Charlie, the ex-cannibal, stayed in camp for the time being, but he might be useful as a spy afterwards.
It is needless to say that the prayers of both our heroes were offered up night and day for Benee's success, and that their blessings followed him.
But we do not always receive the answers that would appear to us the best to our prayers, however earnest and heartfelt they may be. Still, we know well, though we are generally very loth to admit it, that afflictions are very often blessings in disguise.
And now Benee was once more all alone on the war-path, and he followed his old tactics, creeping quietly through the jungle only by night, and retiring into hiding whenever day began to obliterate the stars. Roland gave orders for the camp to be immediately fortified. It was certainly a well-chosen one, on the top of a wooded hill.
This hill was scarcely a hundred feet high, but although it might be taken by siege, its position rendered it almost impregnable as far as assault was concerned.
A rampart with a trench was thrown round three sides of it. That was apparently all that would be needed.
Looking from below by daylight even, hardly a savage could have told that an enemy held the hill.
And now there was nothing to do but to wait. And waiting is always wearisome work.
But let us follow Benee.
His progress was slow, but it was sure, and at last he reached the cottage where good Shooks-gee and his wife resided.