"Did you hear that?" he said.
But Hemming had heard no unusual sound, only the footsteps of their guards, and the noise of men singing at the barracks.
"It's the first time I have heard an old 'Sam Peabody' in Brazil," said the American.
"Who?" said Hemming, wondering if his friend's temperature had gone up again.
"It's a bird, some sort of sparrow we have in the North," replied Hicks. He left the hall quietly, and hung out of a window in his own room. Presently, from the shrubbery below him, came the familiar notes again. He wet his lips with his tongue, and whistled the clear call himself. He was answered immediately. He peered down into the dim garden. The only light was that of the stars. He could see nothing. No leaf stirred in the shrubbery, and there was neither sight nor sound of the enemy on that side of the house.
"If you don't intend to let us in," said a quiet voice, "you might pass out a couple of drinks."
"Whiskey and soda for me," said the voice of Captain Santosa.
Hicks ran down-stairs, and Hemming followed him. They unbarred a window, and Smith stood ready with his rifle at port. In crawled O'Rourke and Santosa, very wet as to clothing, but very dry inside.
"The Campbells have arrived," said O'Rourke, brushing mud from his leggings. Hemming, for a moment, was dumbfounded at this unexpected appearance.
"God bless you, Bertram," he said at last, and they shook hands warmly.