But the anxiety of Mataafa must have been great and growing.

His force was now considerable.

It was scarce likely he should ever have more.

That he should be long able to supply them with ammunition seemed incredible; at the rates then or soon after current, hundreds of pounds sterling might be easily blown into the air by the skirmishers in the course of a few days.

And in the meanwhile, on the mountain opposite, his outnumbered adversary held his ground unshaken.
By this time the partisanship of the whites was unconcealed.