give the
matter up as all a mistake, when, from where the mist was most dense,
there was the pattering of hoofs in the wet mud, followed by the
peculiarly human cough of one of the sheep of the district.

"No mistake about what they are, sir," said Sergeant Gee softly.
"They've come down to the low grounds on account of the storm."

"Yes," said Roberts, "and because there are none of the Dwats to keep
them back. Why, Gee, we're in luck. We must have the men out and the
flock driven in."

"Not much room for them in the court, sir," said the Sergeant.

"No; but to-morrow we must have something in the way of hurdles to shut
them in close under the wall, and they can be driven out to pasture
every day by some of the men, with a guard to watch over them. You try
and keep them under your eye now while I go and tell the Colonel."

The two young men peered down at where the pattering of hoofs could be
heard through the mist twenty feet below them; though nothing was
visible but a dimly-seen moving mass.

A few minutes later they announced the find to the Colonel.

"This is good news, gentlemen," he said; "such a store of fresh
provisions will be a treasure. Order out your company, Roberts, and you
had better get five-and-twenty or thirty of your men, Mr Drummond."

"Yes, sir," said the subaltern, smiling.

"What's that you're thinking--rather absurd to get out two companies to
drive in a flock of sheep?"

"Well, sir, I was thinking something of the sort," said the young man,
colouring.

"I want them to strengthen the guard," said the Colonel quietly. "A
dozen of the native servants can be sent round the flock to head the
sheep toward the open gates. There is nothing like being on your guard
when dealing with a venturesome as well as a treacherous enemy."

"You think the enemy may make a rush, sir, as soon as the gates are
open?"

"No, Roberts," said the Colonel, laying his hand on the young man's
shoulder. "I think the enemy might make a rush if they were near; but,
happily, I do not believe there are any of the hill-men for many miles
round. The last reports are that they are heading homewards, and I
begin to hope that the breaking-up of the weather has set us at
liberty."

The arrangements were soon made, everything being done quietly and
without any display of lights. The Fusiliers and the draft of Colonel
Wrayford's regiment were stationed on either side of the gates, and
about twenty of the nativ