All struck their shields with their nullas, then sat down in silence until Burradella jumped up as Weetah came running into camp, gasping for breath. In swift sentences she told her news. Immediately she spoke of the four Cassilis warriors in war-paint Burradella knew relief that he had acted rightly, though his anxiety was greatly increased. Weetah had met Giluram with Kubado and Burowa running up the creek. She had told them the enemy seemed to have gone in the direction of the Burrell Lagoon. Giluram and his two mates had then turned off and run straight through bush for the lagoon while she had come on here to camp.

The warrior Burradella gravely thanked her for what she and little Tuki had done for the tribe this day, advised her to eat, wrap up her things, then make her way quietly to the Secret Camp.

“Kuppa! Burrai!” Burradella said sharply to two of the elder boys. “You both have been trained in smoke and fire signalling. Now run to the Black Hill look-out, tell the three men there to send smoke signals—fire if it is too late—to the Red Chief saying ‘Cassilis enemies. Four seen on river. Looks like war party camped close.’ Do you understand?”

The boys nodded.

“When they have signalled,” resumed Burradella, “tell them to signal the two look-out men away on Carrowreer to repeat that signal. After which the two men on Carrowreer are to make their way to me here. Understand?”

The boys nodded again.

“Right. Then tell the men on Black Hill to run down and join me at the edge of the hoop-vine scrub where the women enter on the way to the Secret Camp. You two stay on look-out duty, in case the Red Chief signals. If he does, one of you hurry with the message to me. Now run!”

And the boys sped away.

“Kaleboil! Kuliya! Mullion! Dhina-wan!” said Burradella. “You four boys make your way swiftly to Carrowreer, climb the mountain, and do look-out duty when the dawn comes. Be cautious, for you may run into some enemy party. Be very careful when you are climbing the mountain, for the enemy may send, or may already have sent, a party to ambush our look-outs there. So be very wary. But,” he added kindly, “I know you can make it, even though you must travel through the night. The spirits of the night are on our side, for this night our tribe is in grave danger and the spirits of our departed warriors will gather all around you, guarding you from harm.” The warrior Burradella let this sink in, knowing so well how full-grown warriors feared the spirits of the night.

“Yes, I am sure you will make it,” resumed Burradella. “You have only a few miles to go, and soon the cloak of night will shield you from enemies. You are as slithery as the snake, secretive as the squirrel mouse. And with the dawn your eyes will be those of the eagle to see our enemies’ movements, you will be swifter than the emu to bring me news. Now go!”