When daylight came and showed no sign of any Gunn-e-darr lookouts the four Cassilis scouts had become careless, merely watching for a sign of an enemy climbing up the hill. Then, when full daylight came, every now and then they would point away out and down at the bushland to where, towards the Burrell Lagoon, groups of their own warriors were beginning to leave camp. And these men, so the lad told, in small scattered parties, yet working close enough to run together should they be attacked were now beginning to work their way right round the back of the scrubs.

And Kuppa, who with Burrai had been chased from the Black Hill, had news of enemy scouts encircling the Black Hill scrub similarly.

“They are seeking to cut tracks on all sides of the Porcupine Ridges,” said the Red Chief fiercely. “They will learn by today that there are no tracks leading in from round there! They will know then that we are the only people in this scrub. Tomorrow they will come in and get us!”

“Boobuk and the others will arrive long before then,” declared Burradella.

“You boys have done very well,” said the Red Chief warmly. “All the boys have. When the fight is over I shall tell old Mullionkale the play-maker to make a corroboree of the deeds of the boys alone.”

The eyes of Dhina-wan and Kuppa grew big and shiny at this promise of a corroboree from the Red Chief; their feet itched to run back with the great news to their mates.

“How did you manage to sneak down from Carrowreer without the Cassilis warriors seeing you?” asked the Red Chief of Dhina-wan.

“We didn’t,” answered the lad ruefully. “They saw us. A carpet snake slithered over the rock behind which Kaleboi was hiding. A warrior came to catch it for his breakfast. We jumped up and bounded down the hill while they stared—we were out of spear-throw before they even yelled.”

“Never mind!” The Red Chief laughed. “You have done great work. Where are your mates now?”

“Away back in the scrub edge near the foot of Black Hill, watching some of the Cassilis scouts. We can see a little way round the other side of the scrub from there, but not far.”

“Good,” answered the Red Chief. “Hurry back and tell the boys to keep at it, and run with the news to me or the warrior Burradella as you learn fresh news. But warn your mates to be very careful or you will be squirming like an eel with a spear through your ribs before sunset.”

And the boys were away with impish grins on their faces.

The Red Chief frowned down towards the Mullibah camp.

“There is but little more movement down there,” he mused.

“No,” answered Burradella. “All their scouts are out along this edge of the scrub. They must be waiting for their other party of scouts away behind the scrubs. My scouts are watching them down there in Mullibah camp, a runner will bring me news if there is any movement.”