“Poor devils,” repeated the Colonel, wiping away a tear as if he felt humiliated by his emotion. “What a miserable fate these men have gone to encounter.” He then laid the letter on the table, giving vent to a deep sigh and became wrapt in meditation. He was interrupted by the entrance of the garrison doctor, who rushed into the room with an angry and excited countenance. The doctor was a tall, slender man, with bristly red hair and a pair of yellow mustaches, the points of which were kept well waxed so that they stood out as if trying to reach behind his ears. He also had received a letter which he held in his hand. “Himmelskreuz! The rogue has bolted.” He was evidently a Prussian or South German. “What? Who?” asked the Colonel. “Der Wallon, das Vieh, and he has taken my instruments and revolvers with him.” La Cueille had likewise left a letter behind to explain the theft of the doctor’s instruments and arms, which as he was a gunsmith had been entrusted to him for repair. He had also begged to be excused to the Colonel, whose two Remington rifles he had carried off. “One cannot risk such a dangerous journey quite defenceless,” the Walloon had reasoned. “The Colonel was sure to know of the dangers they would have to encounter.” The Colonel showed the doctor the letter which he had received. “Then they have bolted together.” “Very probably.” “Poor fellows! But what will you do now?” “I have sent to the Chief of the district. It may be that he has some information. Upon his communication will depend my course of action.” “Do you mean to pursue them?” “Certainly,” replied the Colonel. “But the safety of the post entrusted to you?” “Oh, my dear sir, I will not endanger that.” “How so? The garrison is not strong. You cannot take any men away from it without danger.” “Oh, I will leave the garrison intact. I will have them hunted down by a native detachment.” “That would be cruel. To be hunted down by Dayaks!” “I must own that those fellows are not over-scrupulous; but what else can I do? As you say, I dare not take any of the garrison and I cannot very well remain inactive. However, it is impossible to decide what steps are to be taken until I have seen the Chief of the district. It may be that the deserters 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.