At a distance of about half
a mile, there were three small villages on the high sloping ground,
situated about eighty yards apart, and forming a triangle. I instructed
my men to make an inclosure, by connecting each village with a strong
hedge of thorns.
The country was generally bare of trees, but fortunately there was a
grove of heglik not far distant; and the troops at once began to fell
these trees, and to form fences by laying the prickly branches in the
position I had selected.
The "Forty Thieves" were all provided with small and sharp Canada axes,
which they carried under the strap of their knapsacks; thus forty-eight
axes were at work, in addition to the heavier instruments belonging to
the expedition.
All the officers and men shared my suspicions, and they worked with
great alacrity.
It was just dark by the time that the three fences were completed, and
the herd of cattle were driven and secured within the inclosure.
I arranged a guard of sixty men: twenty upon each side of the triangle.
They were to remain outside the fence, and to keep a vigilant look-out.
This work being over, I returned at night to the diahbeeah together with
Lieutenant Baker. We found dinner ready on the poop-deck, where my wife
had been rather anxiously expecting us.
