"Until the prisoners are all locked in--that is to say, in case of fire in the daytime--six or eight askaris remain inside the boma.

The minute they are locked in, if the fire is serious, and in case of fire by night, they all go except two, who stand on the eastern boma wall, one at each corner.

From there they are supposed to be able to see on every side except the water-front.

Nobody guards the water-front; I don't know why, unless it is that the gate on that side is kept locked almost always and the wall runs along the water's edge." "As a matter of fact," said I, "those two sentries on the wall will be too busy staring at the fire, if the Greeks really make a big one, to see anything else unless we march by under their noses with a brass band." "Bah!" sneered Lady Waldon.

"If I get that rifle I would dare shoot them both for you myself!" "If you overstep one detail of Will's plan, I guarantee to put you ashore on the first barren island we come to!" said Fred.