“Oh, don’t mention them,” came with a shudder. “But thank goodness!”

“By all means; but for what in particular now?”

“You gave me such a fright.”

“I did? How? I’ve been here with the boys for the last quarter of an hour.”

“The boys? Where are they?”

“Here, one each side.”

“Oh! I thought those were mules with packs. Do you hear, lads?”

There was no reply.

“What’s the matter with them? Tired and sulky?”

“Tired? Yes! Sulky? No. They’re both fast asleep.”