He glanced behind, and a second cry broke from his lips.  Gerald stood up in his place.  Already the road which had been clear a few minutes before was hidden.  The water was washing almost over the tops of the white posts behind them.  Little waves were breaking against the summit of the raised bank.

“We’re cut off!” the chauffeur exclaimed.  “What a fool I was to try this!  There’s the tide coming in as well!”

Gerald sat down in his place.

“Look here,” he said, “we can’t go back, whether we want to or not.  It’s much worse behind there than it is in front.  There’s only one chance.  Go for it straight ahead in your first speed.  It may not stop the engine.  In any case, it will be worse presently.  There’s no use funking it.  If the worst happens, we can sit in the car.  The water won’t be above our heads and there are some boats about.  Blow your horn well first, in case there’s any one within hearing, and then go for it.”

The chauffeur obeyed.  They hissed and spluttered into the water.  Soon all trace of the road was completely lost.  They steered only by the tops of the white posts.

“It’s getting deeper,” the man declared.  “It’s within an inch or two of the bonnet now.  Hold on.”

A wave broke almost over them but the engine continued its beat.

“If we stop now,” he gasped, “we’re done!”

The engine began to knock.

“Stick at it,” Gerald cried, rising in his place a little.  “Look, there’s only one post lower than the last one that we passed.  They get higher all the time, ahead.  You can almost see the road in front there.  Now, in with your gear again, and stick at it.”

Another wave broke, this time completely over them.  They listened with strained ears—­the engine continued to beat.  They still moved slowly.  Then there was a shock.  The wheel had struck something in the road—­a great stone or rock.  The chauffeur thrust the car out of gear.  The engine still beat.  Gerald leaped from the car.  The water was over his knees.  He crossed in front of the bonnet and stooped down.

“I’ve got it!” he exclaimed, tugging hard.  “It’s a stone.”

He moved it, rolled it on one side, and pushed at the wheel of the car as his companion put in the speed.  They started again.  He jumped back his place.

“We’ve done it, all right!” he cried.  “Don’t you see?  It’s getting lower all the time.”

The chauffeur had lost his nerve.  His cheeks were pale, his teeth were chattering.  The engine, however, was still beating.  Gradually the pressure of the water grew less.  In front of them they caught a glimpse of the road.  They drew up at the top of a little bridge over one of the dikes.  Gerald uttered a brief exclamation of triumph.

“We’re safe!” he almost sobbed.  “There’s the road, straight ahead and round to the right.  There’s no more water anywhere near.”