I have escaped, and want to make my way down to Rangoon; but I heard that orders had been sent along the river to arrest me, and I do not, at present, know how to make my way down." "Come with me," the man said.

"I have friends in the forest, some distance from here.

They will receive you gladly, when I tell them what you have done for me; and you will be safe until you choose to go.

We are outlaws but, at present, we are masters of the forest.
The government has its hands full, and there is no fear of their disturbing us." Stanley thought over the matter, for a minute or two.

Doubtless it was a robber band that he was asked to join, but the offer seemed to promise safety, for a time.
"I agree," he said, "so that you do not ask me to take part in any deeds of violence." "About that, you shall do as you like," the man said; "but I can tell you that we make good hauls, sometimes.