“They cannot be far away,” said the chief, frowning, “but it is their warriors I’m worried about. We must get on their tracks in the morning and locate the fighting men. All these women and children roaming about with only a few warriors to guard them could mean a trap.”

“They may be hiding up in those big scrubs by that Black Hill,” suggested a warrior.

“Wah!” growled the chief. “We shall scout the scrub edge in the morning. And now we’ll place guards all around this camp. And let no guard sleep,” he growled fiercely, “lest these Gunn-e-darr men fall upon us in the night. Remember, they are no fools! And we don’t know definitely just where they are—nor in what numbers!”

Giluram and Kubado had seen and heard enough. They crept away to report to the warrior Burradella.

Burradella now had seven young warriors with him, and with the thirteen boys were stationed in place along the scrub edge, silent as the evening. And to the anxious Burradella was coming news—they all hearkened to it—the soft, rapid footfalls of a lad running along the edge of the scrub at full speed. And he panted at Burradella.

“The look-out has received signals from the Red Chief. He is coming at the run with nine picked warriors straight for the Secret Camp. He has signalled Boobuk’s party. They will follow on at the run.”

“Wah! Wah!” laughed Burradella. “Good lad! We shall beat them now! They cannot follow tracks until dawn!” He turned and called softly. Two lads came swiftly.

“Hurry up to the look-out,” he ordered. “You will meet the three warriors coming down—they should be here by now. Carry on and tell the boys to come back with you here. They will not be needed up there now!”

As the lads vanished in the darkness he called softly to four others.

“Make your way through the scrub to the Secret Camp!” he ordered. “You are to be message runners for the Red Chief when he arrives. When he does, tell him I wait here with seven young warriors—three more will join me at any moment—and thirteen boys of fighting age. Tell him what you have seen here, and that here I wait until he comes—or sends me a message. Understand?”

“Wah!” they whispered.

“No talking as you go—and no noise. Now remember this! Be very careful when you near the Secret Camp. Then, Birumba, you give two calls of a curlew, one following the other, you are as good as the bird itself. Then listen! An owl will hoot. Soon, another, but this one from a different direction. After the second hoot of the owl you, Birumba, will give the curlew call again. But only once this time, remember. Then wait silently. Presently, a voice will say ‘Come to me!’ Walk forward slowly, for a guard will be there with spear in wommera ready to throw—so make no false move! When you halt before the spear of the guard whisper to him that the warrior Burradella has sent you to act as guides for the Red Chief, who has signalled that he is running for the Secret Camp. Now repeat what I have said.”