"There are plenty of them in the wood, I hear, and your man may have been mistaken in thinking that he saw a human figure.

And even if it was so, it might be some villager who, on hearing us, has left the path, thinking us to be enemies." "It may be that," the officer said, when the words were translated to him.

"But it is more likely that he was posted there to watch the path, and that he has gone to tell his band that a party is approaching." "Even if it were so," Harry said, "the band may be only a small one." The officer moved forward, and joined his men.

Half an hour later, without the slightest warning, a shower of spears flew from among the trees; followed immediately afterwards by a rush of dark figures.

Several of the Malay escort were at once cut down.