as noiselessly as possible. If we were to come upon them suddenly
they might fire upon us, and that would bring on a general row. If
we should catch sight of them, it would be best to take the news
to the captain, and let him act as he thinks fit."

He ordered the men to cease rowing until the gig came alongside.

"Mr. Morrison," he said, "it seems to me that this is a likely
place for the prahus to be hidden. We had better try and discover
if this is the case, without being ourselves seen; therefore have
all the oars, except four, laid in, and let the men muffle those
with their stockings, and be most careful to dip them into the water
without making a splash. Let absolute silence be preserved in the
boat. I will lead the way as before, and if I hold up my hand stop
rowing instantly."

"Aye, aye, sir!" the mate replied.

The same precautions were taken by the cutter, and the boats
proceeded noiselessly. Presently the stream narrowed again, until
it seemed that they were approaching its termination, and the boat
stopped rowing.

"I fancy we have come to the end of it, Mr. Morrison," the lieutenant
said in a low voice.

"I am afraid so too, sir; there is no room for the oars, and we
shall either have to punt the boats, or to drag them by the bushes."

The lieutenant was about to give the order to turn when Harry said,