He followed Denham, and I went too, as one of the discoverers. The Colonel examined everything with the utmost interest. "Not a doubt about it," he said at last. "You two lads have made a most curious discovery. It may be valuable or worthless; but here it is. I think that, besides being a splendidly strong place for a base, it is otherwise worth holding." "You feel sure it is an old gold-mine, then, sir?" "Undoubtedly, and it must have been of great value. This explains why it was made a favourite station by the ancient settlers who discovered the riches on the spot. I've heard rumours of old workings about here in the veldt; but I never thought much about them, or that they were of any consequence. I shall begin to think now that we must fight harder than ever to hold this part of the country. Which of you two made the discovery?" "Both of us," said Denham. "No; Moray first stumbled upon the hole there." "We were together," I said quietly; "and Sergeant Briggs helped." "I didn't see much of his help," said Denham dryly. "We pushed, and he did the grunting." "You shall have the credit of the discovery, never fear," said the Colonel, "and your share of the profit, if there is any; but we have something else to think about now. Come up here; I want to see how our enemies are going on." He led the way back to the walls, and we followed him to the highest part of our fortress. The strength of the place seemed to explain a great deal, suggesting, as it did, that the builders must have had good reasons for the tremendous labour expended in making the place the stronghold it must have been. "Ah," said the Colonel, shading his eyes and gazing over the walls at the rocky part of the kopje, "I don't want to be unmerciful; but I'm afraid we must clear the rocks of the enemy." "The apes?" said Denham. "Yes; the vicious little brutes have bitten two of the men; but they had to pay for it, for three were killed and I don't know how many wounded before the pack was driven off. You should both be well on the lookout when wandering about, and ready to use your revolvers, for the apes have steel-trap jaws, and muscles nearly as strong. It is astounding the strength there is in an ape." "But if you come to the question of strength, sir," said Denham, "it seems to me that everything in nature is stronger than a man. Look at insects." "No, thank you, Mr Denham," said the Colonel sarcastically. "I have something else to look at, and no time to listen to your lesson on natural history. Some evening, perhaps, when there is no danger, and I am sipping my coffee over a quiet pipe, I shall be happy to listen to you." "Thank you, sir," said Denham. "Is that meant to be sarcastic, my dear boy?" said the Colonel, laughing. "Oh no, sir," said Denham in an ill-used tone.