Malchus followed Nessus down the steps until he reached the edge
of the water, some fifty feet below the surface. Here stood two
Arabs bearing torches. At the foot of the steps floated the raft,
formed, as Nessus had said, of four inflated sheepskins connected
by a framework of planks. Across these a bullock's hide had been
stretched, forming a platform. On this were some rugs, a skin of
wine, and a pile of flat cakes and fruit, together with half a
dozen torches.

"Thanks, my friends!" Malchus said to the Arabs. "Some day I may
be able to prove that I am grateful to you."

"The friends of Nessus are our friends," one of the Arabs replied
simply; "his lord is our master."

"Here is a paddle, my lord," Nessus said. "I propose that you should
paddle straight away as far as you can see a torch burning here;
then that you should fasten the raft to a pillar. Every other
night I will come with provisions here and show a light. If you
see the light burn steadily it is safe for you to approach, and I
come only to bring food or news; if you see the torch wave to and
fro, it is a warning that they intend to search the reservoirs.
I do not think it likely they will do so; still it is best
to be prepared, and in that case you must paddle far away in the
recesses. They might search for a long time before they find you.
I trust that your imprisonment here will not be long, but that we
may hit upon some plan of getting you out of the citadel. I would
gladly go with you to share your solitude, but I must remain outside
to plan some way of escape."