Part 50 (2/2)

It was there--one of those strange lava paths through the thick vegetation. The moonlight scarcely illuminated it, for it was narrow; but Drew entered boldly. This matter must be brought to a conclusion.

He felt that the mystery had to be solved without delay.

There was light enough to show him the black wall of the jungle on either side of the path. There were no openings. Tropical undergrowth is not like that of a northern forest. Here the lianas and thorns intermingled with strong brush, make an impervious hedge. One could not penetrate it without the aid of a machete.

Drew heard no sound as he went on. The man he followed was not struggling through the jungle in an attempt to escape pursuit. Allen hastened his footsteps, his hand on his revolver. Was that a figure moving through the semi-dusk ahead? Should he call? His lips formed the name of Parmalee, but no sound came from them.

Suddenly he came to a clearing, perhaps a dozen yards across. Here the lava had formed a pool and cooled in this circular patch. The moonlight now revealed all.

A figure--the same he had seen upon the edge of the jungle--was crossing this opening in the forest. The pursuer sprang forward.

”Wait!” he gasped. ”It's I--Drew! Wait!”

The other whirled. He held only a club as a means of defense. He was in rags. His black hair hung in dank locks about his pale brow.

”Who are you?” he cried. ”Keep off!”

”Parmalee!”

Allen Drew rushed in, making light of the club, and seized the other in his arms.

”My G.o.d, man! don't you know me? How came you here? Are you real?” he chattered.

”Is it you, Drew?” queried the other, brokenly. ”Lord! don't take my breath, old fellow.”

”They accuse me of taking your life!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Drew, with hysterical laughter. ”Don't mind a little thing like being hugged. Gad, Parmalee! how glad I am to see you!”

”Accused you of taking my life!” the other exclaimed, amazed.

”Ditty, the black-hearted hound, accused me of throwing you overboard.

Said he saw me do it. Captain Hamilton half believes it yet. Heavens, Parmalee, but you're a sight to put heart into a man!

”Only,” Drew added, ”you quite took the heart out of me just now when I saw you standing there at the edge of the forest staring at the fort.”

”The fort. Yes. That's what puzzled me,” Parmalee said. ”I wasn't sure which party was defending it. The sailors mutinied, didn't they?

You're fighting them?”

”I should say we are, the----”

He got no further. In their eagerness, the two men had been talking in ordinary tones and had paid no attention to their surroundings. A voice suddenly crackled through the other sounds of the night.

”Well, we've got two of 'em. Hands up, or we'll blow your heads off!”

It was Ditty with half a dozen of the mutineers at his back. They held Drew and Parmalee under the muzzles of their automatics.

It was useless to attempt to escape. Even Drew, reckless as he had shown himself at times, would not take his life so lightly in his hands. And, besides, he knew well that Ditty would be only too glad to shoot him.

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