they were in the
light, they could take stock of each other, and found it in their
hearts to start a feeble laugh at the covering of mud, smoke, and
green mould that almost disguised their identity.

But it was a comfort to stretch their aching limbs in the sun, to
take the pure air into their lungs, to look restfully away over the
trees that marched unbroken to the uttermost horizon. They dozed
under the influence of the sunlight, blinking their eyes like cats,
and when Mr. Hume stirred at last, the sun was slipping down the
western slope.

"We must be going," he said, looking down.

"I suppose so," said Venning, wearily.

"There's something astir down there. Men are moving up the slope
towards the gorge--and, by George, they are Hassan's men too!"

Venning stood up, and looked down upon a file of little figures
breasting the slope.

"Good thing I had that wall built. Dick will be having his hands
full. Come along; we may get out in time yet to take a share in the
fight, for his sake."

Venning remained staring down, with a look in his face that brought
the Hunter back.

"What do you see?"

"Of all the idiots," said the boy--"of all the miserable,
shortsighted, thick-headed, addle-pated duffers and asses we are the
worst! We took pains to find a way into a fiendish maze of tunnels,
pits, and caverns, occupied by vampires and enveloped in darkness,
in search of a thing that was never there."

"As what?"

"Look there!" and the boy pointed down. "There's our boat--down
there, out in the broad daylight."

"You're mistaken, lad."

"There--straight down--in that patch of reeds on the right of the
pool."

"That's her, right enough," said Mr. Hume, excitedly.

"And to think we've been wandering about in fear of our lives on a
false scent."

"It makes me feel bad; but the mistake has been made, and now we've
got to get out, and get out in time to help Dick."

"Oh, Dick's all right," said Venning, crossly. "He's got plenty to
eat, and a warm bed."

"Chew this;" and the Hunter handed his last bit of biltong.

Venning took it, and followed on into the passage, chewing and
growling over their folly.

"We will laugh over our troubles," said the Hunter, patiently, "when
we get out."

"When we get out! I don't believe there is a way out. Anyhow, I am
not going a step further beyond the place where we found the
loopholes."

Mr. Hume made no reply.

"I have been thinking over it," Venning went on.