He felt that it would be a vast relief if he could only see them; and he glanced around at Saunders.

The latter crouched among the dewy fern, impassively still, a blurred, shadowy object, with the rifle across his knees.
Then the crackling of undergrowth commenced again, and Devine fancied that he could distinguish the movements of four men.

He heard the fern rustle close behind him, and saw that his companion had raised himself a trifle.

The latter appeared to be gazing into the bush, and looking around sharply the surveyor started as a figure materialized out of the gloom where the moonlight streamed down between the trees not far away.

The man stood amidst the silvery radiance, and Devine was relieved to notice that he had nothing in his hand.