e.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Steadily, ever with the most perfect discipline and organisation, the
column had advanced, and now after upwards of a month of care and
vigilance, and difficulties met and surmounted, was drawing very near
its goal.

The enemy had hovered, upon its flanks since the last pitched battle,
now nearly a week ago, as though making up his mind to do something
towards redeeming his defeat upon that occasion; but unremitting
vigilance together with a few timely and long range shells had seemed to
damp his aspirations that way.

"I wonder if they'll try conclusions with us once more, before we get
there," observed the commanding officer, scanning the country, front and
flank, with his field glasses. "What do you think, Blachland?"

"I think they will, Major," was the confident reply.

"No such luck," growled one of the group. "After the hammering we gave
them at Shangani. I tell you what it is, Blachland. These wonderful
Matabele of yours are miserable devils after all. I don't believe
they've another kick in them," added this cocksure Briton.

Hard, weather-beaten men these--tough as nails from the life they have
been leading since the beginning of the campaign. They have been tested
again and again, and have passed the ordeal well: not only under fire,
but the more nerve-straining duties of scouting and reconnoitring and
nocturnal guard. Hilary Blachland is attached to the scouting section,
and is somewhat of an important personality in the command, by reason of
his complete knowledge of the country to be traversed, and his
acquaintance with its inhabitants, now the enemy.

"No more bad country you say?" went on the commanding officer, making
some notes in a pocket-book.

"No. It's all pretty much as we see it, open, undulating and moderately
bushed. Yonder is the Intaba-'Zinduna, and we hold to the left of its
further end by about a couple of miles. We are certain to be attacked
between this and Bulawayo, and that's barely twenty miles, why any
minute may settle it."

"Why what's this?" muttered the commanding officer hurriedly, bringing
his glass to his eyes.

"Ah, I thought so," said Blachland with a smile. "We shall get it here,
Major."

Dark masses of the enemy were now appearing, away in front--still about
a mile off. No sooner had the shells begun to drop among these than the
alarm was raised much nearer home, and, as