"Then the safest course would be to unload the rafts when we get to the head of the rapids and make a portage--carry the things along the bank until we come to the pool. We can’t do that if the enemy are in force. We shall simply have to shoot the rapids and take our chance." "I’m sorry for us. If my little raft was nearly smashed, what condition will these clumsy things be in when we get through!" "Well, I can only do my best. Left to themselves they’d be smashed up in no time, but if I can manage to steer clear of the rocks we may get through. It won’t be safe to go roped together, though. You had better moor yours while I take down the first; then I’ll go ashore and come back for you." "Rather dangerous, that, if the enemy are about." "Perhaps. But I’m inclined to think they’ll wait for us lower down. In that case I should be back before they could catch me. But really it’s not much good settling on anything until we see how the land lies. The most important thing will be to take care we are not caught in the rapids before we know it. If we are, we can only let ourselves go and trust to luck." After a delay of nearly an hour, during which the whole party made a meal of the fruits they had brought with them, they strove again to pole the rafts off the rock. The task was an impossible one while the vessels were so heavily laden. Accordingly the breastwork was removed from the shoreward side of each, and a portion of the goods was conveyed to the bank. Thus lightened, the rafts were got off by vigorous poling, and allowed to drift a few yards down-stream until they came once more into the moonlight. Then they were run into the bank and moored while the stores were fetched and the breastwork replaced. This took up a considerable time, and it could no longer be doubted that the enemy, unless they had halted, must arrive at the pool long before the rafts. As the moon rose higher in the sky the voyage became easier, and it was continued without incident until there were signs that day was breaking. Feeling sure that the rapids could not be far ahead, Ferrier steered into the right bank, followed by John. "I must take a look round before we go any farther," said Ferrier. "I don’t hear anything of the enemy; perhaps they are behind us after all." He set off alone, making his way cautiously among the trees. It seemed hours before he returned, in almost broad daylight. "We’re in for it," he said as he came up. "We’re within six hundred yards of the rapids. I went on round the curve until I got a view of the pool. The fort is manned. Juma must have got well ahead of us and crossed the river somewhere. But I don’t think the others have arrived on the scene yet." "Have they left nobody on the right bank?"