With the Dyaks of Borneo

or and

ome minutes' thought. "I am a man who dislikes to do anyone an injustice, and it is on that account, and because I tried to persuade myself that I had no right to take a dislike to the man, that I determined to think well

nothing to Hanns, but watch him carefully, and at the first sign of treachery make him a pri

e opportunity, and then I shall take steps to hand him over to the Dutch Government. There are numbers of his countrymen in the neighbouring island, for the Dutch have had many stations in the Archipelago for numbers of years, and by slipping round to Celebes, or across to Java, we should have no difficul

e," said Tyler promptly. "He is a thoroughly good fellow,

there be any trouble with the crew, these three Europeans would naturally fight side by side. As for Hanns Schlott, it was useless to th

good interest in the future. There are sufficient dollars aboard to make a handsome fortune, and in addition our equipment is of considerable value. Indeed, there is no denying the fact that to one of these native prahus we should be a rich haul, and it is mainly with such a prospect in view that I determined to thoroughly arm the schooner. Who can say how much Hanns Schlott and his accomplices know? If there

, but a moment later something red fluttering in the breeze beyond the mainsail of the schooner attracted his attention, and, taking a step to one side, he saw the Dutch interpreter standing with his back against the mast, with his handkerchief held at arm's length above his head. A second later the arm dropped, and the

had detested, been spying upon him?" Hanns Schlott flushed red at the thou

, I know it, for I have been there before.

y, directing a keen glance at the Dutchman, which caused

ntact. But I must be cautious, and should he show an inclination to thwart me I will silence his tongue for good. Ja, Hanns Schlott, you are clever, and more than once have you paid a visit to Singapore on the same errand, with Christian van Sonerell to help yo

to assure Tyler that he was unknown to any in Borneo, and then went sauntering along the deck.

sland, and for the moment I could see that he feared that I had witnessed his act. Otherwise why did he address me? For he is a silent man, and during the week or more that I have known him has never ventured to

s he did so to gaze at the distant land, to which the schooner had drawn distinctly nearer, and under the shadow of whi

that all on board could hear. "Mr. Beverley requests that you w

traced his steps and was soon joine

the latter entered. "Now sit down there, John,

ap between his fingers for some minutes, as though unable to do what he was asked. Then he sudden

dle, and worked almost as hard as a British crew. But the feeding's too good for 'em by half, and they're getting above

as much as to say that the matter was beyond expression. Then he sank ba

ung friend, Mr. Richardson, declares that the prahu lying under the island is one which was moored in the harbour at Singapore close to th

s how I've seen anything particular, but there's pirates in these seas, for I learnt that when in Singapore, while the Dutchman aboard is a wrong 'un. It w

nged his cap from one hand to the other, while

achery as we are. As for the crew, it grieves me to hear that they are not to be relied upon, and now that I have heard it I realize that should trouble come we three must depend upon ourselves alone. From this moment we must carry weapons upon us, and as soon as it is dark we must take it i

h emphasis, "for otherwise, while we were posted in the bows, those i

, it may be the saving of our lives! And now as to the watch to be set. We will divide the night into thr

e weapon like that is loud enough to reach to any part of the schooner, unless a gale is blowing, and it's so sudden-like and unexpe

look at the land. Then we will turn to the north-west and coast along in that direction until evening falls, when we will haul in and let go our anchor. Once set up for the night, you, John, will take the first watch, our young friend here joining you as soon as the Malays are out of the way, and helping to load the six-pound

he interior, to withdraw his hand in a few moments grasping a bundle wrapped in a piece of old blan

which will enable us to fire as many as six shots without reloading. I purchased six, so that each one of us

hmen upon it Tyler had no doubt, and the information which John Marshall had given as to the crew had served only to make the danger more real. Standing there beside the sail, with his eyes fixed upon the native prahu, he realized that he and

off the boat. But we shall see. Perhaps, after all, we have no need t

had been drawn to the crew of Malays who manned the schooner, he could not help but notice an air of insolence which had been strange to them a week ago. Then they had been almost too cringing and polite, while now they glanced at their three English officers as though conscious of the fact that the position was about to change. But thinking could do no good, and as every precaution had been taken Tyler and his friends had to content themselves with wat

ave their meals at this hour and will be huddled together in the bows. Our interpreter is seated at this moment in

zine with which the schooner was provided. Then he emerged again with the necessary ammunition, and ere long was able to assure his leader that all was in readiness. That done he lay down upon his bunk and attempted to sleep, but without success; for though he closed his eyes tightly his brain still remained actively at wor

to discover the position of the prahu, but the night is too dark. When we ran into the bay she was some distance higher up the coast, an

y above was lit up by myriads of bright stars. All round, however, was impenetrable gloom, and though he went to either side of the schooner, and with arms leaning upon th

and listened eagerly, while his heart beat heavily and thumped almost audibl

close to the bows, when he suddenly caught sight of a figure standing before him. In an instant hi

ed in low but commanding

rted suddenly and turned swiftly about

endeavoured to render suave. "Who but the interpreter, who, finding sleep im

caused th

side the halyard, and as I leaned against the rail my arm touched it,

some unknown but impending trouble. Indeed, had he but followed the crafty Dutchman to his cabin, and watched his behaviour there, the signal which had been agreed upon would have at once awakened the silence of the night, and brought his two comrades rushing up to support him. B

ed him, and he is now tramping the deck in the full belief that no danger threatens. But Hanns Schlott knows better. Ha, ha! Christian van Sonerell will make nothing of the cli

per's bed-clothes, and an interruption in the regularity of his breathing, told that Mr. Beverley was not so deeply unconscious as this rascally Dutchman would desire. Indeed, for a minute or more it seemed as though some sense of impending danger, some vague dream of a levelled weapon and the hand of an assassin, had crossed the mind of the sleeper, for he suddenly awoke to a troubled half-consciousness, and, raising himself upon an elbow, peered with blinking eyes into the darkness. Did he he

stir again I will press the trigger without a doubt. Ja, I will risk it, for to be discovered now would be to ruin our enterprise and get myself into trouble. Ah! the dolt thinks better of it, and has placed his face o

turb him in the midst of his work. "Ah!" Hanns Schlott's head became suddenly erected, while the face turned involuntarily with a rapid movement towards the companion ladder. At the same moment the splash of an oar broke the silence, causing Tyler to suddenly halt in his restless tramp upon the deck and then dash towards the side. There it

tones. "If you pull a stroke nearer

d were rushing to his aid. Nor was he destined to be kept long waiting, for hardly had the words left his lips, warning those on the boat to come no nearer, than a pistol-shot rang out in the night with startling loudness, the sharp report rushing up from the cabin below. Then a piercing shriek

the splash of oars became now still more distinct. Instantly his finger closed round the trigger of his weapon, and just as the clatter of heavily-booted feet ascending the companion told him that John Marshall was at hand, his revolver spoke out, sending a bullet into the very centre of the men crowded together in the oncoming boat. There was another shriek, still more piercing than that one which had ascended from below, while

lamber aboard and slit the throats of any of the Englishmen who may still be alive. Pull for i

the effect they produced, for these men were used to such scuffles, and were not to be so easily turned aside, particularly when they recollected the fact that the schooner had at the most but three white men to protect her, whilst on board were staunch allies of their own. Every moment they waited to hear the voice of the Dutchman, Hanns Schlott, who had so cleverly obtained the post of interpreter. They listene

for our lives. Back to the stern, but first of all where is Mr. Beverley, for we cannot think o

ention of darting down into the space below and rescuing his leader. But scarcely had he moved a p

n, I tell yer, sir, for Mr. Beverley's de

t any deed of violence and treachery must be attributable to the Dutchman

t one another to the end, and die rather than submit, for each realized that capture would be followed by nothing else but a cruel death. Indeed, the knowledge that that would be their end without a doubt should they fall into the hands of these enemies who had suddenly sprung up from the darkness braced their nerves, and helped

lott, has murdered him?" demanded Tyler hoarsely. "Tell me at once, f

mystery of Mr. Beverley's absence for himself. But a shout from John and a firm grip of his fingers once more arrested him, while the expl

tled me. A second later a pistol went off within three yards of where I stood, while Mr. Beverley gave a shriek which made my blood run cold. I dropped the match in my terror, but a second after it flared up in the darkness, lighting the cabin from end to end, and showing me Hanns Schlott kneeling on the floor with a smoking pistol in his hand. Like a flash I guessed the murdering game he'd been after, and I scarcely gave him

ck awaiting the arrival of Hanns Schlott to lead them, had decided to attack without his help, and one of their number springing forward, kriss in hand, the remainder came rushing in a body towards the two young Englishmen, brandishing their weapons above their heads and shouting at the top o

turning swiftly about. "Get behind

progress was suddenly obstructed by a cable which stretched from the rail

ow step over it, and give it a hitch to pull it taut.

swaying from side to side as the vessel lay at anchor. With the deft fingers of a sailor he rearranged it, pulling it taut till it stretched between the bulwarks like a bowstring. Then, finding that there w

. "It's too dark for those fellows to see the cable, and they'll find themselves

hey quickly came in contact with a small heap of powder which he had carefully left in position there when loading the weapon. A moment's search discovered the touch-hole, and a rapid movement of the hand swept the glistening grains over it. Stooping down he looked along the barrel, and aided by the light cast by the lantern which swayed

that the leader is the only one possessed of a pistol, so watch him closely, and when you see him about to fire let drive with your own weapon. I will stand beside the gun, but unless they rush at us in one dense body I shall not discharge it, for the ropes will protect us, and, moreover, it is probabl