Dick. "We ought to
be able to haul the guns along here at a trot; and the opening is wide
enough on each side for a gun carriage to be carried along without any
difficulty."

In ten minutes one of the men ahead came back.

"We have got to the end of the path, sir; it ends on the bank of that
pool we saw ahead."

The lantern was now extinguished, and the party hurried forward. On
reaching the bank they found that the path ended, as they had expected,
just opposite the village. The prahus lay somewhat to the right.

"It could not be better," the lieutenant whispered. "Now let us see
whether we can find a suitable place for the guns."

This was much easier than they had expected, for the trees were cleared,
probably to furnish firewood, for a distance of some fifteen yards from
the bank; between this cleared place and the water was a fringe of thick
bushes.

"This will do capitally, lads. Now we will be off at once; we have found
out all that we wanted, and nothing could be more satisfactory."

They retraced their steps rapidly till they came to the coil of cord
looped on a low bough. The coxswain took it down, and they were soon all
on board the boat again. "Now, lads, row as noiselessly as you can to
the mouth of the pool again, then turn, and lay on your oars, except bow
and two, who are to paddle very slowly. Hand Mr. Balderson that twenty
foot bamboo; I want to sound the river as we come back."

As soon as the boat was again turned, Dick took the pole, and,
standing up, thrust it down into the water.

"Only about seven feet, sir," he whispered.

"That is bad. It is evident that the ship cannot get up here; still we
may as well go on sounding."

"The water is gradually deepening," Dick said, thrusting the pole down
again; "there are nearly ten feet."

It was not long before he announced fifteen, and at that continued until
they reached the entrance to the creek, where it was only fourteen feet.

"It would be a touch and go there," the lieutenant said, "but I dare say
she could be pushed through. It is very unfortunate that there is that
shallow bar this side of the pool. And now, lads, you can lay out for
ten minutes, and then we can fasten up to a bough and see what is in the
hamper. We have done our work earlier than I had expected, and can take
it easy."

The steward had provided them with an ample store of food, and the men
ate their hunks of cold meat and bread, and passed round the pannikins
of