But to this booming he gave no attention, for he was dead tired.

Soon he dropped into a doze in spite of himself, from which he did not awaken until early the next morning.

He awoke with a start, and then a noise in the bushes beside him caused him to leap to his feet.

He gave a cry of dismay, for, looking inland, he beheld at least a thousand Japanese troops marching in his direction!

The advance guard was on him and in a moment more he was discovered and surrounded!

CHAPTER VII.

AN ATTACK ON THE JAPANESE TROOPS.

"Chan-cera-ree!" shouted one of the Japanese soldiers, and aimed his rifle at Oscar Pelham's head.

But another soldier—an under officer—saw the movement and stopped the shooting.

"We will make him a prisoner," he said in Japanese. "He is an American and may prove useful to us in this accursed country."