You see the matter stands thus: we can't go on on this side, that is certain; the river will be out of its banks to-morrow morning, and we can't easily get across it; and if we were across it would still be difficult marching, as there are creeks and swamps enough to bother us over there." "What are we to do, then ?" asked Tommy, uneasily.

"We _mustn't_ go back.

That'll never do." "Never you mind, Tom," said Sid Russell, whose faith in Sam's fertility of resource was literally boundless, "never you mind.

We ain't a goin' back if the Captain knows it.

He's got it all fixed somehow in his head, you may bet your bottom dollar.