hat can the dear old dad have thought when he found me gone? There is
only one answer to that," said Nic, with a weary sigh--"that I was
drowned in the pool struggle and swept out to sea."

The next minute Pete came into sight, and their eyes met, Nic giving the
man so long and intent a look that he did not see Humpy Dee watching
him, only that Pete's face worked a little, as if he grasped the fact
that his companion had some news to impart.

But they had no chance of communicating then, for Samson and Xerxes were
ready to count them as they went up to their shed; the dogs looking on
and trotting about busily, as if helping two black shepherds by rounding
up their flock.

It was hard work to eat that night, and the evening meal seemed more
than ever to resemble a mash prepared for fattening cattle such as they
seemed to be.

But Nic felt that food meant strength when the time for escaping came,
and he forced himself to devour his portion as if ravenously.

The night soon came there, and they were locked up once more, Nic
eagerly waiting for the chance to tell all he knew.

As he lay in his bunk listening, it was evident, from the low, guarded
tone in which their companions talked, that they were in ignorance of
the fact that their masters were absent, and all was very still outside,
till one of the men spoke out angrily. Then a bang on the door from the
butt of a musket, followed by a burst of deep-toned barking, told
plainly enough that proper precautions were taken, Samson's voice coming
loudly and hoarsely with an order to keep quiet and lie down before he
had to shoot.

"But there's light ahead," thought Nic; and he waited till he thought he
could communicate his news to Pete; but, to his disgust, the deep, low
breathing close at hand told that he was asleep.

"Worn out with his weary toil last night," thought Nic. "Well, I'll
keep watch to-night until he wakes, and tell him then."

But hour after hour went sluggishly by, with the watcher trying to think
out the plan by which they could escape in the easiest way.

In spite of the excitement produced by the knowledge that a door was
open by which they could get away, there was a hindrance to his thoughts
coming clearly. That long day's toil in the burning sun made his plans
run together till they were in a strange confusion; and at last he was
swimming the river to reach the boat, when a dozen of the reptiles which
haunted the water seemed to be tuggin