ns
on the mountain-side started him wide awake again, his first impression
being that their late visitor was prowling around, intent on cultivating
a closer acquaintance. Twice, indeed, he did hear that thundrous,
muffled roar, which once heard is so unmistakable, but it was in the far
distance. On the whole, therefore, all unrested as he was, he felt
anything but sorry when his companion, looking out from under his
blanket, stared at the stars, then leisurely sat up.

"By Jove! I've been envying you," growled Sellon. "You've been
sleeping like a log, and I've hardly closed my eyes all night."

"Not, eh? Ah, I forgot you're not used to this sort of thing. You soon
will be, though. Turn in again a little longer, while I brew the
coffee."

"Coffee! Why, man, it isn't daylight yet!"

"No, but in a few minutes it will be. However, you lie still. Try and
snatch another hour's snooze. I'll see to everything."

He was as good as his word. When Sellon awoke--not in another hour, but
rather more than two--the sun was already up, but his comrade was
nowhere to be seen, nor were the horses. There was the coffee-kettle,
however, handy by the fire, and some biscuit. Having absorbed a
steaming cup or two, Sellon lighted his pipe and felt better.

A double report sounded from some way along the river-bank then and
there. In about twenty minutes Renshaw returned.

"I've been marketing," he said, turning half a dozen ring-doves out of
his pocket. "These little jokers are not half bad when grilled on the
coals, and they don't take long to cook. To-night will be the last time
we can make a fire, until we find ourselves here again--that is, if we
come back this way."

"Well, I shall go and get a swim," said Maurice, jumping up and
stretching himself.

"A swim? Hold hard. Where will you get it?"

"In the river, of course," was the astonished answer. But Renshaw shook
his head.

"You'd better not try it, Sellon. It isn't safe."

"Why? Alligators?"

"Yes. You can't go into deep water. But there's a shallow a little way
up, where you can have a good splash. It's only a matter of a few
inches if you keep close to the bank--and you must keep close to it too.
I've been in myself this morning--and by the same token it's the last
chance of tubbing we shall get. I'll go as far as the rise and point
you out the place."

Half an hour later Sellon returned, reinvigorated by his bath and
clamouring for breakf