“Oh no, sir: it was so dark; but I hit at one of them and felt him.”
“Came out of the cavern?”
“Yes, sir.”
“But are you sure?”
“Quite, sir; I heard them frighten the mules, which began trampling, and then one of the men sprang out.”
“Shall I light the lantern, sir, and go in and see if there’s any more?” growled John Manning.
“No, my man; in all probability there were only the two, and perhaps they were not enemies to be feared. Possibly we have scared them more than they scared us.”
Cyril mentally demurred to that, but said nothing, and the colonel went on:
“I’m afraid our night’s rest has gone,” he said, “for it is impossible to lie down with the knowledge that Indians who may be enemies are about.—Did you see anything as you made your round, John Manning?”
“No, sir; but I heard something twice. It may have been only an animal, but something moved a few little stones up to the left. When I went cautiously up, whatever it was had gone. Did you see or hear anything, sir?”