said one of the younger officers. "Surely, sir, this
has been such a lesson as the enemy will not forget."

"Quite right," said the Colonel; "they will not forget it, nor rest till
they have had revenge."

"But look at their losses last night," said the Major.

"I do," replied the Colonel; "but men are plentiful up here in the
hills, and they all belong to a fighting race. If they were not
fighting with us they would be among themselves, and it is the education
of their boys: being taught to fight."

"Then you think they'll renew their attacks, sir?" said Roberts.

"I feel sure of it, and they must find us more upon the _qui vive_ next
time. I feel ashamed for allowing myself to be such an easy victim to
their cunning _ruse_."

"Never mind now," said the Major; "it has furnished us with a fine
supply of fresh meat."

"Yes," said the Colonel sadly; "but at a heavy cost of wounded men."

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

AFTER A REST.

The Colonel was right; there were plenty of men in the hills, and they
all belonged to fighting tribes-men who, whether Moslem or of the
various sects which inhabited the vast tracts of mountainous countries,
looked upon it as a religious duty to cut off every one who believed
differently, as an infidel or a dog. Many days, then, had not elapsed
before there was another gathering of the fierce tribes, whose object
was to secure the fort, with its wealth of arms and ammunition. But
during the week of respite Colonel Graves and his officers were busy
enough. The country round was foraged for stores; and, partly in fear,
but as much for the sake of cheating good customers and making
everything possible out of the people whom they might be helping to
slaughter the very next day, a couple of the tribes brought in grain,
fodder, and other necessaries largely.

So the loss incurred by the burning of the store was soon made up, and
the fort was better provisioned than ever, even to being prepared to
stand the stern winter when it should leave the hills and descend to the
valleys and plains.

No despatches had reached the fort for some time past; but the last, in
answer to the Colonel's report of his having relieved the fort, where
all was well, and that he had no doubt of being able to hold it as long
as was necessary, bade him go on holding it at any cost, and wait for
further orders. But if he found reinforcements necessary to give the
tribes a severe lesson, he was to communicate