oting
as often as they could be spared; and, though the Colonel's face grew
more and more serious he made no further objection to these excursions
so long as they were sensibly carried out, for he had realised how
thoroughly the enemy avoided the higher portions of the mountains, the
snow-line being rarely crossed; and when they did break through their
rule, it was only in crossing from one valley to another, and it was
necessitated by the pass which linked the two being more than usually
high.

It was a bright, sunny morning, and glasses had been busy in the fort,
for certain well-known signs suggested that the day would not pass
without their hearing from the enemy, of whom glances were obtained,
first in one well-known locality, then in another, which they seemed to
affect as a matter of course, showing very little disposition to break
out of their regular routine, while one tribe followed in the steps of
another so closely that it was generally possible to prognosticate where
the attack would be made, and make arrangements to foil it.

The officers were chatting together; and in the group where Drummond
stood with his friends he started a good grumbling discourse, something
after this fashion:

"It's always the case. So sure as I overlook my tackle, and have a good
clean up of the rifles ready for a long day amongst the muttons, some of
these beggars come and plant themselves just in the way we mean to go."

"Mr Bracy," said an orderly, coming up and saluting, "the Colonel
wishes to see you."

"Ha, ha!" laughed Drummond; "it's to tell you that we are not to attempt
a shoot to-day. Tell him, Bracy, that we had given it up."

Bracy nodded, and went straight to the Colonel's room, to find him
busily writing.

He just glanced up and nodded.

"Sit down, Bracy," he said, and he went on writing, his table being a
couple of bullock-trunks, with a scarlet blanket by way of cover.

"Enemy are out pretty strong this morning."

"Yes, sir."

"Ha! yes."

There was a pause, filled up by a good deal of scratching of the pen,
before the stern-looking officer began again.

"You are quite strong now, Bracy?" he said at last, without looking up.

"Never felt better in my life, sir."

"I said strong, Bracy."

"Nor stronger, sir."

"That's right," said the Colonel, reading over his despatch and crossing
i's and dotting i's here and there.

"Wound trouble you much still?"

"Gives me a sharp sting, sir, at times