Harry approached until he was within a few yards of the line, and the voices of the men as they challenged enabled him to ascertain exactly the position of those on the right and left of him.

Passing between these, he could see neither, although they were but a few paces on either hand, and he would have got off unobserved had he not suddenly fallen into a deep stream running across his way, and which in the darkness he did not see until he fell into it.

At the sound there was an instant challenge, and then a piece was discharged.

Harry struggled across the stream, and clambered out on the opposite side.

As he did so a number of muskets were fired in his direction by the men who came rushing up to the point of alarm.