The afternoon wore away slowly, the two men realising more and more clearly the nature of the siege.

Their only safety lay in the protection of the rocks, as they were now entirely surrounded, and fired upon from either bank the moment either raised a head.

No attempt was made, however, to assault their position, nor did they often return the fire, desiring to preserve for future use their small supply of ammunition.

Brennan remained watchful, but silent, brooding over his plans for the night, but Westcott became overpowered by fatigue and slept quietly for several hours.
The sun was already sinking behind the range of mountains when he finally aroused himself, and sat up.

There was no apparent change in the situation; the running water murmured musically against the rocks, the distant banks, already in shadow, exhibited no sign of human presence.