“I know you did,” said Archie gruffly.
“And then you chopped me off short, sir, when I was going to say—and chance it.”
“That’s what you are always saying.”
“That’s true, sir; but you can’t say but what it sometimes turns up trumps.”
“Well, go on. What boat?”
“Any boat, sir. Anybody’s boat. Why not smuggle the one we had when we went fishing?”
“We can’t do that again. There’s a fresh rumour that Rajah Hamet is bringing his men up there; and we may have an attack from the lower river at any time.”
“Oh, that settles it, then,” said Peter. “We must have them cartridges before those fresh reinforcements come. All right, then, sir. We must creep round right away outside the camp, and get to the water-side half a mile beyond the spot where I was on duty and hailed you that night. There’s sure to be boats up there.”
“Very likely. What then? But if there are they will be anchored right out in the river. How are we to get one?”
“Swim,” said Peter laconically.