harply, and then in rapid succession they
fired again and again till a dozen bullets had gone hurtling over their
sheltering rock amongst the trees, and then, springing up, they fixed
bayonets with a rattle, and stood ready to fire again; but not an enemy
was visible to charge or be shot down.

For at the word "Fire!" the chief had made a sudden bound from the
stone, upon which he had sat, and rushed at his men, who turned and fled
at full speed away in the direction from which our adventurers had come:
and for the next few minutes Bracy and Gedge stood listening as they
recharged their revolvers, hearing the distant crackling and rustling of
leaf and twig till all was still.

"Think they'll rally, Gedge?" said Bracy at last.

"Not them, sir: it was too much of a scare, and so sudden. It's hard
work to start these beggars running, but once you do get 'em on the move
it's twice as hard to stop 'em."

"You are right," said Bracy quietly.

"They'll go on till they come upon the next lot o' their pardners, and
then they'll tell 'em they were attacked by two whole ridgements, and
show their wounds, if they've got any. Don't think I hit one, sir. Did
you?"

"I did not even try to," said Bracy. "I only thought of firing as
quickly as I could. Now, then, a drink of water apiece, and forward.
We can't stop to rest, but must eat as we go."

They hurried down in turn to where the tribes-men had refreshed
themselves, each watching while the other drank hastily, and remounted
to the track; after which, food in hand, they were about to recommence
their journey, when Gedge started.

"What is it?" said Bracy quickly.

"One on 'em down, sir. Didn't think we had hit any of 'em, but yonder's
one lying among the bushes."

"Yes," said Bracy; "perfectly still. I saw and covered him while you
were drinking, and was going to see if he is dead as we went by, in case
he might be only wounded, and dangerous."

"Pouf!"

"What is it?" said Bracy wonderingly, for Gedge had broken into a quiet
little laugh.

"It's the bear they shot, sir, and brought into camp with 'em. Won't
come back to fetch it--will they?"

"We will not stop to see," said Bracy quietly. "Now, forward once
more."

Their path took them by the dead bear, whose paws were bound together
with twigs, and a freshly-cut pole was thrust through, showing how the
trophy had been borne so far. The next minute the pair were steadily
climbing again, and finding by