17/02/2026 14:21

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Far out in the river the crocodile rose again, holding Ahmed's legs andlower torso crosswise in its jaws. They followed at the best of their speed, and fromthe next ridge saw the tiny shapes of the five grey horses crossing astretch of open ground two or three miles ahead. It couldhave been you going that way. Hal, though, was no longer paying him any heed, buttrying anxiously to catch a glimpse of his father in the furthestemplacement, and take a lead from him.

Here he dropped flat on his belly and lookedback over the edge. At the sight of Sir Francis, he froze in the act of stuffing the ship'sbooks into a weighted canvas bag, then snatched it up and rushed to thestern windows. The maid finished her task, and moved away. He saw with satisfaction that a skiff was moored alongside the GoldenBough, a rope ladder dangling into her from the deck above.