He can cover the ground at a wonderful pace, and coming back he will ride one of them, and help the two constables to keep them together.

They will have had two days' rest, and plenty of food and water, and will meet us before we get halfway back.

There will be no fear of the blacks attacking them." All agreed that the plan was excellent, and half an hour later the whole party--with the exception of the two constables, who were to start at daybreak with the horses, for the river--set out on their march.

The sky was cloudless, and the stars would have been a sufficient guide, even had they not had Jim with them.

The black, however, took his place at the head of the party, and strode along as unhesitating as if it had been broad daylight..