Mr
Wilmot had taken, to reflect on the fearful danger he would run. Their
cries awoke Captain Hemming, who, immediately arousing his men, slipped
his cable and pulled down the river, in the hope of rescuing his
drowning friends.

The whole camp and those in the boats were now awake, and on learning
what had happened looked anxiously out for the return of the captain's
gig, the only hope being that he might discover and pick up the two
gentlemen before the waters had overwhelmed them.

The time went by, and every one felt that their gallant leader and his
crew were running great danger in venturing down the stream at night.
Several of the officers indeed expressed their fears that his boat might
strike against a snag, or be dashed on the rocks, and all on board lose
their lives. Among those on shore several endeavoured to make their way
along the bank, but were soon stopped by the impenetrable jungle, and
compelled to return. No other boat could venture to slip her moorings.
Adair had command of the sternmost one of the squadron. His old
shipmate, Ben Snatchblock, who was with him, roused by the shouts of
those ahead, as he sprung up caught sight of a person rapidly carried
astern of the boat. "I'll try and save him whoever he is," he
exclaimed; and before Adair could warn him of his danger, he plunged
overboard into the boiling water. Though a powerful man and a bold
swimmer, he in vain attempted to overtake the person he had seen passing
and struggling for life. Whoever it might be it was the same to him.
On he went, and just as he fancied that he was about to succeed, the
person he had gone to save sank, drawn down by an eddy, which very
nearly sucked him also into its vortex. "He's gone, poor fellow, be's
gone!" his voice was heard exclaiming, though he could not be seen.

Directly afterwards the captain's gig passed Adair's boat. She was also
soon lost to sight. Adair hailed and told them to look out for Ben; but
whether or no they had succeeded in picking up the gallant fellow he
could not tell, and with the rest was long left in doubt as to what had
happened.

The accident had caused all caution to be forgotten, and Murray and the
other officers expected that their cries and shouts must have been heard
by any scouts which might have been sent out from the fort. He
therefore warned the sentries to be on the alert, and ordered the men to
keep their arms ready for immediate action.

The unaccountabl