Challis, it must be confessed, felt very nervous. His men were as yet only partially trained; how would they behave if it came to a fight? Would they forget all that he had tried to teach them, and either run away from their dreaded enemy, or rush forward in their old disorderly manner, and fall an easy prey? He looked forward to the test with doubt and misgiving. But he let no sign of his thoughts escape him. Within three minutes of the scout's arrival he had all his warriors ranged in double line. "John," he said, "you will bring them along and down the hill after me. Be sure you do not let them break the line." Then, jumping on his horse, he cantered along the bed of the nullah to the point where he had already determined to make his stand. One of the scouts ran beside him. On reaching the spot, he left his horse with the scout and climbed the hill on the left to get a view of the enemy. It was some time before he was able to distinguish them. When he first caught sight of them they were picking their way very slowly and cautiously along the bank of the river. They numbered, as nearly as he could guess, about three hundred men--a force which, mounted, armed with rifles, and used to warfare, represented terrible odds against fewer than two hundred raw levies, on foot, and without firearms. Small though their numbers were, however, and in spite of their imperfect training, Challis had no reason to be dissatisfied with the spirit of his men. Before he regained the bottom of the hill the whole of his force were already on the spot, so closely and eagerly had they followed in his footsteps. Their ranks were in better order than he had expected, and he praised them warmly, hoping fervently that their morale would stand the shock of the imminent conflict. Losing no time, he drew them up in order of battle. With the swamp on his right and the hill on his left, there was no necessity to protect his flanks. Across the space between hill and swamp he placed a hundred of his pikemen in two ranks of fifty each. He had still twenty pikemen--these he posted in reserve ten yards behind the rear rank, to deal with any horsemen who might break through. Of these John was placed in charge. Of the sixty spearmen, who had six spears apiece, he arranged that thirty should advance in front of the line of pikes, cast their spears, and run back within the lines for shelter. The other thirty he posted in the bushes fringing the hillside, with orders to remain hidden until the leading ranks of the enemy had passed, and then to assail the rear ranks with a fierce shower of spears. And then, having placed his horse behind a tall bush, he stood, rifle in hand, tense with anxiety, in the centre of the front rank of his expectant men.