to the Turkish camp. Find out the strength of these
reinforcements, the guns, the ammunition, food and water supplies, and,
more important, the probable date, if not the hour, of this big attack.
I'll give you two days to do it. If you're not back on the third day
I'll count you as dead. Understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well, my lad. Here's an order to the commander of the torpedo
boat at the beach. Make your own arrangements. Good luck to you,"
concluded the Chief, shaking him by the hand. And out went Tony on his
job. It was a tough proposition for a youngster to tackle, yet he
deemed it an honour. And there was no time for delay. He secured the
services of two Maoris because of their strength and swarthy
complexion. Turkish uniforms would make them "Turks," if need be.

The commander of the destroyer gave him a boat. This was loaded up
with water, biscuits, some Turkish uniforms, and rifles, with other
necessaries for the job. At night they pulled out. It was quite dark,
so all was favourable at the outset. For hours the Maoris seemed to
row, their only guide being the stars and dark coast-line. And then
came the first peep of dawn.

"Come on, you fellows; get into these things," said the subaltern,
pointing to the Turkish clothes. He did likewise. The disguise was
perfect. They looked thoroughly respectable members of the Sultan's
community.

"Ease in now, boys," ordered Tony as the light grew better. Gently
they pulled to the shore.

"That place will do," muttered the observant sub, looking towards a
shingly sort of beach beneath some cliffs. The boat grated on the
pebbles. They had arrived on their daring mission.

"Now, look here, you boys; you've got to loaf round here for two days.
Hide the boat and get into a dug-out. Keep a look-out for me. If I
don't come back at the end of the second day, go back and tell them
I've gone to Kingdom Come. Understand?"

"All right, boss," said the elder of the Maoris, a full corporal. And
off went Tony. He climbed up the cliffs and found himself on a scrubby
sort of soil dotted here and there with stunted trees. Away to his
right he could just discern the Turkish defences, while immediately in
front lay some scattered redoubts of the flanking outposts of the
enemy. In the distance was a high, grassy knoll--a perfect place for
observing things. He made for it, avoiding contact with some
straggling Turkish soldiers on the way. By the way,