ut of him. Why, Mr Vincent,
that man will do no end of mischief by-and-by with the guns. How would
it be to--"

"Eh? Come, come, my man, this will not do," said the doctor, walking
up. "You're getting hot and feverish. There, put away that pipe, and
have a good long sleep."

"Let me say one word, sir, please," pleaded Craig.

"Quick, then. What is it?" and as I leaned eagerly forward to hear what
plan he had to propose, Craig said quietly--

"I'm a bit in doubt about my bearers, sir. There's a good deal of
whispering going on. They know that we are near their friends, and if
they communicate it may mean mischief, or else another long weary tramp,
for the enemy will retreat."

"Yes, I'll tell Captain Brace," I said; and I went away meaning to ask
Craig his plan the next day.

As I went across to where our quarters were, under a tree, I came upon
young Dick Dobbs, our trumpeter, busy with a bit of rag and some powder,
polishing away at his bugle, and I nodded to the happy-looking
bright-faced lad.

"That's right," I said; "keep it bright."

"I will, sir," he said, raising the instrument to his lips. "Oh, I
should like to have a good blow."

"And blow all poor Brace's schemes to the winds," I said to myself. "I
wonder what Craig's plan is."

The next minute I was telling Brace of Craig's suspicions.

"Hum, yes," he cried. "That's a good man, Craig. I'd give something
for him to be well and strong again. I'll go and speak to the bearers,
and double their guard. It would be ruin if they communicated with the
enemy now."

He went and gave the necessary orders, returned, and after making
arrangements for our bivouac that night, Dost was summoned to a
consultation, the result being that the Hindu stole off as soon as it
was dark, and did not return for some hours.

Haynes was sleeping, and after lying down for a time enjoying the
comparative coolness of the air, and listening to the peculiar noises in
the forest, wondering the while whether any stray tiger might be on the
prowl, I rose and went to where Brace was sitting.

"You!" he said. "Why are you not asleep?"

"I can't go off," I replied. "I'm uneasy about Dost."

"So am I," replied Brace. "He does not come back. I hope he is
faithful."

"I feel sure he is," I cried.

"Not so loud, my lad," he whispered. "We are deep in the forest, but
sound passes far on a night like this. Yes, I think he is faithful; but
he belongs to another