in such
force as to tax their uttermost resources--why, then, people were not
particular as to a little discomfort more or less.

And of this, in the Gandela laager at any rate, there was plenty.
Transport had been scanty and dear enough, in all conscience, before,
when it was not uncommon for a whole span of oxen to succumb on the road
to the fell rinderpest. Now, since the outbreak, when anything like
regular communication had been cut off--the roads only being kept open
by strong and well-armed patrols and then at the cost of fierce
fighting--the situation at outlying posts such as Gandela became more
than serious. The food supplies threatened to run short. There was not
much fear of any attack in the daytime, or at all events without ample
warning, for the surrounding country was carefully scouted on every
side; and such being the case those who dwelt on the outlying stands
occupied their houses until sundown, when they collected within the
laager. Among such were the Fullertons.

The worthy Dick grumbled terribly; not at the prevailing discomfort, but
that having womenkind to look after he was debarred from joining any
field force--at all events for the present--for the plan which we heard
formulated for the raising of such a force under the command of Lamont
was of necessity in abeyance by reason of the disappearance of the
latter.

Disappearance, indeed, was the word. The men who were with him when
flying for their lives had been utterly unable to tell when or where
they had lost sight of him. They had, however, been able to guide the
relief party under Peters and Wyndham to the place within the hills
where they had been first attacked. But--no trace of him whom they
sought. Farther on, they came upon the bodies of two others of the
stragglers--as usual, hacked and mutilated--those of their horses,
similarly treated, lying hard by. But of Lamont there was absolutely no
trace. He seemed to have disappeared, horse and man.

The situation contained one hopeful feature. If there was no trace of
him in life, equally was there no trace of his death; no blood marks,
such as would probably have been the case. The innumerable footprints
of the pursuing Matabele might have obliterated such, yet it was
improbable that to experienced spoor-readers--and there were several
here--some trace, however faint, should not be discernible; and herein
lay room for hope.

The missing man might be in close hiding among