A body of men well posted at Dupree's Drift might split the army at the crossing, and under cover of the fire I might swim the river and join my friends.

Still relying on the vow, it might be possible for well-mounted men to evade capture.
Accordingly he called for volunteers, and sent off one of his Kaffirs to warn me of his design.

He led his men in person, and of his doings the reader already knows the tale.

But though the crossing was flung into confusion, and the rear of the army was compelled to follow the northerly bank of the Letaba, there was no sign of me anywhere.

Arcoll searched the river-banks, and crossed the drift to where the old Keeper was lying dead.