At nightfall a sharp lookout was kept, not only on the palisade but from the top of the rajah's house.

It was thought that the enemy, of whom considerable numbers had been seen going into the forest, would bring up the faggots as closely as possible, before lighting them.

Still, it would be necessary to carry brands for that purpose and, now that the ground was cleared of huts, some at least of these brands could be seen, even if carefully hidden.
With the exception of the guards, all slept during the day; as it was necessary that they should be vigilant at night, for the enemy might, on this occasion, approach at an earlier hour, hoping to find the garrison unprepared.

Harry and Abdool paced round and round on the platform of the wall but, although a few fires burned among the fields, no glimmer of light could be seen where the town had stood.
"I wish I knew what they were up to, Abdool," Harry said, about midnight.

"I don't like this silence." "Perhaps they have gone away, sahib." "No, I can hardly think that.