of the sodden and dying trees.

Moreover, there was a bank through which a hundred men might cut a
breach in a day or so, even though they went about their work most
leisurely, being constitutionally averse to manual labour.

Bizaro was no engineer, but he had all the forest man's instincts of
water-levels. There was a clear run down to the meadows beyond that, as
he said, he "smelt."

"We will drown these dogs," he said to his headman, "and afterwards we
will walk into the country and take it for our own."

Hamilton had been alive to the danger of such an attack. He saw by
certain indications of the soil that this great shallow valley had been
inundated more than once, though probably many years had passed since
the last overflow of water. Yet he could not move from where he had
planted himself without risking the displeasure of his chief and without
also risking very serious consequences in other directions.

Bosambo, frankly bored, was all for retiring his men to the comforts of
the Ochori city.

"Lord, why do we sit here?" he asked, "looking at this little stream
which has no fish and at this great ugly country, when I have my
beautiful city for your lordship's reception, and dancing folk and great
feasts?"

"A doocid sensible idea," murmured Bones.

"I wait for a book," answered Hamilton shortly. "If you wish to go, you
may take your soldiers and leave me."

"Lord," said Bosambo, "you put shame on me," and he looked his reproach.

"I am really surprised at you, Hamilton," murmured Bones.

"Keep your infernal comments to yourself," snapped his superior. "I tell
you I must wait for my instructions."

He was a silent man for the rest of the evening, and had settled himself
down in his canvas chair to doze away the night, when a travel-stained
messenger came from the Ochori and he brought a telegram of one word.

Hamilton looked at it, he looked too with a frown at the figures that
preceded it.

"And what you mean," he muttered, "the Lord knows!"

The word, however, was sufficiently explicit. A bugle call brought the
Houssas into line and the tapping of Bosambo's drums assembled his
warriors.

Within half an hour of the receipt of the message Hamilton's force was
on the move.

They crossed the great stretch of meadow in the darkness and were
climbing up towards the forest when a noise like thunder broke upon
their ears.

Such a roaring, crashing, hissing of sound came nearer and nearer,
increas