r fortress. The strength of the place seemed to explain a
great deal, suggesting, as it did, that the builders must have had good
reasons for the tremendous labour expended in making the place the
stronghold it must have been.

"Ah," said the Colonel, shading his eyes and gazing over the walls at
the rocky part of the kopje, "I don't want to be unmerciful; but I'm
afraid we must clear the rocks of the enemy."

"The apes?" said Denham.

"Yes; the vicious little brutes have bitten two of the men; but they had
to pay for it, for three were killed and I don't know how many wounded
before the pack was driven off. You should both be well on the lookout
when wandering about, and ready to use your revolvers, for the apes have
steel-trap jaws, and muscles nearly as strong. It is astounding the
strength there is in an ape."

"But if you come to the question of strength, sir," said Denham, "it
seems to me that everything in nature is stronger than a man. Look at
insects."

"No, thank you, Mr Denham," said the Colonel sarcastically. "I have
something else to look at, and no time to listen to your lesson on
natural history. Some evening, perhaps, when there is no danger, and I
am sipping my coffee over a quiet pipe, I shall be happy to listen to
you."

"Thank you, sir," said Denham.

"Is that meant to be sarcastic, my dear boy?" said the Colonel,
laughing.

"Oh no, sir," said Denham in an ill-used tone.

"I say `Oh yes.' But I didn't mean to snub one of my smartest
officers.--Well, Moray, this is another reason for giving you your
stripes. Work away, my lad, and master all your drill. I would promote
you directly; but it would seem too much like favouritism in the eyes of
your seniors. You may rest assured that I am not forgetting you."

"I am quite satisfied, sir," I said warmly. "Every one treats me more
as a friend than as the latest recruit."

"I'm glad of it, and that Mr Denham here seems to look upon you as a
companion--a brother-in-arms, I ought to say."

"Yet I've a lot of trouble with him, sir," said Denham mockingly. "He's
a very impudent young brother-in-arms sometimes."

The Colonel made no reply, but took his field-glass from its case, and
sat down on the highest point of the old fortress, while he proceeded
carefully to examine the country round, dropping a word or two about his
observations from time to time.

"The Boers seem as if they mean to stop," he said softly, and there was
a paus