Beyond a doubt Tandakora was now coming back.
"Suppose we go slowly south, still keeping in the shadow of the trees," he said.

"We can gain at least that much advantage." Fortunately the scattered fringe of reeds and bushes, growing in the water, extended far to the south, and they were able to keep in their protecting shadow a full hour, although their rate of progress was not more than one-third that of the Indians, who were coming without obstruction in open water.

Nevertheless, it was a distinct gain, and, meanwhile, they awaited the coming of the night with the deepest anxiety.

They recognized that their fate turned upon a matter of a half hour or so.

If only the night would arrive before Tandakora! Robert glanced at the low sun, and, although at all times, it was beautiful, he had never before prayed so earnestly that it would go over the other side of the world, and leave their own side to darkness.
The splendor of the great yellow star deepened as it sank.