There is no doubt that they are going to be attacked in great force; which, as far as it goes, is all the better for us.

If it were only a question of sniping by a small body of men, the colonel would no doubt push steadily on, contenting himself with firing occasional volleys into the bush; but if he is attacked by so strong a body as there appears to be round him, he will halt and give them battle.

If so, we may be pretty sure that he will send them flying into the bush; and they won't stop running till they get back to the river.

In that case, when we have allowed them all to pass we can go boldly on, and overtake the column at their halting place, this evening.
"If, on the other hand, our fellows make a running fight of it, the enemy will follow them till they get near Coomassie, and we shall have to make a big detour to get in.

That we shall be able to do so I have no doubt, but the serious part of the business is the question of food.