Wrapped in their own gloomy reflections they crouched in the stern, keeping silent vigil over their sleeping companions.
An intense desire for sleep now laid hold on Melton, and with great reluctance he woke Guy and the colonel. It required a dash of cold water to bring them to their senses.
"Are we still on this horrible lake?" exclaimed Chutney. "How long have we been asleep?"
"Several hours at least," replied Melton.
"Several hours? Whew! What a lake this is! We must surely be near the outlet now. But you are sleepy and worn out, Melton, and so is Canaris. Look, he can hardly keep his eyes open. Go lie down, both of you. The colonel and I will see to the canoe, and you will wake up twenty miles down the river."
Melton handed over his paddle to Guy, and the colonel relieved the Greek of the torch.
Canaris was asleep almost instantly, and Melton was just arranging the rugs to make himself a comfortable spot, when Chutney cried gladly, "I can hear water running. I'm sure of it. Do you hear it, too, colonel?"
"Yes," said the colonel, after a pause. "I do hear something, that's a fact. We are approaching the outlet of the lake, no doubt of it."
Melton's drowsiness vanished, and he sprang up.
"It would be advisable to waken Canaris and Sir Arthur," suggested the colonel. "No one ought to sleep at a time like this. All hands may be needed."