Fixing my eyes upon the dark, shadowy form, I cocked my rifle, and called hoarsely upon whoever it was to stop.
"Ah! No shoot, no shoot," cried a familiar voice.
"Joeboy!" I exclaimed.
"Um!" was the reply; and, to my astonishment, the black came hurrying towards me, bending under a load which stuck out curiously from his sides and back.
"Why, what have you been doing out there ?" "Been get all these," he said as he forced his way between a couple of stones, which caught his bulky load and checked him for a few moments.
"You idiot!" I said in a low tone, for I was afraid now that I had alarmed the sentries on either side; but though Joeboy's load on one side bumped against my companion sentry, he was so utterly wearied out that he did not stir.
"Um?
Idiot ?" said Joeboy.

"Boss Val going to be hungry.

Joeboy hungry.

Been to get all these." "What are they--forage-bags ?" "Um!" he said.
"But where did you get them--whose are they ?" "Doppies'.

All in a heap.