"Walk in."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, crawl, then, into the river. Get quietly in from behind some of
the overhanging bushes, and float down with the stream."

"Wouldn't do, Bobby; they wouldn't trust us. They'd see us floating."

"They'd think we were dead."

"Not they. The Boers are too slim, as they call it, and would pump a
few bullets into us. Besides, I have no fancy for being dragged down by
a crocodile or grabbed by a hippo."

"Think there are any crocs?"

"Plenty in some of the rivers."

"But the hippos, wouldn't touch us, would they?"

"Very likely. They don't hesitate about seizing a canoe and crunching
it in two. No, your plan won't do, lad. I'd rather die ashore here."

"Dry?" said Dickenson quietly. "Well, I dare say it would be nicer.
But there, we're not quite cornered yet."

_Crack_ went a bullet overhead, and a report came from a fresh direction
almost simultaneously.

"Wrong!" said Drew coolly. "We are cornered now. That's the first shot
from the men who have crossed to our side."

"All right; I'm ready for them. Let's finish our cartridges."

"We will, Bob," said Drew quite calmly, in spite of their extremity.

"What do you want?" said Dickenson. "You haven't used all your
cartridges?"

"No; only about half."

"Then why did you hold out your hand?"

"Shake! In case," said Drew laconically.

"Sha'n't! I'm not going to look upon the business as having come to
that pitch yet. Look out; we ought to see some of them soon."

For shots were beginning to come about them to supplement those sent
from across the river, but so ill directed that it was evident that
their fresh assailants were guessing at their position below the
perpendicular cliff-like bank.

"This won't hurt us," said Dickenson coolly.

"No; but some of them will be having their heads over the edge up there
directly."

"They can't while their friends are firing from the other side as they
are. But when they do look down it will be rather awkward for the first
two."

"Here, quick, look out, Bob!" cried Lennox, for the firing from the
farther bank suddenly ceased, and the rustling and cracking of twigs
somewhere overhead told that the fresh danger was very near.

Dickenson's reply to his companion's order was to place himself quickly
with his back to the rocks that had sheltered him, sitting with his
rifle pointing upward.

Drew took the same position, and none too soon; for, following closely