"Well, I am very glad to hear you say so, sergeant. I have been doing the best I can to give them some idea of drill; but I have, as you see, failed altogether. I had no orders except to take command of these fellows, but I supposed I was expected to drill them to some extent; still, if you say they have given it up as hopeless in the front, I need not bother myself about it."
"I don't think you need, sir. I can assure you that no attempt is made to drill them in that way at the front."
The young officer, with an air of relief, at once dismissed the natives from parade.
"I am in charge of the party of Rifles going up with you to-morrow, sir, or at least as soon as the waggons are ready for you."
"Oh, is it you, sergeant? I heard that a detachment of your corps were to accompany us. I suppose you have just arrived from King Williamstown?"
"I came in about an hour ago, sir, and have just been seeing that the men were comfortable."
"Did you meet with any Kaffirs on the way down?"
"We saw no sign of them. We came through the Addoo Bush, which is the most dangerous point, at a trot. Not that there was much chance of their attacking us. The natives seldom attack unless there is something to be got by it; but we shall have to be careful as we go back. We shall be a fairly strong party, but others as strong have been attacked; and the fact of our having ammunition—the thing of all others they want—is, of course, against us."
"But how will they know that we are carrying ammunition?"
"From the Hottentots, who keep them informed of everything," Ronald said. "At least, we have no doubt whatever that it is the Hottentots. Of course, the General doesn't think so. If he did, I suppose he would keep them out of camp; but there is only one opinion in the ranks about it."