ves saw at a glance how
easily an active body of mountaineers might scale the lower rocks of the
mighty clump upon which the fort was built and mount to the ramparts,
and unless the defence was strong there the place must fall.

"It tells well for the brave efforts you have made," said Colonel Graves
to his brother in rank. "I should propose throwing up an additional
wall at two of these spots--walls well loopholed for musketry."

"I have proposed it, and intended to do it," said Colonel Wrayford; "but
it has been impossible. The enemy has kept us too thoroughly upon the
_qui vive_."

"Well, there will be an opportunity now," said Colonel Graves as he
stepped up on to an open place on the wall and began to sweep the
mountain-slopes with his glass.

"See anything of them?" asked Colonel Wrayford.

"Nothing. Are they well in hiding?"

"Possibly. I do not understand our not having had a visit from them
before now. We generally have their white-coats streaming down those
ravines in two parties. It looks as if your coming had scared them
away."

"That's too good to expect," said Colonel Graves, laughing. "They'll
come, sure enough, and when least expected, no doubt. So much the
better, so that we can give them a good lesson to teach them to behave
with respect towards Her Majesty's forces, for this place is to be held
at all hazard."

"Yes; of course," said Colonel Wrayford rather bitterly. "Well, it has
been held."

"And bravely," said Colonel Graves, bowing, with a show of deference,
towards his senior.

"Thank you," said the latter simply. "We have done our best."

He turned away, to begin using his glass, sweeping the different
ravines--dark, savage-looking gorges which disembogued upon the smiling,
garden-like expanse on both sides of the river, and seeming strangely in
contrast, with their stony sides, to the tree-besprinkled verdure and
lovely groves of the little plain not more than a mile long by half that
space wide.

"Hah! I thought the visit would not be long deferred," said Colonel
Wrayford, lowering the glass and pointing to a thin line of white
figures slowly coming into sight and winding down a zigzag path on one
side of the gorge, through which the river came down from the mountains
beyond.

"I see," said Colonel Graves; "but I was watching those ravines to right
and left."

"Yes; the enemy is changing his tactics to-day. You see, he does not
mean us to have much rest."

The