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which hugged the shadows of the shore as the two larger boats met and passed it,
nor answered their hail.
Where von Horn and his two Dyak guides had landed, Muda Saffir's force
disembarked and plunged into the jungle. Rapidly they hastened along the well
known trail toward the point designated by the two messengers, to come upon the
spot almost simultaneously with the party under Barunda's uncle, who, startled
by the two shots several hours previously, had been cautiously searching through
the jungle for an explanation of them.
They had gone warily for fear that they might stumble upon Ninaka's party before
Muda Saffir arrived with reinforcements, and but just now had they discovered
the prostrate forms of their two companions. One was dead, but the other was
still conscious and had just sufficient vitality left after the coming of his fellows to
whisper that they had been treacherously shot by the younger white man who
had been at the long-house where they had found Muda Saffir--then the fellow
expired without having an opportunity to divulge the secret hiding place of the
treasure, over the top of which his body lay.
Now Bulan had been an interested witness of all that transpired. At first he had
been inclined to come out of his hiding place and follow von Horn, but so much
had already occurred beneath the branches of the great tree where the chest lay
hidden that he decided to wait until morning at least, for he was sure that he had
by no means seen the last of the drama which surrounded the heavy box. This
belief was strengthened by the haste displayed by both Ninaka and von Horn to
escape the neighborhood as quickly as possible, as though they feared that they
might be apprehended should they delay even for a moment.
Number Three and Number Twelve still slept, not having been aroused even by
the shots fired by von Horn. Bulan himself had dozed after the departure of the
doctor, but the advent of Barunda's uncle with his followers had awakened him,
and now he lay wide eyed and alert as the second party, under Muda Saffir, came
into view when they left the jungle trail and entered the clearing.
His interest in either party was but passive until he saw the khaki blouse, short
skirt and trim leggins of the captive walking between two of the Dyaks of Muda
Saffir's company. At the same instant he recognized the evil features of the rajah
as those of the man who had directed the abduction of Virginia Maxon from the
wrecked Ithaca.
Like a great cat Bulan drew himself cautiously to all fours--every nerve and
muscle taut with the excitement of the moment. Before him he saw a hundred
and fifty ferocious Borneo head hunters, armed with parangs, spears and
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