stronghold.

At last I turned away from them--rather disheart-ened, for I had

hoped to be able to enlist a considerable force of them in an attempt

to rush Hooja's horde and rescue Dian. Back along the beach toward

the hidden canoe we made our way.

By the time we came to the cairn I was dog-tired. Throwing myself

upon the sand I soon slept, and with Raja stretched out beside me

I felt a far greater security than I had enjoyed for a long time.

I awoke much refreshed to find Raja's eyes glued upon me. The moment

I opened mine he rose, stretched himself, and without a backward

glance plunged into the jungle. For several minutes I could hear

him crash-ing through the brush. Then all was silent.

I wondered if he had left me to return to his fierce pack. A feeling

of loneliness overwhelmed me. With a sigh I turned to the work of

dragging the canoe down to the sea. As I entered the jungle where

the dugout lay a hare darted from beneath the boat's side, and a

well-aimed cast of my javelin brought it down. I was hungry--I

had not realized it before--so I sat upon the edge of the canoe and

devoured my repast. The last remnants gone, I again busied myself

with preparations for my expedition to the island.

I did not know for certain that Dian was there; but I surmised

as much. Nor could I guess what obstacles might confront me in

an effort to rescue her. For a time I loitered about after I had

the canoe at the water's edge, hoping against hope that Raja would

return; but be did not, so I shoved the awkward craft through the

surf and leaped into it.

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