It sloped gently to the water's edge, and in the center was a cluster of
smooth, water-worn stones.

It was a perfect haven of refuge to the weary and exhausted voyagers,
and with thankful hearts they hauled the canoes upon the strip of beach
and spread out the rugs in readiness for a few hours' sleep.

They ate sparingly of crackers and dates, for Guy had assumed charge of
the commissary department and dispensed supplies with no liberal hand,
the wisdom of which was readily acknowledged by all.

The torch had been stuck end up in the sand, and its cheerful glow threw
a radiance over all the little island and caused the silvery white sand
to sparkle brilliantly.

They stretched themselves out on the rugs near the center of the island,
and as soon as they were arranged comfortably Guy rigorously
extinguished the torch and hunted his place in the darkness.

No thought of fear entered their mind. On all sides was the deep and
rapid river. Whence could an enemy come? In five minutes not a man was
awake. Even Sir Arthur was snoring profoundly, dreaming perhaps of the
snug quarters in the residence at Zaila, from which he had been so
rudely ousted a few short weeks before.

Guy was dreaming, too, but far different were the visions that coursed
through his brain. For the twentieth time he was living over again his
awful experiences of the previous year. Once more he was a prisoner in
the rajah's fortress, and Nana Sahib's cannons were awaiting their
victim on the massive stone platform. Now he was being led out to die in
the midst of his companions, the fiendish faces all about him, the
Hindoos stood by the touch-holes with lighted torches. Now they were
binding him, the gaping muzzle was pressing his back----

Then he woke and sat up, trembling from head to foot, the dank
perspiration standing in beads on his forehead. Thank God it was only a
dream. The rajah's fortress was thousands of miles away.

Suddenly a faint sound reached his ear, so indistinct that he could
hardly be sure he heard anything at all. He listened a moment, but it
was not repeated.

"Some of the fellows stirring in their sleep," he muttered, and giving
the matter no further thought, he lay down again.

But as soon as his head touched the sand the sound was repeated, and
this time it was more definable--a steady, rustling noise, with an
occasional low splash that seemed to come from the water.

It was caused by none of his companions, for the