mp to keep an eye on a particularly unreliable and
turbulent chief named Vunisa. The officer in command of this, Inspector
Chambers, and Greenoak were old friends, and it was arranged that the
latter and his charge should camp with them for awhile.

At that time the Transkei was in a state of simmer, and the same might
be said of the tribes inhabiting British Kaffraria. Chiefs were known
to be calling in their followers; and this was done by a system that
worked with marvellous rapidity. At night mysterious beacons flashed
answering messages to each other from this or that lofty hill-top, and
it was known that war-dancing on a real scale was going on in this or
that disaffected chief's location; and notably in that of Vunisa,
situated in the Gudhluka Reserve. This Vunisa was the chief over an
important section of the Gcaleka tribe.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

In front of the officers' mess hut in the A. Troop camp, a group of four
sat chatting.

"Pity we can't find out something more definite, Greenoak," Inspector
Chambers was saying. "I believe I'd be justified in arresting Vunisa on
my own responsibility."

Harley Greenoak laughed drily.

"Don't you do it, Chambers. You'd stoke up the whole country then and
there. Even if you didn't--what price the Government? Too much zeal
isn't encouraged in the Police any more than in other departments, I
take it."

The Inspector and his sub. laughed ironically.

"Not much," said the latter. "And these devils are war-dancing every
night right bang under our noses. It's genuine too, for I've seen it
before, as you know."

"By Jove! I would like to see a real war-dance," struck in Dick Selmes.
"I say, Inspector, couldn't some of us go over some night and have a
look in? Why not to-night?"

"Tired of life yet, Selmes?" answered Chambers, good-naturedly.
"Because if a few of us went to have a look in at it none of us would
come back--in their present state of mind. If a lot--why, there'd be no
war-dance."

"Bother!" said Dick.

The conversation rolled on; then came dusk--then dinner. Life in the
open makes men drowsy. It was not long before the camp of A. Troop--bar
the sentries--was fast asleep.

The night was moonless, but the blue black of the unclouded sky was
beautiful with its myriad golden stars, shining as they only can shine
in Southern skies. The loom of the hills was perceptibly defined,
notably