s and stockings; and if we get
very wet, well, we can wring our clothes, and they will soon dry in the
sun. Look sharp and give the word. I am ready for anything with the
British army in sight."

There was no hesitation now. The lads took the precaution of securing
their cartouche-boxes between the muzzle of their pieces and the ramrod;
and, keeping the muskets still slung so that at any moment they could
let them drop loose to hang from the shoulder, they stepped carefully
down amongst the stones until the pleasantly cool water began to foam
above their feet, and then waded carefully on till they were knee-deep
and began to feel the pressure of the water against their legs.

"Ain't going to be deep," said Punch cheerily. "Don't it feel nice to
your toddlers? How fast it runs, though! Why, if it was deep enough to
swim in it would carry you along faster than you could walk. It strikes
me that we shall get across without having it up to one's waistbelt."

The boy seemed pretty correct in his judgment, for as they carefully
waded on--carefully, for the bottom was very uneven--they were nearly
half across, and still the water was not so deep as the boy had
prophesied.

"There! What did I tell you?" he said; and then with his next step he
caught at his companion's hand and went down to his chin.

The result was that Pen lost his balance, and the pair, half-struggling,
half-swimming for about a dozen yards, were carried swiftly along to
where a patch of rock showed itself in mid-stream with the water foaming
all around.

They were swept right round against the rocks, and found bottom
directly, struggling up, with the swift stream only now to their knees.

"What a hole!" cried Pen, panting a little with his exertions. "I say,
you must take care, Punch."

"Oh yes, I will take care," said the boy, puffing and choking. "I don't
know how much water I have swallowed. But it's all shallow now, and we
are half-over. How about your cartridges? Mine's all wet."

"Then I suppose mine are too," said Pen.

"Never mind," cried Punch cheerfully. "Perhaps they will be all right
if we lay them out to dry in the sun. Now then, are you ready? It
looks as if it will be all shallow the rest of the way."

"I sha'n't trust it," said Pen, "so let's keep hold of hands."

They started again, yielding a little to the stream, and wading
diagonally for the bank on Punch's left, but making very slow progress,
for Pen noted t