his breakfast. I'm
just as grumpy underneath for the same reason, but I keep it down--with
my belt. Look here, Drew; go and prescribe for him. Tell him to buckle
himself up a couple of holes tighter and he'll feel all the better."

"Hold your tongue! He isn't well, and he's put out about this
mare's-nest hunt."

"Well, yes; we haven't done much good."

"Not a bit. How do you feel?"

"As if I should like to kick that time-serving corporal."

"What! the `Lantern'? Yes: brute! Anything to curry favour with his
master."

"Look here, don't forget. Mind I give old James two ounces of the best
tobacco first time I have any--which I'm afraid will not be just yet."

"Mare's-nest," said Lennox thoughtfully. "Yes, I suppose it is a
mare's-nest. Nobody could have been about here without being caught by
the sentries."

"I don't know," said Dickenson, looking about him; "these niggers are
very clever at hiding and sneaking about. I felt certain after what I
had experienced that we should find a way into a passage and some caves.
Here, 'tention; the general's coming back."

Captain Roby returned, replacing his glass, and gave a few sharp orders
for the men to take their places once more and commence the descent,
searching every crevice among the rocks as they went down.

This was carefully done, and the men reached the foot of the granite
pile, formed up, and marched back to the market-place, where they were
dismissed to their meagre breakfast, while the captain sought the
colonel's quarters without a word to his subordinates.

"The doctor says fasting's very good for a man; but one man's meat, or
want of it, is another man's poison, Drew, my boy, and starvation does
not agree with Roby."

"No," replied Lennox. "I've noticed that he has been a bit queer for a
week past."

"Say a fortnight, and I'll agree with you. Why, he has been like a bear
with a sore head. Never said a civil word to any one, and I've heard
him bully the poor boys shamefully."

"Yes; it is a pity, too, for they've behaved splendidly."

"Right you are. I always liked them, but I'm quite proud of the poor
fellows now. I say though, hang it all! talking must be bad on an empty
stomach. Lead on, my lord; the banquet waits."

"Banquet!" said Lennox, with a sigh.

"Yes. Oh, how tired I am of that mealie pap! It puts me in mind of
Brahma fowls, and that maddens me."

"Why?"

"Because I used to keep some of the great, feather-bre