human
What puzzles me, is that they have not followed it up with a few volleys, according to their usual custom, said the former, in a low voice.
gpt
Luckily they seldom do any harm, for they are uncommonly bad shots, but they generally try their best to do us mischief, and always make a good deal of noise about it.
human
Perhaps, suggested Captain Lacey,
gpt
It may be so, but I think not. The Soudanese are not easily frightened, as we have some cause to know.
human
Have you many mines about?
gpt
Yes, we have a good many. And they form a most important part of our defence, for we are not very well supplied with men, and the Egyptian troops are not to be depended on unless backed up by ours. These mines require to be carefully handled, however, for our shepherds take the cattle out to graze every day, so that if I were to fail to disconnect any of them in the mornings, we should have some of our cattle blown up; and if I failed to connect them again at night, the enemy would attack us more vigorously. As it is, they are very nervous about the mines. They have pluck to face any foe that they can see, but the idea of an unseen foe, who lurks underground anywhere, and may suddenly send them into the sky like rockets, daunts them a bit.
human
And little wonder! returned the captain.
gpt
From what you say I judge that you have the management of most of the mines.
human
Of all of them,