t fancy we were at home after one of our muggy days."

"Yes; just like a London suburban fog, old fellow."

Then there was silence for a minute, as they walked on along the
terraced wall, before the one who had just spoken said in a quick
whisper:

"I say, Roberts, oughtn't there to be a sentry here?"

"I was just thinking so," was the reply. "I hope to goodness he isn't
asleep, for I hate having to report a man for neglect."

He had hardly whispered the words when there was the click of a rifle, a
voice challenged them, and they gave the customary response.

"This is not your place, my man," said Roberts then.

"No, sir; twenty yards farther that way. But there's something down
below then; that I can't quite make out. It seemed to come past and on
this way."

"What! up on the ramparts?" said Drummond quickly.

"No, no, sir; right down below the face of the wall, and I come on a bit
so as to follow and look down. I didn't like to give the alarm."

"Why?" said Roberts sharply.

"Because it might be a false one, sir."

"Better give a dozen false alarms, my lad, than miss a real danger.
Now, then, what did you see?"

"Well, sir, if we was at home I should say it was a drove o' sheep or a
herd o' pigs; but these hill-niggers are so artful and ready to be down
upon us that I fancied it might be men."

"Men haven't four legs," said Drummond, laughing softly.

"No, sir; but these Dwats don't think anything o' going down on
all-fours."

"But there have been none about lately," said Drummond; "the rain seemed
to be too much for them."

"Yes, sir; but ain't they the more likely to come down on us when they
think we believe we're safe?--Change guard, sir."

For steps were heard, and a party of men came up smartly, were
challenged, and the non-commissioned officer in charge answered.

"That you, Gee?" said Roberts.

"Yes, sir."

"Come here. The sentry thinks there are people below there. Come and
have a look."

"The sentry I've just relieved thought the same, sir," replied Gee
sharply, "and I had a good look. They're sheep driven down from the
hills by the bad weather. I was going to report to the Colonel, sir,
and ask whether he'd order a sally from the gate to drive them in. Be
useful, sir."

"To be sure. You'd better do it. Let's have a look over first."

They stepped together to the embattled wall, and peered down into the
darkness; but nothing was visible now, and Roberts was about to