o as before."

"Hear that?" whispered Gedge to his comrade, who gave him a sulky nod.
"That's right; and mind, I'm ready for yer this time. I shan't hit yer;
but if yer moves hand or foot when I've turned yer over on yer back to
float, we lets yer go, and yer can get across the blessed river by
yerself."

"All right," said the man; "but I don't believe yer, Billy Gedge. I
never learnt to swim, but if I could I shouldn't talk about leaving a
pardner to shift for hisself."

"Er-r-er!" growled Gedge, whom these words seemed to mollify. "Well,
keep them 'ands o' yours in the water, for as long as you holds 'em down
you helps me to keep yer afloat, and as soon as yer begins to make
windmills of 'em and waves 'em, or chucks 'em about as if you was trying
to ketch flies, down you goes."

"All right," said the man, as they heard more bullets spattering on the
rocks above them; "but, oh, how my hands does itch for a rifle and a
chance to be taking shots at some of these beauties!"

"Yes," said Gedge; "and I hope it won't be long first. I hadn't any
spite partickler agen 'em before, but I have now. Ha' they got any
orspitals or doctors?"

"I dunno," said the other; "but if we gets outer this and in the ranks
again, there's going to be some of the beds filled, and a bit o' work
for their doctors to do."

"Well, my lads," said Roberts, stepping to where the three men crouched
gazing at the deep, rushing water; "feel strong enough to start?"

"Yes, sir," came in chorus.

"And we shan't get in a tangle this time, sir, I hope," said Gedge.

"I hope not, my lad. Up with you, then."

There were no preparations to make; nothing to do but for the two
officers to get their man face upward between them, and stand ready
while Bracy and Gedge followed suit with theirs.

"Ready?" said Roberts. "Count ten after we've started, and then
follow."

As soon as he had spoken he gave Drummond a nod, and they stepped among
the rocks to the swift water, bent down, and, as they lowered themselves
in, the strong current seized them, as it were, their helpless companion
was drawn out, and away they went as fast as a horse could have trotted,
down what was a veritable water-slide.

"Now, my lad," cried Bracy as Gedge, at a signal, went on counting the
ten slowly. "Keep a good heart. We won't leave you."

"All right, sir;" said the man, drawing a deep breath.

"Nine--ten!" counted Gedge.

"Off!" cried Bracy, but checked himself