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The sound of firing had ceased now, but loud yelling was distinctly audible from

down the river. Byrne took a step down the bank toward the water.

Wait!" whispered the girl. "Here they come now, we can see them from here in a

moment," and she dragged the mucker down behind a bush.

In silence the two watched the approaching party.

"They're the Chinks," announced Byrne, who insisted on using this word to

describe the proud and haughty samurai.

"Yes, and there are two white men with them," whispered Barbara Harding, a

note of suppressed excitement in her voice.

"Prisoners," said Byrne. "Some of the precious bunch from the Halfmoon

doubtless."

The samurai were moving straight up the edge of the river. In a few minutes they

would pass within a hundred feet of the island. Billy and the girl crouched low

behind their shelter.

"I don't recognize them," said the man.

Why--why--O Mr. Byrne, it can't be possible!" cried the girl with suppressed

excitement. "Those two men are Captain Norris and Mr. Foster, mate of the

Lotus!"

Byrne half rose to his feet. The party was opposite their hiding place now.

"Sit tight," he whispered. "I'm goin' to get 'em," and then, fiercely "for your sake,

because I love you--now laugh," and he was gone.

He ran lightly down the river bank unnoticed by the samurai who had already

passed the island. In one hand he bore the long war spear of the head-hunter he

had slain. At his belt hung the long sword of Oda Yorimoto, and in its holster

reposed the revolver of the Count de Cadenet.

Barbara Harding watched him as be forded the river, and clambered up the

opposite bank. She saw him spring rapidly after the samurai and their prisoners.

She saw his spear hand go up, and then from the deep lungs of the man rose a

savage yell that would have done credit to a whole tribe of Apaches.

The warriors turned in time to see the heavy spear flying toward them and then,

as he dashed into their midst, Billy Byrne drew his revolver and fired to right and

left. The two prisoners took advantage of the consternation of their guards to

grapple with them and possess themselves of weapons.

121

The Mucker