“I smell murder in the air,” exclaimed Krag, pretending to sniff.  “But whose?”

“Do as I say, Maskull.  To bandy words with him is to throw oil on fire.”

“I’ll say no more to anyone....  When do we get out of this accursed forest?”

“It’s some way yet, but when we’re once out we can take to the water, and you will be able to rest, and think.”

“And brood comfortably over your sufferings,” added Krag.

None of the three men said anything more until they emerged into the open day.  The slope of the forest was so steep that they were forced to run, rather than walk, and this would have prevented any conversation, even if they had otherwise felt inclined toward it.  In less than half an hour they were through.  A flat, open landscape lay stretched in front of them as far as they could see.

Three parts of this country consisted of smooth water.  It was a succession of large, low-shored lakes, divided by narrow strips of tree-covered land.  The lake immediately before them had its small end to the forest.  It was there about a third of a mile wide.  The water at the sides and end was shallow, and choked with dolm-colored rushes; but in the middle, beginning a few yards from the shore, there was a perceptible current away from them.  In view of this current, it was difficult to decide whether it was a lake or a river.  Some little floating islands were in the shallows.

“Is it here that we take to the water?” inquired Maskull.

“Yes, here,” answered Gangnet.

“But how?”

“One of those islands will serve.  It only needs to move it into the stream.”

Maskull frowned.  “Where will it carry us to?”

“Come, get on, get on!” said Krag, laughing uncouthly.  “The morning’s wearing away, and you have to die before noon.  We are going to the Ocean.”

“If you are omniscient, Krag, what is my death to be?”

“Gangnet will murder you.”

“You lie!” said Gangnet.  “I wish Maskull nothing but good.”

“At all events, he will be the cause of your death.  But what does it matter?  The great point is you are quitting this futile world....  Well, Gangnet, I see you’re as slack as ever.  I suppose I must do the work.”

He jumped into the lake and began to run through the shallow water, splashing it about.  When he came to the nearest island, the water was up to his thighs.  The island was lozenge-shaped, and about fifteen feet from end to end.  It was composed of a sort of light brown peat; there was no form of living vegetation on its surface.  Krag went behind it, and started shoving it toward the current, apparently without having unduly to exert himself.  When it was within the influence of the stream the others waded out to him, and all three climbed on.