"All right, boys, come on, and keep your powder out of the water." It was firm bottom, but the water rose above the waist, with sufficient current so we had to brace against it in mid-stream.

We trailed dripping up the eastern bank, coming out upon a well-travelled road.

A hundred feet beyond was the cleft through the clay, and there Farrell halted us, dividing the men into two parties.

Under his orders they disappeared like magic, the silent night engulfing them completely.

The three of us, Duval, Farrell, and myself, alone remained in the deserted road.
"Duval," said the blacksmith quietly, "you an' the Major feel your way along to the top, an' discover what is happening.