Lisle woke soon after this and asked one or two half-intelligible questions, but they gave him no information and he went to sleep again; then Crestwick arrived with more fuel and Nasmyth took the first watch while his companions rested. He was very cold, and now and then he saw Batley, who had discarded most of his wet clothes, wake up for a few moments and shiver. Once or twice he glanced longingly at the garments spread out round the fire, but when he felt them they were still too wet to put on. After a while Crestwick relieved him, and when he awakened dawn was breaking across the black ridges and the rushing river. Batley had left his place, and Crestwick began to stride up and down the beach, presumably to warm himself. To Nasmyth's satisfaction and surprise, Lisle spoke to him. "You slept pretty sound," he said. "Didn't hear me getting some information about what happened out of Batley." "Then you know?" "Yes," was the grim answer. "The thing's finished; there's nothing to be done." Nasmyth made a sign of agreement. "How do you feel?" he asked. "Horribly sore all over, left side particularly. Struck a big boulder, and then drove in among a nest of stones before my senses left me. Tried to get up a while ago, but couldn't manage it. What's as much to the purpose, I'm feeling hungry." "Unfortunately, there's nothing left for breakfast. One of us had better go up-stream and look out for the canoes." Lisle nodded. "That's your duty--I don't envy you. Make them camp a little higher up. It would be better, in several ways, and I'd rather be on my feet again before they come here." Nasmyth set off, jaded and hungry, and he was feeling very limp when, as he plodded along a high ridge, he saw the canoes sliding down the river. He had hard work to reach the bank and he shrank from the task before him when the first canoe grounded upon the stones. Millicent and Bella were in it, and Millicent gazed at the lonely man with fixed, anxious eyes. He was ragged and looked very weary; his face was worn and haggard. "Where are the rest?" she asked in a strained voice. "Something has happened--what is it?" "Three of them are some miles down the river." "Three!" cried Millicent, in dismay. "Haven't you found Clarence yet?" Nasmyth hesitated, regarding her compassionately, but she made a sign of protest. "Go on! Don't keep me in suspense!" "Clarence," said Nasmyth quietly, "is dead. Lisle is rather badly damaged." Millicent left the canoe and sat down, very white in face, upon a neighboring stone. In the meanwhile the other canoes had grounded and her companions gathered about her. She did not speak to them and some time passed before she turned to Nasmyth. "Tell me all," she begged. He briefly related what had happened, and there was an impressive silence when he finished. Then Millicent slowly rose. "And Lisle's badly hurt," she said. "We must go on!"