information that will be valuable."

The night was a dark one, and an hour after sunset the grapnel was
got up, and the boat continued its way down the river, the oars
being now muffled, and the strictest silence ordered.

"Keep your eyes open, Mr. Balderson," the lieutenant said. "I think
that it must be another three miles to the point where the river
forks. The other branch comes in on the right, so we will keep
on the left bank. I don't think there is much fear of our missing
the junction of the stream, but if we do, we will row on to a mile
below the point where we think it is, then cross and keep up on
the other side. In that way we cannot miss it."

For the next half hour no word was spoken in the boat. Dick kept his
eyes fixed on the opposite bank. Suddenly he touched the lieutenant.

"There, sir, that must be it. The line of the trees has suddenly
stopped, and I think I can make out a lower line behind it."

"Yes, no doubt that is the junction. We will go two hundred yards
farther down before we cross; it is unlikely in the extreme that
anyone is watching us, still I don't want to run the slightest
risk."

In another five minutes they crossed the river, whose increased
width showed them that they had assuredly passed the junction of
the stream. Then they turned and followed the right hand bank.

"Stretch out a bit now, lads; you have fifteen miles' straight