no assurance so long as they remained visible.

Every one started when the gaunt, sloping figure suddenly became
upright at the prow of the boat and stood motionless. He had ceased
using the pole that he had been plying with so much vigor. At the same
moment the noise of the paddles ceased, proving that the men
controlling them had also stopped work. What could it mean?

No one of the white people stirred or whispered. Could they have done
so they would have checked the beating of their hearts through fear of
being betrayed. Surely something had awakened the suspicion of the
natives.

Suddenly some one spoke on board the craft. The voice was audible, but
the doctor, who was a master of Hindoostanee, could not catch what was
said. At the same instant a splash was heard, and the lank form bent
over, as he pressed the long pole against the bottom of the river and
resumed his slow walking toward the stern. The noise of paddles, too,
was heard again. The craft had resumed its progress, and for an
instant every one believed it was about to pass by. Then Jack Everson
said:

"By heaven! they're coming for us!"

All saw that the boat was swinging around so as to head toward them.

"Into the cabin, quick!" commanded the doctor, and the women quickly
scrambled out of sight, while the men lay down, so as to screen their
bodies as much as possible.