Page:For the Liberty of Texas.djvu/282

262 was struck, and they pushed on into the passageway until the water was up to their waists.

"We can't go much farther, said Dan soberly. "Do you think this leads to the river?"

"I do; but I can't say how far off the stream is. Let us go a little farther."

A couple of rods were covered, and they sank down until the water was up to Dan's neck.

"If I go any further I'll have to swim," he observed, and just then the candle slipped from his hand and fell into the water, leaving them in total darkness.

As there seemed nothing else to do, they moved back to the nearest dry spot and sank down to rest and to consider the matter.

"We can stay here for several days, if we wish," said Stover. "We have got enough to drink."

"Yes, but I've had nothing to eat since last night."

"Neither have I. But I'd rather go hungry nor fall into them greasers hands."

"If the river is ahead we ought to see some light, Poke."

"That's true,—if it's daylight outside. But it may be night."

"Well, we can watch."

And they did, first one going down into the water, and then the other. It was indeed night, and it yet lacked several hours to daylight.