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in a war prahu which was immediately pushed into the stream。
Since Virginia had come to the long…house after her rescue from the ourang outangs； supposedly by von Horn； Rajah Muda Saffir had kept very much out of sight； for he knew that should the girl see him she would recognize him as the man who had stolen her from the Ithaca。 So it came as a mighty shock to the girl when she heard the hated tones of the man whom she had knocked overboard from the prahu two nights before； and realized that the bestial Malay sat close beside her； and that she was again in his power。 She looked now for no mercy； nor could she hope to again escape him so easily as she had before； and so she sat with bowed head in the bottom of the swiftly moving craft； buried in anguished thoughts； hopeless and miserable。
Along the stretch of black river that the prahu and her consort covered that night Virginia Maxon saw no living thing other than a single figure in a small sampan 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 Saffirthen 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 sumpitans。 At his back slept two almost brainless creatureshis sole support against the awful odds he must face before he could hope to succor the divinity whose image was enshrined in his brave and simple heart。
The muscles stood out upon his giant forearm as he gripped the stock of his bull whip。 He believed that he was going to his death； for mighty as were his thews he knew that in the face of the horde they would avail him little； yet he saw no other way than to sit supinely by while the girl went to her doom； and that he could not do。 He nudged Number Twelve。 〃Silence！〃 he whispered； and 〃Come！ The girl is here。 We must save her。 Kill the men；〃 and the same to the hairy and terrible Number Three。
Both the creatures awoke and rose to their hands and knees without noise that could be heard above the chattering of the natives； who had crowded forward to view the dead bodies of von Horn's victims。 Silently Bulan came to his feet； the two monsters at his back rising and pressing close behind him。 Along the denser shadows the three crept to a position in the rear of the natives。 The girl's guards had stepped forward with the others to join in the discussion that followed the dying statement of the murdered warrior； leaving her upon the outer fringe of the crowd。
For an instant a sudden hope of escape sprang to Virginia Maxon's mindthere was none between her and the jungle through which they had just passed。 Though unknown dangers lurked in the black and uncanny depths of the dismal forest； would not death in any form be far preferable to the hideous fate which awaited her in the person of the bestial Malay pirate？
She had turned to take the first step toward freedom when three figures emerged from the wall of darkness behind her。 She saw the war…caps； shields； and war… coats； and her heart sank。 Here were others of the rajah's partystragglers who had come just in time to thwart her plans。 How large these men wereshe never had seen a native of such giant proportions； and now they had come quite close to her； and as the foremost stooped to speak to her she shrank back in fear。 Then； to her surprise； she heard in whispered English； 〃Come quietly； while they are not looking。〃
She thought the voice familiar； but could not place it； though her heart whispered that it might belong to the young stranger of her dreams。 He reached out and took her hand and together they turned and walked quickly toward the jungle； followed by the two who had accompanied him。
Scarcely had they covered half the distance before one of the Dyaks whose duty it had been to guard the girl discovered that she was gone。 With a cry he alarmed his fellows； and in another instant a sharp pair of eyes caught the movement of the four who had now broken into a run。
With savage shouts the entire force of head hunters sprang in pursuit。 Bulan lifted Virginia in his arms and dashed on ahead of Number Twelve and Number Three。 A shower of poisoned darts blown from half a hundred sumpitans fell about them； and then Muda Saffir called to his warriors to cease using their deadly blow…pipes lest they kill the girl。
Into the jungle dashed the four while close behind them came the howling pack of enraged savages。 Now one closed upon Number Three only to fall back dead with a broken neck as the giant fingers released their hold upon him。 A parang swung close to Number Twelve； but his own； which he had now learned to wield with fearful effect； clove through the pursuing warrior's skull splitting him wide to the breast bone。
Thus