for a moment, startled by the
noise of the ragged volley which was fired from the enemy's bank as soon
as they caught sight of the three heads gliding down the stream.

"If they are hit!" mentally exclaimed Bracy; and then, making a sign to
Gedge, they followed out the precedent shown them, and the water seized
and bore them along, with the private floating between them, their
steady subsidence into the water and slow strokes keeping them well upon
the surface.

So swiftly did they pass along that only a few moments had passed before
the crackling of the firing from the far bank came plainly, and bullets
ricochetted from the water to strike the other bank, but without effect,
the rate at which they were descending making the aim taken with the
long, clumsy matchlocks of no effect. Not a word was littered; and with
their friends far ahead, their heads just seen, the fugitives glided
along the straight course below them, free as it was from rocks. But
they were evidently in full view of fresh parties of the enemy, and shot
after shot splashed the water.

"Now for the bank, Gedge," cried Bracy suddenly.

"Yes, sir; all right, sir; but it's of no use."

"It is," cried Bracy angrily. "They are making for it now."

"Yes, sir: and they're swept by it. Can't you see it's like a smooth
wall, with the water running by it like a railway train?"

Gedge was right; and there was nothing for it but to go with the stream
towards the rocks which now rose right in their way, the long race
ending in a wide chaos of foaming water, which leaped and sparkled in
the afternoon sun.

"We shall be torn to pieces there," thought Bracy; and he strained his
eyes to try and make out an opening; but his attention was taken up the
next moment by the cracking of matchlocks and the puffs of smoke rising
to his left, as fire was opened upon their leaders, who were running the
gauntlet that it would be their fate to share in another minute, when
Gedge suddenly uttered a hoarse cheer, and nearly lost his grip of his
companion; for, quick, sharp, and loud, a genuine British volley rattled
out, almost like a report from a piece of artillery, the bullets sending
the leaves on the enemy's bank pattering down. Then another, and at
regular intervals others; while the eyes of the swimmers were gladdened
by the sight of friends making their way down among the rocks, towards
which they were being rushed. Another volley rang out; there was a
cheer, i