we dare
say--of no other there present, but to the keen experienced ears of the
Commandant and the up-country hunter the note, as the latter had said,
did not ring true.

The camp was situated upon an open plateau, with a sparse mimosa growth
beginning about a hundred yards from the defences, and stretching away
to much thicker bush half a mile further on the south front and the two
corresponding sides. Here the ground sloped away to a low range of
hills, distant enough, however, not to command the position. On the
north, or rear, the ground was almost entirely open. A low sod wall and
a shallow trench surrounded the camp on all sides, and had been
constructed in a square formation. The ammunition supply, now abundant,
thanks to Harley Greenoak and the bravery of the express-riders, was
securely disposed, and, at the same time, readily get-at-able. Only one
of the two seven-pounders constituting the Police artillery battery was
present--the other being away on service elsewhere--and this was trained
so as to protect the south front.

In obedience to orders, quickly and noiselessly issued, every man was
now at his post. The excitement was tense, painful. Most of those
present had never been in action, a proportion had never even witnessed
the taking of human life in any form. But they were well officered, and
by none better than by their Commandant. He, utterly calm and
self-contained, his helmet towering nearly a head above the group of
officers surrounding him, stood, stroking his long beard; and, as he
uttered a dry witticism or two in an undertone in response to their
remarks, his thoughts running about equally on the work in front, and
the latest "specimen" he had captured, was as a very pillar of strength
to some of the untried younger men there present.

"By George, the Chief's splendid!" exclaimed Dick Selmes, who, in his
eagerness, was right in among the front rank of the fighters.

"Silence there!" came the whispered but sharp mandate of a sergeant.
"Oh, it's Mr Selmes? Well, if you're not in the ranks you are for the
present," he added meaningly.

Dick apologised and shut up. He was in such a state of suppressed
excitement that it was all he could do to keep silence.

Now the dawn was lightening, and with it the mist. Harley Greenoak
whispered a word or two to the Commandant. Both stood listening
intently, and, in a moment, the officer in charge of the seven-pounder
moved swiftly from the g