g at him to drag him down, barking
fiercely the while. Then he started up, to find that he had been fast
asleep, and that the dogs were barking loudly because of their master's
return.

"What's the row about?" Nic heard Humpy Dee growl.

"Then I was right," said another of the men. "The gaffers have been off
somewhere, and have just come back. I thought so, because neither of
them showed up in the fields after quite early."

"Why didn't you tell me?" growled Humpy; and he whispered to his
companions very earnestly.

Just then the voices of the settler and the overseer were heard talking
to Samson; the dogs came smelling about the door, and the sentry spoke
loudly to them to get away. Then by degrees all grew silent again, and
a rustling sound told Nic that Pete was moving in his bunk.

"Couldn't help it, lad," he whispered; "I was zo worn out, I went off
fast. You've got zome'at to tell me?"

"Yes."

"I knowed it; but if I'd had to save my life I couldn't ha' kep' my eyes
open. What is it?"

Nic told him, whispering earnestly in his excitement.

"What a vool--what a vool!" whispered Pete. "On'y to think o' me never
thinking o' that. Then it's all right, Master Nic. We can just get
together enough prog to last us, borrow the guns, pick out the night
that zuits us, and then go quietly off."

"But would you dare to swim across the river--the alligators?"

"Yes," said Pete; "if they was twice as big; and if they touch me--well,
they'll find out what an edge and point I've given my knife. It's all
right, Master Nic, and I'm glad it's you as found out the way."

"Hist!" whispered Nic, laying a hand on the man's mouth.

For there was a rustling not far from where they lay; and Nic felt as if
a hand were catching at his throat, for the thought came to thrill him
through and through that Humpy Dee had crept nearer to hear what, in
their eager excitement, they had said; and if he had heard--

Pete put it this way:

"If he knows, the game's at an end."

Nic slept little more that night; not that he and Pete talked again
about their plans, but because his brain was full of the momentous
question:

Had their treacherous companion heard?

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

THE TIME AT LAST.

It was nervous work during the next few days, neither Nic nor Pete
daring to take any step towards making their escape, for the feeling was
strong upon both that they were in their enemy's hands, and that he was
only