“This is a nice business!” the latter exclaimed.  “We had better find our ponies and make our way down into the valley at once.  Seeing how thick the fog has come on, the Sardinians may not return here at all.”

So saying, they hurried to the spot where they had tied up their ponies, and, leading them by the reins, descended into the valley.

“The fog is getting thicker and thicker,” Mr. Myers said.  “I cannot see three yards before me.  We must listen for them as they pass, and then join them, although it’s by no means impossible that we may be received with a shot.”

Half an hour passed, and they grew more and more anxious.  Another half-hour, and still no sound was heard.

“I do not think they can possibly have passed without our seeing them, Mr. Archer.  The valley is a quarter of a mile wide, but we should be sure to hear the trampling of the horses and the jingling of the sabres.”

“Yes, sir, I’m sure they have not passed since we got here.  But they may possibly have seen the fog coming on and have ridden rapidly back, and passed before we came down, or they may have gone round by the mouth of the valley parallel to this, which we left to cross into this one.”

“That is just what I have been thinking.”  Mr. Myers said.  “What do you think we had better do?  It is quite impossible that we can find our way back through such a fog as this.”

“Quite impossible, sir,” Jack said.  “If we were to move from where we are, we should lose all idea of our bearings in three minutes, and should be as likely to go into the plain as up the valley.”

“It’s a most awkward position,” Mr. Myers said anxiously.  “Now, Mr. Archer, you have had some sort of experience of this kind before.  Tell me frankly what you think is the best thing to be done.”

“I have been thinking it over, sir, for the last half, hour,” Jack said, “and it appears to me that the best thing to do would be for me to find my way up to the house again.  I can’t well miss that, as we came straight down hill.  I will bring back two of those Cossacks’ cloaks and lances.  Then we had better move about till we come on a clump of trees, and make ourselves as comfortable there as we can.  These fogs last, as you know, sometimes for two or three days.  When it gets clear, whether it is to-day or to-morrow, we will look out and see whether there are any of the enemy about.  Of course, as they know the way, they can come back in the fog.  If we see any of them, we must put on the Cossack’s cloaks, take their lances, and boldly ride off.  They are always galloping about in pairs all over the country; so that we shall attract no attention.”

“But if they catch us,” the lieutenant said, “we shall be liable to be shot as spies.”

“I suppose we shall, sir,” Jack answered; “but I would rather run the risk of being shot as a spy than the certainty of being caught as a naval officer, and imprisoned till the war is over.”