“Of course,” said the colonel. “So let’s see what is to be done.”
The two boys exchanged glances, but said nothing.
“Now, then,” cried the colonel, “let’s look the worst straight in the face, and then we will calculate our advantages. First of all, the enemy.”
“None in sight, sir,” said John Manning.
“No; they have gone. They have achieved their aim in getting possession of our baggage.”
“Don’t you think they’ll attack us, sir?” said Cyril.
“No, certainly not. They have been here, and found us asleep. Had they wished to slay us, there we were at their mercy, and not a hair of our heads has been touched. Next trouble.”
“Walked off with all the wittle, sir,” growled John Manning.
“Yes, that’s bad; but we have plenty of water, and shall not fail in our journeyings for that. Bad thing to be journeying through a wild country with not a drop of water, eh, Manning? We have done that.”
“Don’t talk about it, sir. And the sun all the time drying the very marrow out of your bones.”