surface, with the water deepening behind
them, so that the party had once more to stand breast-high, but in an
eddy, the rocks above taking off the pressure which in the shallows had
threatened to sweep them away.

The water was numbing, and the leader felt that their pause before
recommencing their efforts must be very short; but he was face to face
with the most difficult part of their transit, for it was only too plain
that this last portion ran swift and deep, the bold, steady rush
suggesting a power which he knew instinctively that he would not be able
to stem, and he looked downward now to see what was below in the only
too probable event of their being swept away.

As he turned to gaze upward again he caught Bracy's eyes fixed upon him
inquiringly; but he paid no heed, though he did not for the moment read
them aright, the idea being that his brother officer was mutely asking
him if he thought he could do it.

He grasped Bracy's meaning the next minute, for he heard that which had
reached Bracy's ears. It was a shout from the woody bank they had left,
as if one of the enemy had made a discovery, followed by answering
cries, and all knew now that their foes were close upon their track, and
that at any moment they might be discovered and fire be opened upon
them.

"Forward!" cried Roberts, and once more he set off, to be again
agreeably surprised, for the water did not deepen in the least as he
moved from out of the eddy, being still about breast-deep, with very
little variation, the bottom being swept clear of stones and literally
ground smooth by the constant passage over it of the fragments borne
down from the glaciers in the north. But before many steps had been
taken, and the little chain was extended to its extreme limit, Roberts
knew that disaster was imminent. For it was impossible to stand against
the dense, heavy rush of water, bear against it as he would.

He shouted back to his companions to bear against the pressure, and
strove his best, but all in vain. At one and the same moment the double
calamity came: there was a shot from out of the patch of forest they had
left, and the leader was lifted from his feet. Then pluck, pluck,
pluck, as if mighty hands had seized them, the men in turn were snatched
from their positions, and with a scattered fire opened upon them from
among the trees, they were being swept rapidly down-stream.

Roberts shouted an order or two, and discipline prevailed for a