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Fifty feet from the jungle Mallory went down with a spear through the calf of his

leg. Byrne saw him fall, and dropping back lifted the man to his feet, supporting

him with one arm as the two backed slowly in front of the onpressing natives.

The spears were flying thick and fast now, for the samurai all were upon the

same side of the enemy and there was no danger of injuring one of their own

number with their flying weapons as there had been when the host entirely

surrounded the three men, and when the whites at last entered the tall grasses of

the jungle a perfect shower of spears followed them.

With the volley Byrne went down--he had been the principal target for the

samurai and three of the heavy shafts had pierced his body. Two were buried in

his chest and one in his abdomen.

Anthony Harding was horrified. Both his companions were down, and the savages

were pressing closely on toward their hiding place. Mallory sat upon the ground

trying to tear the spear from his leg. Finally he was successful. Byrne, still

conscious, called to Harding to pull the three shafts from him.

What are we to do?" cried the older man. "They will get us again as sure as fate."

They haven't got us yet," said Billy. "Wait, I got a scheme. Can you walk,

Mallory?"

Mallory staggered to his feet.

I'll see," he said, and then: "Yes, I can make it."

Good," exclaimed Byrne. "Now listen. Almost due north, across this range of hills

behind us is a valley. In the center of the valley is a river. It is a good fifteen-hour

march for a well man--it will take Mallory and you longer. Follow down the river

till you come to a little island--it should be the first one from where you strike the

river. On that island you will find Miss Harding, Norris, and Foster. Now hurry."

But you, man!" exclaimed Mallory. "We can't leave you."

Never!" said Anthony Harding.

You'll have to, though," replied Billy. "That's part of the scheme. It won't work

any other way." He raised his revolver and fired a single shot in the direction of

the howling savages. "That's to let 'em know we're still here," he said. "I'll keep

that up, off and on, as long as I can. It'll fool 'em into thinking that we're all here,

and cover your escape. See?"

"I won't do it," said Mallory.

129

The Mucker