It was some satisfaction to know that they would be flogged, though this did not obviate the inconvenience caused by their desertion.
Mansu was a pleasanter halting place than the two preceding ones.
It was surrounded by a clearing of considerable size; and contained two bungalows, which served as quarters for the officers.

The soldiers got abundance of firewood from the forest, and the place presented a picturesque appearance, after nightfall, with its blazing fires and their reflection on the deep circle of foliage.
The march had been a depressing one, to the officers; but the native troops did not seem to find it so, and chattered, sang, and danced by their fires.

Three of the officers found it difficult to swallow their food; but Lisle and another young officer, named Hallett, with whom he had been a special chum on board ship, made a hearty meal and, after it was finished, set out together for a tour round the camp, to assure themselves that everything was going on satisfactorily.
"This must be very different from your experience in the Tirah," Hallett said.
"Yes; to begin with, it was generally so cold at night, even in the valley, that we were glad of both our blankets and cloaks; while among the passes it was bitter, indeed.

Then, too, the greater portion of the troops were white and, though they were cheerful enough, their spirits were nothing to the merriment of these natives.

Then the camps were crowded with animals, while here there are only these wretched carriers; and almost every night we were saluted with bullets from the heights, and lay down in readiness to oppose any sudden attack.
"I suppose we shall have to do the same, when we get into the enemy's country, here.