a-dozen men at a word from their officer doubled along the shelf
for a couple of dozen yards and then stood fast, while the other end of
the path was blocked in the same way.

Lennox's heart was beating hard with excitement, and he started as he
felt Dickenson grip his arm firmly.

Then all stood fast, listening, as they waited for the lantern to be
brought. Quite ten minutes of painful silence elapsed before a couple
of dim lights were seen approaching, the bearers having to come down
from the gun-platform; and when the two non-commissioned officers who
bore them approached, and in obedience to orders held them up, they
displayed nothing but swarthy, eager-looking faces, and the piled-up
rugged and weathered rocks on one side, the black darkness on the other.

"Come this way, sergeant," said Captain Edwards, and he, as officer in
command of the detachment that night, led on, followed closely by
Captain Roby and the two subalterns.

They went along in perfect silence, the lanterns here being alternately
held up and down so that the rugged shelf and the piled-up masses of
rock which formed the nearly perpendicular side of the kopje in that
part might be carefully examined.

This was done twice over, the party passing each time where their men
were blocking the ends of the shelf which had been selected for one of
the posts.

"It's strange," said Captain Roby at last. "I can see no loose stone."

"No," said Captain Edwards. "It was just as if a good-sized block had
slipped down from above. Let's have another look."

This was done, with no better result, and once more the party stood fast
in the dim light, gazing in a puzzled way.

"Can any one suggest anything?" said Captain Roby.

There was silence for a few moments, and then Lennox caught hold of
Dickenson's arm and gave it a meaning pressure as he turned to the two
captains, who were close together.

"I have an idea," he whispered. "Give the orders loudly for the men to
march off. Take them round to the south, and wait."

"What for?" said Captain Roby snappishly.

"I should like Dickenson and me to be left behind. I'll fire if there
is anything."

"Oh, rubbish!" said Captain Roby contemptuously.

"No," said his brother officer quietly. "It is worth trying." Then
turning to the two sergeants who bore the lanterns, he said, "When I say
put out those lights, don't do it; cover them sharply with greatcoats."

Directly after he gave his first orde