"That gives us a breathing space," said Royce. "It won't last long. If Goruba was savage at finding me alone here, he will be still more enraged now. Besides, he can't afford to own himself beaten. If the natives in the district were to learn that the dreaded Tubus are not invincible, his prestige would be gone. You may be sure that he is determined to destroy us." "This place is half in ruins," said Challis, who had thrown himself down, and looked pale and worn. "If he came on in earnest, we should be wiped out. He must have three or four hundred men with him." "It's clear that he has learnt respect for our rifles. And he needn't hurry. All he has to do is to invest us, and in a short time he can starve us out. Our food won't last more than about ten or twelve days, however economical we are. I see John is getting a meal ready. When the men have had a feed and a rest, we had better set some of them to strengthen our defences." "It's very lucky that we have got our camp equipment." "Yes; I only wish we had a few more spades. We must build up an earthwork where the walls are broken down, and with only three spades it will take a long time." "And the Tubus can snipe the men as they work." "I don't think they will do much damage. Their weapons appear to be poor, and they are certainly not good shots.... I'm sorry I led you into this mess, Tom." "Tosh! I'm glad. I've had a very easy, comfortable life up to the present, and I'm inclined to think too much comfort is bad for one. Hardship and danger test a man, and it's up to us to show that we've something of the old British spirit left." Here John came up with some tinned meat on an enamelled plate and a few biscuits. "Boys want water, sah," he said. "Very dry." "Perhaps there is a well in the place," Challis suggested. "I'll go and see," said Royce. "Stay where you are--you need rest more than I do." In a courtyard in the centre of the fort he discovered a well, but it was filled up with rubbish. "There's nothing for it but to go down to the stream," he said, returning to Challis. "A risky job, in full view of the Tubus," his friend answered. "We must chance that. Without water we can't hold out a day. If only two or three creep down on the north side they may escape notice. All the Tubus appear to be on the south." "We two had better do it, with John." "Not a bit of it! John shall go, and Gambaru; but only one of us. It won't do for both to risk being potted." "Well, I'll go," said Challis. "You are the boss; besides, you're a better shot than I." "But, hang it, man! you've already been wounded, and I'm without a scratch. Your job is to get perfectly fit again in the shortest possible time. John, go and collect all the things that will hold water. There's our collapsible pail; you can take a meat tin or two. Hunt about the place on the chance of finding something else." "Look here, Hugh," said Challis, rising, "I insist on taking a hand."