The Rajah's Fortress — page 137: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

128 THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. CHAPTER XV. TOPEE TELLS A MARVELOUS TALE. CHUTNEY and his little party moved swiftly up the creek, under the steady application of the four paddles. The Sarawong was narrow, very deep, and the current, augmented by many smaller streams that poured in from both sides, was swift and strong. Besides, there were at intervals dan- gerous rapids, a circuit of which had to be made with the canoe on foot. Topee was perfectly acquainted with the stream ; that was very evident. They made very fair progress considering the obstacles in the way, and just as dawn was break- ing they halted on the right bank, along the edge of a very dense bamboo jungle. With sharp knives a passage was cut through the reeds, and the boat was dragged into concealment, while Topee carefully destroyed all trace of their landing. He insisted on their remaining hidden all day, and would allow no fires to be lit, so provisions were eaten cold and washed down with creek water. CONMUC WOO SS co