"I thought it was all over." Venning laughed that little nervous laugh of his.

"I wonder why they gave in like that ?" "We had the drop on then," said Mr.Hume, grimly; "and we knew our own minds.

Now, then! up with the sail, and, dark or not, we must get on." Very smartly and silently the boys hoisted the sail, and as the Okapi beat up they heard a great uproar from the left.

Apparently Hassan was using violent language to the Belgian officer for not having ambushed the "dogs of Englishmen." Then several rifle-shots were fired from the canoe, and answered from the people down-stream, who were still searching for their prey.

But the Okapi slipped on, making a musical ripple under her bows, until she beat up under the great wall of woods on the south bank, when she tacked away into the gathering darkness, feeling for the wind.