ward the house in the course of the day, so that by night they were
for the most part in their old quarters, the horses even going back into
their paddock.

The day wore on, with turns being taken in the watching, the two girls
and Aunt Georgie insisting upon aiding, their sight being sharp enough
they declared, so that the defenders of the little fort were able to get
more sleep, and prepare for the night attacks which were sure to come.

The sun was nearly ready to dip when the sleepers rose and prepared for
the evening meal. The cows had been milked and gone quietly away; and,
trying hard to look cheerful, Mrs Bedford summoned all but German and
Rifle to the table, where there was no sign of diminution of the supply
as yet.

This was the one pleasant hour of the day, for experience had taught
them that the blacks would run no risk of coming within range of the
deadly guns till after dark, and the heat was giving place to the
coolness of eve, while soon after the door would have to be closed.

As they gathered round, after the captain had said a few words to the
sentries, Aunt Georgie, who had filled a tin with milk, cut a large
piece of damper baked that day on the wood ashes, and went to the door.

"Here, Shanter," she said.

Then they heard her call again, but there was no reply. "Where's
Shanter, Rifle?" she cried.

"I don't know, aunt. I've not seen him since I had my sleep. He was
squatting just here before I went to lie down."

German had not seen him since. Nobody had seen him since. The last
every one had seen of him was when he was seated on his heels with his
spear across his knees.

"Asleep somewhere," said Uncle Jack. "Go on with your suppers, good
folks. I'll soon find him."

"Don't go away from round the house, Jack," cried the captain,
anxiously.

"No. Trust me," was the reply; and the meal went on till Uncle Jack
came back to say that Shanter was nowhere in sight.

The announcement sent a chill through all, and the question was
discussed in whispers whether he had crept away to reconnoitre, and been
surprised by the enemy and speared.

There was no more appetite that evening, and the remains of the meal
were cleared away, with the captain and Uncle Jack standing outside
reconnoitring in turns with the glass, sweeping the edge of grove and
scrub, and seeing no danger, only that the cattle were quietly grazing a
little, and then, after a few mouthfuls, edging farther away.

"S