"The soles of their feet are like leather.

You would get half a dozen thorns in your foot, before you had gone half a mile; and would stub your toes against every root that projected across the path.

No, no; stick to your shoes." Lisle changed his boots, and then went across to the Sikhs; who fell in as they saw him coming.
"You have got everything, sergeant ?" he asked.
"Yes; a hundred and thirty rounds of ball cartridge, the two stretchers, and some food and drink for our comrade." "You have got a good supply of torches, I hope.

There may be some small risk in carrying them, but I am convinced that the Ashantis will not venture to return, tonight, whatever they may do tomorrow.
With three torches--one at the head, one in the middle of the line, and one in the rear--we should be able to travel through the paths better than if we had to grope our way in the dark." The little party at once moved off, many of the officers and men gathering round, to wish them good luck and a safe return.

Four hours took them to the spot where Lisle had turned into the path.
For the last mile he had had three torches burning in front, so that he should not overlook the signs he had made on the trees.
"There it is, sergeant," he said, at last, "two slashes; the other one is on the left, fifty yards on." They turned off when they came to this.
"Here we are, all right, Pertab!" Lisle said, as they came to the tree.
"Allah be praised!" the man said, faintly.