re! But how do you know, Greenoak?"

"Because I overheard them saying so, as we came away," was the tranquil
reply. "They were likewise expressing disappointment at being done out
of such a rare bit of fun."

"Ugh, the brutes!" exclaimed Dick, turning in his saddle to scowl back
at the dark forms gathered on the hillside, watching the retreating
Police. "I'll pay them out for it when the war begins."

"When the war begins," repeated Inspector Chambers. "Well, it's our
particular mission just now to prevent it from beginning at all; but if
ever anybody came within an ace of starting it, why, that joker's
yourself, this very morning, Selmes. Eh, Greenoak?"

The latter nodded assent.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

MAINWARING'S "GAS-PIPE."

Dick was greatly concerned over the consequences his escapade was likely
to entail upon the sentry who had let him through. He said nothing
about the bribe, but all unconsciously repeated the man's own line of
defence; to wit, that he supposed the defaulter had reckoned that he,
being a guest, was free to go and come as he pleased. In short, he gave
Inspector Chambers no peace until that good-hearted officer, glad to
find a pretext for remitting punishment on anybody, promised to let the
man off with a reprimand; but only on condition that Dick, on his part,
would undertake not to launch out in any more madcap and foolhardy
ventures on his own account while sojourning in the camp.

This act made Dick very popular among the Police, which popularity was
consolidated by his free and easy, unaffected way with everybody. He
entered with zest, too, into any of the amusements which they got up to
vary the monotony of camp life--cricket or athletic sports, or shooting
practice; and as he was in the pink of condition, and a fine runner and
jumper, it was seldom that in such he would meet his match. Or if any
patrol was sent out, he would not be left behind. His keenness and
energy were alike unflagging.

Things seemed to be quieting down. Harley Greenoak, who would sometimes
be absent for two or three days at a time, visiting this or that chief--
for he could move freely among them, where with another it would have
been at that juncture in the highest degree unsafe--reported that there
was a more settled feeling. True the Kafir and Fingo locations were
eyeing each other from beyond their respective boundaries with distrust,
but there was no longer the threatening and aggressive bear