have already been seized by the kampong guard and that our anxieties are premature. I am now going to visit the posts, will you come with me?"
"Donnerwetter! it is no treat to grope about in that Egyptian darkness."
"Well stay behind and wait for me. The Chief may be here directly and I should like to have you present at our interview. I shall not be long."
The Colonel went out. He had only a short distance to go, the fort being very small.
The sentries were found duly posted and peering sharply into the surrounding darkness. The bridge over the moat had been let down and the gates stood ajar; but outside at the further extremity of the drawbridge there was stationed a picket of six men, whilst behind the gate the whole garrison was drawn up with shouldered rifles. The Colonel, satisfied with his inspection, was about to return to his quarters and his guest when he was accosted by a corporal.
"What is the matter?" he asked.
"The rifles of Johannes, Schlickeisen, Wienersdorf and La Cueille are missing from the gun rack and most of the men's cartridge boxes have been emptied."
"Ha! ascertain how many cartridges are lost and let the artillery sergeant replace them immediately from the magazine."
The Colonel had scarcely finished speaking when the corporal of the mess approached to report that four bags of rice and a bag of coffee were missing. These too he ordered replaced and turned away, his mind engrossed by the desertions and their
