Our camp had been on the low ground, near the water, in the midst of many scrubby hills, all of which commanded our position.

There were now a great many well armed natives around us, and though they were very kind and friendly, I did not like the idea of their occupying the acclivities immediately above us--at all events, not during my contemplated absence from the party.

I therefore had every thing removed to the hill next above them, and was a good deal amused at the result of this manoeuvre, for they seemed equally as uneasy as we had been at the heights above them being occupied.

In a very short time they also broke up camp, and took possession of the next hill beyond us.

This defeated the object I had in view in our former removal, and I now determined not to be out-manoeuvred any more, but take up our position on the highest hill we could find.