I expected to feel myself next moment launched after him into empty space, when my mule, uttering a loud whinny, sprang forward and downward.
Down—down! the next leap into eternity! No—she keeps her feet! she gallops along a level path! I am safe!
I was swung about until the thongs seemed to cut through my limbs; and with a heavy plunge I felt myself carried thigh-deep into water.
Here the animal suddenly halted.
As soon as I could gain breath I shouted at the top of my voice for the Frenchman.
“Here, Captain!” he answered, close by my side, but, as I fancied, with a strange, gurgling voice.
“Are you hurt, Raoul?” I inquired.
“Hurt? No, Captain.”
“What was it, then?”
“Oh! I wished to warn you, but I was too late. I might have known they would stampede, as the poor brutes have been no better treated than ourselves. Hear how they draw it up!”