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"Don't!" he whispered. "Think what we owe him now. Come!" and the two men

turned north into the jungle while Billy Byrne lay upon his belly in the tall grass

firing from time to time into the direction from which came an occasional spear.

Anthony Harding and Billy Mallory kept on in silence along their dismal way. The

crack of the mucker's revolver, growing fainter and fainter, as they drew away

from the scene of conflict, apprised the men that their rescuer still lived.

After a time the distant reports ceased. The two walked on in silence for a few

minutes.

He's gone," whispered Mallory.

Anthony Harding made no response. They did not hear any further firing behind

them. On and on they trudged. Night turned to day. Day rolled slowly on into

night once more. And still they staggered on, footsore and weary. Mallory suffered

excruciating agony from his wound. There were times when it seemed that it

would be impossible for him to continue another yard; but then the thought that

Barbara Harding was somewhere ahead of them, and that in a short time now

they must be with her once more kept him doggedly at his painful task.

They had reached the river and were following slowly down its bank. The moon,

full and gorgeous, flooded the landscape with silvery light.

Look!" exclaimed Mallory. "The island!"

Thank God!" whispered Harding, fervently.

On the bank opposite they stopped and hallooed. Almost instantly three figures

rushed from the interior of the island to the shore before them--two men and a

woman.

"Barbara!" cried Anthony Harding. "O my daughter! My daughter!"

Norris and Foster hastened through the river and brought the two men to the

island. Barbara Harding threw herself into her father's arms. A moment later she

had grasped Mallory's outstretched hands, and then she looked beyond them for

another.

Mr. Byrne?" she asked. "Where is Mr. Byrne?"

He is dead," said Anthony Harding.

The girl looked, wide-eyed and uncomprehending, at her father for a full minute.

Dead!" she moaned, and fell unconscious at his feet.

The Mucker