ht of the other bands, of course I
could not see how they acted.

On I rushed over brake and bush and morass, my men following me in a
very good line, considering the nature of the ground. I had divided
them into four lines, with an interval of about six yards between each.
And it was really wonderful how well they kept in that position. The
other companies had been ordered to act in the same way.

On bursting out of the woods I saw that we had outstripped the other
companies, so I held my men in check by running somewhat slower; and
they had been so deeply impressed with the fatal consequences of not
doing exactly as I did, that they stared at me with all their eyes, to
the no small risk of their lives; for one or two dashed against trees,
and others tumbled head over heels into holes, in their anxiety to keep
their eyes upon me.

In a few seconds I observed Peterkin spring out of the woods, followed
by his men, so I went on again at full speed. As we entered the
village, our ranks were sadly broken and confused by the huts; but on
gaining the open space where Jack stood, I was pleased to observe that
the negroes tried, of their own accord, to regain their original
formation, and succeeded so well that we came on in four tolerably
straight and compact lines. Each commander having been forewarned to
hold his men in check, or to push forward, so as to arrive at the
central point at the same moment, Jack, Peterkin, Makarooroo, and I ran
in upon the king together, and unitedly gave the word "Halt!" whereupon
we found ourselves in the centre of a solid square.

So deeply had the men been impressed with the necessity of obedience
that they had scarcely observed each other's approach. They now stood
rooted to the ground in every possible attitude of suddenly-arrested
motion, and all with their eyes and mouths wide open. In another moment
the result of their combined movement became evident to them, and they
uttered a yell of delighted surprise.

"Very good, very good indeed," said Jack; "and that concluding yell was
very effective--quite magnificent.--But you see," he added, turning to
me, "although such a yell is sufficiently appalling to us, it will no
doubt be a mere trifle to men who are used to it. What say you to
teaching them a British cheer?"

"Absurd," said I; "they will never learn to give it properly."

"I don't know that," rejoined Jack, in a doubtful manner.

"Try," said Peterkin.

"So I will.--