Part 54 (1/2)

”We shall cut but a sorry appearance,breaks,” observed Le Duc ”As soon as we get to dry ground we hts”

”Perhaps we shall, and it would be as well if we can wash the o on, eneral use it cannot be ht In a short tiot on to firreat satisfaction they at last found thele Before them rose a hill, over which they had to climb

At the foot of the hill they caly bed Le Duc, feeling the depth with his staff, walked in It was sufficiently shallow to enable them to ford it without difficulty; and they took the opportunity of washi+ng off the s in the swamp

All this ti no sht have to give in and delay the rest

On the other side of the streans of cultivation

They passed outside several plantations, but what they were they could not tell; still, as they could e to make their way to the eastward they went on

”We e Francois spoke of,” said Le Duc ”He advised that we should go to the southward of it, as the country on that side is et by without being discovered if we can pass it before daybreak”

They accordingly took the direction as advised After going so, they supposed, froe, whose in or dead

At length the bright streaks of early dawn appeared in the sky ahead

Jack at last had to acknowledge that he could go no farther

”If we could but reach some hut or other where the blacks would take care of ht, sir,” he said, addressing Rayner

”No, I will never allow that,” was the answer ”We'll get you along a little farther, until we can find some place to rest in There's a wood I see ahead, and we ain If Mr Crofton likes to lead on the rest and try to get across the frontier, he may do so, but I'll stick by you, Jack Don't be afraid”

”Thank you, Bill, thank you!” said Jack, pressing his old , but thinking soether ”You were always a brave, generous chap, and I know you'd never desert a shi+p worse everyBrown, they helped hih places as they made their way towards the wood They reached it just as daylight burst on the world, as it does in the tropics, the hot sun rushi+ng up immediately afterwards to blaze aith intense heat

Oliver, with Le Duc and Toht have a chance of effectually concealing themselves In a short time Oliver came back

”We have discovered just the sort of place ant,” he said ”The sooner we can stow ourselves away in it the better Let ”

Rayner would not allow this

”I can support him a mile farther if necessary,” he answered

In a short ti a small streae tree, upturned fro beneath it a cavern of considerable size, which Le Duc and To out

There was a risk of being bitten by snakes, which ht have made it their abode, but that could not be avoided Le Duc was running his stick into every hole he could see to drive out any which ht be concealed In other respects, no better place could be found

Rayner and Brown lifted in Jack and placed hiave hiht froh, unfortunately, for one ive Jack his share

The rest of the party had collected some branches and brushwood to conceal the entrance This done, they all crept in

Le Duc, who had surveyed their place of concealment fro for them would suspect that any one was there No sooner had they sed their food than they all fell asleep