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230 but I noticed that my two companions followed my example and kept their right hands on their pistols.

Soon a half-tumbled-down bamboo hut came into view, standing in a circle of wild plantains. We all halted, and withdrew behind one of the plantains for consultation.

"Not a soul in sight," whispered Dan.

"No; but let us take nothing for granted," I returned. "We may be closer to our enemies than we anticipate."

Several minutes passed in utter silence. Then Oliver crept slowly toward the rear of the hut and looked through a crack in the wall.

"Empty," he called out, and we advanced to the building, to find it deserted, yet giving evidence that it had been occupied but a few hours before. In front was a smoldering fire, and on the ground lay an upturned tin can the water from which had scarcely yet soaked away.

We were looking about the hut when Dan uttered a short, astonished cry. "Look here, boys! the map!"

I ran forward, thinking he had found the map Merkin had stolen. Instead, however, he pointed to the wall of the hut, and there we saw a map rudely traced in yellow paint.

"By Jove, it does look like the map we had," cried Oliver. "And see, here is a name on the