It was Carrington hailing them from the top of the cliff, and they could make out his figure dimly in the torchlight.
“What is the matter?” shouted Guy lustily, making a trumpet of his hands.
In a moment the reply came distinctly to their ears.
“Canaris hears a strange cry from the lake. You had better come up.”
“We are cut off,” Guy shouted back. “We cannot get the rope back to the top of the cliff. Go tell Canaris”—his voice sank to a whisper, and he dropped on the sand beside Melton.
The colonel did not answer. The torch moved off along the cliff and then stopped, no doubt directly above the raft.
“He has gone to aid Canaris,” said Guy. “I would like to know what is taking place on the lake.”
“Ah!” said Forbes, “here he comes back now.”
The torch moved along until it was directly over their heads, and then the colonel called down:
“Come up to the ledge. I have a way to save you.”