his
companion, as he looked across the water. "Keep as close to me as you
can, and, above all, make no noise. If you do they'll fire upon us that
instant."

A few moments later they were in the water, striking out for the
opposite bank. As Max had predicted, the water was bitterly cold;
fortunately, however, they were both strong swimmers, and the distance
was not sufficiently great to subject them to any great amount of risk
so far as cramp was concerned.

As they got a footing on the opposite bank, above them towered the city
wall, rising to a height of scarcely less than forty feet. At its foot,
and directly in front of them, was a strip of sloping bank some six or
eight feet in width. Taking care to make no noise, even though it would
be scarcely likely to be heard had they done so, they climbed up, and
then carefully walked along this narrow platform, pausing now and again
to carefully examine the wall and to make a note of the facilities it
presented for effecting the purpose they had in view. Much to their
disappointment, however, no fitting place presented itself. It is true
that with the assistance of a ladder it might have been possible to
scale the wall, but the strip of bank before referred to was so short
and narrow, and the height of the wall itself was so great, that the
number of ladders which could have been set upon it would have been
quite inadequate to carry the force of men necessary to ensure the
success of such a gigantic undertaking.

"And yet it is the only place," said Max, in a disappointed whisper, "in
the whole circuit of the walls where it would be safe to try. Let me get
fifty men over at this point and I guarantee to seize the main gate and
to have the troops in the city before anyone could tell what had
happened. As it is, there is nothing for it but for us to return and to
test some other place another night."

Seeing that it was no use their remaining, and remembering that every
moment they delayed added to their danger, they determined to set off.
As noiselessly as otters, therefore, they slipped into the water and
re-crossed the river. Immediately on their return to camp, Max reported
himself to his commanding officer and informed him of the ill-success
which had followed their enterprise.

"As I expected," he answered, when they had unfolded to him the various
details of the attempt.

"However, it's a good thing you got back safely and without arousing
their suspicions. Do I