After this there was silence for a while, save for the roar of the fire
that ever drew more near.

Eve held her cloak pressed against her mouth to filter the smoke, which
grew thick.

"It is time to move," said Hugh, coughing as he spoke. "By Heaven's
grace, we are too late! Look!"

As he spoke, suddenly in the broad belt of reeds which lay between them
and the river bank fire appeared in several places, caused doubtless
by the flaming flakes which the strong wind had carried from behind
the mound. Moreover, these new fires, burning up briskly and joining
themselves together, began to advance toward the three in the hole.

"The wind has turned," said Dick. "Now it is fire, or water if you can
get there. How do you choose to die?" and as he spoke he unstrung his
bow and slipped it into its leathern case.

"Neither one way nor the other," answered Eve. "Some may die to-night,
but we shall not."

Hugh leapt up and took command.

"Cover your faces to the eyes, and run for it," he said. "I'll go first,
then you, Eve, and Dick behind. Make for the point and leap--the water
is deep there."

They sprang to their feet and forward into the reeds. When they were