day, to a part of the river where the banks were densely clothed with mangroves, br

g to one of these bayous. "When sun goin

ss better, and so they sought a landing in one of the cool, dark recesses of the

is musket ready for a quick shot, while Raymon crouched in the bow, holding a harpoon to which was attached a long, thin rope. Noiselessly the expert paddlers sent th

ok no notice of them, and he was beginning to grow impatient, when, at a signal from the Indian, the padd

this action, but rejoiced at it nevertheles

ld make out nothing, and he marvelled at the keenness of the Indian's vision, until suddenly, not twenty yards in front of the c

ROSE IN THE BOW,

xcitement. "There he is; and, my sakes, wha

esture of his free hand that Donalblane was to keep still,

eper waters, and if he succeeded in doing this before the harpoon struck him, there was a good chance of his effecting his escape. For a few minutes the issue of the race seemed much in doubt, and then,

e thick, wrinkled grey hide, while at the same moment the stricken

n for a moment that he might clap his hands enthusias

untenance lit up with a pl

ll right, if

ater at a rapid pace, towing the well-laden canoe as though it was a trifle, Donalblane began to wonder if t

the water in its wake, Donalblane thought that this must be something like the whale-h

face for breath, and sinking again as soon as relieved. But presently its speed began to

lane, who nodded back at him joyfully, for he was bur

soon there were not more than ten yards o

and Donalblane, every nerve thrilling with excitement, br

ane pulled the trigger. But alas, for the pride of youth! The prized musket, hitherto so trusty, played

sudden movement; but, however it was, the next instant the canoe overturned, and all the four of its occupants were tumbled into the

torn it away from them. Still grasping his gun, which he was determined to save if possible, Donalblane struck out for the others, and when he neared Raymon, th

r, and clamber in, Raymon following their example and then assisting the young Scotsman to do likewise. Donalb

ions to the paddlers, who resumed their work as stolidly as if nothing had happened. Donalblane thought it would

n, who had fastened the remainder of the rope o

med in a stage whisper.

anatee rose above the water, and it was evident from the s

s spear with no less accuracy than he had the harpoon. The poor manatee made one furious plunge

canoe, for otherwise the great body would sink and all the trouble be in vain. Then the bulky prize was towed ashore, and Donalblan

would prove altogether too heavy a cargo for the light canoe, the paddlers were dispatched to the settlement for assistance, while Donalblane and R

he weeks that followed, Mr. Sutherland sometimes joining him, and man

ferent from that to which they were accustomed, bred deadly fever. Every day the number of the men who strove to complete the fortifications and to till the ground for the harvest they were destined never to reap grew less.

ip which had been sent to Jamaica for provisions as empty as she had gone, and bringing the astounding news that, by a royal edict obtained through the evil influence of the rival companies, al