"Look here, Mr Dickenson," he said sourly, "a little of that commonplace, slangy quotation may be tolerated sometimes after the mess dinner if it's witty--mind, I say if it's witty--but such language as this seems to me quite out of place, especially if spoken in the hearing of the men when on service." "Yes, of course," replied Dickenson shortly; "but I took care that they were out of hearing." "They are not out of hearing, sir," retorted Roby; "as Mr Lennox here will bear me witness, Sergeant James and Corporal May must have heard every word." He turned to Lennox with a questioning look and waited for him to, as he termed it, bear witness. "Well, really, I don't think they could have heard," said Lennox. "What!" cried Roby indignantly. "Here, sergeant, you heard--you, Corporal May, you heard what Mr Dickenson said?" "Yes, sir, everything," replied the corporal smartly. "And you, sergeant?" "I heard Mr Dickenson saying something, sir," replied the sergeant bluntly, "but I was looking along the gun here and did not catch a word." "You mean you would not hear," cried the captain angrily.--"Look here, Mr Dickenson, don't let it occur again." He jerked at the case of his field-glass and took it out again, then crossed to the other end of the roughly-made gun-platform and directed the telescope upon some object near the horizon. The two subalterns exchanged glances. "Mr Lennox--Mr Dickenson," said the latter in a low tone. "Poor old chap, he's regularly upset. Well, no wonder; wants his breakfast. I'm just as grumpy underneath for the same reason, but I keep it down--with my belt. Look here, Drew; go and prescribe for him. Tell him to buckle himself up a couple of holes tighter and he'll feel all the better." "Hold your tongue! He isn't well, and he's put out about this mare's-nest hunt." "Well, yes; we haven't done much good." "Not a bit. How do you feel?" "As if I should like to kick that time-serving corporal." "What! the `Lantern'? Yes: brute! Anything to curry favour with his master." "Look here, don't forget. Mind I give old James two ounces of the best tobacco first time I have any--which I'm afraid will not be just yet." "Mare's-nest," said Lennox thoughtfully. "Yes, I suppose it is a mare's-nest. Nobody could have been about here without being caught by the sentries." "I don't know," said Dickenson, looking about him; "these niggers are very clever at hiding and sneaking about. I felt certain after what I had experienced that we should find a way into a passage and some caves. Here, 'tention; the general's coming back." Captain Roby returned, replacing his glass, and gave a few sharp orders for the men to take their places once more and commence the descent, searching every crevice among the rocks as they went down.