"Now, if we live to reach them, when shall we fire the reeds ?" "As soon as you are ready," answered Otter.

"You will not come easily to the back of them.

Farewell, my children, and if you dare to fail, pray that you may die rather than look upon my face again." "_Ou!_ We have seen it once, is that not enough ?" answered the spokesman, looking at Otter's huge nose with wonder not untouched by fear.
Two minutes later the four men were swimming swiftly down the dike, taking their chance of the alligators.
"Drop the bridge," said Leonard; "we must start." Otter lowered it, at the same time explaining its mechanism, which was very simple, to Soa, Peter, and some of the other Settlement men.
"Now, mother, good-bye," said Leonard.

"Loose all the men you can, and keep a keen look-out, so as to be ready to lower the bridge if you should see us or your mistress coming towards it.

If we should not come by dawn, be ready also, for then we shall probably be dead, or prisoners, and you must act for yourself." "I hear you, Lord," answered Soa, "and I say that you are a brave man.
Whether you win or lose, the red stone is well earned already." Another minute and they were gone.
Having crossed the bridge, which was instantly hoisted again, Leonard and Otter avoided observation by creeping back towards the water-gate as they had come--that is, behind the shelter of the shed.