Goruba's only answer was a scowl. He fell back into his former sullen silence.
"I really can't blame him," thought Royce. "If he went back to the Tubus' country with a broken force, his chief would probably cut off his head at once. Even if he were spared, he would know that he had lost all chance of securing his treasure, for which he has no doubt been scheming for years. But if he holds on, there's always a possibility of being rescued by his party. Goruba is no fool."
Another day passed. Parties of the enemy had been seen wandering in different directions around the fort, but they had not broken up their camps. It seemed indeed to Royce that their numbers had increased, and he guessed that a messenger had been sent back across the Yo to report Goruba's disappearance, and had brought other Tubus with him on his return.
Meanwhile Royce was growing more and more anxious about Challis and about the garrison. What chance had Challis, he thought, of raising the district, devastated as it was, against raiders so strong in numbers and so terrible in reputation? The prospects of relief from the outside were desperately slight.
Inside, food was running short. Royce realised with dismay that he had over-estimated the stock. He doled it out sparingly to Kulana, whose work became lighter every day. Several of the men were showing signs of weakness, some were scarcely fit for duty. Royce was touched by the courage with which they endured their privations. Even the weak did not murmur or complain. All looked to him with trust and confidence that he and Massa Chally would save them.
On this day, as Royce made the miserable dole for the evening meal, he had hard work to appear hopeful and cheerful. But he knew that he, at any rate, must not appear despondent.
"We are getting thin, Kulana," he said, with a smile, "but that gives all the more room for fattening up by and by, when Massa Chally comes back."
"Oh yes, sah—when Massa Chally comes back," Kulana repeated.
"It will be only a day or two now," Royce went on, fervently hoping that the future would not belie him.
"Only a day or two, sah," said Kulana. "Den we eat lots and lots, get all jolly fat."