It was
darker now, so that we could see nothing clearly, while I failed to
touch any solid substance, except that behind us, with my pole.
Alzura's attempts were equally unsuccessful.

"You're a pretty guide!" said he. "You've got off the track; we had
better try back. Give me the staff."

"Be careful; mind how you turn. Can you feel the ground where we stood
just now?"

"Yes; here it is," and the next minute he stepped back to feel for the
proper path, while I stood trembling lest he should slip in and be
smothered before I could get to his assistance.

"Can you find a place?" I asked.

"Only towards the lake. It's nothing but marsh to right and left. I
think I'll come to you again. What is it? Did I hurt you?"

"Oh no, not at all!--only crushed my toes a bit with the pole! What
are we going to do now?"

"I suppose it's too early for breakfast?" he began, and then in a
different tone he added hastily, "Oh, I say, what a joke! I've dropped
my bundle of food somewhere. Perhaps it's just as well; I shall walk
lighter."

"But you'll want something to eat," I suggested.

"Of course I shall. How dense you are! Don't you see how the accident
will benefit us both? There are two now instead of one to eat your
rations, so you will have all the less to carry."

"Oh," said I doubtfully, not quite appreciating the logic. "Well, we
don't want breakfast yet, and the question is, what are we to do? The
sergeant's bound to discover our escape at breakfast-time, and a
search-party will be sent ashore immediately."

"It will be light in an hour or two," observed Alzura cheerfully--"at
least light enough for us to find the track again. Let us sit down; it
won't be so tiring, and we can't make ourselves any wetter or dirtier.
It's a good thing I didn't start on this journey alone; I should be
with my provisions now."

"It's always pleasanter to have company," said I, shivering, and not
noticing the absurdity till Alzura laughed.

There was certainly very little pleasure in our position just then. We
were wet through, chilled to the marrow, and plastered with mud from
head to foot. Our limbs felt horribly cramped, yet we almost feared to
stretch them, and the enforced delay was fast diminishing our chances
of escape. The dawning light might show us the route, but it would
also set the soldiers on our heels. Altogether, I was rather inclined
to envy Barriero, sleeping peacefully in his hut.

As soon as