CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.
SWIMMING IN SHADOW.
Silently and swiftly the two swimmers continued their course through the shadowy aisles of the forest.

Twilight, almost darkness, was above and around them; for the trees meeting overhead caused an obscurity sombre as night itself.

No ray of sunlight ever danced upon the surface of that dismal lagoon.
They would have lost their way, had not the noises guided them.

Should these be discontinued, their exertions might be all in vain.
They thought of this as they proceeded, and reflected also on the course to be adopted when they reached the rendezvous of the gorillas.
Supposing there could be no footing found, how were they to use either gun or sumpitan?
The question passed between them in a whisper as they swam side by side.
Neither knew how to answer it.
Saloo only expressed a hope that they might get upon the limb of a tree near enough to send a bullet or arrow into the body of the mias, and terminate his career.
There seemed no other chance, and they swam on, keeping it before their minds.
About the direction, they had no difficulty whatever.

Although the surface of the water was of inky blackness, from the shadowing trees above, and the huge trunks standing out of it now and then forced them into an occasional deviation, they advanced without any great difficulty.
They swam around the tree trunks, and, guided by the voices of the gorillas, easily regained their course.