But the younger man caught hold of his arm significantly.
The soldiers poled diligently, but against the stream, together with the clumsiness of the barge, they could not make headway with any degree of speed.

It was not long before Bruce could see them.

He raised his rifle and let go; and in the boat Umballa felt his turban stir mysteriously.

The report which instantly followed was enough to convince him that he in particular was being made a target.

He crouched behind Kathlyn, while two or three of the soldiers returned the shot, aiming at the clump of scrub from which a film of pale blue smoke issued.