A RIDE FOR DEAR LIFE. 5 



" They report to me that they have heard on good 

 authority that a very large troop of the enemy's cattle 

 are stowed away in the valley between the first and 

 second range of hills I mean between the range of hills 

 you see to the eastward and another range behind that 

 range and parallel to it. You will have to follow the 

 course of the river, which runs through a gap in the hills. 

 When you have passed the gap, turn to your right and 

 pass along the valley between this range and the next 

 range. See here on the map. The valley narrows at 

 this point; I am told it is not more than about 400 

 yards wide just there. There is a town on the slope of 

 the hills to the left, about half a mile beyond this neck, 

 so you will have to go very cautiously, but when you 

 have passed the town you are all safe. You go on about 

 three or four miles until you come to a little round hill 

 in the midst of the valley. 



"I am told there is a small patch of bush on this little 

 hill. I want you to hide your horses in the bush, mount 

 the hill, and, keeping yourselves hidden, watch the valley 

 and ascertain if there are any troops of cattle where 

 they feed, and to bring me all the information you can. 

 I will give you an excellent man to accompany you. 

 You can start when the moon rises to-night. You will 

 reach the spot before daybreak. Remain hidden all day 

 and return to-morrow night. That is all you have to do. 

 You had better take fifty rounds of ball and two days' 

 rations with you. I will lend you my field-glasses. 



Trooper G accompanies you. The adjutant in 



person will inspect you and give any final instructions 

 and, by the way, is your horse a silent one? " 



" Yes, excepting at stables, when he sometimes gives 

 a whinny at the sight of forage." 



