"At six a day they will last a week.

In a week something will have happened.

Either the relieving force will be here, or--yes, decidedly something will have happened." And as he blew the smoke out from between his lips he added solemnly: "If not to us, to the Political Officer." Meanwhile Luffe paced the roof of the fort in the darkness.

The fort was built in the bend of a swift, wide river, and so far as three sides were concerned was securely placed.

For on three the low precipitous cliffs overhung the tumbling water.