During this time all hands would be employed in
preparing potatoes for store, by cutting them in slices and drying them
in the sun.
I now ordered the band to strike up with the greatest vigour, to show
the natives who might be within hearing, that we were in the best of
spirits.
My officers and men were all delighted, and overwhelmed me with
compliments. I only replied by begging them always to trust in God, and
to do their duty.
I immediately started off a party to dig potatoes, while Lieutenant
Baker and myself, with a number of men, slashed down with sabres the
extensive grove of plantain trees, so as to have a perfectly clear space
around the camp.
We made a strong defence at Kisoona, and the rest of several days was
invigorating to the wounded men, and enabled my wife's feet to recover
sufficiently to continue the march on the 23rd June.
I had arranged that the drums and bugles should sound the morning call
at 5 A.M. daily, as though in a permanent camp. This was to assist me in
a plan for avoiding ambuscades on the day of marching from Kisoona.
On the 22nd I gave orders that every man should be ready to march
punctually at 5 A.M., the instant that the morning call should have
sounded.
