“Yes, sir; and I know who one of them was. Didn’t you get a crack on the back?”

“Yes. Drove me forward on my face. I think it was done with a rifle-butt.”

“That was it, sir. You know who it was—Scotch Mac. He always says ‘Hech’ when he hits out.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Well, wait a bit, sir. Some day I’ll pay him back. I’ll make him say ‘Hech’ out louder. Hurt you much, sir?”

“Only made my arm feel a bit numb. Stop a minute and listen. What’s that?”

“A splash!”

“Some one rowing?”

“Croc, perhaps, sir, with his tail.”

“Then we are close to the river.”