course of time they reached the spot where they had first entered the
stream. Passing it, without landing, they held on their course for a
considerable distance, until they came to a place where the stream was
not more than ankle-deep. Here Bladud paused a few moments and turned
to his companions.

"Now, captain," he said, with a smile that may be said to have been
almost audible though not visible, "do you understand my proceedings?"

"Not quite, though, to say truth, I begin to think you are not just so
mad as you seemed at first."

"Don't you see," continued the prince, "that when we first came to the
stream, I entered it so that our footprints on the bank would show
clearly that we had gone downwards. This will show our pursuers, when
they arrive here, that, though we are wise enough to take to the water
because it leaves no footprints, we are not experienced enough to be
careful as to concealing the direction we have taken. When they reach
the swampy bank and deep water, they will be led to think we did not
like getting wet, and the effort made to cover our footprints, will make
them think that we are very ignorant woodsmen. Then, with much
confidence, they will continue to follow down stream, looking on the
banks now and then for our footprints, until they begin to wonder
whether we intend to make a highroad of the river all the way to the
sea. After that they will become perplexed, astonished, suspicious as
to our stupidity, and will scurry round in all directions, or hold a
council, and, finally they will try up stream; but it will be too late,
for by that time we shall be far away on our road towards the setting
sun."

"Good!" ejaculated Maikar, when this explanation was finished.

"Good!" echoed the captain, with an approving nod. "You understand your
business, I see. Shove out your oars. We follow."

Without further remark Bladud continued his progress up stream. It was
necessarily slow at first, but as night advanced the moon rose, in her
first quarter, and shed a feeble but sufficient light on their watery
path.

At last they came to a place where the leader's sharp eye observed signs
of the presence of man. Stopping short and listening intently, they
heard subdued voices not far from the spot where they stood.

"Stay where you are," whispered Bladud. "Don't move. I'll return
immediately."

He entered the bushes cautiously and disappeared. Standing there
without moving, and in prof