with a panic, hardly less than that produced among their countrymen by
the discharge of the firearms of Ashman. They were in the act of
shoving the canoe back into the water in such haste that there could be
no doubt they intended to flee from some enemy that had driven all
thoughts of resistance out of their minds.

"What the mischief are you doing?" shouted the young man, dashing from
cover and hurrying down the bank to intercept them before they could
get away.




CHAPTER VIII.

THE LAND OF MYSTERY.

The peremptory tones of Fred Ashman rang out loud and clear above the
roar of the rapids and caused the servants to halt at the moment the
canoe was shoved into the water. They looked up with frightened
expressions and awaited his approach.

"What do you mean?" he demanded as he drew near.

Bippo, who was by far the brightest of the three, had shown a wonderful
readiness in picking up a knowledge of the English tongue. He was so
much superior in that respect to his companions, that they invariably
left to him the duty of conversing with their masters.

"_Dey're_ ober dere," he replied, pointing to the other shore.