s drifted them. There was a regular rush as soon as
the lads opened fire."

"Good," said the lieutenant. "But they may be coming on again. Stand
fast, my lads, ready to fire at the slightest sound. I don't know how
they can stand it, Mr Murray," he added, "for I feel as if my boot
soles are being burned through.--Yes: what were you going to say--that
yours are as bad?"

"No, sir," replied the lad excitedly; "I was going to suggest that the
men who fired should stand fast."

"Why, of course, my lad; but why?"

"Because, sir, they can tell the direction in which they fired, and know
the way in which the enemy retreated."

"Of course, sir; but what good will that do?"

"It ought to be the way in which their friends are gathered, and the
opposite direction to that in which we ought to retreat."

"Good, my lad," said the lieutenant, clapping the lad on the shoulder.
"You'll make a smart officer some day. I should not have thought of
that. It may prove to be the way towards the shore. We'll draw off at
once. Oh!" he added. "If a good sharp breeze would spring up, to drive
off this smoke!"

"But wouldn't it set the remains of the fire blazing up again, sir?"

"Here, Murray," whispered the officer pettishly, "you'd better take
command of the expedition. You are sharper than I am."

"I beg your pardon, sir."

"Not at all. I'm not so weak as to resent hearing a good suggestion.
You are quite right, my lad. I only wonder that your brain keeps so
clear in the horrible confusion this smoke brings on. Here, let's put
your suggestion into use. Where's Tom May?"

"Here, sir."

"Can you tell which way the enemy retreated?"

"For sartin. This here nigger's lying on his back with his head pynted
the way his party came from--shot right through his chesty; and there's
a spear, sir, sticking slahntindickler in the ashes as shows the way
which it was throwed from. Both being from the same bearings seems to
say, sir, as that's the way the niggers would run."

"Humph!" ejaculated the lieutenant thoughtfully. "Not quite sure, my
man?"

"No, sir, but I heerd them seem to run same way, so I thought it was a
bit likely, sir."

"Likely enough for us to follow, my lad," said the officer; "so lead
off, and keep on in the direction you think that the shore will lie."

"Can't do that, sir," said the man bluntly. "Only think, sir, as it
will be farthest from where the enemy came."

"Lead on," said the officer sh