flat head little by little towards Jack's nakedbreast. At last it was so close that the cobra's tongue, darting inand out, was touching the lad's body. Ah! that was horrible. To feelthe cold, forked tongue playing upon the warm flesh above the beatingheart, that heart which would be silenced for ever were but the keenfangs advanced an inch or so farther. 

The natural repugnance of the flesh to so horrible a situation was toostrong for the spirit, and Jack could not restrain a convulsiveshudder, which shook him from head to foot. His father groaned in rageand agony. 

CHAPTER XLIII. 

THE FACE AT THE DOORWAY. 

The sullen face of the Ruby King was lighted up with a smile of deeprelish. His savage nature was pleased to its depths to see the effectthis simple but exquisite torture had upon the Englishman within hisgrasp. Again he drew back a pace, and waited a moment for Jack torecover himself. Next he waved to the men who were holding ThomasHaydon to bring their prisoner closer to the bound captive. They didso, and now the position of those gathered in the ruined courtyard wasas follows. Jack faced the doorway, and the Ruby King and thehalf-caste, with their followers clustered behind them, were on hisleft. His father, under charge of the guards, was on his right, andthe fire, which was now at its highest, lighted the whole scene inmost brilliant fashion. 

Now U Saw raised his arm and stepped forward. His evil grin shone outonce more. He was enjoying himself to the full. Jack braced his backagainst the post and clenched his fists as tightly as the ropes aroundhis wrists would allow, and set his teeth to endure without flinching. His eyes were staring straight before him, into the blackness of theruined doorway. 

Suddenly into that patch of darkness there flashed a face, peeping inon the scene, and as suddenly vanishing. Jack gave a great start and agasp. Was the torture turning his brain? He had known that face, butit was not the face of any living man. It was the face of Me Dain, their brave guide, who had fallen headlong into the raging torrent, close-grappled with his foe. Jack's movement was hailed by a grimchuckle from the ring of hostile faces. They misjudged it altogether. 

U Saw once more held the cobra forward, and glanced with savagemeaning at both father and son. Thomas Haydon watched the evilcreature with fascinated eyes, and saw that the Ruby King wasloosening ever so slightly, and little by little, his grasp of thehead, so that the venomous reptile was working forward through theleathern grip towards Jack's breast. 

By tiny degrees the cobra worked itself on and on, but Jack saw itnot. His eyes were strained into the outer darkness. What had itmeant, that face? Was it a mere fancy, or was there more behind itthan he dreamed of? Then, with another great start of his frenzied, overwrought body, he saw something else, a thing which none saw savehimself, for every eye was fixed on the deadly, wriggling serpent, fighting to get his venomous fangs into that smooth white breast. 

There slipped into the light of the fire a little round gleaming tubeof steel. Six inches beyond the doorway was it thrust, then held stilland steady. Jack knew it for the muzzle of a Mannlicher, and realisedwith a swelling heart what it meant. He turned his eyes on the darkface of the Ruby King, who, with an air of infinite enjoyment, wasgiving the writhing reptile a little and a little more liberty, andJack knew that U Saw was a dead man. 

A moment later the rifle spoke. There was a sharp jet of flame, acrack, and a scream. The three were practically simultaneous, and thescream rose from the wildly-parted lips of the Ruby King as he whirledround and staggered against Saya Chone, a slip of lead driven throughhis brain. 

The fate of the half-caste was striking and dreadful. Themortally-smitten man flung out his right arm, and the cobra was swungfull against the man who stood beside him, and, at the same instant, the Ruby King's grasp was loosened. Here was the chance for which thecreature, irritated to the utmost fury, had longed. It struck, struckwith all its might, and drove its deadly fangs deep into the throat ofthe half-caste. 

The latter staggered back with a frightful yell, and tore the horriblereptile from its grip, and cast it away. But the work was done, andthe full-filled poison sacs had emptied their store of venom into theblood of Saya Chone. 

All this happened in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye; andbefore a hand could be lifted among the retainers, a whirlinghurricane of lead smote with crushing fury among the close-packedgroup of Kachins which had been clustered behind the leaders. A streamof bullets was poured into them as swiftly as magazines could beworked, and half their number went down headlong. None of the reststayed to face this awful and mysterious foe. To them it seemed as ifevil spirits must be encompassing their destruction, and they fledfrom this dreadful attack, which leapt upon them so suddenly from thedarkness and the silence. Those who could move ran for a low place inthe ruined wall, climbed it frantically, and fled into the darkness, yelling and terror-stricken. 

Now there burst into the courtyard three familiar figures. Buck Risleyled the way, Jim Dent followed, and Me Dain raced after. 

"Say, " cried Buck, "we only dropped on this little fandango just intime. Stand steady, Jack. " With a few swift strokes of his knife hesevered Jack's bonds, and the English lad staggered aside, and wascaught by his father. They exchanged a strong, silent hand-grip, butneither could speak. 

Jim Dent, a reloaded Mauser pistol in hand, was standing on guard. Butthey had nothing to fear from the groaning wounded, nothing from theRuby King who lay with his evil smile fixed for ever on his dark face, nothing from the half-caste, now writhing in the agonies of a terribledeath. 

"Say, Professor, this is great to see you again!" cried Buck joyfully, as Mr. Haydon seized his faithful follower's hand. 

"Buck, Buck, this is wonderful, " said Mr. Haydon in a shaking voice. "You have come to our rescue at the moment of our utmost need. AndDent and Me Dain. A thousand thanks. But what are words to tell youhow we feel?"

"We know just how you feel, Professor, " said Jim Dent. "We're only tooglad we turned up in time to put a stopper on their fiendish tricks. Now the word is march. "

"Right, Jim, " said Buck; "off we go. Come on, Me Dain. "

The Burman was bending over the body of the Ruby King, and strippingoff his rich silken girdle. 

"I come, " he said, and they trooped across the courtyard together. 

Jack had not spoken a word. He had clasped the hands of his faithfulfriends, but he was too overwrought and bewildered to be able to framehis feelings into speech. He stumbled as he walked, for his limbs werenumbed from his bonds, and his father and Buck supported him. Near thedoorway the native woman waited for them. Her guard had fled, and shehad at once sprung to join her companions in flight. 

Their path ran across the open space before the pagoda. Here theponies of U Saw and his men had been picketed, and were now leftwithout watchers, for all had been drawn to the courtyard. Three ofthese were caught and saddled, and led with the party till the ruinswere cleared and the open hill-side was gained. 

"Now we're right, " breathed Jim Dent. "I don't reckon there was muchto fear from that lot we sent scuttling. They're dangerous enough as arule, but this time we rattled 'em all to pieces. Still, I'm glad tobe in the open. "

"Me Dain!" cried Jack, who was rapidly becoming himself again. "Is itreally you, alive and in the flesh? How did you escape after thatfrightful fall from the ledge?"

"I had very good luck, sahib, " chuckled the Burman, "very good luck. The Kachin was under when we drop down, and that break my fall. I verynear drowned, but at last I got on bank. Then I go on up the pass, andrun to the other sahibs. "

"Here's the road, " said Jim Dent. "There's no moon, but we can see allwe want by the stars. Up you go. "

Jack, Mr. Haydon, and the native woman were set on the ponies, andthen the little cavalcade moved briskly forward, talking as they went, and exchanging experiences. 

Me Dain's story made it plain that he had cleared the mouth of thepass just before U Saw and his men blocked the way. He had put hisbest foot forward and regained the camp, made in a solitary glen amongthe hills, where Buck and Jim awaited him. The three of them hadstarted back at once well armed, but had travelled on foot in orderthe more easily to escape observation. Thus the night had fallen bythe time they had gained the outskirts of the ruined city. They sawthe flare of the fire, and heard the voices of the encampment. Littleby little, and with the utmost care, they crept upon the Kachins andbrought aid in the very nick of time. 

"Say, I don't guess we need trouble much about these little blue-kiltsany more, " remarked Buck Risley. 

"Not in the least, Buck, " replied Mr. Haydon. "The death of theirleaders sets them at once free from their allegiance. I've no doubt inthe world but that the survivors will hurry back home and plunder USaw's house. "

"And how did that little half-caste come off?" asked Jim Dent. "I hopehe had something for his trouble. "

"Say, Jim, " cried Buck, "didn't you twig that? It was about the besttouch in the show. The snake they'd got ready for Jack worked loosewhen you dropped the King, and nipped the half-caste, and he hit thelong trail right away. "

"Serve him right, the little varmint, " was Jim's comment. 

They had covered a league or more from the deserted city, when thetinkle of running water fell on Jack's ears. 

"That sounds like a brook, " he said. "I'm fearfully thirsty. "

"So am I, " said his father. A brook it was, and they halted beside itand drank their fill. 

"Better stop here till daylight, " said Me Dain. "Not easy to find theway over hills in the dark. " So it was agreed to make a camp besidethe brook. The fugitives were quite willing, for they were exhaustedby fatigue, and when they had eaten a little of the food which Me Dainhad carried in a wallet across his shoulders, and drunk once more ofthe water of the brook, they lay down and slept the deep sleep ofutter weariness. Their fresher companions, Buck and Jim, took turns towatch through the night. 

By an hour after dawn they were all on the move, and did not haltagain till they reached the secluded hollow where the pack-ponies, securely hobbled, were quietly grazing. In a trice Me Dain had a fireblazing, and he and Buck soon made ready a good meal. When the mealwas over they sat in the shade of a clump of bamboos and discussedaffairs. 

Suddenly, with a grunt of surprise as if at his forgetfulness, Me Dainsprang up and fetched the wallet which had been slung over hisshoulders. He laid it before Mr. Haydon, and began to draw forth along band of rich, glittering silk. 

"Why, you've brought U Saw's girdle, Me Dain, " said Mr. Haydon. 

"Yes, sahib, " said Me Dain, a broad smile lighting up his dark face ashe looked up at his old master. "And for why? You lose a big ruby. USaw got it. "

The meaning smile on his face broadened. 

Mr. Haydon slapped his knee with a crack like a pistol shot. There wasno need of words between them. 

"By Jove, Me Dain!" he cried, "I shouldn't be surprised if you areright. "

"Right, quite right, " said Me Dain. "U Saw never leave great stonelike that at home. Carry it everywhere. U Saw trust no man. "

By this time the others had grasped the meaning of this conversation. Was the great ruby in U Saw's girdle?

CHAPTER XLIV. 

HOW THINGS ENDED. 

All eyes were fixed in breathless excitement on Me Dain. His swift, practised fingers rapidly explored the intricacies of the long, softband which had been wound twice or thrice round the waist of the RubyKing. 

"Lump here, " grunted Me Dain, drawing his knife. He made a couple ofrapid snicks, pulled the silk open, glanced in, then looked up at hisold master. 

"Hold your hand, sahib, " he said. 

Mr. Haydon held out his hand, and the Burman shook the girdle sharply. A cry of admiration and wonder burst from every watcher as an immenseruby fell into Mr. Haydon's palm and lay there glittering withrichest, deepest fire. 

The great expert did not need to take a second glance. "That's mystone, " he said. "Me Dain, I am indebted to you for ever. Its value tome is beyond all money, for it represents my honour and the good faithwhich I owe to those who employ me. Me Dain, my good friend, I shallgive you ten thousand rupees. "

"Oh, sahib, " cried the Burman, overcome with the vision of so muchwealth, "it is too much for your servant. "

"Not a penny, " said Mr. Haydon earnestly, "not a penny too much. Youhave rendered me a service which no money can repay. "

Amid a buzz of wonder and surprise and delighted congratulation, thehuge stone was examined and passed from hand to hand. Then Mr. Haydontook it again, wrapped it up in a piece of silk cut from the girdle, and carefully bestowed it in an inner pocket. 

"I'll have another try to get to London with it, " he said. "We oughtto manage it this time among us. "

Jack stood looking at his father with shining eyes, and Mr. Haydon nowturned to his son. As he did so, Buck slapped the tall lad on theshoulder. 

"Say, Jack, " he cried, "is this good enough for you? You've got yourfather and the big pebble. Seems to me you've worked your way throughthis business pretty successful. I reckon you've been the king pin ofthis outfit. "

"Right, Buck, right, " said Mr. Haydon in a tone of deep feeling. "Iwas just thinking of what I owed to my boy. "

The next morning they struck south across the hills for Mogok, thegreat mining town, and their journey thither, under the skilfulguidance of Me Dain, was made in safety. The native woman accompaniedthem for the first half day of their journey, and then her pathbranched off to the west. She took leave of them with a thousandthanks and good wishes, and, from the store of ready money, carriedon one of the pack-ponies, she was furnished with a bag of silverpieces which would make her a rich woman when she reached her nativevillage. 

Her parting words were mysterious. She said, "Tell the young sahibthat he will find that I have not forgotten him. "

Me Dain asked her what she meant, but, with a smile, she refused toexplain, and presently was lost to sight along a forest path, and theysaw her no more. 

From Mogok the travellers pushed on straight to Mandalay, where, through a merchant of his acquaintance, Mr. Haydon obtained sufficientmoney to pay Me Dain the reward he had promised. So that this time theBurman retired to his native village with wealth beyond anything hehad ever dreamed of. 

This business detained them in Mandalay for some days, but one eveningMr. Haydon said, "We'll take the first train to-morrow morning, " andthe others nodded agreement. 

Jack went to his room to pack the big bag which he had bought tocontain his share of the baggage. The latter had been carried to theroom he occupied in the hotel, and he now began to look over it andlay things in order. Presently he came to a torn flannel shirt, and helooked at it with interest. It was the shirt which the half-caste hadrent from his breast, and he had replaced it with a spare one whichhad been among their store. He raised it, and it felt oddly heavy. Heunrolled it, and found that it was wrapped round a small parcel. 

"What's this?" murmured Jack. "I never wrapped anything up in thisshirt. "

He took up the parcel and examined it. The outer covering was ofnative cloth of a dull blue shade. Jack wondered where he had seensuch cloth before, then remembered that the head-dress of the nativewoman, their companion in so adventurous an escape, had been made ofit. 

"Looks like a bit of that great bundle of stuff she twisted round andround her head, " reflected Jack. "Let's see what she's wrapped up fora keepsake. "

But the chuckle with which these thoughts passed through his mind wassuddenly cut short. A lamp burned brightly on the table beside him. Heuntied the scrap of cloth which was fastened about the parcel, andunwrapped the folds. He gave a jump of astonishment and a cry ofamazement. For there before him, gleaming softly and richly in thestrong light of the lamp, lay a heap of magnificent jewels, gloriousrubies every one. 

He was still staring entranced at this extraordinary find among histraps when the door was opened and a head thrust in. 

"Say, Jack, " began the newcomer. 

"Buck!" cried the lad, "run and fetch my father and Jim, and come backwith them. "

Buck hurried away, and in less than a minute the four of them weregathered about the heap of precious stones. 

"Oh, thunder!" breathed Jim Dent, in a soft tone of amazed wonder. 

"Say, Jack, who've you been stickin' up on the trail?" murmured Buck. "Well, if they ain't got a shine on 'em!" and he could say no more. 

Mr. Haydon was whistling softly, his eyebrows raised. At last heopened his mouth. "I fancy we've seen these before, Jack, " he said. 

"Rather, " said his son. "These are the rubies that lay among the bonesof the priests in the secret chamber. I dropped to that at once. "

"We never thought of them again, " went on Mr. Haydon, "but the womangathered them and carried them off. Now she has passed them on to youin this fashion. She must have tucked them into the baggage at somemoment when our backs were turned. "

"And this is what she meant by saying that he'd find she hadn'tforgotten him, " broke in Buck. "Say, Jack, you've struck it rich thistime. "

The fingers of the expert were busy at the next moment among the richstones. Mr. Haydon handled each carefully, sorted them, then took apencil and began to appraise them roughly on a scrap of paper. Whilehe did this, Jack related in a low voice to the other two the story ofthe secret chamber in the pagoda. 

"Well, " said Mr. Haydon at length, "there are thirty-seven altogether. They vary very much in size, but all are of excellent colour. Speakingin round figures, they are worth about ninety thousand pounds. "

"Bully for you, Jack!" exclaimed Buck. 

"Bully for all of us, Buck, " replied Jack quietly. "If you fancy I'mgoing to pocket these, you've missed your kick by a long chalk. We'llall share and share alike. Where would my father and myself have beenif you hadn't come to the rescue?"

"Right, Jack, quite right, " said Mr. Haydon. "But you will count meout, if you please. We'll realise this parcel of stones in London, andthen divide the money squarely among you three;" and so it wassettled. 

"Then I'll come home with you!" cried Jim Dent. "I've had enough ofRangoon, and this trip'll set me up as a rich man for life. "

"I hope the woman kept a few stones for herself, " said Jack. Hisfather laughed. 

"If she's a wise woman she most certainly did not, my boy, " heanswered. "The possession of rubies would lead to her getting herthroat cut as sure as she had a throat. No, no. She's much better offwith her bag of rupees. "

Five weeks later, about eleven o'clock on a Thursday morning, Jack andhis father walked into the city, and sought the offices of Messrs Laneand Baumann. They had come through from Rangoon without a hitch, andhad run into Charing Cross by the boat-train the day before. 

As they walked along the crowded streets, Mr. Haydon smiled, and saidquietly to his son, "You've seen a thing or two, Jack, since last youpaid a visit to Lane & Baumann. "

"I have, father, " said Jack. "It seems years ago since I was hereinstead of a few months. "

Mr. Haydon had insisted on Jack accompanying him on this visit. "Itwas in their offices that you vowed to begin your quest, Jack, " hesaid; "and in their offices you shall end it, as far as the greatstone is concerned. "

They were expected, and were at once shown up to Mr. Lane. The lattersprang forward and greeted Mr. Haydon and Jack most warmly. 

"Welcome home, " he said, "welcome home. I am delighted to see you safeand sound in England once more, Mr. Haydon. "

"And I am very pleased to see you, Mr. Lane, " said the famous expert, "and glad to say that I have brought home in safety, after all, thatbig stone, an account of which I cabled to you. "

He drew from his pocket the great ruby still wrapped in the fragmentcut from U Saw's girdle, and laid it before Mr. Lane. The latter gazedspell-bound at its size and beauty. 

"A marvellous stone, Mr. Haydon!" he murmured at last. "A marvellousstone! Ah, " he went on, "I wonder what Baumann would say to-day if hewere confronted with this wonderful proof of his folly in leaving us. "

"Mr. Baumann is no longer your partner?" cried Thomas Haydon. 

"No, " said Mr. Lane. "We disagreed, and he withdrew from thepartnership. " Mr. Lane had too much delicacy to say that the quarrelhad arisen over their respective opinions as to Thomas Haydon'shonesty. Finding that he could not induce the senior partner to makepublic what he believed to be the theft of the great jewel, Baumannhad broken off his connection with the firm. 

"I have a long story to tell you, but this is not the time to tellit, " said Jack's father. "You are too busy. "

"Will you both dine with me to-night?" cried the great merchant. "Thenwe can have a good talk over things, " and the invitation was accepted. 

As Jack and his father walked away from the offices, the formerremarked, "In one way I was much disappointed that Baumann was notthere. It would have been a cheerful arrangement to make him eat hiswords. But on the whole it just caps the affair nicely to find that hewon't benefit by it. Now we'll turn our parcel of rubies into cash andset up Jim and Buck with a good banking account apiece. "

His father nodded absently. Between his fingers he held the piece ofshining, delicate silk in which the great ruby had been wrapped. 

"I see you've brought the scrap of U Saw's girdle with you, " saidJack. 

"Yes, my boy, " returned his father. "I shall never part with thispatch of silk. It stands in my eyes for a good deal. I am here safeand sound, and the big stone is at last in the right hands. "

"Yes, " said Jack quietly, "with the aid of staunch friends, I havecome to the end of my quest. "

 * * * * *