After lowering them, she had risen high so that the occupants could search the whole country with their glasses, but nowhere could the runaways be seen; though there were numbers of other animals, the horses and their riders had disappeared. Whilst they were looking, however, the herd emerged from a great forest some distance away, heading for their original pastures, the men still on their backs, and the question arose as to how the riders could be rescued without being damaged, or the horses being injured. “Couldn’t you make them light, and float them up?” asked Sorrel. “There are difficulties,” said Ross, smiling. “In that case, the horses would come too, and our friends might be injured in the scrimmage of getting off. If we lightened them so as not to affect the horses, as the men’s legs are below the horses’ backs, it would be awkward if half their bodies came up and the other half stayed down. We don’t know what would happen, for we’ve never tried it.” “Make them light, and throw a rope down,” said Rollsborough. “And, they being light, the rope would knock the life out of them,” objected Dennis. “I hadn’t thought of that,” said Rollsborough, laughing; “and, of course if the rope was equally light, it would be no good.” “And if the horses are drawn up, they’d get such a fright as might kill them, I suppose,” said Rowland. “But could we not telepath to the fellows to stand on the horses’ backs and then waft them up?” “It will be risky,” returned Gilbert, “for if they slip, the horses coming behind will rip them up, but we’ll try it,” and they all telepathed. During this time the horses were still madly racing and reckless, the three riders keeping pretty much their original positions. “Where’s Ingle?” asked Reeve. “I’m afraid he’s done for,” replied Coombes. “His horse flung him crash against a tree, and he fell across it like a broken reed,—if he dropped he would be trampled to death.” “And Kelman?” “He fell in the water, and he’ll be done for,” said Gardner, “for there were scores behind him, or he’s drowned.” “Why don’t those fellows up there do something! they’re pottering around, taking observations and photographing us, I’ll be bound, instead of doing something to help!” said Reeve, grumpily. “I wish they would. These blessed things are going on for ever,” exclaimed Gardner. “I’m sat on a thumping ridge of bone and it’s scraping terribly!” “Sit tight!” cried Reeve, excitedly, “they’re turning!” as the riderless horses in front wheeled round, their own and all in the rear taking the same movement as if in one frame. “Great Bona!” groaned Gardner, “that jerk took off another inch of bark, I’m certain! Look up at those asses in the ship, they’re following us about, shouting for us to hurry up or something like it, enjoying the fun instead of helping us.” “And when we get back, they’ll show us our photographs, how nice we look from their point of view, and expect us to appreciate it,” exclaimed Reeve.