was soon reached, and all crouched together in the sunshine,
with the water streaming from them, the officers busily scanning the
bank of the rushing river opposite, and calculating the possibility of
reaching it. There was plenty of cover, and very little likelihood of
the enemy crossing the river in its swollen state; but there was that
mad nice some twenty yards wide to get over with two helpless men; and
at last Roberts spoke in a low tone to his companions.

"I can't see how it's to be done, boys. I dare say we four could reach
the bank somewhere; but we're heavily handicapped by those two who can't
swim."

"And there isn't time to teach them now," said Drummond sardonically.

"And we can't leave them," said Bracy. "What's to be done?"

Gedge was eager to offer a suggestion upon the slightest encouragement,
and this he obtained from Roberts, who turned to him.

"How's the sprain, my lad?"

"Bit stiff, sir; that's all," was the reply. "Water done it a lot o'
good."

"Think you could drop down with the stream and land somewhere near the
fort to tell them how we're pressed?"

"Dessay I could, sir; but don't send me, please."

"Why?" asked Roberts and Bracy in a breath.

Gedge gave them a comical look, and waved his hand in the direction of
his comrades.

"We all come out together to have what we called a nice little walk,
sir, and a look at that there waterfall, as turned out to be farther off
than we reckoned on. I shouldn't like to cut off and leave 'em in the
lurch, sir."

"Lurch? Nonsense, my lad," said Bracy. "You would be going on a very
risky errand to try and save us all."

"Yes, sir; o' course, sir; but I could get one of 'em over that little
bit if you three gents could manage t'other. They'll be all right in a
few minutes."

"I don't like sending him," said Roberts. "It is very dangerous, and we
must, try it together."

His companions gave; a short, sharp nod, and acquiesced.

"If we only knew what is below us!" said Bracy as he gazed down-stream.

"Niggers," said Drummond shortly. "There'll be a dozen or two beyond
these rocks waiting to pot us as soon as we are carried into sight by
the stream."

"Well, there'll only be our heads to aim at," said Bracy; "and we must
not go down in a cluster this time."

"No," said Roberts. "As soon as you feel ready, Bracy, we must start.
It is madness to stay here. You and Gedge take that fellow between you;
and Drummond and I will g