(1901) A Dash From Diamond City By George Manville Fenn

A DASH

FROM DIAMOND

CITT.

By

the

same Author:

OLD GOLD,

5^.

KLNG a THE BEACH, YOUNG ROBLN HOOD,

3^.

6^/.

\s.

6d

THE KLNGS SONS, OUR SOLDLER EOT, THE LLTTLE SKLPPER,

\s,

is. is.

DASH FROM

DIAMOND CITY BY

G.

MANVILLE FENN,

AUTHOR OF "OLD GOLD/' "KING O' THE

BEACH,"

"KING ROBERT'S PAGE," "THE KING'S SONS," "YOUNG ROBIN HOOD." ETC.

ILLUSTRATED BY F.

A.

STEWART,

NEW

LONDON: Ernest Nister.

E. P. Printed in Bavaria.

YORK:

Dutton & Co.

CONTENTS. PAGE

CHAP. I.

Three White Ones

.

9

Black Innocents

i8

III.

Rather Suspicious

29

IV.

Rumours of War

35

V.

An Ugly Charge

42

A Vain Search

54

II.

VI. VII.

VIII.

IX.

.

Anson Rebounds

61

Volunteers Volunteer

76

Four-legged Help

86

X. Anson's Blessing

lOI

Another Search

no

XI.

XII. In

XIII.

the Thick of It

After a Lapse

.

.

XIV. Man-Hunting

146

XV. A Despatch-Rider's XVI. After a Rest XVII.

XVIII.

Work

.

170

Bad Shillings always Come Back

176

The Ringing of the Shilling

185

XIX. The Sky Clears

XX.

122

How

to Escape

.

199

210

CONTENTS.

6

PAGE

CHAP.

Comes to the Man who

XXI. Everything

Waits XXII. Query: XXIII. False

XXIV.

223

Freedom?.

232

Alarms

242

A Real Alarm

XXV. At Tante Ann's XXVI. A Dark Visitor

252

264

.

275

.

XXVn. Night on the Veldt XXVIII.

XXIX. .

A Loud Report Hard Pushed

284 296

.

303

At the Goal.

318

XXXI. Bad for One: Good for XXXII. XXXIII.

Down by

Two

the Spruit

That Base Coin

335 341

.

XXXIV, Another Start

XXXV. The Net and the

XXXVL

346 Fish

355

Close Pursuit

XXXVII. Rough Work

368 375

.

XXXVIII. The Surgeon's Words

XXXIX. Anson

in

a Hole

Else

XL. Winding Up

322

387

and

Some rniNG 396

,

4i3

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

FACING PAGE

" West's motint reared n

" T/ie

Boers kept on jiring^^

''^^Well^ '•'•

were

Ingleborough

'•''The

prisoners after all I

waded

'

t'

166

in at once^'

Kaffir ran lightly by the pony s side^'

^'•One horse

"'i\^

frontispiece

good

''''Alison

284

went down headlong^' to

play that

game^

ti

cried Ingleboroitgh

went sprawling over a lance shaft

"

382

410

,;

J-^

-.

" iJl^sfs moitnt

rcaredV

i

:r\

Jp^ ^

[Hi

h

'•'fTc//,

we're p-ison crs after all

V'^

^^

L/o/cl>oroiio'h

xvadcd In at once.

?»

v?^

" 77/^ Kaffir ra)i lightly by the fojiys siJc.

r

*'

One horse

%vent doiv?i hcadloiip'r

" '-^^

Sood

to

play that

gamc^

cried Liglchorongh.

ji

^^

Anson went sp-awJi^ig over a lance shaft

1)

y

DASH FROM DIAMOND

CHAPTER

CITY.

I.

THREE "WHITE ONES.

nriCK, tick

and

tapy

—

tap

—

tecky tacker

scratch

ticker

tapy

— tap

—

ticker,

tapper

— tapper

went a typewriting machine,

—scratch went two pens,

in

one of the minor

offices

connected with that vast wealth-producing

dustry

known

as the

De

Beers Diamond Mines, where,

seated at desk and table, three young at

a

in-

men were hard

work^ one manipulating the typewriter, one writing letter,

and the

third

making

entries in a fat leather-

covered book with broad bands and a big tinguishing

it

upon the back.

The words:

"minor

naturally suggest wealth, furniture,

letter dis-

office

Turkey

in

carpets, french-polished

and plate-glass; but the

an example of simphcity, for

its

a diamond-mine/'

office in question

walls were

was

mud and

its

roof corrugated iron, while the roughness of the interior

was only

slightly softened

down by

a carpenter calls matchboarding. wealth, Kimberley

is

still

little

of what

a lining

In spite of better than

a

its

vast

moving

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

lo

CITV,

camp, and holds out few prospects of ever becoming a magnificent town.

The

interior

for the tapping

'

of that newly-created

of the typewriter and the scratching of

was very

the pens,

but outside there was the

quiet;

produced by the

strange sound

allowing

office,

mingling

of voices

with trampling feet and the distant whirr and rattle of

machinery,

till

a

clock

began

the clangour of a bell, and then

"Time!" shouted

followed by

striking, all

was changed.

the manipulator of the typewriter,

springing from his stool to stretch his wiry six feet of

same time

length, at the

by

distorting

bending entries,

it

with a yawn.

over the

thick

manly face

spoiling a keen,

The

clerk

who had been

account-book ceased making

applied the blotting-paper, and closed the book

with a bang, to turn round and display white,

fat,

smooth

face, disfigured

by nearly white

brows and lashes and curly whity-brown stood up he yawned and wrinkled his deal;

but the wrinkles died

down

a pink-andeye-

As he

hair.

a good

fat face

into a smile

which

gave him a meek and mild appearance, the said smile being doubled directly after by his taking a shaving-glass out of his desk, propping

it

little

round

up by means

of a contrivance behind, and then, by the help of a

pocket-comb, proceeding to rearrange his

hair,

from the resistance

full

and

offered,

appeared to be

which,

of knots

kinks.

The

last

to leave his

desk was a manly-looking

THREE WHITE ONES. young fellow who appeared

ii

be twenty, but who

to

he was

only

neither stretched nor yawned, but

drew

possessed

documentary evidence

eighteen.

He

that

himself up with a sigh of rehef, and, after carefully locking up the letters he

had

he turned to the

written,

typist.

"Going **Yes;

Ingleborough?" he

out,

shan*t be

I

Back

compound.

long.

"but

that

in his questioner.

shan't/' said the

I

will not

I

must go on to the

I

in

"Five minutes?" dashed

"No;

said.

exceed

fifteen.

young man smartly;

my

Get out

rifle

and

West."

belts.

"All right," was the reply, and as the door closed the

young

clerk crossed

to a plain deal

cupboard

in

the corner of the office, threw open the broad door,

and revealed an arms-rack with some twenty of the newest-pattern

and bandoliers

nets

A his

rifles

standing ready for use, and bayoto

match each breechloading

peculiarly innocent

companion's face as he opened

out a

little flat

"Going

look

baby-like

his

came over

desk and took

oblong mahogany case and said

to play at soldiers again?

piece.

Only

softly:

to think

of

Oliver West, Esquire, learning to shoulder arms and right

about face when a drill-sergeant barks at him."

"Look warmly;

"Me

here,

"is that

Anson,"

meant

cried

the

young

fellow

for a sneer?"

sneer?" protested the plump-looking cherubic

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

12

**0h dear, no!

clerk. I

never quarrel, and

"Humph!" *'I

lot

ing

I

never indulge

never

I

in sneers,

and

fight/'

ejaculated the rifle-bearer.

only think

all

it's

braggadocio nonsense for a

of fellows to go wasting time

when they might

and volunteer-

drilling

acquire such an accomplishment

as this."

As

the speaker addressed his warlike companion

he tapped the three joints of fittings,

of his case, opened

lid

lying snugly

a flute

and, taking

round

them

it,

and revealed

in

purple-velvet

he proceeded to

out,

tomcat sort of way, and screwed

ends

all

them

together, evidently with a great deal

in a

lick the

of satisfac-

tion to himself, for he smiled softly. ii

Bah!

It's

a deal

more

creditable to be prepared

to defend the place against the Boers.

Better join us,

Anson." it

Me?

No, thank you, unless you

start a

band and

make me bandmaster."

"We

want no music," said West, laughing.

shall

"The Boers

will give us plenty

"Nonsense

!

It's all

fudge," said the

"There'll be no fighting,

not going to shoulder a let

it

and even rifle.

I

if

flautist,

smiling.

there were I'm

should be afraid to

off."

"You?" cried West, face. "Why, you once shot."

of that with their guns."

staring into the smooth,

told

me you were

a

plump

first-rate

THREE WHITE ONES. Well,

'*Did I?

it

was only my

i-. o

fun," said the clerk,

placing his flute to his lips and beginning to run scales

up and down,

enough as

skilfully

dumb

to the fingering,

but he did not produce a sound. "I say, don't ydu begin to blow!" cried West,

looking

rather

contemptuously

at

the

a laugh at the

forcing himself to restrain

and

musician

grotesque

round face with the eyes screwed up into narrow **0h, no one will *'I

get so

little

through

practice.

he began

afterwards

some is

too

stood rubbing

first

every

Directly

and down, playing

with which

he was

familiar

and then by way of a change he

much one

a sHghtly-oiled rag to dust,

blow gently." up

run

to

technically

This was

here now," was the reply.

I shall

exercise

extremely softly;

began what

come

slits.

now and

known

as **double-tonguing."

for Oliver

West.

and then the other with

rifle

of specks of rust or

get rid

steaHng a glance

then

He had

at

the

absurdly screwed-up face, feeling the while that a good hearty laugh would do

him good, but determined

to

r

composure so as not to hurt the per-

maintain

his

former's

feelings.

But the double-tonguing was too

much. Tootle-tooy tootle-too y tootley tootle-too

former, running up the

gamut

and was about to run down short,

lowered

his instrument,

till

went the per-

he reached the octave

again,

but he

stopped

and turned from a warm

pink to a deep purply crimson, for

West suddenly

burst

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

14

CITV.

out into a half-hysterical roar of laughter, one which

he vainly strove to check.

——— I

I

"I

beg your pardon," he

I

"Thank you,"

cried at

snorted out Anson; "but

I

last.

don't see

anything to laugh at."

"I couldn't help

You

Anson.

"Did I?"

You

1

cried the musician angrily.

should see your own.

"Thank you,"

said West,

and feeling nettled

I

face,

grin looked

a baboon." at once,

Anson

sarcasti-

in turn.

said

have heard about casting

"I

swine; but

I

— so

calming down

"Oh, you're quite welcome," cally.

"Such a

Your

bushman and

half-way between a

idiotic:

if

did look so

Such a face!"

comic.

indeed

it,

pearls

before

never saw the truth of the saying before."

"Thank you

again,"

were you

would not waste any more of

pearls in such

I

said West,

"But

frowning,

my

company."

mean

"I do not

said Anson,

to,"

with his eyes

glittering.

He

got no farther, though he was prepared to say

something crushing, for the door was flung open and their fellow-clerk

"Hullo!" he

came back

I shall

to

away and

have an accident with

have stopped him,

you.

"flute

cried,

Sim, put that thing

There's

quickly.

Noll.

some fun

in

and hautboy. don't bring

it

I

say,

here, or

some day. You ought But come out, both of

it

the

compound.

They're

THREE WHITE ONES.

15

going to thoroughly search half-a-dozen Kaffirs, and

I

thought you'd like to see." **Been stealing diamonds?" cried

Anson

excitedly.

"Suspected," replied Ingleborough.

come

"Til

rapidly unscrew his

Anson, and he began to

said

too,"

flute,

but so hurriedly that

place

in

of separating the top joint from the next he pulled

it

r

open

at the tuning-slide,

changed colour, and swung

himself round so as to turn his back to his companions,

keeping

in that position

till

separated and replaced in

was properly

his instrument

its

case,

whose

he closed,

lid

and then turned the key. "I'm ready," he his jacket

over the

"Do you you?"

mahogany

case.

said Ingleborough scornfully.

"You

cently. I

little

round and buttoning

take that shepherd's pipe to bed with

"Generally,"

and

cried, facing

see,

the

replied it's

so nice

have learned to blow so

fat-looking

clerk

inno-

when one wakes

early,

softly

often get an hour's practice before I

now

have

that I can

my

morning's

bath."

"How at

delightful for

You're

the other boarders!

Dick TomUn's house, aren't you?" "Yes," said Anson.

"Have "I this

—

they any

room

I really don't

for another boarder,

know, but

I'll

ask,

if

Sim?"

you

like,

evening."

"No, no;

don't, please," cried Ingleborough.

"Per-

6

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

1

haps

might be too strong for me,

it

through a course of bagpipes

Anson had as

CITY.

I

ought to go

first."

fastened two buttons

of his jacket so

hold the flute-case from slipping, and

to

now he

fastened another button, smiling pleasantly the while.

"That's meant for a joke," he *'

said.

Quite right," cried Ingleborough abruptly.

"Come

along."

He

stepped out, closely followed by West, and

Anson called after them: "With you door swung to.

directly," as the

"Don't do that again/' whispered West.

"What?" "Say anything

to chaff old

Anson.

Did you see

how he behaved?" "I saw him smile like a Chinese mandarin orna-

ment.

That's

all."

"I saw him smile and look smooth; but he can't

His hands were

bear a joke.

all

of a tremble as he

buttoned up his jacket, and there was a peculiar look in his eye.

It's

"Nonsense

1

not good policy to

make enemies."

He's a poor slack-baked animal.

I

wonder they ever had him here."

West glanced back; but Anson had

not yet

left

the office.

"Relative quickly;

me

"and

of one

of the

directors,"

said

I've noticed several things lately to

think he does not like us."

West make

THREE WHITE ONES. "Oh, have

One

I.

if

he'll

I'll

have

we

don't hke him.

But why doesn't

soft.

him a minute

just give

compound

for

natural,

smooth and

can't; he's so

the

to that," said Ingleborough, *'sc

That's quite

he come? to

you come

17

and

gate,

if

he

is

after

we

get up

not there then

to stay outside."

*'Here he comes," cried West, and the next minute their fellow-clerk joined

gate

in

them, just as they got up to a

of the enclosure where

the high fence

Kaffir w^orkers about the all intents

prisoners

till

the

diamond-mines were kept

to

had served the time for

they

which they had engaged.

"Haven't kept you two waiting, Anson, with a pleasant smile directed

"No, after

no,

all

they were

right,"

admitted

have I?" at both.

repHed West, the

to

and

compound,

time to find that half-adozen of the

said

directly just in

stalwart Kaffir

workers were standing perfectly nude awaiting the examination about to be

made by some

of the officers

an examination which they seemed to look upon as a joke, for they laughed and chatted together. r

"Looking

as innocent as

old Anson, only not so

white," whispered Ingleborough.

"But we

shall see."

CHAPTER

IL

BLACK INNOCENTS.

^HE

examination of the

duty, but of-fact

was carried out

in

not a pleasant

the most matter-

by a couple of experienced white men,

w^ay

who began

it

men was

at once.

''Now, you," cried the one

who seemed

be the

to

head; "this way."

The

big

black

spoken

to

stepped

forward

at

once, smiling good-temperedly, and stopped by a heavy

wooden

stool,

upon which he planted a

obedience to orders separated his toes that

foot,

and

in turn to

black*s

head on one side while

his

first

holding the

companion took

hold of the lobe of the right ear and twisted

it

about,

ending by thrusting in a small wooden scoop and

wards turning ''Don't

it

show

Then

he had no diamonds hidden between them.

he was seized by the searchers, the

in

after-

to act as a sound.

seem

to

have a diamond

in

there,"

said

Anson, smiling and looking very innocent, but deeply interested.

''Turn him over."

I

BLACK INNOCENTS. But the

19

had not waited

searchers

for

Anson's

words, and were already turning the black's head over,

man

the

every

yielding himself to

push

and

thrust,

smiling good-humouredly the while, though the treat-

ment was decidedly rough. ^'Nothing in the other ear," said Anson, smiling at

West.

tucked

*'Shouldn*t

wonder

cheeks, like a

in his

This time

seemed

it

as

the searchers, for the black

if

he's got ever so

monkey pouches nuts," if the same idea had struck was ordered

to

mouth, and a big coarse finger was thrust

mouth was

of the

interior

many

in,

open

his

and the

carefully explored,

with-

out result. ''Here,

know,"

I

his

**0h, the artfulness of the beggar!"

hands together.

"Where

whispered Anson, rubbing

are

they,

Double-cunning?"

old

then,

cried Ingleborough contemptuously.

"Stuck with say, isn't

it

gum

in

amongst

woolly hair

his

—

fun?"

"Rather disgusting," replied West.

"I shouldn't

like the job."

"Oh,

and

thinking,

He childish fully

I

don't it's

stood

know,"

said

interesting.

rubbing

his

Anson;

Hah! hands

I

"it

was

sets

me

right."

together

in

his

enjoyment, while one of the searchers care-

passed his hands

all

found no

small

curly

knots of hair.

little

over the black's head, but

diamonds

tangled

up

amongst the 2*

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

20

''Well,

some

did think he'd got

— **0h,

Anson. it

I

there," continued

One might have guessed

of course!

before."

was upon

This

back a

trifle,

But after a

head being forced

black's

while a pinch of snuff was blown through

a pea-shooter

him sneeze

the

right

the

into

nose,

prisoner's

making

violently.

still

no diamonds made

man was

further search the

little

their appearance,

and

set at liberty,

giving place to another supposed culprit.

This

man came up

smiling and confident, opening +

his

mouth wide,

to display

state

its

a magnificent set of teeth at the

of innocency and

same

time.

**Take care! he bites," said Ingleborough banteringly;

and Anson,

started

back

in

who had

pressed

to

be

are

ol

horror,

to

the front,

greeted with a burst

of laughter.

''How smoothing

At

the

fond

you

a

joke!"

he

cried,

his face.

same moment one of

a puff of snuff

in

the

searchers sent

the black's face, with the result that

he was seized with a violent burst of coughing and sneezing.

"Two — three — four!"

cried

Anson

excitedly, and,

springing forward, he picked up three of the diamonds ejected

yielded ear^

by the black, who,

after a little further search,

up a couple of very small stones from one

and was marched

off for

punishment.

BLACK IXXOCEXTS. do

*'I

Anson,

like this!" said

"What

together.

21

rubbing

hands

his

brutes of thieves they arel"

"Yes, you ought to take to searching," said West, smiling.

"You'd make a

"Think so?" directly.

said the

I

do now. is.

I

way,

know

mean

I

all!

you know,"

do

"Well,

one.

young man, growing

I

should like

it,"

it

repHed West.

Anson,

said

"I don't think

make

should

I

a

in

con-

bad

a

than the work

better

But look what a big strong fellow

this

I

one

wonder whether he has any."

"Half-a-dozen,

I

daresay,"

said

curiously at another stalwart black,

slowly

serious

"You're not chaffing me, are you?"

"Chaffing? Not at

fidential

capital detective.

jj

and

unwillingly

to

take

West,

looking

who came forward the

place

of

the

second man, set aside for punishment.

"N — n— no,"

said

think this one has any.

"Why?"

Anson

that

I

asked West.

think

don't

happened, the most

any of the gems. set aside for

at the

don't

»'

"I can't say," replied

know

"I

thoughtfully.

rigid

Anson dreamily. he has

any."

"I only

And, as

it

examination failed to discover

But, all the same,

the culprit

was

punishment, two of the watchers present

examination declaring that they had seen him

put his hand to his mouth and swallow something.

The next man, upon being summoned to the stool, came up boldly and displayed a child-like

FROM DIAMOND

A DASH

22

CITV.

eagerness to prove his innocence, opening his mouth

and passing

widely

gums and

fore-fingers

his

cheeks, thrusting his Httle fingers

into

his

and then bending down and going through the

ears,

motion of one washing

his

head.

But he did not wash any gems out of of

between

round

httle

nubbly

shock

his

curls.

*'Me go

**No got no dymons, boss," he cried.

now, boss?"

"No," said the chief searcher sharply.

upon the

foot of yours

The black

"Do you right foot

upon the

him hard and shook searcher.

"Clap

stared at

the

this

him vacantly, shook

his

black

"No, pointing

trans-

smiled

and

Then,

nodded.

bare

left

stool.

no: to

head

man's own tongue.

turning to the chief searcher, he placed his

upon the

that

stool."

lated the order into the

foot

his head.

and turned to the second searcher, who

At

that

stool."

hear.^" cried the

The black again,

stared at

"Clap

the

the

emphasised by

other," right

cried

foot,

and

the stern the

official,

order

was

his assistant.

Once more

the

black looked

intelligent,

placed

both his feet upon the ground, changed them several times by shuffling them about, and once more placed his left foot

upon the

stool.

Anson chuckled with

delight,

and turned

to

West.

BLACK INXOCEXTS. But

much

on the part of the black was too

act

this

23

composure.

for the chief searcher's

'*Up with the black scoundrers foot!" he roared,

and

his assistant seized the black's ankle,

such a vigorous hoist that the man's

upon the

w^here

not at

all

hidden between the

it

probed by the searchers,

w^as

surprised to

little

and no mistake. last

Well,

words were

a large stone toe.

Anson

cried

"He

turning to his companions.

The

find

and the next

"There's a blackguard!"

flogged,

was

equilibrium

over backwards, leaving his support

fell

stool,

who were

excitedly,

ought to

be

well

never!"

I

uttered

in

disgust

at the

man's behaviour, for he burst into a hearty laugh as thoroughly enjoying

same time a

toe

to

it

though the foot was planted firmly on

upset, so that,

the stool, he

and gave

the discovery,

if

at

the

"'Tick 'tween

um

professing

be utterly astonished.

How come

there?" he cried.

— so." He

"so"

illustrated

by stamping

over and over again and raising

toes,

his

had used But

and holding

his fingers his

who were

action

well

up,

down

the last time

ordinary pebble from the ground

cleverly picking an

with

it

his foot

it

out as easily as

if

he

and thumb.

had no

used

to

effect

the

upon those around,

Kaffirs'

tricks,

and

re-

ceived everything with the grimmest of looks as they

passed their prisoner along for punishment, and finally

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

24

ordered forward the

from the

attention

man. This prisoner took West's

last

was a

for he

first,

seemed

inteUigent-looking fellow, w^ho

keenly

well-built,

awake

quite

and behaved throughout with a calm

his position

to air

of conscious innocence. struck West, too, that the Kaffir kept on gazing

It

very

hard

as

if

innocent-looking

smiling, silently

Anson,

at

attracted

and

face,

by

as

gently-

his

were

he

if

pleading to the most amiable-looking personage

of the party to intercede for him and save him from punishment.

Anson,

however,

did

not

appear

notice the

to

man's eager looks, being too much interested

in the

search for illicitly-acquired stones, and eagerly watching

every

phase of the proceedings,

and cheeks flushed with pink

at

every fresh discovery,

while he rubbed his hands and looked the

other

with

all

pleasure

the

sparkling

eyes

his

from

of some

one big,

to fat,

stupid child.

*'Now then,"

the

cried

chief searcher

roughly;

*'come along."

The

Kaffir quietly submitted to the

he experienced

in

being forced up to the

anticipating the order, he

under-searcher

he closed

his

roughly fine

rough handling

w^hite

while the search was

opened

his

him

to

told

mouth; but the "shut up,"

teeth with an

commenced

being carefully examined without

stool, and,

and

audible snap,

at his feet, the toes result.

BLACK IN'NOCEXTS.

Then it

his closely-knotted hair,

would have made,

2^

which looked as

if

he were scalped, good trim-

if

mings of astrachan wool for the collar

and

cuffs

of

an English gentleman's overcoat, w^as carefully searched

by

well- trained fingers;

spected;

the

who

made

looked puzzled,

remain for some time

in-

wring be-

being insulted

his nose;

and

lastly, his

and the searchers,

in,

the black kneel

down and

in that position, with his

mouth

open and head thrown back so that the sun

wide

shone right into " He*s **

and

outside

felt

final

he were

if

by pulling

old-fashioned style

cheeks were

were probed and

searched and given a

nostrils

tween thumb and finger as in

ears

his great !

right "

all

mouth.

Anson

said

enthusiastically.

You've got the wrong pig by the ear

thought

time.

I

looked honest."

this fellow

The

this

Kaffir darted a grateful look at the speaker,

which told plainly enough that he comprehended the words, and Anson replied with a smile.

you ought

**Ah,

to

be on

this job,

Mr. Anson,"

"You'd be

said the chief searcher sarcastically.

in-

valuable here."

Anson laughed good-humouredly. "

You're

should Hke

it,

bantering,"

and

quickly enough

if

I

a

fancy

he said I

man had

"Find them then now," spoken.

"Come

on."

;

"I

know.

But

I

could find the diamonds

hidden any." said the

man who had

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

26

There was a general laugh

CITY.

Anson

here, in which

joined.

"Nay," he said good-humouredly

who has some

subject

;

"get another

That chap has none,

hidden.

unless he has swallowed some."

"What would you do

squire?"

said

the

"Shoot him, and make a post'morte7n exam?"

man,

"Ugh! horrid!" most intense

cried

disgust.

another chap, and to,

then,

let

Anson, wnth a look of the

"But

I

say, I

me examine

mean

him.

I

Fetch

it.

should like

really."

"Why

you search

don't

this

one?"

said

Ingle-

borough contemptuously, and West laughed.

Anson winced and turned upon them half-angrily. But he changed his manner before he had finished speaking, and his face broke up into a broad smile.

"Because chaps

I

don't

and called

enough

as

is

it

want

to

be laughed

"Tm

a fool," he said. to

believe

he has

at

by you

not stupid

any diamonds

hidden."

"Well,

"Ha,

am," said Ingleborough

I

ha!" laughed Anson mockingly.

ha,

go on w4th the search then, and

"There "those two

is

no

need,"

know what

He was wTong searcher

now

coolly.

in

find

"You

them."

said Ingleborough

coldly;

they're about."

saying

"two," for

the

under-

continued the examination, and Anson's

eyes \vere screwed up and twinkled again upon seeing

BLACK INNOCENTS. the

man

/

give up at the end of another two minutes

and shrug *'No

his shoulders.

he

go,"

turning

said,

"Someone has been too

to

companion.

his

clever here."

''Look again," said his chief. *'No:

shan't look

I

any more.

I've done."

West's eyes were resting upon the Kaffir, and he

saw the man draw his

in

a deep slow breath which

broad chest expand, retaining the

and then slowly ejecting i(

Ah!

you'll

never

air for a

made

minute

it.

make

a

searcher,

first-class

Jem," said the head m-an. "I never did profess to be so smart as you are," retorted the other sharply. **No,

you ought

Jemmy, you never to

did," said his chief; *'but

have found something here."

"Why, you

don't think

hehas any about

you?" cried the man, who was staggered by cool, confident

"Yes,

borough

I

way of

him, do

his chiefs

speaking.

do," said the chief, "and so does Mr. Ingle-

there.

Don't you, sir?"

Ingleborough nodded shortly, and West saw the Kaffir's eyes flash, while

saw

when he turned

to

that his fellows-clerk's face looked cold

Anson he and hard.

But Anson's aspect changed the next moment, as soon as he saw he was observed, and he

said,

broad grin: "Wish

could easily

I

was a betting man:

win half-a-crown or two over

this."

I

with a

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

2S

But

it

sincerity

struck

West

ring of

in-

and the hard look

the tone of his voice,

in

was a

that there

come hke a grey shadow over his fat pink cheeks as he saw the chief searcher go closer up to the Kaffir, bring his hands down heavily upon the began

to

man's shoulders, and stand facing him and looking him full

the eyes.

in

There was for a

eyes;

West

moment but felt

dread run

it

utter silence

The

now.

Kaffir stood

firmly gazing back into his white holder's

manifestly required

a strong

saw a quiver black, making

sure that he

down

the

a

like

his

effort,

and

shadow of

knees slightly

shake. r

The whole on could not

thing

was momentary, and the looker-

feel sure.

Then

"You're a clever one," he '*and

the

the searcher spoke. said,

with a harsh laugh,

you don't mind hurting yourself

ilUcit.

He

to

do a

bit

of

Turn round."

gave the Kaffir a sharp thrust with one hand,

a pull with the other, and the to the lookers-on.

man

stoqd with his back

CHAPTER RATHER

"I

^7 HAT

followed

SUSPICIOUS.

was performed with

of a

dexterity

III.

clever

surgeon,

quick

the

searcher

the

bending down, grasping the great firm muscles of the

and pressing hard with

knee, to

mid-way between

about

leg

right

Kaffir's

the

opened and a to fall

upon

the elasticity

as he

a

small

perpendicular w^as

forced

slit

out,

ground and be received by the underthe

closed up in

again with

his breath

the clever manipulation performed

Kaffir's other leg,

all

a piece of indiarubber.

Bravo!" cried West, and then he held

saw

when

two thumbs,

diamond

good-sized

wound of a cut made

while

searcher,

^'

the

West

of

surprise

his

and

hip

upon

the

a second diamond being forced out

of the man's elastic muscle, to be secured in turn, *'That will do,"

Said

quick glance

down

and

depressed

looking

"Almost

a pity

the chief searcher,

the Kaffir's arms, the

you

as

didn't

Mr. Anson, eh?" added the

he

was

after a

man scowHng

marched

away.

back your opinion heavily, official.

— A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

30

"Well,

am

I

"Who'd ever have thought of

his forehead.

"The

Kaffirs, seemingly," said

and he smiled

"But

it's

man

for a

deceived," said Anson, wrinkling up

in

Ingleborough coolly?

Anson's disconsolate

to cut himself like that for the sake of a bit I

say, mustn't

it

"Can't say," said West merrily.

"What, me?" parts in question.

his

"Oh

hurt very

much?"

"Try!"

Anson, looking

cried

thrusting

involuntarily

do

face.

wicked," cried Anson, "downright wicked

of glittering glass,

will

that?"

and

startled

hands

down

to touch the

It's

horrible

what people

no!

for the sake of gain."

"Quite sure you w^ouldn't said the searcher.

"I'll

do

it

like to try,

for

you

if

Mr. Anson?"

you

Only

like.

wants a very sharp knife and a good hard pinch

numb

the muscle;

one good face

cut,

makes

then

it's

done

the stone pressed

in a

few minutes

and the cold

in,

to

sur-

the skin contract."

Anson's face seemed to curdle up, and two creases

one round each corner of

formed, putting

it

"No,"

as if

his head.

"what's the good of ban-

here," he said,

Are you going

tering so?

to search

any more men?"

said the official; "that's the lot."

"But are you going

sir;

mouth,

between parentheses, as he shook

"Look

"Oh

his

yes!

to punish

them?"

They'll have to take their dose for

you may be sure of

more and more severe over

that.

We're going

this illicit

it,

to be

diamond-deahng,"

RATHER

Anson

''Are you?" said

*'We it

just are.

31

innocently.

be a shooting matter soon

It'll

if

be stopped otherwise/'

can't

**How horrid!"

men

SUSPICIOUS.

don't deal

Anson.

said

these

say,

I

do they?"

illicitly,

"They wouldn't

''But

a set of scoundrels did not set

if

+

them on

them

giving

ignorant savages, sell for

buy of the poor

to steal, so that they could

for

shillings

what they

pounds."

"How

sad

"And

how

seems!" said Anson thoughtfully.

it

you

innocent

seem!

West,

said

"

laughing.

"Yes,

you know

it's

all

about it"

"Oh, of course

"I?" cried Anson. thing about ing,

I've heard of the

it.

and read about

but

it;

time to music.

That and

me from

much

taking

it

my

illicit

has

it

You

ear and out at the other.

for instance,

"Why,

charming," cried Ingleborough.

all

know some-

diamond-deal-

gone

in at

much

at the office

keep

notice of other things.

and the rumours of war.

at all likely that there will

one

devote so

see, I

work

I

be any

Politics,

Do you fighting,

think

West?"

"I can't say," was the reply; " but we're going to

be perfectly ready for the Boers it's

to

quite time

answer

we were

off,

in

case there

Ingleborough,

if

we

is,

and

intend

at the roll-call."

"Hah! Yes," "Better come with

cried us,

the

Anson."

young man addressed.

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CXTV.

32

The

shook

latter

and

head,

his

his

companions

separated from him at the gate. "Better come,"

and then

be

you'll

said Ingleborough

on

the

spot

if

again.

*'Join,

we do form

a

band."

"Oh

your minds if

you

like,

at

headquarters to form a band, and then,

come and rum fellow,"

I'll

"He's a

men

"You make up

no!" said Anson, smihng.

train

n it.

two youn (T

said West, as the

into step.

fell

"Ah,"

said Ingleborough

am

"I

afraid

more R. than F."

IMaster Anson's

"More

roughly,

R. than F.?" said

"If you must have

it

West

questioningly.

in plain English,

more rogue

than fool." "

Well,

fancy

I

pretends to be.

"Bah!

ways

isn't

quite so

simple as he

n

I'm

feel as if I

"Nice

he

not a quarrelsome fellow,

must kick him.

soft sort of a

He

but

I

al-

aggravates me."

fellow to kick,"

said West,

laughing.

"Ugh!"

ejaculated Ingleborough, and his foot flew

out suddenly as spoke.

if

aimed

at the person of

whom

"Don't know anything about diamonds!

they

What

things people will do for the sake of a bit of glittering glass!

Look

here, West,

for

all

his

talk

I

wouldn't

trust

him with a consignment of stones any

than

I

could see him."

farther

RATHER

SUSPICIOUS.

3

"You

"Don't be prejudiced!" said West. like

1

don't

him, and so you can only see his bad side."

"And

that's

"No;

laughing. fellow

who

is

round,"

all I

Ingleborough

replied

don't like him.

never do

I

an unnatural sort of a prig.

like

He

a

can't

help being fat and pink and smooth, but he can help his smiling,

manly. hair

But

sneaky manner.

Hang him!

Put him

and a bonnet,

he'd

do

a fellow to be

like

in petticoats,

with long

look like somebody's cook.

had an estabHshment and he was mine,

if I

something

should be afraid he'd put

my

I

unpleasant

I

into

soup."

"Never mind about old Anson," said West merrily,

What about

"but look here.

buying?

Do

you think that

there's

that

illicit

diamond-

much

of

"It

tremendous.

taking

it

place ?" i

"Much.^" cried

The company's

his

companion.

is

losing hundreds of thousands of

pounds

yearly."

"Nonsense!" a fact,"

"It's

no

end

said Ingleborough

of people

diamonds,

in spite

are

"and

earnestly;

hard at work buying stolen

of the constant sharp look-out kept

by the police." "But I should have thought the strict supervision

that the Hcences

and

would have checked the greater

part of it."

"Then you'd have thought wrong, my boy.

I

wish

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

34

it

wc

did, for as

suspicious

are going on noAV

and on the look-out.

months past

I

"And

I

makes everyone declare

that

for

never meet any of our people without

fancying they suspect

monds on

it

me

of buying and

selling

dia-

the sly." that

makes you

suspicious too," said

West

quietly.

Ingleborough turned upon him sharply, and looked

him through and through. '*What made you say that?" he said ''Previous conversation," replied West.

"Humph!

Well, perhaps so."

at last.

CHAPTER

IV.

RUMOURS OF WAR,

'^rHE Diamond till

they were

including a fair cartridges

tired,

amount of

began

give

to

smoke,

odour

of tobacco

cigars,

and the privates

the crisp evening

"Vm grou]^

Horse had

Fields

way

to

the

was

it

more pleasant

the

officers

up

over,

all

smell of blank

the

firing,

filling

of

tired

Hghting their

their pipes to incense

this

game,"

chatting together;

hard work about

said

one of a

much

"there's too

it."

*'Yes," said another.

playing at soldiers.

"Look

after

one evening

air.

about

who were

and

drilled

at the

I

"Someone

told

me

it

was

don't see where the play comes."

honour of

it,"

"Wc

said another.

be defending the town directly from an attack

shall

by the Boers." There was a burst of laughter it

ended the

with:

first

"The Boers!

at

this,

and when

speaker broke out contemptuously

Wc

shall

have to wait a longtime

before they attack us." '*

3

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

-.6

*'I

don't

know

who had spoken

so

much about

of the attack.

CITY.

man mean

that/' said the

"I beheve they

mischief."

*'Bosh["

in chorus.

you may laugh, but they've got Majuba

*'Ah,

on the

came

The

brain.

idiots think

Army

the whole British

Hill

they fought and thrashed

instead of a few hundred men.

Here, Ingleborough, you heard what was saidr>

The young man addressed West and nodded.

"You went

chatting with

left off

to Pretoria with the superintendent of

police about that

diamond

and you were there

case,

a couple of months."

"Yes," said Ingleborough.

"Why, you must have

"What

of that?"

seen a good deal of the

Boers then!"

"Of

course

"Well,

comes

to a

I did."

what do you

Will they fight

say.^

if it

row?"

"Certainly they will!" replied Ingleborough.

There was

West

a

derisive

laugh

flushed a Httle on hearing

it,

words,

at his

the

as

and

volunteers

gathered round.

"Bah! that

!

It's all

bluff " cried a voice.

"They know

by holding out they can get what they want.

They'd cave

in directly if

we showed

a bold front."

"Moral," said West; "show a bold "That's what we're doing,"

front."

said one of the

men;

RUMOURS OF WAR. there's

*'but

much of

too

it.

37

Some

of the officers

have war on the brain, and want to force the soldier-

We've done enough to show the Doppers that we should fight if there was any occasion. There was no drilling going on when ing element to the very front.

you were

at Pretoria, eh,

man

a good deal,"

there was,

'*Yes,

slowly.

"They

quiet

way they

their

gun

Ingleborough?"

make any

did not

"were

hard

said

at

work,

young

the

but in a

fuss,

especially

with

drill."

**Gun drill!" cried one of the group contemptuously.

"What, with a few

wooden quakers?" There was a a

coloured

rusty old

roar of laughter at

Ingleborough shrugged

his

and West

shoulders, turned his

finger into a tobacco-stopper,

"and they believe

Hill has

made them it

invincible; but all the

will

he said

that their victory at

come

to a fight

Majuba

same they've

some level-headed men amongst them, and

before long that

little

and went on smoking.

are puffed up with conceit,"

gravely,

got

this,

more deeply with annoyance, but

little

"The Boers

cannon and some

I

believe

and that they

will fight desperately."

His hearers laughed.

"What for?" shouted "To drive the British Cape Colony and republic."

Natal,

one.

out of South Africa, seize

and make the country a Dutch

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

"^iS

There

momentary

a

^Yas

cried: "I say^ Ingleborough, are

hope

"I

said

not,"

before someone

silence

you going mad?"

man

young

the

quietly.

''Why?" ''Because you are talking the greatest bosh I've

heard for months!" "I don't think

"I

know

am," said Ingleborough gravely.

I

that the Boers are terribly inflated with vanity

and beHef

in

but

themselves,

have wisdom

they

in

heads as well."

their

never seen any of

"I've

"Bah

speaker.

Africa

Why,

!

"Of

said the previous

it!"

They drive us out of South would mean taking Rhodesia too."

Rubbish!

I

that

"and

Ingleborough,

replied

course,"

what they believe they are going

that's

to do."

"With popguns?" "No," said Ingleborough gravely; "but with

Do

rifles.

you know that they can

a hundred thousand in the

"And that

range

any time arm

at

A^ith the best

magazine-rifles

world?"

"No!" came tillery,

men

their

"We

in chorus.

that they

ij.

don't.

)j

have a magnificent force of

ar-

which includes such guns as would dwarf any

we

could

ours,

bring against

and that

in

addition

number of repeating-cannon

Above all, they have "Where did they

them,

thoroughly

out-

they have a great

—Maxims

and Nordenfelts?

a vast supply of ammunition," get

it

from?"

cried one.

39

shouted another,

and there was a

*'Thc moon,"

RUMOURS OF WAR.

roar.

"The

man a

Boer himself/* shouted a

fellow's a regular

behind; and there was a hiss raised, followed by

menacing groan, which made West's blood

he closed up to his friend's

"The old story," "You can't bear the

tingle as

side.

said Ingleborough contemptuously.

honest truth."

we

"Yes, Ave can," cried one of the men; "but can't bear lies.

Do you

your cock-and-bull

think

stories

we

about

are fools to believe

and

magazine-rifles

Army

could

can do as you like about beheving,"

said

guns that would dwarf

all

that the British

bring up against the Boers?"

"You

Ingleborough coldly.

"I have only told you what

when "And do vou mean

learned for myself

I

I

Avas staying in Pretoria."

to tell us that the

Boers have

guns like that?" "I do," said Ingleborough.

"Then where

them?" French and German

did they get

makers. "From the great From Creusot and Krupp." "And how did they get them up to Pretoria?" "From the Cape and Delagoa Bay." "What nonsense!" cried another voice. "Their

arms

and ammunition would have

been stopped

What do you say to that?" "The Boers are slim," said Ingleborough.

at

once.

"Hun-

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

40

dreds

of war

of tons

have been going up

material

country for years as ironmongery goods and machinery.

They have a tremendous

arsenal there, and they

mean

to fight, as you'll see before long."

The

and threatening sounds ceased,

hissing

for

was so much conviction in the tone adopted by the speaker that his hearers began to feel uneasy and there

as if there

while,

might be

something

in

upon Ingleborough turning

Oliver, let's get

home

hedged the

pair in,

most ready

to

I

" the

and the

West

to

little

the

with:

**Come

crowd of volunteers

man who had been

laugh laid a hand upon

"Hold hard

declarations,

his

arm.

a minute," he cried frankly.

ready to laugh at you and chaff

all

the

*T

felt

your words; but

I'm not going to be a dunder-headed fool and shut

my

eyes to danger

Ingleborough:

any

truth in "It

is

are

there really

you an

all true,"

alarmist,

replied the

I for

any.

or

is

Look

here,

there really

young man calmly.

will believe you,

my

out as you have,

I

one

now you have spoken

to put that

is

what you have said?"

"Well, then, for,

if

and that together and

I

feel that the

lad;

begin

Boers

have been playing dark."

"They have been playing warmly,

**a'nd I

dark," said Ingleborough

should not be surprised to hear any

day that they had declared war and found us anything but prepared."

"They only

w^ant to

be

free," said a voice.

RUMOURS OF WAR. cried Ingleborough.

^*Free?"

exactly what they please: outlander,

rob

for

us,

do

every stranger,

or

their

own

benefit: to

and enslave the unfortunate natives, and even

murder them at

they call

as

to

free

*'Yes,

tax

to

41

history

their

suits

if it

hand.

their

from the

first.

been a course

history

has

original

owners by force."

Free?

Why,

Yes, look their

whole

of taking land from the

That very night rumours reached Kimberley which sent a tingle

joined

in

into

the

the cheeks of every

demonstration

though the greatest news of that the Transvaal

glove and

made

against all

man who had Ingleborough:

had not yet arrived,

Government had thrown down

the advance.

the

CHAPTER

V.

AX UGLY CHARGE.

A

S everyone knows, the declaration of war long

clap to in

in

coming, and the news came

all in

Kimberley, where those

w^as not

like a thunder-

who had been

doubt as to the wisdom of the preparations previ-

made were

ously

loudest in finding fault because

the

more had not been done. *'But do you think it's ''Think what a

Tm

we

true?"

sure shall

it

is,"

was the

reply;

"and before very

have them here."

*'Why should they come here?" **

burg,

said West.

Because they have plenty of gold

and they want to

diamonds, people,

my

lad.

these Boers,

main chance. possession, so better

West.

That the Boers have invaded Natal."

UT'

long

is

true, Ingle?" said

be

They're a with

They'll if

you

off south."

utilise

it

for

nice,

at Johannes-

settings

to

our

modest, amiable

very shrewd eyes for the

soon be

feel at all

down

here

to

take

uncomfortable you had

AN UGLV CHARGE. what vou are

that

*'Is

43

dor" asked West

to

o;oiiif^

quietly.

Of course

"I?

not!

I

keep with the volun-

shall

)>

teers.

*'0f course," said West; *'and

I

shall too."

Ingleborough smiled grimly and went on work, till

West

"tiffin

following

suit,

w^ith his

and they were busy enough

"-time that morning.

Their

went on as usual; but out

''tiffin"

the

in

town there was a buzz of excitement which resembled that heard in

when some mischievous boy

a beehive

has thrust in a switch and given before running for his

it

a good twist round

life.

So eager and excited did everyone seem

West could hardly was

which

street,

himself

tear

away from

of talking

full

groups,

seeming to be asking the same question be done

first?"

"We propound

to

reached the

full

the main

everyone

— "Wliat

is

to

West

to

getting no reply.

ought to

and

himself,

— but

that

fortify

of

this

the place," idea,

said

which he intended to

Ingleborough and Anson as soon as he office,

he hurried

in that direction,

all

the

+

faster

from the

fact that

the busy state of the

he had been so interested

streets

tliat

in

he had overstayed

his time.

On

approaching the

rose to his cheeks,

speaking,

for

office

door the conscious blood

he could hear an angry voice

upon which he could only place one

inter-

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

44

pretation

— namely,

one of the principals was

that

ing fault severely because he, the guilty one,

back to *'

find-

was not

his time.

What

a

fool

am !"

I

Then,

muttered West.

pulling himself together, he stepped forward, muttering

again: *'Must take

my

dose

man."

like a

The next moment he had opened entered and closed

it,

the door quickly,

and then stood staring

in

wonder

scene before him.

at the

For there was no angry principal present his

two fellow-clerks: Ingleborough

and Anson with

his

stern

and frowning, turned to a

ordinarily pink face

sallow white, and, instead of being

— only

plump and rounded,

looking sunken and strange. *'

What's the matter?" said West,

had the moment before been talking ceased. tinued,

for

Anson, who

rapidly, suddenly

"You're not quarrelling, are you.^" he confor

no one

replied.

"Oh

well,

I'll

be off

till

you've done."

"No, don't go," cried Anson, springing forward and grasping his arm. "Let gol" cried West.

"I don't want to be mixed

up with any quarrels; but you might have got them over 'outside.

There, I'm

off."

"Stop where you are!" cried Ingleborough.

have a perfect

right

to

hear what

I

have

"You

said,

and

you're welcome."

"Yes, stop where you

are,

West," cried Anson,

AN UGLY CHARGE. clinging

the

young

the

to

arm.

fellow's

war scare has sent Ingle

I

believe

You

never

is

trying to

hatch

out of jealousy."

all

it's

"I believe that

off his head.

heard such a bit of scandal as he up.

45

"No, you do not," said Ingleborough coldly.

"But

do," cried Anson,

I

trying to ruin

He's

scandalous.

"It's

n

me.

"How?" "By

hatching up a story which,

principals' ears,

how

and crop, no matter

"How

what?"

Why,

"Innocent? past.

it

got to the

being turned off neck

innocent

am."

I

Ingleborough

replied

I've suspected

you

for

ironically.

some months

))

my

"Oh,

He

me

would mean

if

does

bring

mean

him

won't you?

"How

it

—he

must mean West.

to his senses, )

"Hark

graciousl" cried Anson,

You

will

him!

we can

unless

it,

at

help

me,

!

can

I

tell

till

know what

I

it's

all

about?

What's the quarrel, Ingle?

"Ask him," answered

young man addressed,

the

frowning.

"Very

well, then;

I'll

What's the row,

ask him.

Anson?" "I have hardly patience to

"But

suppose

the

reply.

my

face burn with shame,"

"Humph!"

I

I

tell

you, West," was

must, though

grunted Ingleborough.

it

makes

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

46

**Then

something you are ashamed of?" said

is

it

West quickly. "Me? Oh

West; I'm

no,

nothing to be ashamed of:

Tve

only being accused by a

a brother- clerk,

fellow-clerk,

ashamed.

not

might

I

of doing a

say,

terrible thing."

"And

Good

"I? street

rested

about in

West

did you?" said gracious,

no!

I

half-an-hour ago,

sharply.

was out

in the

main

being of course

inte-

when I saw a couple of Kaffirs made me wonder what would become

the news,

talking,

and

of them

if it

it

came

to fighting,

and

I

naturally

asked the poor fellows whether they'd stay Icy or go back to their.

"Well?" "Well,

own

said West, for the speaker stopped.

that's

all

as

far

as

Fm

concerned,"

then Ingleborough,

happy without

he's

mixing himself

who must have been watching me

the poHce folk, and

a miserable

upon me; and

underhanded way, you'll

he actually accused

said

who is never up somehow with

just

in

Kimber-

country."

"only

Anson;

in

enough

never beHevc

me

of

ilHcit

suddenly pounced it,

my

dear West,

diamond-buying from

the Kaffirs." r

"And West.

that

means very severe punishment,"

said

"Well, were you doing it?"

"W^as

I?

Oh, for shame. West!

think such a thing possible?

do such a thing?

Is

it

My

hkely?"

How

dear fellow,

could you I

couldn't

AXUGLV "Ingleborough says

it

CHARGE.

47

young man

replied the

is/'

addressed, shortly. '*YeSj but only

me, and

is

for ever if

going

to,

him not "If

to see

dislikes

me

ruin

because he

I

do such a

to it's

absurdly jealous of

the

in

office.

have been begging and praying

What do you

thing.

and Ingleborough says

true,

would

It

were reported, and he says he

it

although

me

is

say?"

is,

it

I

don't

see ho"w he could help reporting your conduct to

the

directors."

*'But

it

isn't

true!" cried Anson, almost in a whine.

"Oh, West, how can you? such a thing!

couldn't

do

to

say. that you are quite

inno-

'^

" I

I

n

"Do you mean cent?

You know

Oh, quite 1" cried Anson.

was as

"It

I told

you.

only asked the two poor hard-working fellows what

they meant to do, and then to

Ingleborough pounced upon

Help me,

my

dear friend,

me to

my

utter astonishment

with that terrible charge.

make him

see that he

has deceived himself!"

"Do you "It

is

hear, Ingle?" cried

West

sympathetically.

a terrible charge to bring against a fellow."

"Terrible!" said Ingleborough sternly.

*'And you have thought what

"Of

it

means?"

course."

"His dismissal and imprisonment? "Yes."

JJ

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

48

U *'

>)

But

There

no room for

is

borough harshly.

we

as

is,

that

is

it

CITY.

**

buts,

my

lad," said Ingle-

Diamond-buying from the natives

well know, penal; and

all

we know,

too,

our duty to help to protect the property of

our employers, and to see that the laws are obeyed." '*

Of

"and

course,

my

what

that's

dear Ingleborough," said Anson;

have always

I

tried

do,

to

you

as

know." *'I

for

know

months

though

I

that

— that

you have been playing a

cannot prove

you were buying afternoon,

all

But

it.

stolen

parties

perfectly

feel

I

is,

this I

false

game

you have,

sure

can prove: that

diamonds from two natives

this

choosing the time because you

believed the excitement would secure you from notice."

"Oh, West,

hark

him!"

at

piteous tone.

"Ingleborough,

wrong you

I

are

Anson,

cried

you

don't

in

a

know how

"That's true!" said their fellow-clerk.

"Look the

here,

Anson," cried West angrily; "what's

good of going on

making weak appeals? a

man

?

Is

it

true, or

like

a great

Why is

it

don't

girl

— oh-ing,

you speak out

not, that

and like

you bought these

diamonds?" "It's all a

mistake of Ingleborough's and as false

as false can be!

that

I

couldn't do such a thing!"

"Nor yet throw them away you were seen?"

as soon as

you found

AN UGLY CHARGE.

49

Of course not!" cried Anson excitedly. "What are these, then?'* cried Ingleborough *'

rough

as he took a couple of

from

crystals

sternly,

his trousers

pocket and held them out in his hand to the astonished gaze of his comrades. **

Those?"

Anson, whose face began to turn

said

of a sickly green;

they look

*'

*'Yes: they are the

which

two

like

that

diamonds."

you threw away, and

went and picked up."

I

"hark

**0h!" cried Anson, with a piteous groan;

West!

at him.

I

man

wouldn't have believed that a

could have been so base as to hatch up such a plot as this to ruin

you that in

my

I

his

West,

brother-employ 6.

assure

I

never set eyes upon those diamonds before a cruel, dastardly plot, and

all

It's

life.

I

Oh dear! Oh dear Oh dear Is it possible that a man can be so base?" He took out his handkerchief and applied it to I

his eyes, uttering

"You "Yes, thrust the

hear I

a low piteous groan the

this,

hear,"

gems back

you know now what

West was

silent.

"Oh,

speak

do

I

Ingleborough?" said West.

Ingleborough sourly, as he

said

in his pocket. it

is

my

and

"Don't stand by and see

how he

w^hile.

me

has taken up lately

"So do you, and

duty to do."

help

me

1

"

cried

Anson.

West You know with the new superinten-

ruined,

I

dent of police, and been always with him, and watch-

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

50

ing the poor natives

till

he

half a detective himself,

is

and goes about suspecting innocent people. nocent, West, and

a

it's all

mistaken

him

in

am

in-

his,

or

a horrible mistake of

me; and I'm

cruel trick to ruin

I

altogether,

afraid

and that

I've

a wicked

is

it

been

conspiracy.

mean

^'Ingleborough wouldn't do a

thing I"

said

West warmly. what

''That's

I

want

to

beheve," whined Anson;

"but he's got hold of two diamonds, and he's going

me with buying them, Cape Town breakwater."

to charge to

"Not

you are innocent!"

if

"Well,

that's

what

I

and

me

search

"You

if

you

will

me

sent

said West.

am, and he

can't

any of the precious stones about me.

I've

get

he'll

prove that

Come and

like!"

be searched by the police

authorities,"

said Ingleborough sternly,

"What

!

— Oh,

it's

abominable

!

"

cried

Anson.

"Here, West, aren't you going to do anything to help

man?"

an innocent

"What tell

you

can

this,

I do,",

though:

I

said West, "but look on.^

don't believe

it

I'll

possible of you!

There must be some mistake!"

"Thank you "It's

Well,

the

I'm

for

old story

not

nothing,"

— and

you

cried

call

yourself a

going to be bullied.

both a chance to

own

that

you

Anson

are

bitterly.

friend!

I've given

you

wrong;

but

all

AN UGLV CHARGE.

51

you always were both of you dead against me.

do now what

ought to have

I

the principals.

Saying

door

clapped on

he

on one

cock

fierce

once

at

—go

to

shall get justice there."

I

this,

done

I'll

side,

his

hat,

giving

it

a

passed out, and banged the

after him.

Ingleborough

no

paid

heed

companion's

his

to

window and

enquiring look, but crossed quickly to the

looked out. '*

Anson

thinks he

is

going to make a bolt," said

Ingleborough, half to himself; *'but his

he'll

soon find out

mistake."

"How?"

West

said

"Norton

eagerly.

outside with a couple of the police,"

is

Ingleborough replied.

"But

this is

very horrible

1"

West.

cried

more, are you quite sure that you have not

"Once made a

mistake?" "Quite!

"But

is

"Yes,"

am

I it

certain!"

wise to be so certain?"

replied

my own

can believe

Ingleborough quietly.

been

questioning

"but

I

repHed Ingleborough,

with

lastly

a

grim

do not see why he should receive two

diamonds from them and give them money and

the

he said?"

"Certainly," smile;

I

eyes!"

"But might he not have Kaffirs, as

"Surely

why he

should

flick

in

exchange,

the two diamonds 4*

away

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

52

into the dust as

you

>

soon as he caught sight of me.

Do

am

very

11

''No/' said

West

"Well,

thoughtfully.

What will be "The next thing

I

the next proceeding?"

sorry.

an ordinary

in

way would be

that

the scoundrel would bolt; but, as he must have found

out by this time that he

no doubt go straight

out by telling them his

suade

them

that

I

the

to

he

carefully watched,

is

have

and brave

principals

own

tale

and trying

hatched

will it

per-

to

up a conspiracy

against him."

"And West for

of course he will not be believed," replied

thoughtfully; "for

it

is

next door to high treason

anyone to be found buying diamonds

illicitly

from

the natives."

"High

treason?"

"Why, my dear The authorities

cried

boy, in

it's

Ingleborough,

much worse

Kimberley

smuggling or stealing

as

than

regicide.

upon diamond

look

blackest

the

laughing.

crime

in

the

calendar."

"Hallo!" cried West just then.

For there was a sharp rap

the

soon.'"

at the door,

entered to announce that the

company desired West directly.

"So

principals

presence

and a man

of the great

of Ingleborough

"I don't see why they want mel" said West.

know

and

"I

nothing about the matter."

"You'll

have

to

go

all

the

same,"

said Ingle-

AN UGLV CHARGE.

"He

borough.

and he

"And

name

has dragged your

you

trusts to

of course

to

speak shall,"

I

nothing and

sell

them

buy

at a

"I don't want to be

into the case,

in his behalf."

said

West;

He

horribly sorry for the poor fellow.

stand the temptation to

53

couldn't with-

the diamonds for a

heavy

Fm

"for

mere

price."

malicious, Noll," said Ingle-

borough; "but I've for some time been under the impression

come

that Master

along!

ness like this; wall.

Of

course

but

humbug.

There,

don't like a piece

of busi-

Anson was I

a

we must make rogues go

You're too soft-hearted, Noll,

"Perhaps

so," replied the lad;

so than too hard-hearted."

my "but

to the

boy." I'd rather

be

CHAPTER

VI.

A VAIN SEARCn.

\XJ'EST saw

once upon entering the presence of

at

the principals that things appeared bad for Anson,

who

stood facing a table at which three of the direc-

tors

of the great

very

stern.

company were

They signed

stand upon their right

to

the

to

seated,

looking

all

Ingleborough and West

— Anson

was

them

facing

to

left.

Then

there

was a brief colloquy

between the three

directors,

"You

saying aloud:

The gentleman

ending

in

in

a low tone

one of them

speak." thus addressed

turned

to

Ingle-

borough.

"Mr. Anson has sought directors,

Mr.

have made been if

Ingleborough,

up

engaged

a in

this

to

inform

that

you

his

having

diamond-buying.

Of

course,

you could prove such a charge,

to inform us.*'

us

about

malicious tale illicit

with the

interview

it

was your duty

A VAIN SEARCH.

"Of though

course,

have

I

Ingleborough;

replied

sir,"

55

some time suspected him,

for

"but,

this affair

only occurred during our tiffin-time this morning, and

soon as

we

accuse him

as

as

returned to the

my

office

I

and

tell

fellow-clerk,

felt

bound

to

him what

I

intended to do."

"So

as to give

him,

good chance

a

if guilty,

to

conceal the diamonds or escape?"

"Oh

"I took

no, sir," said Ingleborough quietly.

proper precautions against that."

"Indeed?" said the

"What

director.

"Mr. Superintendent Norton sir,

and

keenest

I

went

to

him

men have been

a

is

He

at once.

did

you do?"

friend

of mine,

and two of

carefully watching

his

Anson ever

since."

"Humph! glanced then;

Quite right," said the director, and he

Anson, who was smiling contemptuously

at

West had seen him wince sharply when

but

Ingleborough

mentioned

the

superintendent's

name.

"Well," continued the director, "let us hear your version of this business." "Really, gentlemen," cried Anson, "I ought to have the assistance of a law officer

Mr.

"Stop,

"we have to

be

Anson,"

heard you

silent

now

all

said

the

through.

director

Have

sharply;

the goodness

while Mr. Ingleborough gives us his

statement."

"But

and

legal assistance, sir."

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

56

"You can have as the matter

must

first

say.

Now,

of

is

you

as

to tell us everything

this business."

Ingleborough made his statement perfectly

and

it

was

We

hear what Mr. Ingleborough has to

have the goodness

you know about

as soon

like, sir,

brought before the magistrates.

all

sir,

much

as

listened to in silence,

clearly,

and the diamonds were

produced.

Afterwards the three directors spoke together

low tone of voice to

Anson

to tell

few minutes, ending by turning

for a

him

in a

that

he must consider himself for

the present as suspended from

further duty in con-

all

nection with the company's business.

"We

have no desire to proceed to extremities,

Mr. Anson,'* he said tunity will

in conclusion,

"and every oppor-

be given you to clear yourself; but

meantime you must consider yourself under and your lodgings "I protest,

"You have no

will

sir,"

in the

supervision,

be searched."

cried

young man warmly.

the

right to order such a thing to

be done

without magisterial authority."

"Then we is

will

assume the

right,

Mr. Anson, as

it

a question of our property being stolen by our black

employes and finding a purchaser Mr. West, as the superintendent

Anson,

I

presume he

"I passed him

answered West.

is

at

is

in

one of our

clerks.

keeping an eye upon

here?" the door

as

I

came

in,

sir,"

A VAIN SEARCPJ.

57

"Have the goodness to call him Anson winced; but he faced the officer

in."

stern-looking

tall

of police as he entered and heard the reason

for his being called in.

"Then you wish a search

to be

made, gentlemen?"

said the superintendent.

"Certainly."

"Look

Tm

for everybody. I

cried

here/'

Anson

"there's law

fiercely;

not your servant any longer, for

refuse to stay with such a

pack of tyrannical dividend-

making scoundrels." "That

growled the superintendent,

will do,"

"Keep a

low, deep voice.

good

You'll do no

for yourself

"You mind your own upon the change

civil

in his fellow-clerk's I will,"

by

in

your head.

this."

business," cried Anson, turning

officer so fiercely that

"All right:

tongue

in a

West wondered

at the

manner.

said the officer,

seizing

him

sharply.

"Here, what are you going to do?" cried Anson, in

is

alarm.

"Search you,

my

"Then

everyone present to witness that

illegal.

I call

lad,"

was

the reply. this

I'm not going to stand quietly by and be

treated like a

"Leave

worm."

off wriggling, then," said the officer.

"I won't.

I

black labourers."

refuse to be treated

like

one of the

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

r,S

''Look here,

want

You

game's up

said the officer sternly; "I don't

you Hke a Kaffir unless you behave hke

to treat

one.

sir/'

are charged with

so the best thing you can do

;

and your

buying,

ilHcit

is

to produce

everything you have on you and have done with the matter." *'

up

me

Search

you dare,"

cried

Anson,

still

keeping

manner.

his defiant

"Right:

if

dare," said the officer. "Mr. Ingleborough,

I

be ready to lend a hand

if I

want

it."

me

"If John Ingleborough dares to lay a hand on I'll

send a bullet through him."

an

In

Ingleborough's

instant

hand came down

heavily upon Anson's shoulder and gripped him

"Never mind him, Norton.

It's

all

bluff.

fast.

He

is

unarmed."

"Armed

"Tm

unarmed,"

or

said

the

superintendent,

going to search him," and directly after a quick

pair of hands

were busy going through

tlie

suspect's

pockets.

"Urrrl" he growled, showing

tween

his thick red lips, as

mask of

servile humility

lucky for you that

Go

on.

assault shall

I'll

am

white teeth be-

he cast off thoroughly the

he had previously worn;

unarmed.

have heavy damages

"it's

But search away. for

this

dastardly

and defamation of character, and the pubHc

know

beautiful

I

his

all

about the games

diamond

syndicate.

carried

Curse you

on by all

this

— masters

A VAIN SEARCH,

You

and men!

Ingleborough, too, Oliver

pay

shall

look out

for

for

59

and, as for you, John

it,

and you

Yes,

yourself.

West, you miserable sneak.

always hated

I

vou."

"Hadn*t you better save

West

said

believe

quietly,

you

^*

your breath, Anson?"

You're only making everybody

guilty."

"Let 'em/' cried the suspect, whose plump round face

was now

even with

all

distorted with impotent rage.

of you for

"Humph! in the

Nothing

seams of

his

nothing sewn

his pockets;

in

clothes,

nor

the band

in

of his

Then aloud: "Now

upl"

Anson behaved

like

a horse,

or,

Ingleborough afterwards laughingly order each foot

lifting to

be

this."

trousers," muttered the searcher. then, hold

''I'll

his trousers to

in

turn

said,

for

West and

as

the

like

an

ass,

bottoms of

be examined and the heels of

his boots,

which had not been bored nor plugged.

"He officer,

has nothing upon him, gentlemen," said the

at last.

"But you have not thoroughly searched him,"

said

one of the directors, frowning.

"Oh this

sir,"

replied the

officer;

"a party hke

wouldn't carry diamonds about him same as a Kaffir

would.

by

yes,

He

slitting

the risks.

wouldn't play any tricks with his person

or swallowing:

You can be

he knows too much about

perfectly satisfied that he has

A DASH FROM DIAMON'D CITV.

6o

nothing about him.

I

was, as soon as

I

had turned

out his pockets."

"They'll be satisfied before they've done," sneered

Anson. X

"I should like to see his desk and office

stool

in

the

where he has worked, gentlemen," continued the

officer,

**YahI" everywhere.

where

I

snarled

Anson.

"Yes:

go on;

search

Perhaps you'd hke to search the place

lodge?"

"Afterwards," said the officer quietly.

CHAPTER

VIL

ANSOX REBOUNDS.

EST WJ

saw

though

fellow-clerk

his it

wince

again,

slightly

passed unnoticed by the others, and

directly after the

whole party adjourned

the superintendent's

men

to the office,

following them, and, without

doing anything to excite attention, forming a guard at the door.

"There's nothing here," said the superintendent a

low tone

to

"How

in

Ingleborough and West.

do you know.^" said the former.

*^By his manner.

He's

all

"Yes," said Ingleborough;

brag and bounce!" "but you don't know

your man."

"Look here[" if

you

see

like,

why

cried

Anson; "none of

that!

but no plotting and planning there!

they shouldn't be charged too.

desks as well as mine.

Perhaps you'll

Search I

don't

Search their

find

some

iUicit

diamonds there."

West his breast.

started, for a strange suspicion shot

through

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

62

*'If

you do

swear

they'll

put 'cm there, and the

I

superintendent will believe them." *'

You

Anson

scoundrel "

uttered a

is

passionately,

low sneering laugh;- but

set directly, as the officer

"Which

West

cried

I

his face

and

grew

turned upon him.

your desk, sir?" he said sharply.

"Search them

all I"

was

the reply.

"Which is his desk?" said the superintendent to West now. The young man made no reply, and Ingleborough pointed

out.

it

"Friends

and brother- workers

a sneering

manner.

play

Let's

fair!

"Look

have

all

here,

!

Anson,

said

"

noble

the desks

in

employers,

and the whole

place searched."

No one the

tall

spoke, and after a cursory examination of

stool in front of the desk the officer picked

a thick silver-mounted rattan

by the

side

of the desk in

cane thrust

in

company with

up

a stand

three

um-

brellas.

"Yours?" he

said, turning to the suspect.

"Yes, and one of the umbrellas too. one's mine.

of

all

That dandy

"Of in

one

is

West^s.

three are sure to unscrew and are hollowed out

to hold diamonds,

at the

silk

The worst The handles

no doubt."

course," said the officer,

and

after a glance

umbrellas he turned the thick heavy cane over

his hands, noticing

that in addition to a silver cap

ANSON REBOUNDS. was a

there

silver

thick

ring

63

about six inches from

the top.

''Oh yes, that's hollow too," cried

"and

ingly,

stuffed

of diamonds,

full

I

Anson mockdaresay.- -Ah

!

mind you don't cut your fingers!" For the

unscrew the top

hands, tried to and,

ring,

tug,

as he held the thick cane in both

officer,

part,

he gave

yielding a Httle,

after

thickest it

by the a sharp

drawing out about a foot of a bright blue damas-

cened

and then

sword,

thrusting

it

back

with

an

impatient "Pish!"

"A

sword-stick," said the officer.

"Well, revolver.

why

not?" cried Anson.

n

The

desk,

flat

measured

sure that there

was no

sneeringly as the

stand,

and

keenly, raised the lid

turned over

false

the

some books and and in to make

bottom, and then brought

mahogany box, Anson grinning was opened and the joints of the

flat

lid

exposed to view.

"Now

you've got 'em, sir!" cried Anson, with a

mocking laugh. all

into

depth outside

its

out the clerk's httle

it's

cane

Anson watching him

of the broad

flute lay

the

thrust

officer

then, with

papers,

"I don't carry a

"Blow through them, and

you'll find

wind."

The superintendent turned and the joints except that

the

were

left

upon

top joint with

box upside down,

the the its

top of the desk,

gaping mouth-hole

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

64

Stuck in the velvet

of the

fitting,

but looked the most hollow

set.

"There's nothing here, gentlemen," said the replacing

cer,

other

the

joints

offi-

and gravely closing

the desk.

"Oh,

nonsense!"

swag

*'You

jeering.

Perhaps, though, young West has

haven't half looked. the whole

Anson,

cried

in his desk."

"Would you

like

gentlemen?" said the

"No, certainly

to

examine the other desks,

officer.

not," said the leading director sharply;

"we have no wish

to insult our

"Only one," snarled Anson.

employes."

"Do you

call this

fair play.*^"

West drew a breath full of relief, and glanced at Ingleborough, who made no sign, but stood looking stohdly at the officer.

"I'm quite

"There with

is

illicit

gentlemen," said the

satisfied,

Do

nothing here.

latter.

you charge Mr. Anson

deahng?"

"You have

not searched his apartments yet," said

the chief director.

"We

wish to have further proofs

)i

first.

Anson opened chief spoke,

his

mouth a

and closed

it

short distance as his

again with a sharp

little

snap

"You wish then,

the

gentlemen?"

prisoner's

rooms

to

be searched

ANSON REBOUNDS. i(T'

I'm not a prisoner," cried

Anson

angrily.

''I've

been charged nor taken into custody."

neither *'

65

Certainly " 1

the

said

director

sternly.

Search

*'

Mr. Anson's rooms preliminary to his being charged

Mr. West, go

and taken into custody. the superintendent to

make a

show

the w^ay.

I

in

front with

do not wish

procession, to create excitement and

to

make

us

the observed of all."

"I understand,

Mr. Anson

sir.

walk

will

ad-

in

vance with me, and you can follow as you please.

no need for Mr. West to walk with

There

is

know

the

*'

doing, I suppose. '*Yes, I

I

way!"

Of course 1"

soon as

us.

my

snarled Anson.

Then

I

have been watched,"

illicit

dealing

Norton here what

told Mr.

"As

named.

said the person

doing,'*

suspected you of

upon you and

"Mr. Ingleborough*s

I

kept an eye

I

thought."

"Cowardly, sneaking curl" cried Anson, grinding his teeth.

"No,

sir,"

cried the director sternly: "faithful ser-

vant of the company."

"Where Anson

are your proofs

that I

am

not?"

cried

fiercely.

"Not found your cunning

"Go

I

yet,"

said

daresay

we

on," said Anson.

The next minute

"but with

the officer; shall trace

all

them."

"I'm ready

for you,"

the whole party were straggling

through the camp-like town towards the outskirts, to 5

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

66

atlier

mud

together at the very ordinary shed-Hke house of

wall and fluted corrugated-iron roofing, where the

men

wife of one of the

mine stared

at the

and then looked

at the party,

awe

in

at

in

wonder

her lodger,

her eyes very wide open and startled as she grasped

what the

visit

meant.

''Oh, Mr. Anson,

what have you been a-doing of?"

she cried, and burst into tears.

West looked pity,

and

brutahty,

then

tempered cur: he

"Out of this

woman

clerk's

kick

Anson

gesture

was

that

literally

idiot 1"

West saw two

he cried, ''and

let

at her.

the directors exchange

following the superintendent into the the

ill-

come

police-constable and his party

clerks to the

the

last,

for 'his

of an

snapped

you

the way,

with a feeling of

to

disposed

felt

for the

poor

at the

by."

glances

little

before

house, leaving

pohce-constables

re-

maining watchfully at the door.

"Master Anson

is

regularly cutting the ground from

under him, Ingle," said West

"Yes: the

You

fool!

doa't think I've

West shook

his

I

take

made

softly. it

to be a tacit confession.

a mistake

now?"

head and looked

distressed,

but

said nothing.

"Of

course

he'll

never come back to

knows it, or he'd never put on Hark at him!" For

at that

moment

the

this

us,

and he

defiant manner.

object of their thoughts

ANSON REBOUNDS. shouted loudly:

you two

**Here,

Come

waiting behind for?

67

what are you

spies,

and help search the

in

place."

West frowned and hung back, but Ingleborough a hand on his shoulder.

laid

''Come along," he see

through

it

said;

pleasant, but

It isn't

1

"you must help me it's

to

part of one's

duty."

The next minute they were bed and

room,

sitting

in x\nson's

combined

a very ordinary-looking

place,

with the simplest of furniture and plenty of suggestions all

man might have diamonds; for the mud walls

round of spots where an ingenious

hidden a

little

fortune in

were lined with matchboard, the ceiling was of the same

and then there was the

material,

floor,

where

any

in

part a board could have been lifted and a receptacle

made

for the precious

articles

crystals,

without counting the

of furniture, including the bedding.

^Tm

sorry

I

have no more

chairs,

"Sit on the table, and three of

the tenant banteringly.

you can make a sofa of the bed. it

I

You'll do nothing

compared

Norton when he begins.

have given

me

as to say,

I

Never mind tumbling to Mr. Superintendent

say,

notice of all this,

had a carpenter here

gentlemen," said

though,

you should

and then

to skin the walls

and

I'd

have

ceiling so

have made everything nice and easy for you. Mr. Norton,

directly,

you'll

I

want a pickaxe and shovel

won't you?" 5*

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

68

The

CITY.

had paid no heed

directors

to the

speaker's

bantering remarks, but the superintendent was getting hot, tired,

man

and annoyed by the constant chatter of the

he was longing to arrest; everything

treated

so far

and, though he

had

with calm indifference,

his

lack of success in his search for something incriminating

such places as experience had taught him were

in

favour with those

who

began now

upon

to

tell

sharply upon

showed

that

carried on

the speaker: his

diamond smuggling and he turned

temper,

his

in

snap out words which

to

thoughts ran on

all

fours with those

of Ingleborough.

"Look

here,

young manl" he

whether you are aware of

said;

but you

it,

work building up a black case against you're

not

careful

you'll

''I

know

don't

are

hard at

and

yourself,

yourself before

find

if

long

working out your two years as a convict on the Cape

Town

breakwater,"

'T shall!"

I

*'What for?

Where's

You'v^e got a jumped-up cock-and-bull

your evidence? story

Anson.

cried

made by a

fellow-clerk

You've only

say another.

who his

says one thing while

word

for

it.

You've

found no diamonds on me, and you've found none

my

in

lodgings." **

Not

"Oh,

yet," said the superintendent meaningly. I

see!

Not yet!

not paid by time, so

Search away!

I

Go

on,

then,

pray

I

I'm

can afford to lose a few hours.

Perhaps our clever friend Ingleborough

ANSON REBOUNDS. can to,

you where

tell

though.

It

me, Ingle.

It's

Perhaps he wouldn't hke

to look.

would hurt

brother-clerk of being an

his

illicit

good sport

'hot

boiled

Now

then,

You

very

going

Norton's

little

good

across

to

to

accuse a

But don't mind

Why

for you.

and think you're a good

and

feelings

trader.

help,

beans

69

you

don't

boy playing

again?

butter'

the

at

other side.

when he's going away from the place, and 'warmer' when he gets nearer. Then *hot,' and last of all 'burning,' Come, keep up the game !" "I should just like to ram that pair of clean socks should call out

between your

*

colder

my

'

and keep

it

there

with a leather strap," muttered the officer; and,

as if

teeth,

fine fellow,

about to put his wish into practice, he stooped and picked up the closely rolled-up pair of socks lying with

some other

articles

of

placed freshly washed upon

attire

a shelf by Anson's landlady.

"Now 'burning,'

then,"

somebody

Anson

cried :

there

boisterously,

*'cry

must be some diamonds

inside that I"

The

directors frowned,

and Ingleborough and West

looked on angrily as the officer dashed the soft woollen ball

back upon the heap and then went on with

his

search for nearly an hour.

By

this

time the lookers-on were as

much

disgusted

as the superintendent.

"I'm very sorry, gentlemen," he cried; "but

I

can

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

70

There

do no more.

we have my men

less

be

nothing else to

is

and regularly

in

done un-

wood-

strip the

work down." "Oh, pray have them I

were you

in,

then," cried Anson.

*'If

n

I'd

and

Silence, sir!" cried the chief director fiercely,

*'

Anson

'*We have not the sHghtest doubt of

stared.

your

guilt.

That

will

Your conduct

through has proved

it.

do, Mr. Norton."

evidence sufficient to justify an

**You think the arrest,

all

gentlemen?"

''We

who had

consult

will

just spoken,

together," replied the director

"and communicate our

decision

to you."

"What,

aren't

you

satisfied

yet?"

cried

Anson

mockingly. "Quite," replied his chief; "and of course, post

is

sir,

your

For the present, Mr. Norton, you

vacant.

keep an eye upon

this

man, and see

that

will

he does not

leave the town."

"Unless I'm very superintendent, else will leave

"Is

it

"Yes,

am

told.

so sir.

But

"neither

much

mistaken,

sir,"

said the

our friend here nor anyone

Kimberley for some time

to

come."

bad as that?"

The Boers I'll

are gradually closing

in,

keep an eye on Mr. Anson here

I

all

the same,"

Five minutes later the party were on their

way

AlVSON REBOUNDS.

back

mine buildings, where the

to the

West heard was

that the Boers

thing

were gathering

in

that

great

City their objective.

Troubles were gathering

coming hotter and

at

lirst

could be judged, were making the

force, and, as far as

Diamond

71

and news kept on

fast,

hotter.

West and Ingleborough were back in their places the office, talking over the war news and minghng

with

it

"Norton promised left

gone through.

the scenes they had just

me

when he

he'd call in here

the governors," said Ingleborough.

*'Then he must have forgotten

it,"

repHed West,

"for he has been with them quite an hour. didn^t

know

that

I

say,

I

you were such a friend of the super-

intendent."

"Well, I'm not

"But

Ingleborough, smiling.

manly

a straightforward, interest in

wish

I

the

"Pst

1

"May

here he

"Yes.

"Did

I

do

fellow,

like

and

I

him;

lie's

take so

such

much

runs

hand."

in

steps outside,

I

down criminals, I often detectives who have this diamond-

way he

had joined the

smuggling

of talking much," said

in the habit

is

I

" said

and directly

come

in,

West

quickly, for there

after a sharp rap at the door.

Ingleborough?"

West said you'd gone." You knew I was not?"

Enfrez! he.?

Ingleborough nodded.

"What have

were

they decided?" he asked.

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

72

"To to

the matter drift for the present: only

let

have our hands

full

enough

ing the town, and they're right. to

They say

keep an eye on the scoundrel.

shall all

CITY.

Tm we

that

directly in strengthen-

I'm afraid we're going

have a warm time."

"Think "Safe

they'll attack

us?" asked West.

Now's the time

to.

you volunteers

for

to

show what you're made of, for I believe that the enemy will make straight for Kimberley. Our getting the diamond-fields has always been a sore point with them,

and we '*

shall

have our work cut out

to save them."

Yes," said Ingleborough thoughtfully, "and

not mistaken, you'll have

than for smuggling.

He

more cause

to

I'm

if

watch Anson

has his knife into the company."

"Exactly," said Norton; "and

he can make friends

if

with and help the enemy, he will."

"You mean said

West is

be a dangerous spy

in the

camp?

excitedly,

"That's

and

he'll

t»

it,

Mr. West;

but

caught his punishment

if

will

he plays that game not be a couple of

years on the breakwater."

"No," said Ingleborough: "the military

will

deal

with him then."

"How?"

asked West, whose veins began to tingle

and a cold shuddering sensation to run down

"A ketry,

his spine.

couple of lines of infantry, a volley of mus-

and

"Finis," said the superintendent.

"Good

day.

I

ANSON REBOUNDS. don't wish

him any harm; but

run straight into

some

trap.

73

pretty sure he'il

I feel

That

of fellow

sort

al-

ways does."

The next minute

had closed upon the

the door

superintendent, and the

two young men

sat thoughtfully

looking in each other's eyes.

"Only a few hours ago, and we

three were calmly

working together," said West sadly;

upon Anson could

like,

"and

I

whom

as an unsatisfactory fellow

looked I

never

but w'hose worst faults were being a cringing

kind of bore and a perfect nuisance with his flute."

"And

I

as a

whom

smooth hypocrite

one ought

not to trust," said Ingleborough.

"And now

to

and most Hkely have to soldier

at us

Hallo

and we're

he's gone,

in

real earnest.

outside,

and the door

Here's Norton back again."

I

For there was a quick step

was thrown open. But

met

face that

stepped boldly

"How

their

it

was not

eyes,

their

late

fellow-clerk

are you, gentlemen.^" he said, with a strong last w^ord.

but I'm not going to leave

He

for

the superintendent's

in.

emphasis upon the

tucked

have the Boers

my

"So

I've got the sack;

property behind."

stepped to his desk and took out his it

flute case,

under his arm, and then drew the sword cane

and umbrella from the stand, giving the pair a maliciously triumphant look.

"Can't afford to leave the swordstick as a me-

A DASH FROM DIAMOND mento

for you,

nor the

Ingle,

Look

Goodbye, both of you. Ta, ta

meeting.

CITV. for

flute

sneaky West.

out for our next merry

1"

Neither of the young

men

repHed, but sat gazing F

fixedly

speaker

at the

he passed

till

banging the

out,

door.

But only

one word

open

"Cads

:

Then

to

it

in

and

utter the

!"

was banged, and West leaped from

the door

and made a dash.

his stool

**Stop, stupid!"

thundered out Ingleborough, sup-

by

plementing his words

arm round

You

again to look

"But

bound and

companion's chest.

his

want

don't

a

to kick

flinging

"Let the brute go.

him?" "Let go."

do," shouted West, struggling

I

his

"Keep still," growled Ingleborough, and then, "Why, Noll," he cried, "I do believe "What?" said West, cooling down and looking ? J

wonderingly

in

his

companion's excited eyes,

borough had stopped

"That

flute

— that

"Well, he has stopped

me

short.

sword-cane

got them.

from punching

them; they're

for Ingle-

his

Bah!

I'm

head.

Let him have

glad

you

his."

"Yes," said Ingleborough; "but the handle of the

cane and the top joint of the for a U

dozen big diamonds

What!

Then

let's

flute.

There was room

in each."

go and stop himl"

ANSON REBOUNDS. "Yes; we could but be wrong. '*Hah!

Listen,"

was

like the

first

Come

on."

West, and a sound arose

cried

which turned their thoughts it

75

in

a different channel, for

note of the coming war.

The trumpet rang out

the " assemblee" and thrilled

both through and through, sending them to the armpress for

rifle

and bandolier.

Clerking was over for

pen was to the sword.

give

way

to

many months the

modern

to

come.

substitute

The for

CHAPTER

VIII.

VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEER.

UMOURS

TD

that

that

proved to be

false

proved to be true were

and rumours

enough

plentiful

during the following fortnight; and in that time Kimber-

was transformed from a busy mining camp

ley

in

which

the black and white inhabitants were constantly going

and coming

like ants in a hill

to a

town whose siege

was imminent, and whose people thought of nothing but preparing for the enemy, and whose talk was of rifle,

cartridge,

and trench.

But there was something done beside

talk,

the

people loyally joining with the small military garrison in

preparing for the defence of the place; and, while

one portion worked to strengthen every spot that would

form a redoubt, the other strove as long as was possible to get in stores

out

if

to enable the defenders

they were besieged.

to hold

For the determination was

strong to save the enormous wealth of the place from the

enemy whose borders were

their lines.

so short a distance from

VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEER. and

Drilling

carried

77

arms were

instruction in the use of

on almost night and day, and

a very short

in

time the military element seemed to have pretty well

up the

swallowed

while

civil,

people more ready to meet the

each hour first

found the

rush of the dogs

of war. It

was a most unsuitable place

a mere mining

camp

only part suitable

for defence, being

pitched in a wide bare plain, the turning into a keep being the

for

huge mound cast up by the excavations for

diamonds; and

this

was

had

search

fortified to the best

of the

from the

defenders' abihty almost tion

in the

advantages as well as

its

failings, for

open, desert-like land stretched right giving an

But the

first.

away on

enemy no undue advantages

in the

situa-

the

flat,

all sides,

shape of

kopje or ravine to turn into a natural fortress from

which the town could be attacked.

The

place, then,

was a

fair

example of weakness 4

and strength, the

latter,

however, daily growing,

in the

shape of a stern determination to give the Boers a very w^arm reception

So news

the

days

at first fairly

serious

nature,

duties they

had

when they

glided

did attack.

rapidly by,

and whenever they were to

authentic

abundant, but invariably of a very

fulfil,

new

off the

news was amply

the said

cussed by the two young men,

who from

preparation had stood forward at

members of

with

their

dis-

prior

once as prominent

the semi-military force.

FROM DIAMOND

A DASH

78

"Be evening idea

;

said Ingleborough

patient," " there'll

you were going

all

we

develop into such a

to

J

I'd

no

fire-eater."

only feel deeply interested

So do wc

Noll!

right,

Remember all where we shall be able

the

rashness.

That's

one

are doing."

"That's

no

laughingly,

be plenty of fighting by-and-by.

"Fire-eater? Absurd! in

CITV.

They can use

let's

and

drill

enough

By

at the best.

;

have

discipline.

to tell against the

their rifles well

mob

undisciplined

but

all:

enemy.

but they are an

the way, have you

run against the flute-player lately?"

"No, but yesterday.

I

met

They

whom

the people with

knew^

me

he lodges

and came up as

again,

if

wanting to speak."

"What about?" r

"Oh, they began by

talking about

me whether I thought "To which you said No,

asking

"I only said

that

I

last long."

eh?"

hoped

volunteered the information \vas

would

it

war and

the

that

not,

and

then

they beheved

they

Anson

going to leave the town for the south."

"Indeed

made them

?"

said

Ingleborough

"What

sharply.

think that?"

"Because

their lodger

had packed up

belongings and had bought a

all

wagon and

his httle

a span of

oxen, which he kept just outside."

"Well,

he'll

He'll find himself

lose

them

if

between two

he fires.

doesn't

look

out.

Either the oxen

VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEER. will

be seized for stores, or the Boers

The

off.

fright,

"Oh, was

that

the Boers

know of "T

dares^iy

me

'T don't

fighting."

The

report

evening

this

are closing round us

one side or the other.

this,

"for he told his

should say," said West.

nonsense!

all

it's

be stopped by to

I

would stomach the

think he

them

cut

will

fellow must be either desperate or mad."

a

**In

79

He'll

fast.

Norton ought

though."

know

he docs

already,"

the other day

that

said

he was

West;

keeping

eye on our friend."

"So he did," said Ingleborough thoughtfully. "He has some idea of catching him trying to communicate with the enemy. If he does, Master Simon will not get off so easily as

he did over the diamond business.

Fm

I

tired,

and

shall

go to bed.

we

Let's sleep while

There's no knowing what a day will bring forth!"

can.

"You really

are right," said West.

come

"

You

think

we

shall

to close quarters?"

"Yes, and very close quarters too. it

Well,

I've

expected

before now."

Nothing

happens

someone once MiHtary

said

drill

;

so

and

it

unexpected,

surely

as

was so

the very next day.

was, as intimated,

the

constantly going

on; but that next morning there was a larger gathering

than usual,

drawn up

in

the principal part

of the regulars being

Hnes with the volunteer defenders

a goodly show.

—

in

all,

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

So

was

It

after

it

to

some extent a general

was over the men were formed up and the Colonel

sides of a hollow square,

addressed

the

in

as three

command

complimenting them upon

men,

but

inspection;

their

w

behaviour, and then

them

giving

contents

the

in

a

great measure of the despatches he had received from

headquarters,

in

combination with the reports of the

He

scouts and from the outposts.

concluded by say-

ing that in a few hours they would, in

all

probability,

from communication with the

be completely shut

off

south, for the Boers

were closing round them

force,

and

called

upon

to

were relieved they would be

that until they

making a brave defence

to hold Kimberley,

important a town

save so

in great

from faUing

the

into

hands of the invader.

Here he was stopped by a tremendous burst of cheering, which hindered him from saying, as he intended, that they must be of good heart and trust that the

General

in

command would

full

of

soon send help.

But the enthusiastic cheering taught the Commandant

plainly

that

the

men

him needed

before

no

"heartening up," and he smiled with satisfaction as he felt

convinced that every

call

he

made upon them

would be answered.

What

followed was short and to the point.

thanked them, made a few remarks about mination that no Boers

from where

it

fluttered,

should

drag

his

He

deter-

the British flag

told the garrison

that he

was

VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEER. proud

to say that they

and military

sions

make

to

8i

had an ample supply of provi-

stores,

and

had only

that the Boers

their first attack to find

how

they had deceived

themselves about the British surrender at Majuba Hill.

Here there was another deafening burst of cheers. Finally he

town

farther north

enemy even which town

a fresh allusion to the well-known

which w^as being surrounded by the

were being shut

as they

be a race," he

"It will

will

made

will first

"between us as

said,

beat the Boers

in there.

to

and the victors

off;

then have the glorious task of going to the rehef

of the others."

After this the regulars were marched off to their quarters, leaving the volunteers standing fast;

and the

Commandant now summoned their officers to his side. As it happened, this was within a few yards of the spot where West and Ingleborough were drawn up in the line, and every word the Commandant spoke came to them clear and plain. "I have another

he

gentlemen,"

said,

little

"in

business

to

own.

convey

mand I

It is

at

to

with a second

me

morning within

our brave brother4n-arms

concluded that

my own men

this

a letter of instructions

Mafeking; it

about,

connection

despatch which was enclosed to

my

speak

to

I

am

now

ordered in

com-

and, on thinking the matter over,

would be unwise

to carry that

despatch,

to select

from

one of

their

want

of knowledge of the country and people, and far better

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

83

man

thoroughly trustworthy

of

all

obstacles,

scouts, for the road it

possible, too, that

when he trifle

or they reach

force.

in

It

its

neighbourhood; but

want messengers who fly if

is

will

must

I

look upon even that

be overcome or crossed, and who

to

is

will

will

safely placed in Colonel

me be

Let

Baden-Powell's hands.

fully

be ready to

understood:

I

fight if neces-

needs be, but only to rebound and try

another direction

this

with them, even

Mafeking may be completely invested

not rest until the despatch

sary or

swarm

by the Boers

have a despatch-rider who as a

to

evade the enemy's

to

sure to

is

occupied

not

is

as

a

who, regardless

two,

or

would carry the despatch, bringing

bear force or cunning so

in

me

apply to you gentlemen to recommend to

to

if

CITY.

—

in short,

despatch and say:

men who

shall

*It

up

will button

be placed

in

Baden-

Powell's hands by hook or crook as soon as a swift

horse can cover the ground.' it

is

urgent, or

to deliver with

it

what

such stern commands. if

not thousands.

do you know that

brave comrade,

is

would not be placed

or death to hundreds,

whom

This

will,

risk his life

want, and

I

my

in It

hands

means

So now

life

then,

with the assistance of a

and carry

my

despatch?"

A dead silence, which lasted many seconds, fell upon the group, but at last the volunteer Colonel spoke out.

"I

am

name anyone, sir," he from sending any man in my regi-

not prepared

said, **and I flinch

ment upon so

to

terribly perilous a journey, for

it

means

VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEER.

83

almost to a certainty being shot down, for the bearer of the despatch will be bound to hurry on

and pay

no heed to challenges to stop."

Commandant, frowning;

"Certainly," said the ))

surely

"One moment, sir; fairest way would be to select the

two most

was about

I

men.

likely

the

men

fully

TJ

understand that

"

it

rather reckless rider, able to bear

determined to do

do that then, and a most dange-

is

this

fatigue,

what

is

—Yes,

my

it?"

For West,

whose blood

and above

thing for the honour of his

country and the saving of his brother men. lad,

and then

Mind, too, that he must be a good and a

rous task.

all

say that the

to

for volunteers,

call

"Well," said the Commandant, let

''but

whose face had flushed deeply and

tingled in his veins,

had taken four steps

now

forward out of the ranks, and

stood with his hand

raised to the salute.

"Give me the despatch,

"You?"

cried

sir,"

take

it."

w^onderingly,

as

said.

Commandant

the

"You

eyes ran over the speaker,

his

he

"I'll

are very young.

But are you a good rider?" "I think

I

"Splendid

can ride anything well enough, said a

rider,"

deep voice,

borough strode to the young man's it,

sir,

him

in

if

any man can

the task

;

if you'll

and give

I'll

me

side.

sir."

and

Ingle-

"He'll do

go with him

to help

orders." 6*

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

84 *'

Hall "

know

the

ejaculated

I

Commandant.

You

Ingleborough.

Mr.

you,

CITY, *'

Yes,

belong to

I

the

pohce?" '*0h no,

sir;

am

I

the superintendent,

only on friendly terms with

and have been on expeditions with

him."

"And you think your young good man to carry the despatch?" ''I

would

"Then

I

trust will,"

and searching look fifteen minutes'

further talk

him

said the at

time,

were

if I

would be a

friend

power,

in

Commandant,

West.

"Be

at

after a

my

both of you, and

sir,"

long

quarters in

we

will

have

on the matter."

The young men exchanged

looks as they resumed

their places in the ranks.

West's countenance betoken-

ing the wild excitement

he

who looked

perfectly

felt,

while Ingleborough,

calm and contented,

just

gave

him a smile and a nod.

A

few minutes

later

they were dismissed, and the

two young men had hard work brother volunteers, loudly,

one of the

to get free

officers

on the ground of

proposing that they should

But they escaped to the

Com-

at last set free, to

hurry

their orders to

mandant's quarters, and were away.

their

who surrounded and cheered them

be chaired back through the town. this

from

go

The next minute they encountered Anson, who

had heard and seen

all,

and passed them without a

word, but wearing a peculiarly superciHous and mean-

VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEER. ing smile which

made West

that

*'Bless

broadened

into

a

85

grin

of contempt

writhe.

him!" said Ingleborough.

"Do you know

what the pleasant look means?"

"That he

will not

be happy

till

I've thrashed him."

"No," said Ingleborough; "he has evidently heard all,

and has made up

his

mind

that he

going to have

is

a pleasant revenge."

"How? In what way?" cried West. "He thinks the Boers will shoot us:

that's all."

"Ahl" cried West. "But we will not let them, my dear boy," Ingleborough coolly.

"They're

slim,

said

as they call

it;

but two can play at that game."

"Yes, but look: here's Mr. Allan coming to say that

we

director

them,

West

excitedly,

for the chief

was approaching and

raised his

hand

can't

go," said

signing to

them

directly

after

to

to stop

come

to his

side.

"Looks patriotism,"

as if he

growled

is

going to put a stopper on our Ingleborough.

reckoning without our host."

"

We've

been

CHAPTER

IX.

FOUR-LEGGED HELP.

"TJERE,

you two boys," heard

just

of

cried the

wild

this

"I've

director;

project.

Are

you

mad, West?" "I hope not,

my good

^'But,

my

**I

lad,

really

I

let

heard you say,

sir,

in

that

his life to the defence

speech

I

made

then you're not everybody, and I

said

was

in

be

that everyone ought to

*'Eh?" cried the director.

—

is

you go."

ready to devote

did

— I— that — bless

Ifs very brave of you; but I don't think I

soul!

ought to

sir."

**To to

of the country."

be

the

sure,

yes,

volunteers;

— er— er—you

see,

I

but

what

a speech, and sometimes one says more

then than one quite means." *'

There'll

be

no work doing

"and

said Ingleborough;

any obstacles

"Oh but

I

no,

in

the

my

don't like

I

you

the office,

hope you

way of our

dear boys!

in

I

will

sir,"

not place

going." feel that I

must

to run such a terrible risk."

not;

FOUR-LEGGED HELP.

"We

must

*'And

all

run

risks, sir," said

beg your pardon:

I

Commandant,"

seeing the

87

West

gravely.

time

is

our

up

for

said Ingleborough, referring

to his watch.

'*Yes, I heard

"But

director.

me

and come to

They

it

you were

go to him," said the

to

sounds very

There, go

rash.

on,

afterwards."

parted, and a few minutes later the

young

men were ushered into the Commandant's room. "Then you have not repented, my lads?" he

said,

smiHng.

West, speaking for both; "we

*'No, sir," replied

are quite ready to go."

"Then once more back

you

if

I I

must take you both

we

"Very and

stern

like."

replied

sir,"

will take the

West; "but

well," said the

genuity to dispose of

it

you have the bad luck in

in

teUing

you

where to

is

to destroy

it

it

the despatch. it

cannot be found

fitted into

other.

I

It

your own

to

be captured.

your pockets, or

some way or

hidden

will

Commandant, turning very

"Here

business-like.

you

if

despatch."

a very small packet, and I leave

sewn up

But

your word.

give you both the opportunity to draw

"Thank you, trust us

at

leave

sooner than

it

It

in-

if

must be

your it

is

hats,

to you,

should

or

only

fall into

the enemy's hands."

"We'll consult together,

sir,

and decide what to

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

88

CITY.

do," replied West, looking frankly in the officer's eyes; *'but

— "

I

have heard of such a thing being done,

What do you mean

"That

to ensure

?

" said the

and then burned "

Hah

done

be

That would make

in

must take or bury

as

it

this

and

the despatch,

it

is,

case.

"I understand, letter in its

I

"But,

know

not

and

in the

it

sir,"

envelope, as

Commandant heaved

safe,"

cried

no,

could

it

have no

do

enemy's hands.

into the

the

I

Destroy

it.

the

into

contents carefully

its

the officer, with a satisfied look.

not

falling

it."

Yes.

!

Commandant sternly.

a despatch not

enemy's hands the bearer learned

sir-

its

it

open

right to

You

contents.

event of disaster burn

somehow.

It

must not

fall

Here." said West, it

taking the thick

was extended

a sigh as

if

to him;

and

of relief on being

freed of a terrible incubus.

"There,"

he

said,

"I

restrictions other than these.

how be

placed

in the

dant at Mafeking.

I

shall

tie

you down

hands of the Colonel Comman-

do not

but once more:

if

burn or destroy the packet.

want

in the

you had with

way of arms

better

name

like to

failure, for

?

want money

:

full

of re-

you are driven too hard,

Now

then,

what do you

You have your

take revolvers, which you

ammunition from the military >"

no

That packet must some-

you are both young, strong, and evidently source;

to

stores.

rifles,

and

can have

Do

you

FOUR-LEGGED HELP. '*No, sir;

\vc shall require

best horses that can

no money

be obtained."

''Those you must provide for

My

yourselves.

and the order

the pick of the place,

payment.

to signify,"

"But we must have the

Ingleborough quietly.

said

89

advice

is

that

you

Take

be made

shall

select as

good a

for

pair

They will be the have no more to say

of Basuto ponies as you can obtain. best for your purpose.

There,

but 'God speed you,' for

He

it is

I

a matter of hfe and death."

warmly

and,

on

glancing back as soon as they were outside, they

saw

shook

hands

with

both,

Commandant watching them from whence he waved his hand. "He thinks we shall never get back the

said Ingleborough,

Now

then,

"We

what

smiling;

again, Noll,"

deceive

we'll

him.

next.^"

must see Mr. Allan," replied West.

"Then forward,"

cried Ingleborough.

see old Norton too before Let's

'^but

window,

the

go round by

They found

his

we

"We

must

go, or he'll feel huffed.

place."

the superintendent

in

and ready

to

shake hands with them both warmly.

"Most plucky

!"

he

kept

on

"Wish

saying.

I

could go with you."

"I wish you could, and with a hundred

men

to

of your

back us up," said West laughingly.

"You ought

to

have a couple of thousand to do

any good!" said the superintendent:

"but

even they

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

90

By

would not ensure your delivering your despatch.

ought to be only one of you. That would

rights there

increase your chance.

What

can

it

would be lonely work.

do for you before you go?'*

I

come and

*'Only

But

see us off this evening."

**I will,"

was the

"And,

say," said Ingleborough: *'keep your eye

I

reply,

"and wish you

safe back."

on that scoundrel."

"Anson? Oh that

yes: trust

mel

I

haven't done with

gentleman yet." Directly

after

room,

director's

they

were on

their

way

and as they neared the door they

could hear him pacing impatiently up and

down

as

if

from extreme anxiety.

suffering

The

step ceased as they reached and gave a tap

at the door,

and Mr. Allan opened

"Well," he to send

the

to

said,

to

them

himself.

"has the Commandant decided

you?"

"Yes,

sir,"

replied West.

"I'm very sorry, and I'm very glad;

for

it

must

know no one more hkely to get through the Boer lines than you two. Look here, you'll want money. Take these. No questions, no hesitation, my Money lads; buckle on the belts beneath your vests. be done, and

is

I

the sinews of war, and

you are going where you

will

want sinews and bones, bones and sinews too." In

men

his

eagerness the director helped the

to buckle

young

on the two cash-belts he had given them.

FOUR-LEGGED HELP. **

There," he said;

*'that

is

but wish you good luck.

By

we

Boers

have sent the

shall

can do for you

all I

come back

the time you the

to

right-about,

have captured Kimberley and seized the

unless they

my

Then, of course,

diamond-mines.

Goodbye.

be gone.

91

occupation will

my

Not hard-hearted,

rather disposed to be soft.

boys

There, goodbye."

'*Now then," said West, ''we've no time

to spare.

What are we going to do about horses?" "We've the money at our back," replied "and

borough,

that

Government service can pick out what quarters,

do anything.

will

when they

like

will

We

Ingle-

on

are

we cannot pay we

too, so that if

we

but

;

and then report to head-

be requisitioned."

But the task proved easy enough, for they had not gone far in the direction of the mines

met another of the

directors,

who

when they

greeted them both

warmly.

"Tve heard it's

all

about

it,

my

"and

sir," cried

West

he

very brave of you both." "Please don't say that any more,

appealingly, " for

do

said,

lads,"

get

the

all

we have done

despatch

through there

praise earned, but at present we've

"And

we're

both

yet

dreadfully

is

will

we be some

talk.

If

done nothing." modest,

sir,"

said

Ingleborough.

"Bah

I

you're not great girls," cried the director.

"But you are not

off yet,

and you

can't walk."

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

92

No,

"

horses

— good

"Very

West

said

sir,"

ones that

why

w^ell;

we

;

"we

are

search

in

of

can trust to hold out."

someone who our mounted men?"

don't you go to

has been buying up horses for

"Because we don't know of any such person," West.

"Do you?"

"To be

sure

said

"You,

I do,

my

lad,

and here he

"Why,

sir?" cried Ingleborough excitedly.

of course;

heard that you were, and forgot

I

the bustle and excitement of the

you can

is."

all

Then

siege.

The Commandant

us have two?

let

coming

in

will give

an order for the payment."

"Hang

Commandant's payments 1" cried the "When young fellows like you are

the

director testily.

ready to give their lives

men

think

Come

we

like

cob ponies

almost unbroken

can't afford to

mount them?

We

I

have.

They're rough,

and

— what sort of horsemen are you?"

"Very bad, all.

are

Queen's service, do you

along with me, and you shall have the pick of

the sturdy

at

in the

sir,"

replied Ingleborough:

"no

style

ride astride though."

"Well, so

I

suppose," said the director, laughing,

"and with your faces to the nag's head. If you tell me you look towards the tail I shall not beheve you. But seriously, can

you

stick

on a horse

tightly

when

at full

gallop?"

"OHver

West

can,

"He's a regular centaur

sir,"

foal."

replied

Ingleborough.

FOUR-LEGGED HELP. "Nonsense! ride a bit,

sir;

Don't

tlie

cried

West.

but Ingleborougli rides as

if

"I can

he were

He's accustomed to taking long rides

part of a horse.

across

flatter,"

93

veldt every morning."

"Oh, we can "but whether

ride, sir," said

we can

ride well

Ingleborougli coolly;

enough

to distance the

Boers has to be proved,"

my

mount you,

"I'll

on such a pair of

boys,

ponies as the Boers haven't amongst them," director

warmly.

"Do you know my

rough ones and enclosure

"We

stables

the

— the

have had made?"

I

heard something about the new stabling near

the mine, sir," said to

said

West; "but we've been too busy

pay much heed."

"Come and pay heed now, then." The speaker led the way towards buildings,

and halted

at a gate in

the great mine

a newly set-up fence

of corrugated iron, passing through which their eyes

were gladdened by the sight of about a dozen of the rough, sturdy

little

cobs bred by the Basutos across

country, and evidently under the

of Kaffirs,

who came

charge of a

couple

hurrying up at the sight of their

"baas," as they termed him.

Here Ingleborougli soon displayed the knowledge he had picked up in connection with horses by selecting

two clever-looking muscular

spirit

and go,

they had been

but

quite

broken

in,

ready

little

to.

steeds,

prove

full

how

of

little

and promising plenty

of

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

94

work

their riders if they

to

CITY.

expected to keep

in their

saddles.

"Be too

"We

fresh for

you?"

said the owner.

soon take the freshness out of them,

shall

"Would you mind

poor things!" said Ingleborough.

having them bridled and sadled, sir?"

The order was and

trouble

given, and, after a

narrowly

brought the

Kaffirs

escaping

pair

being

selected

up

good deal

the

kicked, to

of

where the

despatch-riders were standing with the director.

Ingleborough

on the

Kaffirs to stand

began

smiled, far

and

bade

then

side

to resent the Kaffirs' fiank

two

the

of the ponies, which

movements by

sidling

up towards the two young men.

"Ready?"

said Ingleborough, in a low, sharp tone.

"Yes."

"Mount!" They both sprang

into their saddles, to the intense

astonishment of the ponies, one of which made a bound

and dashed the

other,

off

round the enclosure

upon

which West was

straight up, and, preserving legs,

kept

on

snorting,

its

while

at full speed, while

mounted,

balance it

upon

reared its

hind

sparred out with

its

some imaginary enemy, till the rider brought his hand down heavily upon the restive beast's neck. The blow acted like magic, for the pony dropped on all fours directly, gave itself a fore hoofs as

shake as

if to

if striking at

rid itself

of saddle and

rider,

and then

FOUR-LEGGED HELP. which brought

uttered a loud neigh

95

galloping com-

its

panion alongside.

**Humphr' ejaculated

new

their

trouble myself about your being able to horses,

my

sir,"

cried

"There they

are,

then,

West your service

at

And,

I"

few directions to the Kaffirs about having them

ready when wanted, the party separated bearers

manage your

Will these do?"

lads.

"Splendidly,

after a

"I needn't

friend;

with

few

a

making

once

quarters to report

friendly

more

the

left

and

enclosure

words, the despatchthe

for

Commandant's

what they had done so

obtain a pass which w^ould ensure them

far,

and

to

a ready pas-

sage through the lines and by the outposts.

They were soon ushered

into

the

Commandant's

presence, and he nodded his satisfaction with the report

of

their

proceedings before taking up a pen and writ-

ing a few lines

"That said

will

he, folding

when do you

upon an clear

official

sheet of paper.

you both going and returning,"

and handing the permit.

"Now

then,

start?"

"Directly, sir,"

said Ingleborough,

who was

the

one addressed.

"No," said the Commandant. a few hours.

Of

course

it

is

"You must

wait

important that the des-

patch be delivered as soon as possible; but you must lose time sooner than run risks. will

If

you go now, you

be seen by the enemy and be having your horses

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

96

CITY.

—

down perhaps share their fate. So be cautious, and now once more goodbye, my lads. I shall look shot

forward to seeing you back with

answering de-

an

spatch."

This was their dismissal, and they hurried

have another look were well

fed,

to see that they

to store in their haversacks.

nothing

Ingleborough.

may mean

food

to

before obtaining a meal for themselves

and a supply of food "There's

and

to their horses,

away

"We

a

like

must

of foresight,"

bit

eat,

and going

in

said

search of

capture and the failure of our mission."

The time was gUding rapidly on, the more quickly to West from the state of excitement he was in; but the only important thing he could afterwards remember twice

that

w^as

seemed

to

over they

be watching

ran

their

against Anson,

who

and the second

actions,

West drew his companion's attention to the fact. Wants to see us off," said Ingleborough. "I shouldn't be surprised when we come back to find time

*'

that he has eluded Norton and gone."

"Where?" "Oh, gone, and for

said West.

he'll feel that his he'll

make

chance here

for the

is

completely

Cape and take passage

England." "If the Boers do not stop him."

"Of

course,"

replied

impression that he has

Ingleborough.

smuggled a

though we couldn't bring

it

home

lot

"It's

my

of diamonds,

to him."

FOUR-LEGGED HELP. suppose

''I

**But isn't to the

it's

West thoughtfully. he may make his way over said

possible,"

likely that

it

97

enemy?"

Ingleborough looked at the speaker sharply. "That's not a bad idea of yours," he said slowly; "but,

if

he does and he

might go very awkwardly flute

afterwards

is

for

caught,

lordship,

his

things

and that

of his will be for sale."

What do you mean ? From Oh I underpoverty.'^ — no one would employ him. Horrible You don't think our people stand now. "Flute

for

sale

}

I

!

would shoot him?" "

Perhaps

they'd treat

not,"

Ingleborough

said

him as a rebel and a

we

pretty well time

started.

spy.

Come

coldly

But

;

" but

there,

it's

along."

Within half an hour they were mounted and off

on

their perilous journey,

passing outpost after outpost

and having to make good use of it

their pass,

was getting dusk, they parted from an

till,

just as

officer

rode out with them towards the Boers' encircling

"There," he

said,

said

"Because

it

the next time

lines.

"you've got the enemy before

you, and you'd better give

"Why?"

who

West

me

your pass."

sharply.

has been a source of protection so far:

you are challenged

it

will

be a danger,"

"Of course," said Ingleborough. "Give it up, OHver." "Or destroy it," said the officer carelessly: "either will do." 7

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

98

Thanks

^*

for the advice," said

hands and parted, the

back to join

officer riding

made him

''You

West, and they shook

men.

his

by being suspicious,"

huify

said

Ingleborough.

"I'm sorry, but one can't help being suspicious of everything and everybody at a time Hke

What

this.

do you say about destroying the Commandant's pass?" "I'm divided

"So am

the hands

into

whole,

keep

it

I

think

we

till

"Chance

my

opinion."

"One moment

said West.

I,"

next

the

best:

in

I

am

for

keeping

of some of our

we had

in

it

own

better keep

it

think

I

case

party.

and hide

it

we

fall

On

the

Let's

it.

are in danger."

it.^"

"Very

said Ingleborough laconically.

well; only don't leave

it

till

it

is

too late."

mind," said West, and, as they rode out over

"I'll

the open veldt and into the

they kept a sharp look-out

gloom of the till

falling night,

they had to trust more

to their ears for notice of danger, taking care to speak

only in a whisper, knowing as they did that

at

any

moment they might receive a challenge from the foe. "What are you doing?" said Ingleborough suddenly, after trying to make out what his companion r

"Not going

was doing. u

Look

No

— only

here.

"Too his

to eat yet, surely?"

preparing for the time when

I

must.

))

dark," said Ingleborough, leaning

companion.

towards

FOUR-LEGGED HELP. *'Very

then,

well,

I'm

you:

tell

I'll

99

making a

sandwich."

"Absurd!

uV I'll doing.

tell

I've

What for?" you. You can't

two

between two prisoners

I

slices.

shall

we have

If

what I'm

not good food for Boers.

and stuck

in half,

bad luck

the

to

it

be taken

be very hungry, and begin eating the

sandwich and the pass.

me any

is

doubled the pass

I've

it.

is

of bread here, and I'm putting

slices

between them something that That's

see, but this

I

don't suppose

w^ill

it

do

harm."

"Capital idea," said Ingleborough, laughing.

"That's

sandwich as they

done," his

in

replacing

"West,

said

haversack, and

paper

his

a few minutes later,

rode slowly on, Ingleborough spoke again.

still

"What now?" he

said,

"Making another sandwich," was the

reply.

"Another?" "Yes, of the Mafeking despatch."

"Ah, of course; but you

"Only

last

He had Boer Dutch yards to

that?"

in the last extremity."

"Good," have no

will not eat

said Ingleborough,

"and

I

hope we

shall

extremes." hardly spoken

rang out,

their

left,

and,

when

a sharp challenge in

apparently as

if

in

from

about

fifty

obedience to the

demand, the two Basuto ponies the young

men

stopped suddenly. * 7

rode

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

loo

Ingleborough

leaned

companion's

his lips close to his

"Which as the other

is

it

down

be?" he

to

— forward

CITY,

and placed

sidewise ear.

said.

**One

is

as easy

or back?"

"One*s as safe as the other," replied West, under his breath.

'*

Forward."

They were sides

to

urge

the

in

them

act

on

of pressing their horses*

when

hght from the position of the

there

was a

man who had

challenge, and almost immediately the

nocturnal

flight,

and

the sharp crack of a

at the

rifle.

of

uttered the

humming, buz-

zing sound as of a large beetle whizzing its

flash

by them

same moment

there

in

was

CHAPTER

X.

ANSON'S BLESSING.

"TDLESS

'em!"

said

Anson

himself that same

to

"I don't wish 'em any harm.

evening,

hope that before

gone

they've

Boers

the

far

I only-

will

challenge them. **I

now: getting dark, and an 'Come on, gallop says old Ingle,

can almost see

outpost challenges.

and they

Then

nags and are off

go the

cracky cracky cracky

rifles

the saddles are emptied and two gallant defenders

of Kimberley in

I'

stick their spurs into their

over the veldt. till

it

and brave

despatch-riders

lie

kicking

the dust.

"Ugh! I'd

flute.

last kick

How. stand

I

should

and look

like to

on

till

and stretched themselves

be there with

they'd given their

out straight, and

then I'd play the *Dead March' in 'Saul'

Don't suppose they'd know; but

both.

hear

it

they wouldn't sneer at

as Ingle called

it

— any

more.

my

my

all

if

over 'em

they could

'tootling old flute'

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

102

^'Urrrr!

hound

—a

hated the pair of 'em.

I

regular

West a

Noll

CITY.

sneaking

miserable,

and

hound,

smeUing-out

sniffing,

was a

Ingle

So

Beasts!

cur.

very good and nice and straightforward. Hundreds of of pounds' worth

thousands

—

milHons' worth of

yes,

company,

diamonds being scraped together by the

and a poor fellow not allowed to have a handful. don't say steal?

Just

but

the thing to steal 'em;

it's

a

of nice

bit

cheapest market and

sell in

I

who would

honest trade

—buy

the dearest.

It's

the

in

what the

company does, but nobody else ought to, of course. Who's going to ask every Kaffir who comes to you and says: *Buy a few stones, baas?' 'Where do you company, and

to 'em as the

honest trade

Illicit

in spite

I will,

Hang

make.

They've as good a

Not me.

get 'em from?'

laws

their

diamond-buying!

the fingers for

!

What

are

Police force,

they

eh?

isn't

I

beheve be:

it'll

'Who

snap of

expected," mused the I

I

matter.

are you

I'll

don't believe the

south

yet,

and,

if

be

made

it

and

all

Never

!

off while

my

Boers have got

they have,

Say they do stop me,

— and where are

flute-

should have

the Boers hadn't upset

if

so very bad now!

shoes are good.

round to the

me ?

to

A

Master Ingle hadn't been so precious clever it

of

of the miserable laws they

''A few months more, and

a very big thing

mind:

bit

it!

*'A bit sooner than player.

do a

if I like to

right

don't

I it'll

you going?'

only

Down

AXSON'S BLESSTKG.

103

south or west or anywhere, to do a bit of trade.

— that's

what I'm doing

sloping off

are trying to force

me

old friends the Boers.

'em

all

over,

and

flute,

British

volunteer to fight against

to

my

— because the

I'm

.

I'll

and butter

soft-soap

and play 'em a tune or two upon the

offer

'em some good tobacco.

They won't

stop me."

The on

his

quiet,

way

plump, thoughtful-looking muser was a farm just beyond the

to

of

outskirts

Kimberley, as he walked slowly through the darkness, hardly passing a soul

he came

at last as

tern

some

;

and he rubbed

in sight

his

of a dim

hands

softly

gleaming

lan-

distance ahead.

"All ready and waiting," he said

he increased

pace

his

a

little

in

his

softly,

and now but

excitement,

only to stop short and look back once or twice as to

make

sure that he

seeing nor

hearing

was not followed.

anything,

again, muttered to himself

he

if

But, neither

rubbed

his

hands

something about wiping

his

shoes of the whole place, and went on quickly.

"Das you, baas?"

said a thick guttural voice just

above the lantern. "Yes,

this

is

me,"

replied Anson.

"Team

in-

spanned?" "Yaas, baas: big long time ago.

Not

tink

baas

come."

"But

I

said

I

would," replied Anson.

water-barrel slung underneath?"

"Got the

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY,

I04

The man in

a low

Anson gave an order

grunted,

and

tone,

or

two

response to a shout a dimly-

in

seen team of great bullocks roughly harnessed to the

boom and

dissel

began

tow of a long covered-in wagon

trek

along

to trudge slowly

which led

to the

man

the

led

over the

rough track

A

main road leading south.

way,

while

the

second

with the

Kaffir

light

swung himself up on to the great box in front of the wagon and drew out an unusually long whip, after hanging his horn lantern to a hook in the middle of the arched

come

*'Baas

Anson,

keep

in

heah?" said the man.

alon'

go on, and

*'No,

over his head.

tilt

walk behind

I'll

"Go on

a low tone of voice.

Go

off the track.

for a bit," said

away

straight

quietly, I

till

tell

and

you

to turn off."

The their

Kaffir

grunted, and the oxen plodded on at

slow two-mile-an-hour

of occupation instructions

Anson twice over giving man who was leading which way being that the creaking wagon was

the

to steer, the result

driven right

leaving the last sign

behind,

far

to

rate,

away south and west over

avoiding the various farms and places

was

left far It

bright starlit

night,

cession of big bullocks looked

the gloom, for at

so

till

Kimberley

behind.

was a

nothing,

the open veldt,

times they

closely

did

the

and the long pro-

weird

seemed tilt

and strange to

in

be drawing

of the great Hghtly-

ANSON'S BLESSING.

wagon

loaded

assimilate with

driver sat

on the box with

up and

well

shoulders

his

and seeming

mechanically,

of

tint

down.

the great wheels crushed

his

drab dusty

the

and the dusky-coloured scrub which

the parched earth

The

105

head down,

be

to

huge whip,

his

asleep,

driving

while

the

voorlooper kept pace with the leading oxen, and hour

hour passed away without a word being spoken.

after

So the night wore

who

being those of Anson,

forward right and listened

left,

the only

watchful

eyes

on straining them

kept

while his

ears

twitched as he

which he knew

sounds

the

for

on,

would

be

J*

uttered

by a Boer

vedette.

But no challenge came, and the fugitive breathed

more

freely

as

streak

began

to spread in

the

paled,

stars

a long, low, sickly

the east,

and the distance

of the wide-spreading desolate veldt grew

"I

Anson all

knew they wouldn't be on

more

the look-out," said

to himself, in an exulting fashion.

right,

and

I

clear.

"Hahl I'm

wonder how West and Ingle have

got on," It

was growing broad dayhght when the thoughtful-

looking ex-clerk climbed

"How

up

to the side of the driver.

far to the fontein?"

he

said.

*'One hour, baas," was the reply. *Ts there plenty of grass?"

Bullock

much

eat and drink."

The information proved

quite

correct,

"Plenty, baas.

for

within

A DASH

io6

the specified time

FROM DIAMOND

— the

CITV.

team having stepped out more were by

readily, guided as they

them

water, grass, and rest awaited

where

their instinct to

— and

soon

after

the great orange globe had risen above what looked

rim of the world,

like the

edge of a broad crack

at the

wagon was

the

in

the bottom of the spruit could

green grass besprinkled

with

pulled up

the dusty plain, where

be seen

of rich

full

through which

fiow^ers,

ran the clear waters of an abundant stream.

A

fire

was soon

and Anson,

boil,

dragged

after

at the juicy grass,

began

connected with

own

"Hah!" he "sorry fast:

I

and so to

my

far,

munching away necessaries

out the

get

as he rubbed

tw^o

would have been

it

to

meal.

said softly,

haven't got

it

watching the team, which had

their load so well

his

a billy hung over

lighted,

fellow-clerks

hands;

to

break-

Ugh!" he

so nice and

growled, shading his eyes to give a

his

final

look round,

for there in the distance, evidently following the track

by which he had come through the a

little

knot of horsemen cantering

there

night,

was

and from

along,

came a flash of light caused by beams of the sun striking upon rifle-

time to time there the

horizontal

barrel or sword.

Anson's looked to

hands

right, left,

flight.

Then

oxen,

freshly

his

dropped

to

his

sides,

and behind him as

eyes

went

outspanned,

in

if

he

meditating

the direction

but he turned

and

of his

frowningly

ANSON'S rJLESSING.

away

as he felt that

their

places,

the

107

even with the team

already

in

lumbering bullocks could not have

been forced into a speed which the horses could not

have overtaken

few yards

in a

Then he shaded

at a canter.

eyes again to

his

have a good

look at the party of horsemen. "Police," he

Norton.

said,

in

a

hiss.

"Yes, and

that's

Hfffr

He drew and then, as

in

his breath,

if satisfied

making a pecuhar sound,

with the course he meant to

went back to the

pursue, he

fire

and continued

his

preparations for his meal, apparently paying no heed to the party of

and came

to a halt

"Hallo,

"who'd

mounted police

have

till

they cantered up

by the wagon.

constables 1"

thought

of

cried

seeing

Anson

boisterously;

— Why,

you,

it's

Mr. Norton I"

"You seem

sur-

"Why^ of course I am. Got something on way? Anyone been smuggling stones?"

the

"Yes," said the superintendent. prised 1"

"Yes," said the

officer shortly.

"Sorry for them then,

for I

suppose you

mean

to catch 'em."

"I do," said the officer w^arningly. "That's right; I'm just going to have some breakfast: will

you have a snack with me?"

"No, thank you.

I'm on business."

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

io8

"Ah, you are a busy man, Mr. Norton; bygones be bygones. Have a snack with

but

me

let

You're

I

welcome." "I told you

was on

I

business,

Anson.

Master

w

Now^

you

if

please,

where are you going?"

"Where am I going?" said Anson warmly. "Why, down south. What's the good of my staying in Kimberley?" aI

can't

your pass?

answer

that

Where's

sir.

n

What

"Pass?

pass?"

"Your permit from town.

question^

the magistrate to

leave the

jj

"Permit? Nonsense!" cried Anson.

"I'm turned

out of the mine offices, and I'm not going to

No one will You know that." starve.

give

me work

sit

and

without a character.

The superintendent nodded. "Perhaps not," suspect,

he

you are

"but

said;

and you have no right

to leave the town.

"I'm not a prisoner," said Anson I'm going on

my

lawful way.

a

still

defiantly,

What have you

))

"and to say

to that?"

"In plain English, off to

that I believe

you are going

escape arrest and to carry off your plunder.

"My you come "I

what? Plunder? Why, to

did

my

it's

sickening

I

n

Didn't

place and thoroughly search it?"

search

your room,

but

found

nothing,

ANSON'S BLESSING. because

Now

I

believe you had everything too well hidden.

then, if

wagon ?

you please, what have you got

in

your

>)

my

^'Nothing but provisions and *'

109

Because of your sudden

clothes!

Why?"

flight."

*'My sudden what?" said Anson, laughing.

"You know what

"My

sudden

"I have told you

"Yes,"

said

satisfied that this

nonsense!"

why the

Your sudden

I said, sir.

I

cried

can- dispose

"Well, said

Anson

search."

it's

angrily.

came away." "but

superintendent;

move does

not

mean

smuggled diamonds here with you

you

Anson

flight!"

to

that

I'm

not

you have

carry to where

of them." of no use to argue with a policeman,"

coolly.

"You had

better

make another

CHAPTER XL ANOTHER SEARCH. '^T^HAT'S

what I'm going

just

was the

planted, leads, to get

said

as to

don't think

I

and

Anson

I

should waste time hunting blind

letting the real culprits

have plenty of time

away."

"But then you are not

in the police, sir,"

"So

superintendent, with a nod.

men

"Search

nonchalantly.

was in the police and had a good tip where the plunder I was after had been

but, if I

me

given

Master Anson,"

reply, given sternly.

"All right,"

away;

to do,

first

of

said the

all Til

let

my

run over you and your Kaffirs."

"Wait

I've

till

lit

out a case, and then

a cigar

and as

I

diamonds

smoke

of the end of the leaf

swallow them."

police officer

"That's

in

right;

I

but that get

to

there

are

every one of these cigars,

you'll notice that I don't

I light, till

said Anson, taking

laughing, for the

was watching him keenly. three or four

first,"

I

keep on

much

burn

biting off bits

the diamonds,

and

then

I

ANOTHER SEARCH.

He took

it

ill

held out his cigar-case, and the superintendent

and began to

feel

the cigars,

till

Anson

burst

out laughing.

"Don't pinch them too hard," he

cried, " or you'll

break them, and then they won't draw."

The

officer returned the cigar-case

and glanced round as

ejaculation,

to begin, while the horses

of

his

if

where

hesitating

men began away

the action of the oxen, nibbling

with an angry

to imitate

at the rich grass

surrounding the pleasant spring. *T say, Robert," said Anson, and the superintendent started at the familiar

the business,

for

nickname: "I'd look smart over

the Boers have been

water their horses, and

if

they should by any chance

come back it might mean a journey men to Pretoria,"

"And you

here lately to

too, if they did

for

you and your

come," said the

officer

surhly.

"Oh,

I

don't know," said

Anson

"I don't

airily.

would stop a man with an empty wagon

believe they

going south on a peaceful journey."

"They'd take you and your wagon and span,

sir,"

said the officer sternly.

"Look

here, I don't believe the Boers

have half so badly to

me

as

my own

would be-

people have done.

But aren't you going to search?" "Yes," said the superintendent sharply. rifle,

please."

"Your

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

112

Anson unslung and the

officer

at the

plate

from where

it

took

hung

it

wagon,

in the

examined the stock and the

it,

end of the

butt,

to

be sure that there

were no secret places scooped out of the wood, before he opened the breech and withdrew the ball cartridges, holding the empty barrels up to his eyes. That's right,"

**

look

round for squalls

don't

make

half

Anson; "but have a good

cried

—

mean

I

bad things

Boers.

Gun-barrels

to squint through

when you

haven't got a binocular."

^'Bahl" said the superintendent angrily, replacing the cartridges and closing the breech with a snap.

**But

you have a pair of glasses slung across your shoulder,

Have the goodness to pass the Anson obeyed willingly enough,

sir.

case up for the

rifle

was

that

suppose you'd

But

search

my

diamonds

inside

my

his

slung

hide,

when you've done

clothes and I

my

skin.

haven't cut myself

and there are none

ears or boots."

"It's

my

duty to have you searched

said the superintendent. fully

my

haven't anything there, and

I

to slip in

like to

giving

returned.

''There you are," he said, "and I

case here."

all

the same,"

"Here, two of you go care-

over Mr. Anson, while you three hitch up your

horses there and

make a

close search throughout the

wagon."

Anson chuckled their

hands over

as the

men began promptly

to pass

his clothes, turn out his pockets,

and

ANOTHER SEARCH.

113

haul off his boots, their chief, after satisfying himself

case had no false bottom

that the binocular

cious stones inside the instrument

itself,

or pre-

looking search-

ingly on.

had nothing con-

Satisfied at last that his captive

cealed about him, and frowning heavily at the malicious grin of

contempt

which Anson indulged, the super-

in

intendent turned to the

men examining

the oxen so as

himself that none of the heavy dull brutes

to satisfy

had been provided with

own and of

greater length so as to allow

few diamonds

Then

over their

false horns riveted

room

in each.

boom was examined

the dissel

to

had been bored out somewhere and plugged the illicitly-acquired diamonds thrust

But no solid; there

the great pole of the

:

were no stones stuck

to anoint the side-^

the

wheels

;

superintendent,

after

see if to

in.

wagon was

perfectly

the grease used

in

or plugging carefully

supercilious grin, turned to

give

it

cover

was no sign anywhere

there

wagon of boring

the

for a

;

and

at

outlast

avoiding Anson*s

a

final

round

look

before giving up the search.

Was

there anywhere else likely?

Yes there were the bags of mealies and the water;

cask

slung

beneath

the wain,

cask to give forth a sound

both

when

the sacks ready to be emptied out

and shed

their

it

nearly

full,

the

was shaken, and

upon a wagon sheet

deep buff-coloured grains, hard, clean, 8

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

114

and sweet,

and more

in a great till

heap, which was spread out more

they were about two deep, but showed

not a sign of a smuggled stone. the bags

"Fill

superintendent,

my

again,

"and

let's

lads,"

have a look

said the

police

at what's inside

the wagon."

"We*ve searched everything

there," said a sergeant

gruffly.

"I have not," replied the superintendent sharply.

me

"Let

see."

"But you haven't looked

Anson mockingly; "turn the sheet.

get in

It

in the water-cask," said

w^ater out

won't stay there, of course

Do you

some more.

on to the \vagon

but

;

we can

think diamonds

easily

would melt

water .^"

"Try one and

see," cried the superintendent angrily,

as he turned away, article that

to stand

on while every

looking

could by any possibility have been

to act as a vehicle to hide

made

smuggled diamonds had been

examined and replaced.

"We've been up

eh?" said the sergeant, looking

superintendent's eyes at

in his

"It

sold,

seems hke

it,"

was the

last.

"There's nothing

reply.

here." Just cigar,

then Anson,

came up

to

him

who had been smilingly.

"Haven't done, have you?" he

"Yes:

quite,"

lighting a fresh

was the

said.

gruff reply.

ANOTHER SEARCH. "Oh,

I

Anson,

said

am in

sorry

a

you haven't had

mock sympathetic

terribly disappointing,

115

after

better

tone.

*'It

expecting to

luck,"

must be

make

a big

capture."

"Very," said the superintendent, looking the speaker searchingly in the eyes.

"Well,

said something

I

to

you before, but you

took no notice."

"Oh

yes, I did."

"But you

didn't

act

on

my

tip.

It

seems

like

playing the sneak, but that's what they did to me, so I

don't

mind paying them back

in their

own

coin."

"Pay whom?"

"The two who informed on me

to save their

own

"Oh dear, what fools you clever men are I" "What do you mean?" "Bah! And you call yourself a police officer.

I'd

skins.

n

"I do not understand you."

make a better one out of a Dutch doll." "Once more, what do you mean?" "Rub the dust out of your eyeSj man." "There's none there."

"Tchah! threw there.

Your eyes are full of Can't you see?"

the dust those two

"No." "Well, after

I

am

surprised at you," cried

such a hint too!

Anson; "and

Can't you see that they've been 8*

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

Ii6

upon you

playing

— setting

you

off

on a blind lead

keep your attention while they went

to

off with a big

parcel of diamonds?'* ii

"What West and Ingleboroughi *'To be sure What should they want >

I

!

and

for,

by the Boers,

capture

risk

to volunteer

they hadn't

if

something to gain by it?" *'Well, they

promotion.

had something

gain

to

—honour

and

»j

"Pish I" cried Anson; "they want something better

You've been had,

than that!

poor innocent, lamb-like me, and

to catch

two foxes have been

those

You've been

squire.

set

the while

all

away with the

stealing

plunder.

n

"Whatl"

cried the superintendent.

"I spoke plainly

enough,"

Anson,

said

smiling

pleasantly.

"Yes, you spoke plainly enough," said the superintendent; "but

"Why,

it's

nothing to laugh

it's

enough

to

make a

at,

cat laugh.

wish you better luck," said Anson, "and

up to Oliver West

him

at

once

I

hope

sir."

Well,

you do catch

if

you'll slip the handcuffs

and make him part with

I

his

on

smuggled

swag."

"You may

trust

me

for that," said the superintendent

grimly.

"I shall," said Anson, smiling broadly.

came

after

me, so that

I

"Glad you

could put you on the right track.

1)

ANOTHER SEARCH.

am

*'So

117

said the police officer, with a peculiar

I5"

look. +

"And Fm

sorry

I

up so

cut

rough,"

continued

Anson, smiling, as he apologised; "but you know,

be stopped and overhauled as

nice to

isn't

it

I

have

drily;

"but

been."

"Of in

my

course

it

profession

isn't/'

one

the

said

officer

afford

can't

study people's

to

feelings."

"No, no, of course not. "I was not going to,"

"I'm sorry, though, to

But don't apologise." superintendent;

the

said

West

out that

find

Why, Ingleborough must be

scamp.

"Or worse,"

said

is

such a

as bad."

Anson, grinning.

"Yes, because he's older.

Why,

I

quite trusted

that fellow."

"Ah, you're not the

man who

first

has been de-

ceived, sir."

"Of why

course

didn't

defence

not;

by the way, Mr. Anson,

but

you say something of

this

kind in your

when Ingleborough charged you before

the

directors?"

"Why

didn't I say

something about

it.^*

Why,

be-

r

cause

I

didn't

But there,

know.

It

only

you know now

came

to

me

too

late.

and,

as I said before, I

wish you luck and a good haul,

only unfortunately

they've got a cut out.

good

Going?

start

;

and

Goodbye

you'll

then."

have your work

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

ii8

"Goodbye?"

CITV.

said die superintendent, using the

word

I'm going to chance

I

don't

meet any Boers,"

said

as a question.

"Yes, of course.

suppose

we

"No; the

meet any Boers."

shall

don't think you'll

I

officer,

meaning a way

so

in

it.

that

Anson grew

uneasy.

"Why do "Only

you speak

that

it

at

he said sharply.

goodbye, Mr. Anson."

isn't

"Not goodbye?

like that?"

Yes,

it

I'm off to the south

is.

once."

"No,

sir;

suspected person, Mr. Anson,

my

I

search,

nor

"Then search again?"

cried

satisfied

You

you're going north with me.

with

am

not with

yet

are a

altogether

your

very

ingenious story."

"Not

here,

sir.

wagon when we

"You

me

don't

I'll

Anson

excitedly.

have a careful look over the

get back to Kimberley."

mean

to say

you are going

to drag

back to Kimberley?" "I do,

sir,

and you ought

to

be thankful, for you'd

never pass through the Boers' lines further south."

"But you have thoroughly searched

wagon

me and my

II

"I have told you that officer coldly

;

"and, even

I

if I

me all the same." "Why? What for?"

back with

am

not satisfied," said the

were,

I

should take you

ANOTHER SEARCH.

119

West and his companion capture them and bring them back." '*But what's that to me?" 44

To

face this Mr.

you are the informer, and

''Only this:

wagon turned

have

will

you are

;

the other way."

"But breakfast," said Anson, with a groan. must have something

"The chief, in

be

all

billy

my

Get the team inspanned and

Quick, boys!

prisoner.

the

no more words, Mr, Anson

please,

we

them when they are examined.

to give evidence against

Now%

if

"I

to eat."

boiHng," said the sergeant to his

is

a confidential tone,

"and

would

die bullocks

the better for an hour's feed, sir."

The

superintendent looked sharply towards the

and the prisoner's provisions, and shaded

his eyes

fire

and

gazed for some minutes south.

"You're

right,"

good mile forward

Now, Mr. Anson, have

me

he

said.

as outposts, I'll

"Send two men off a and let the oxen feed.

take breakfast with you

if

you'll

for a guest."

"Yes;

I

can't help myself," said the prisoner bitterly;

"and suppose

I

shan't

have a chance given

make your tea agreeable with something I have wagon "No; I don't think you will, sir, thanks."

me

to

in the

) J

"But

my

wish

I

can

is

this

sit

and wish you

—that

a

luck,

my

friend,

and

commando may swoop down

upon you and your gang

"

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

I20

**

CITY.

Thanks once more," said the superintendent

"There,

down,

sit

and

sir,

grimly.

preside and send you

Fll

your breakfast." This was done, the repast made, and, as soon as

two

their meal,

wagon a

finished, they

their rearguard,

relieve

to

had

of the constables

were sent

off

sending them on to have

and with orders to

fall

back towards the

quarter of an hour after the reHef had been

made. All this was duly carried out, the oxen inspanned,

and the wagon began

lumbering course back towards

its

Kimberley, the black driver and voorlooper taking their places in the most unconcerned way, as

if it

were

all

in the day's work, while

Anson,

had a

watching narrowly the move-

fit

of the

ments of the

sulks,

After a moment's indecision he

police.

climbed upon the box in

after eating voraciously,

in the front

doing so glanced at his

rifle,

of the wagon and

which hung

in

its

slings close to his head.

**Six of them," he

pleasantly.

I

said to himself,

could bring

down

as

he smiled

the chief and one

easily; but that wouldn't scare the rest

away.

more

Odds

are

too heavy, and one don't want to be taken and hanged.

They

are so particular about a

Never mind;

was

I

to try that

daresay

my

poHceman being

luck will turn

—fool

hurt!

as I

dodge on about those two going

with the smuggled loot.

I'll

wait

for the Boers, as the sailors

do

Here goes for wind."

off

to whistle

ANOTHER SEARCH. Saying

which held

them

fitted

this,

his

he drew out the flute,

121

httle

mahogany case

and coolly took the pieces and

together, before crossing his legs

upon the

rough seat and beginning to blow, keeping up a series of the most doleful old Scotch and Irish laments, while the oxen plodded on and the police rode side,

listening

and looking

in vain for

to point out the fact that the

flautist

by the wagon

any sign tending

was a dishonest

dealer in the coveted crystals which were so hard to get, but all the in the

same keeping a keen look-out

shape of advancing Boers.

for

danger

CHAPTER

THE THICK OF

IN

HTHE

report

the

of

XIL IT.

was magical

rifle

in

effect

its

upon the Basuto ponies, each rearing up on hind legs and

same punishment a sharp rifles

out with

striking

w^as

its

forefeet;

meted out by the

riders

its

but the

— namely,

tap between the ears with the barrels of the

— and

the result was

stood fairly

beyond fidgeting they

that

more

while flashy flashy flashy three

still,

The

shots were fired.

bullets

whizzed by with

their

peculiar noise, sounding quite close, but probably no-

where near the

riders

—those

who

fired

judging

in the

darkness quite by sound. **

low

Let's keep

as

enemy's

on

at

a walk," whispered West; but, was,

utterance

his

the

sound

an

reached

ears.

''Mind what you're about!" at hand, evidently

said

someone

close

mistaking the speaker for a friend;

'*one of those bullets

went pretty close to

my

ear.

Whereabouts are they?"

"Away Dutch.

to the

right,"

whispered Ingleborough,

in

THE THICK OF

IN

Come on

'*

The pony

then," said the former speaker. '^Ck!''

the

man

hoofs on

its

was

rider

made

rode

had been suddenly dug of

123

IT.

into

a plunge as

sides,

its

the dustv soil

told

and the

spurs

if

dull beat

of the course

its

taking.

West was about to speak when the rapid beating of hoofs came from his left, and he had hard work to restrain his own mount from joining a party of at least a dozen of the enemy as they swept 'by noisily in the darkness.

"What do

by galloping about '*If

like that?" said

they had kept

Hallo

1

they are

think

the fools

still

Ingleborough

might

they

going to do gruffly.

have caught

us.

Firing again!"

Three or four shots rang out on the night and away

in

front of

air,

the pair the beating of hoofs

was heard again.

"Why,

the country seems aUve with them," whis-

"Hadn't we better keep on?"

pered West. "Yes,

we must chance

it,"

was the

reply.

"No

one can see us twenty yards away."

"And we

the

and

his

left to

— went

a time, so long that

right.

on again

West

com-

movements of a mounted

evidently proceeding cautiously

from

hoofs ceased

the most of the darkness."

Ingleborough,

fast, listening to

man who was their front

make

whispered

"Histl "

panion sat

ought to

Then

across

the dull sound of

— ceased

felt that their

once more

for

inimical neigh-

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

124

hour must have stolen away, leaving the coast quite clear.

He was

about to

fortunately waited a

say

little

longer, and then started, for

was the impatient stamp of a

there

a sound

but

to Ingleborough,

so

that suggested the

horse, followed

angry jerking of a

by

rein,

animal plunged and was checked again.

for the

As

far as the listeners could

man was

make

not forty yards away,

stood out in

great

out, a

and the perspiration

drops upon West's

waited for the discovery which he

For a movement on the part of

mounted

felt

brow

he

as

must be made.

either of the ponies,

or a check of the rein to keep them from stretching

down

their

necks to graze, would have been enough.

But they remained abnormally satisfaction

a

off at

and

trot,

still,

relief of both, the

and

at last, to the

Boer vedette moved

leaving the pair of listeners once

more

to breathe.

free

"That was a narrow escape 1" as their late

u Yes.

I

companion was

fairly

suppose we ought

to

said

West, as soon

out of hearing.

have dismounted and

crawled up to him and put a bullet through

his

body,"

answ^ered Ingleborough.

"Ughl

Don't talk about

replied West.

"I

suppose we shall have plenty of such escapes as

this

before **

HistI

we have

it

I"

done."

You're right

I

But we can move on now, and

There are some more on the

left."

THE THICK OF

IN ''I

don't hear anyone.

Yes,

a strong party coming along.

West was

IT.

125

I do.

there's

Sit fast;

))

body of what might have been a hundred going by them at a walk some eighty quite right, a

or ninety yards away, and

order was

given

connection

in

with

**Right incline I" or "Left incline!"

seemed

to

sharp

Boer Dutch which suggested

in

West commands

short

at intervals a

have passed

right

*'Now then," said West

till

own drill, commando

his

the

away out of

softly,

to

hearing.

on while

"let's get

J)

we have the chance. The words were hardly above

his

breath,

but in

the utter stillness of the night on the veldt they penetrated sufficiently far,

patch-riders

and

knew what

meant, namely

an instant both the des-

in

the brief orders they

that as the

had heard

commando rode along

a

trooper was ordered to rein up at about every hundred

yards and was

left

as a vedette.

For no sooner had West spoken than there was a sharp challenge to a

line,

and directly

and bullets whizzed

Many

air.

tives;

left

and

running away along

after the reports like insects

of

rang out

rifles

through the dark night

flew around and over the heads of the fugi-

for the

moment

the discovery

and Ingleborough pressed forward at

right,

full

was made West

their ponies' sides

gallop to pass through the

and went

fire

in front

of them. It

was close work,

for

guided by the sounds of

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

126

the ponies' hoofs,

the Boers kept on firing,

being from close at hand blinding,

— so close that the flash seemed

the report tremendous.

by a sharp shock,

the

one shot

was followed

This

two companions,

on, cannoning against the vedette, West's

the horse in his front full

as they tore

pony

striking

upon the shoulder and

ing the poor beast right in the

way of

driv-

Ingleborough's,

with the consequence that there was a second collision

which

sent the

Boer and

his horse

prostrate,

Ingle-

pony making a bound which cleared the

borough's

struggling pair,

and then racing forward alongside of

when they galloped on shoulder to shoulder. They were followed by a scattered fire of bullets, and w^hen these ceased West turned in his saddle and listened, to hear the heavy beat of many its

stable companion,

hoofs, telling of pursuit; but the despatch-riders were

well through the line,

and galloped on

for the next half-hour,

when they slackened down and

at full

speed

gradually drew rein and listened.

"Can't hear a sound!" said West. **NorI," replied Ingleborough, after a pause.

now

let's

very

breathe our nags and go steadily, for

Hkely

come upon

another

of

these

**So

we may Hnes

of

mounted men."

A

short consultation

hne of route clear of the

to

was then held respecting

be followed as

likely to

the

be the most

enemy.

"I've been thinking," said Ingleborough, "that our

THE THICK OF

IN"

way

best

will

make

good long detour."

a

but

nothing,

said

panion's side,

127

be to strike off west, and after we are

over the river to

West

IT.

that the sure-footed

his

pony have a loose

his

letting

on by

rode

beast could pick

little

its

com-

rein

so

way and

avoid stones. **I

think that will be

best plan,"

the

said

Ingle-

borough, after a long pause. Still

West was

"What '*I

was

''Well,

borough, if

in

is

silent.

said his

it?"

companion impatiently.

was the

thinking,"

reply.

you might say something," continued

Ingle-

would be more

lively

an

ill-used tone.

*'It

you only gave a grunt."

Humph 1"

*'

It

was as near an imitation

the utterer could

as

and Ingleborough laughed.

give,

"Thanks," he I've

ing.

been thinking,

we

d6tour to the

west

country, where

we can

kopje

**

said.

when

it

That's a Httle too,

shall

lie

that

if

get into

up among

the

more

cheer-

we make this some rougher rocks of some

gets broad daylight."

*'And not go on during the day.^" '^Certainly not; for

not keep on without

seen by the Boers

who

two reasons: our horses could

rest,

and we should

certainly be

are crowding over theVaal."

West was silent again. "Hang it alll" cried Ingleborough.

"Not

so

much

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

128

now

as a grunt

Look

1

here, can

you propose a

better

plan?'' ii

know about

don't

I

better,

but

was thinking

I

from you."

quite differently

way

"Let's have your

then."

"Perhaps you had better

not.

You have had some

experience in your rides out on excursions with Mr, Norton, and

daresay your plan

I

is

a better one than

mine."

"I don't know,"

said Ingleborough shortly.

"Let's

hear yours."

and

n

ti

But

it

Let's

—hear—yours,"

cried the other imperatively,

sounded so harsh that West

his voice

felt

annoyed,

and he began: "Well,

I

thought of doing what you propose at

"Naturally:

"But to

me

seems the

it

after turning

that the Boers

it

likeliest

over in

would

all

way."

my mind

"Yes, hesitate.

"So

I

right

enough.

in all direc-

But

go

on

;

don't

your expedition, and I'm only second."

thought that

chance and be

we kept on

seemed

descended towards Kimberley."

that's It's

it

be hurrying across the

border and scouring our country, looking tions as they

first."

less likely

we to

should have a far better

meet with interruption

the east side of the Vaal

eastward, and then,

if

we

till

it

if

turned

could get across, go on north

through the enemy's country."

IN

THE THICK OF

IT.

army

^'Invade the Transvaal with an

one

officer

ridicule

my

**Then you were

warmly,

them cheek

consisting of

and one man?"

"There!" cried West

you would

129

''for,

"I

pettishly, n

sure that

felt

plans.

wrong, lad," cried Ingleborough

all

so far from ridiculing your plans,

There's success

capital.

of the idea

—

think

them from the very

in

beg your pardon

I

I

:

ought to

I

we can only keep clear of the wandering commandos and I think we can if we travel only by night we shall find that nearly everyone is over the border on the way to the siege of Kimberley, and when we stop at a farm, as we shall be obHged to for provisions, we shall only find women and children." Why, of

say audacity.

course, if

—

—

"But

they'll give

warning of our having been there

on our way to Mafeking."

"No, they

How

will not.

are going to Mafeking if

we must make up a

we

tale.

will

don't

they

tell

know

them?

that

we

I'm afraid

Perhaps you'll be best

at

I'm not clever at fibbing,"

that.

"I don't see that

we need

tell

the people lies,"

West shortly. "Then we will not," said his companion. "Perhaps we shall not be asked; but if we are I shall say that we are going right away from the fighting because we neither of us want to kill any Boers." said

"

Humph 1"

erunted West.

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

i-.o

"What, I

want

don't

doesn't that suit you? to kill

women whose

to think that

enough.

true

we

shall

be

don't. telling

husbands, sons, or brothers have

commandoed, we

been

It's

any Boers, and I'm sure you

Why, when you come this to

CITY.

are

sure

to

be

treated

as

friends."

"We

had better act on your plan,"

"and then we need make up no

said

West,

tales."

"Wait a minute," said Ingleborough. "Pull West obeyed, and their ponies began to

up."

nibble

the herbage.

"Now

listen:

West was

can you hear anything.^"

silent

for nearly

a

minute

passed

in

straining his ears to catch the sHghtest sound.

"Nothing," he said at

last.

"Nothing," said his companion.

West followed

his

"Let's jump down!"

companion's example, and swung

himself out of the saddle.

"Now still.

get between the nags' heads and hold them

You and

they will form three sides of a square:

I'm going to be the fourth."

"What for?" "To light a match." "Oh, don't stop proachfully.

smoke now,"

said

West

re-

"Let's get on."

"Who's going

Fm

to

to

smoke, old Jump-at-conclusions:>

going to carry out our plan." Scratch! and a match blazed up, revealing Ingle-

IN

borough's

face as

THE THICK OF

keep steady

and was crushed

one hand

in

now

"Keep where you

right

I

then!

Now

— something

Right face

are

up you

then,

pointing due north/' he till

I'm mounted. That's

get!

West must keep on till we

I'm going with

or

by West

that

It's

the

all

laugh, "and

we

my

and

plan?"

Look

ten times better than mine.

command, and

in

it,

can."

dear boy, you are a deal too modest.

you are

We

same.

get to the railway, cross

"What, follow out

my

Now

right!

little

then get over the border as soon as

here,

That's

east."

"Yes," said Ingleborough, with a

I

to his fingers

—forward!"

"But you're going

"Of course

he tried

out.

"Horses' heads are said.

examine

to

it

match burned close

the

till

131

he bent down over

something bright held to

IT.

that

my

duty

is

Recollect to

obey."

u Nonsense! n

"Sense,

sound sense.

sir;

I've got

head to know when a thing's

depend upon going

to

act

my

opposing you

if I

Once

for

foolishly.

capital, lad; so let's get

break, and then

good,

we

on as

caln lie

up

in

my

and you may

feel that

fast as in

enough

all,

you are

your

we can

safely in the

idea's

till

day-

enemy's

country." In due course the railway

was reached, a breeze

springing up and sweeping the

sky clear so that they

had a better chance of avoiding obstacles

in the w^ay, *

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

132

CITY.

and as soon as they were well over the

were kept

ponies

which was only checked here

at a canter,

and there over broken ground.

more

line the

became

This, however,

plentiful as the night glided

land and low kopjes were the only

away, but the rough difficulties that

they

encountered on the enemy's side of the border, where they

passed a farm

or

which kept on baying

rousing

two,

till

the

barking

fugitives

dogs,

were out of

hearing.

At

last the

that daylight

pale streak right in front warned them

was coming on

and they searched

fast,

the country as they cantered on

till

away more

to the

north a rugged eminence clearly seen against the sky

suggested they

now

itself as the sort

of spot they required, and

hurried their ponies on

till

they

came

to a

rushing, bubbling stream running in the right direction.

*'Our guide, Noll," said Ingleborough quietly; "that will lead us right

resting-place,

up

to the kopje,

where we

a good spot for hiding,

shall find a

and plenty of

water as well." All proved as Ingleborough had so lightly stated;

but before they reached the shelter amongst the piled-up

masses of granite and ironstone, with shady in the cracks

and crevices,

their glasses

trees

growing

showed them

They whether they were unseen when

quite half-a-dozen farms dotted about the plain.

were

in great

doubt as to

they had to dismount and lead their willing steeds into a snug

little

amphitheatre surrounded by rocks and

trees.

THE THICK OF

IN

was

while the hollow itself

133

with pasturage such

growing upon both sides of

as the horses loved best,

the clear stream

rich

IT.

whose sources were high up among

the rocks.

'*Youseeto hobbling the ponies, Noll," borough,

"while

up

get

I

as high

someone

seen

we know. while

I

while

soon be

we've been

If

We

after us.

But eat your breakfast, and

watch.

West

will

my

as I can with

and give an eye to the farms.

glass

said Ingle-

can't rest

I'll

till

nibble mine

Don't take off the saddles and bridles."

did as he

was requested, and

ate sparingly

he watched the horses browsing for

hour, before Ingleborough

came down from

quite

an

the highest

part of the kopje, **It's all

right,"

and bridles now.

he

said.

**Let's

have

off the saddles

Have you hobbled them

well?"

"Look," said West. "Capital.

made up

doubt you; but you might have

I didn't

a mistake, and

if

we dropped

to find that the ponies

asleep and

were gone

it

woke

would be

fatal

to your despatch,"

"Yes; but one of us must keep watch while the other sleeps." "It's

If we're

grass,

try,

my

lad.

It isn't

to

be done.

going to get into Mafeking in a business-like

we must have food and rest. Come, the will not straggle away from this beautiful moist so let's He down in this shady cave with its

condition

horses

of no use to

A DASH FROM DIAMON'D

134

soft

sandy bottom and sleep hard

we must be up and away down and watch

till

me sleep,"

said

West

you wake, and then

till

Then

sunset.

again."

" But anxiety won't let sit

CITV^.

my

a short sleep while you take

"I'll

I'll

have

place."

"Very

well," said Ingleborough, smiling.

"What

are you laughing at?" said West, frowning.

"I w^as only thinking that you had a very hard

day yesterday and that you have had an arduous time riding through the night."

"Yes, of course."

"Well, nature

you canl

is

I'm going to

You'll follow

my

But he against the

did,

on

flat

lie

example

"I— will— notl"

Try and keep awake

nature!

back and

in less than

West

said

my

if

sleep.

an hour."

emphatically.

as he sat back resting his shoulders

mouth of

rock and gazing out from the

the cave where they had

made themselves

at the beautiful sunlit veldt,

till

it

comfortable

grew dark as

all

if

a veil had been draw^n over his eyes. It

was only the

lids

which had closed, and then,

perfectly unconscious, he sank over sidewise

prone on the

soft

was

his

laid

upon

sand,

sleeping heavily,

shoulder

fulness, to see that the sun

were gathering over the borough was smiling "Rested, old

had

set,

and

veldt,

in his

man?" he

and he started

till till

into

that the

he lay a hand

wake-

shadows

then that Ingle-

face.

said.

"That's

right.

The nags

IN

THE THICK OF

IT.

135

have had a splendid feed, and they are ready for night's work.

Let's

I

Come

haven't seen a soul stirring.

on!

have a good drink of water and a feed, and by

that time

we ought

"We

be ready to

to

start."

ought to cross the Vaal before

morning,"

West.

said

"I doubt a job, as

it,"

we

was the

shall find the

get across to-morrow night

*'Butwe

shall

reply,

we

If

there.

we

have done well."

never get to Mafeking hke

so lightly,

but we've undertaken to do

a work

weeks.

shall

be rather

will

it

enemy about

when you volunteered

isn't

'*for

this."

going to be a harder task than you thought

'*It's

for

their

of hours

Come

"But

along

and do

it,

nor

days.

It

my

dear

we may

it

boy;

will.

It

take

us

I'm hungry, and so are you."

I

me," said West, "how long have you

tell

been awake?"

"Not above a quarter of an hour. sleep last

and

rest as well as food.

we shall be ready And so it proved

freshed, meeting with

When

We

must have

we've had the

for anything through the night."

as

they rode on

properly

no adventure, but being

by the barking roars of

lions

re-

startled

twice during the night,

which came to an end as they reached a very similar kopje offering just such accommodation as they had

met with on the previous morning.

"Hah !" left

for a

said

Ingleborough.

rough breakfast.

"Just

enough prog

To-morrow we

shall

have

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

136

to begin travelling

farm, for

we

they can get

Now

can't.

by day, so

pay a

some grass when

visit to

do as the nags do, eat

can*t it

as to

CITY.

and nibble green shoots when they

then,

my

dear Noll, the orders for to-day

are: sleep beneath this projecting shelf."

**But I say," said West,

your

rifle

we rode

charged?

You were

later,

"is

wiping the barrels as

along."

There was no asleep,

a minute or so

reply,

for

and West soon followed

Ingleborough was his

example.

fast

CHAPTER

XIII.

AFTER A LAPSE.

/^ LIVER WEST

was sleeping soundly

sheer fatigue; but

all

not pleasant, for though his

was hard

at

the

same

body was

that night

his

from

slumber was

resting his brain

work.

Before an hour had passed he was conscious of

being cold, and to

in

a dreamy

way he

felt

that he ought

do what under the circumstances was impossible:

that

is

to say, put

more

clothes over him, or,

failing

them, as he had no more, roll himself over and over in the

blanket that he had

brought strapped to his

saddle-bow and

only thrown over him

down

But

to sleep.

that he did not

of the night

stir,

— so

his

when he

body was so steeped

lay

in sleep

and suffered from the freezing

air

tremendous a change from the torrid

heat of mid-day out on the veldt.

Later

on,

upon him

that

to

make

in

the

about

midnight, the

he could hear a

lion far

the earth quiver beneath

fierce

awe-inspiring

beast's roar,

so

impression

away, seeming

him by giving

strangely ventriloquial

puzzling

to the

came forth

way

its

listener as to

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

138

And

even

West found himself doubting

that

whether state

CITY.

far off or near.

is

it

he heard so near

lion's roar that

had driven

civilisation

most of the savage beasts of the

off

sure that he

the fact that

dreamy

could be a

it

where

to

But the roar came again, nearer, and felt

in his

was

and he

right,

now and

in his

recalled,

plain.

dreams he

still

sleeping,

then the king of beasts followed

one or other of the straggling herds of antelopes quite

Then

close to the Boers' farms.

roar ceased, and with

it

the curious

barking

consciousness for some time.

All at once he found himself wide awake, lying

upon

his

back,

and gazing

straight

transparent darkness at the stars.

ments still,

and

listening intently for steps or the trampling of

Instinctively his

the

which he had

dew

or

hoar

throwing over

it

were close

hand was reached out laid

by

his side

whichever

frost,

at hand.

to grasp the

and covered from might

come, by

part of his blanket.

As he touched start

some mo-

lay for

wondering what had awakened him, perfectly

horses, feeling sure that the Boers

rifle,

He

up through the

the cold perspiration began to

it

was a whifF of hot and he could dimly see that some

from every pore,

breath upon his face,

for

there

him, and for a few brief

down its muzzle towards moments he lay as if para-

lysed, expecting

himself seized

large animal

away, for

was

stretching

to

feel

now came back

and dragged

with keen clearness the

re-

collection of having heard the distant roaring of a lion.

AFTER A LAPSE.

He had somewhere

when once more, from

hardly grasped this

near, the Hon*s terrifying cry arose, evidently,

as he thought in a flash,

huge beast

139

at his side.

one of the companions of the

In an instant

now he had grasped

the truth, for as the distant lion

from

roared there

stumbling

his right the peculiar

came

movement of one

of the hobbled horses striving to get closer to where

human companionship,

there would be

if

not protection.

'*Poor beast!" thought West, as his fascinated eyes

dim shape above him, so close that

stared at the

him the

shut out from

Then

light

of the

the half-paralysed Hstener

beast raised

its

it

stars.

saw

clearly, for the

head and uttered a low whinnying

cry,

which was answered from the direction where the other hobbled pony was moving.

"Woho, my boyi" whispered West,

with the blood

now tinghng through his veins, and as the pony whinnied softly again West raised himself up with his rifle in his right hand and stretched out his left for it to come in contact with the soft w^arm muzzle of his pony, which

pressed against

it,

the poor brute uttering a low sigh.

Quite a minute then passed, the two ponies

re-

maining motionless, and West hstening with every nerve

on the in

strain,

very close

moment the

knowing as he did proximity,

that there might

savage brute would

and

that a lion

fully

must be

expecting

every

be a tremendous bound and alight

upon one of the poor shivering

either

beasts.

upon him or

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

I40

CITY.

Then, from evidently pretty close at hand, there

was a low muttering growl, the fell

into his

hand as he held the weapon

left

down

wise and fired low

At

the flash and in

was a yelping

barrel of West*s

in the direction X

company

rifle

pistol-

of the sounds.

with the report there

and a couple of angry roars

snarl

in

quick succession.

West the beast

fired again as nearly as

would

be,

was kneeling by

"What

is

it

he could judge where

and the next moment Ingleborough

his side.

— lions

.^"

he panted.

West, whose fingers were busy

**Yes," whispered

reloading,

and he listened for the next sound, but only

to hear a

deep sighing breath on either

that the horses

away, or else

had been too much

felt

masters, and that to try to gallop off

ing of a savage

The

silence

enemy upon continued

then there was a vicious fifty

meant the

noise came.

close together as

Then

He

fired

spring-

snarling,

a minute,

moments

to his shoulder

twice, the

almost to be

and

apparently some

as nearly as he could judge at the spot

the

to start

safer with their

for nearly

rifle

telling

their backs.

yards away, while without a

Ingleborough raised his

terrified

would be

that they

side,

hesitation

and

fired

from whence

shots being so

like

one for a while.

after a perceptible interval they

were echoed from

the walls of a distant kopje, and again from another,

before they died away.

;

AFTER A LAPSE. "That has "but I'm afraid

startled the lions," will startle the

it

141

said Ingleborough

Boers and bring them

to see what's the matter."

"Yes, the lions are gone," said West.

Who

that!

"Hark

at

says horses have no sense?"

For the

cropy crop,

crop of the browsing

had begun again from close

at hand,

animals

and the comrades

stood listening for some Httle time while the otherwise

unbroken

stillness

"What's

once more reigned.

to be done.^" said West.

"Shall

we make

a start at once, or wait for daylight.^" "I was

replied Ingleborough.

thinking,"

start

now we have

hide

us,

the

we

advantage of the darkness to

disadvantage

but the

"If

too,

blundering right into the midst of

for

we may go

some commando.

don't think the firing could do us any harm, after

I all,

enemy would not be able to tell where the sounds came from. I think we had better stay where we are and wait for morning." for the

"I think so too," said West, with a sigh of relief; "but

one of us ought to watch

in

case the lions

come back."

come backl" said Ingleborough decisively. "From what I know of their habits they'll have been too much scared to risk their lives again. You hit one of them; there's no doubt about that." "You think there was more than one?" "They

will

not

"I should say lioness

it

was a family party of an old

and two or three half-grown cubs."

;

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

142

down and

"Then we may

lie

"Yes; we must

trust to

good deal of chance

West

CITY.

sleep again?'

our luck, Noll; there's a

in these affairs."

hesitated for a few minutes, and then followed F

companion's example, lying awake for some time

his

was from

thinking of what a strange change this quiet

life

of the company; and then, as he

in the offices

began to ponder over what might be ject

grew too

difficult for

But he was the

his

him and he awaken

to

first

to find that the horses

to

were close

come, the sub-

fell

the grey dawn,

in

at

fast asleep.

hand,

browsing

away contentedly enough, and ready to neigh softly and submit to his caress when he walked up to them had

while, as soon as he

satisfied

himself that they had

not suffered in any way, he walked in the direction in

which he had in

fired

during the night, to find footprints

several directions, and in one place the dust

some stones

torn up

brutes had fallen on

Plainer

still

in the

and

its

scattered,

side

as

if

among

one of the

and scratched up the

earth.

way of proof of what had happened,

there were spots and

smudges of blood, giving thorough

evidence that one of the Hons had been wounded by the chance shot, and had fallen, and struggled fiercely to regain

its

He had

feet.

just arrived at this conclusion

when

Inglc-

borough found him. "Hallo!" cried blind shot, Noll,

his

companion; "that was a good

Well done,

lad!

A

full-grown lion

AFTER A LAPSE.

Look

too!

at its

pads.

must have had

It

flesh-wound to have bled like

"Do you

think

dead, or quite '*No! this

A

143

a nasty

this."

be lying anywhere near,

it'll

half-

.^"

and

cat has nine Uves, they say;

kind of beast

is

very hard to

really

Look, there

kill.

are the pugs, along w^th those of three more, all half-

grown, going right away yonder into the open veldt.

We

might hunt 'cm down, but we don't want '*

We

Absurd!

want

see any pug, as you call

"No. as we've ful,

isn't

I've

eh?"

Can you

at once.

of Boers?"

it,

had a good look round, and as soon

had a mouthful it,

on

to get

to,

we^ll

how one can

be

I say, it's

off.

wonder-

sleep out here on the veldt?"

Then

"Surrounded by dangers!" replied West. laconically: "Yes."

Their scanty meal was soon

down

and washed

eaten

with a draught of pure water, after which they

both climbed to the top of the

part of the

highest

kopje to take a good survey of the surrounding plain,

"There's quietly;

"so

nothing

in

we'll hurry

on

sight," at

said

Ingleborough

once while our shoes

are good."

The ponies looked were saddled and ready nation of the

as

fresh

to start,

as

and

ever

when they

after

an exami-

compass Ingleborough pointed out

that

they ought to keep along north-east to strike the Vaal

somewhere

that evening,

and then go along

its

south-

A DASn FROM DIAMOND

144

ern bank

CITY.

a ford was reached, after which

till

their

journey would be north by west.

"But we must be on the look-out '*We ought

farm to-day," said West.

some

for

to well

lonely fill

our

we start again." Never fear; we shall find plenty of food for sale so as we have money to show the Boer ladies. Ready?"

haversacks before *'

long

"Yes,"

and together they sprang

replied West,

and rode down the slope,

into their saddles

way among was reached. They then

their horses

carefully picking their

the stones,

open veldt

struck off at a quiet

till

the

canter towards a rocky ridge so as to put that between

them and the kopje where they had any

possibility their shots

of

it

see

in

case by

had been heard and a party

of the enemy should ride up to in the course

slept,

them

it

to

make

a search and

in the distance riding

away,

*'And that would mean pursuit, a race, and the fastest horses to win," said

**As they generally do replied Ingleborough quietly.

West.

when there is fair play," "Keep a sharp look-out

forward, and 111 keep on casting an eye back at the kopje."

The tant to

ridge

from

be

was only about a couple of miles

their previous night's

fairly high,

backwards.

proving

but with a gradual slope: while just

as they reached the spot

borough turned

resting-place,

dis-

in

his

where the ascent began saddle

Ingle-

from a long look-out

AFTER A LAPSE. "This

is

*'Now then, as

like

own

wringing one's

let's

up

canter

we have topped

it

145

this

we need

neck," he cried.

and as soon

bit,

not be so cautious.

Ready?" "Yes," cried West.

"Then

off

Steady

I

No

!

galloping

;

a

gentle

canter." It

was fortunate

the

for

pair that

they did not

breathe their horses, but rode up the gentle slope at a regular lady's

canter,

to

find

the

ridge

pleasantly

open w^oodland, through which picked their way, and on to the

fringed with a patch of their

steeds

easily

farther slope,

which was more dotted wdth forest growth;

but there was nothing to hinder their rate of speed in fact,

the horses began to increase

the

pace as a

broad grassy stretch opened before them.

The moment they passed out of the woodland on to the open space West uttered a word of warning and pressed his pony's side, for the first glance showed him that they had come right upon a Boer laager which w^as

in

the

course of being

being inspanned, ponies, for

men were

and preparations

an advance

in

some

broken up.

Oxen were

tightening the girths of their

w^ere in progress

everywhere

direction.

10

CHAPTER

XIV.

MAN-HUNTING.

TA/HATSOEVER

this

may have

been, the sudden

appearance of the two fresh horsemen decided

some thirty or forty, who stood about few moments staring wonderingly at the pair down the descent, before mounting in some cases,

the course of for

a

flying in

others

seizing

upon the ground

their

rifles

and

to load rapidly

flinging

themselves

and take aim.

"Mind how you go, Noll!" shouted Ingleborough. *^A fall means being taken prisoner now I"

He had

hardly shouted the words before the bullets

came buzzing about

their ears like bees after disturbers

on a hot swarming day

"Take care!"

cried

in old

England.

West

excitedly.

"It will be

a long chase; so don't press your nag too hard.

down on your horse's neck; the bullets more and more, and we shan't be safe

are

Lie

coming

for another

mile."

"Bah!

It's all

cried Ingleborough,

nonsense about

who seemed

their

to

marksmanship,"

be suffering from

MAN-HUNTING.

147

a peculiar kind of elation in which there was no feeling

of

fear.

"Let them shoot

and have a clear course springbok,

they haven't had

much

that

the

trained to

shoot

get a chance;

but

experience of galloping men. if

he

"I don't

a runaway railway truck or a

hit

cantering furniture-van,

on

them,

enemy could hear him.

you could

believe

to

you cowardly brutes!" he roared, as

Fire away,

fancied

They're

I

when they

suppose,

I

We're end on

1

let

man

alone a horse with a

back."

its

'*Ah!" cried West, at that moment, as he turned

from looking back and snatched

off his

broad-brimmed

hat.

"Noll, boy, don't say you're hit !" cried Ingleborough passionately.

"No,"

my

if

West, drawing

"I've escaped; but

sound. as

said

touched

I

his breath with a

thought

hat was being snatched

my

ear.

I'd

off,

got

it

pecuHar I

I felt

and something

11

"Turn your head

this

way!"

said Ingleborough

huskily.

"Wait a moment!" his hat into his rein

to his

who had passed

hand, to afterwards clap his right

head and draw

"First blood to

replied West,

it

away.

them!" he

said,

with a mocking

laugh.

"Here, we must ease up and

let

me bandage

said Ingleborough, 10*

il

it,

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

148

"No, thanks: Hke

flying

that's a likely tale with

Keep

this!

the bullets

man; we've got a

on,

Let's get past those trees forward yonder

;

fair start!

they'll shelter

us a bit!" w

my

*'But your wound,

lad?"

"They've only nicked the edge of

my

ear.

It will

There's nothing to mind!"

stop bleeding of itself

Ingleborough watched him eagerly as he spoke, and seeing for himself that there was only a feeble trickle

of blood from the cut ear, he pressed on

in the

required

direction.

"Give and

me

we'll pull up, dismount,

we

our horses while if

he

warning,"

come

they

try

cried, "if

you

and cover ourselves with

what practice we can make

on."

"7/ they come on!"

West

said

for yourself; they're already

bitterly.

a line of galloping

Boer laager

ing in single

up a steady

to the right

file

between them

men had

down

for their

fire

his teeth.

race of

it

just

and

little

1

been launched from

left,

and were stream-

dismounted companions

upon the

"Very

is

to

room keep

fugitives.

it?" said Ingleborough, be-

well,

then,

we must make

a

and see what our picked ponies can do."

"That's right!" cried West. n

to see that

the slope, leaving ample

"That's their game,

tween

"Look

coming!"

Ingleborough turned his head sharply,

the

feel faint,

"Let's open out a

MAV-HUNTIXTi.

them

"Right, and give

They separated to about word from West each nipped knees and rose a the wiry

that

little

aim

less to

Ten yards

are flying wildly now.

his

149

The

at!

bullets

apart will do."

and

distance,

this

at a

pony's flanks with

his

in the stirrups, with the result

little

animals

stretched out greyhound

fashion and flew over the veldt as

if

thoroughly enjoy-

ing the gallop.

"Steady! steady!" shouted West, minutes.

at the

end of ten

"We're leaving the brutes well behind, and

the bullets

are getting

brave

nags

little

!

Don't

scarce.

With

w^orry the

let's

a start like this

we can

leave

the Boers well behind."

Ingleborough nodded after a glance backward and followed his companion's example, drawing rein so that their steeds settled

their pursuers

down

farther

into a hand-gallop,

behind.

still

leaving

The ground was now

perfectly level, stretching for three or four miles without

an obstacle, and then the horizon

line

was broken by

one of the many kopjes of the country, one which lay right in their line of flight.

"What for

it

and

about that?" said West.

get. into shelter

"I don't like it!"

"Shall

we make

ready for using our rifles?"

replied Ingleborough.

might be another party there, and then

it

"There

would be

like

galloping into another hornets' nest."

"I don't like

it

either," said

think of our horses, and

West; "but we must

by the time we get there half

A DASH

150

of

this

FROM DIAMOND

CITY.

pursuing lot will have tailed

believe the rest will

come on

if

off,

we

while

I

don't

shoot pretty true I,

from behind some rock." "That's right!" said Ingleborough. let

them keep us on the

"Look out!"

"What

is

"They're West.

said

"We

mustn't

run, for the horses' sake."

West,

in

warning tones.

it?"

pulling

"Here come

up

and dismounting,"

replied

the bullets again."

For as he spoke the buzzing, whizzing notes of danger overhead, which had for some minutes ceased,

began

to utter their warnings again,

but in a very

ir-

regular way, which brought forth the remark from Ingle-

borough that

their enemies'

hands were unsteady from

their sharp ride.

"The more need then for us to get into a sheltered place where we can rest a few minutes before they can come up," said West. "Let's have another sharp gallop and get well among the rocks it will be riding out of range and getting more in advance before they mount again." :

"Right, general!" cried Ingleborough banteringly;

and once more they tore over the

by the to a

bullets,

for the following

veldt,

pursued only

Boers had dismounted

man.

"Keep at his

a

little

wider," said West, laughing outright

companion's w^ord "general."

them a chance by

"Don't

riding so close together!"

let's

give

;;

MAN-HUNTIN'G.

151

Fine manoeuvre!" replied Ingleborough

**Right!

and they went on towards the

kopje

at

both feeling a wild kind of exhilaration

by

rushed

their

stretched out

much

cheeks, and the

more and more

plucky

full

speed,

as the little

wind

horses

as if enjoying the race as

as their riders.

Strange terms

none the

*'

exhilaration" and

enjoying/' but

*'

For there was no feeling of dread,

less true.

even though the bullets kept on whizzing by them to behind;

right, to left, in front, far

now

high overhead,

and more often striking up the dust and ricochetting

knew where.

into space, to fall neither

messenger,

it

reached

it

many would have wild gratification,

death had they struck

in

combined with a kind of

would escape

aloud, shouting

and

resulted

meant a wound

But the excitement made the rush one

the fugitives.

that they

mark,

its

Every leaden

scot-free;

certainty

and they laughed

words of encouragement

to their ponies

of defiance and derision at the unsuccessful

cries

riflemen.

"Why, we

"So

Ingleborough.

whom

writers

effusively

written

!

My

bluff."

in

your puffed-up Boers

their

books and praised so

word, what a

about rifle-shooting

all,

are

these

have put

Deerslayer with after

could do better ourselves, Noll!" cried

his

1

lot I

of

gammon

has been

believe that Cooper's

old-fashioned

rifle

was a

duffer

and the wonderful shots of the trappers

all

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

152

'*

CITV,

Perhaps so!" shouted West, rather breathlessly;

**but these fellows can shoot!"

**Not a bit!"

my

**Well,

ear has stopped bleeding; but

it

smarts

F

someone was

as if

'*Never mind; *'I

trying to

into the edge."

only gristle!" said Ingleborough.

it's

don't niind, but

had only held

saw

the Boer

if

who

fired that bullet

breadth more to the

his rifle a hair's

the scrap of lead would have gone into

"Of

course;

'*

from

All right

pain.

;

keep on

blanket, and little

I

pony has

the poor

the

it

yet.

for

it,

jingo!"

I

numb and

I'm

half fancy

I

hit.

The

bullet struck

my

has gone into the saddle.

start.

roUed-up

I

can

feel

"To be

my

head

;

West

anxiously.

trifle

higher

w^ould have

it

loins."

sure!

and a

shoulders; a

and again a

gone above me.

cried

that they can shoot straight!

had gone a

gone through your

and I'm

feels quite

he gave a tremendous

a narrow escape!"

If that bullet

between

It

don't think

"Come, you must own

my

a

hole."

"What

of

By

left.

rifle

What's the matter?"

"Don't quite know free

skull."

but then he did not hold his

breadth more to the

hair's

my

left

As

little

trifle trifle

it is,

higher

through

more, through the back more, and

it

there's a hole in

all right."

"Thank Heaven!"

still,

cried West.

would have

my

saddle,

MAN-HUXTING. ''I

"but

did," said Ingleborough,

Yes, lad, they can shoot

man end

a galloping

but

;

iK'. 30

a hard

it's

a quiet way!

in

mark

They'd be better

on.

if

to hit

we were

going at right angles to the shot!"

"Now

then, another five minutes,

beyond the range of

"And

another you had better give the word to

in

not give

it

now?

"Ease down then and

in reply,

be

shall

their rifles."

slacken speed, for the ground will

Why

and we

be getting rough.

They've ceased

firing."

to a gentle canter," cried

West,

were checked so that

their panting steeds

an

for the last mile of their retreat they progressed at

easy ambling pace which enabled the horses to recover their wind, while the precipitous sides in

front

grew clearer

of being

able

them and

to

to the eye

furnish

and gave ample proof which would afford

nooks

their horses security, while

a good opportunity for returning the Boers as far as bullets

West

enabhng the the

friends

compliment

to

were concerned.

said something to this effect after taking his

was slung and looking back,

to

enemy was remounting and continuing

the

from where

glass

of the eminence

see that the

it

pursuit.

"Not they!" rephed Ingleborough. fond of whole skins to run risks holes and corners to

us

our

if

we

rifles

fire

!

Thev'U

lie

down

in

at us, but they will not attack

are well in cover, and they find straight."

"They're too

we can

hold

— A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

154

*'Then

we must!"

want a

shall

of rest

bit

West

said first,

for

a quiver, and the blood feels as

my

"Only we

quietly.

my

nerves are

if it

all

of

was jumping

in

veins,"

*'Come along then

where we can

lie

the better too,

We'll

!

down behind

soon

the stones

find

a

place

The sooner

1

beginning to feel rather mur-

for I'm

derous."

''Murderous!" cried West.

I'm not going to be shot

''Yes: don't you?

Look

nothing!

for

sweet,

and

value

I

my

Nolly,

here,

I'm

mine.

hfe's

lad,

peaceably

and youVe had proof that they are trying

make

us food for the crows.

stances don't you think

us

— to

and

let

turn

it's

very

disposed

have invaded our country,

enough, but these brutes

best to

at

Under

their level

the circum-

time for the lambs

upon the ^butchers

— meaning

— meaning

the Boers

them feed the crowds instead?"

"Don't

talk

poetical

in

West, with a grim smile.

metaphors,

"If

it

comes

Ingle," to

said

the point,

make our rifles speak in a way that will keep enemy from stopping to hear the end of what they

we'll

r

the

have

to say."

"Ha!

ha! ha!" laughed Ingleborough; "who's talk-

ing metaphorically

nowi

?

ij

"I've done," said West.

and they drew

rein,

"Walk!" he

cried loudly,

to let the ponies pick their

way

up the commencement of a slope dotted with small

MAN-HUNTING.

155

Stones, while but a short distance farther

on the front

of the castle-like kopje was gashed with

little

gorges

and ravines, offering plenty of places where horses and

men might *'

hide.

Rather awkward

we were

if

to

find

that there

were some more of the enemy here!" said West, as the nature of the ground forced him to follow his companion, instead of their riding abreast.

He had

hardly spoken

when

it

was

as if a trumpet

had rung out a challenge from one of the in front,

little

gorges

and West answered by shouting: "Right about

face!" and leading the

way

back.

It

was no trumpet,

but the loud neigh of a Boer horse, while shot after

was

shot

fired as

they galloped away, fortunately being

able to shelter themselves from the to the right as

fire

by

striking off

soon as they were clear of the stones,

the higher ones proving their salvation, being in the

way of the enemy's aim. "Out of the frying-pan borough; "and the

fire's

into the fire I" cried Ingle-

going to be hotter than the

pan."

"Yes,"

cried

West,

"Give

Gallop right for the river now\"

them

their

head!

CHAPTER XV. A DESPATCH-RIDER'S WORK.

"

L_I

URRAH!" more

cried West, as soon as they

well out in the open, their horses breathed,

and ready to answer

by

their riders.

*'But we'll

begun

"Keep

any demand made upon them

make

his teeth.

and open out more.

abreast,

a short start this time.

the best of

it,"

"Bend down

i»

cried Ingleborough,

well!

The

firing

has

1"

"It

is

speaking for

the buzzing whirr faintly

to

We have only

Faster! faster!

between

were once

itself,"

said

West

of the bullets began

grimly, as

again,

while

heard there came, half smothered by the thud-

ding of their

own

horses' hoofs, the clattering of

Boer

mounts being led out over the stones of the ravine which they had been hid.

"See any more of they rode well out

in

the old party.^" cried West, as

now on

"No; weVe turned

to the level.

off so

much

that they are quite

our rear."

"Then

in

the way's clear for the river?

i1

A DESPATCH-RIDER»S WORK. "If

we can reach

it,

157

"and

lad/' saidlngleborough;

if

we do it may be in flood, or impassable where we hit it." "Or a hundred other things," cried West angrily, as they tore along at full gallop now, with the bullets flying

round them.

"Don't begin

prophesy

to

evil!

I

say we're going

Boers far behind and escape."

to leave the

same flowery

"I can't look at our chance in the

my

you do,

light as

good enough

breakfast wasn't

hope, and

I

to inspire

with so

My

advice

inside get into the

to

if

you don't begin,

you get ready

that

is

sandwiches, for you mustn't

let

to eat those

good verbal meat

the

enemy's hands."

Ingleborough had hardly spoken before

and nearly sending him

up,

off.

But he clung

horse

his

suddenly checked, throwing him forward upon

p'^rately,

much

could not eat nowM"

I

"But you must be ready lad.

me

should advise you to open your haversack."

"Nonsense!

my

"My

boy," repHed Ingleborough.

to

its

neck

it

des-

while the poor beast's next act was to rear

pawing hard

at the air.

In spite of the difficulty,

Ingleborough shuffled himself back

the

into

saddle,

speaking encouraging words to the shivering animal,

which kept on pawing just

gave

before all

it

its

at the air for

rider time

went

to

right over

four legs in the

West drew

air,

rein

a few

moments and

throw himself

off sidewise

backwards, struck out with

and then subsided instantly

as

he

— motionless. tore

by,

and

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

158

CITY.

cantered back, reckless of the whistling bullets which

were

flying around.

"Beg

pardon 1" cried Ingleborough, struggling

their

heavy

to his feet after a

West

**Hurt.?" cried

''Rather

Ground

I

"I retract

fall.

and

pretty hard!"

is

"Nonsense borough

I

off;

"jump

mane and

hold on by the

I'll

words."

excitedly.

"Here," cried West, leaping saddle,

my

into

run."

Absurd! Don't be a fool!" cried

"The game's up

angrily.

Don't

and gallop again!

let the

me!

for

brutes take

my

Ingle-

Jump up

you

too."

"Likely I" said West, taking out his handkerchief

and beginning to fold u Let

it

bleed 1"

picking up his soft dust,

he stuck

said.

"Now

then,

tie this

hat,

felt

West quietly. "Never mind what

Ingleborough angrily.

I

fallen

in the

too late,"

it's

what you would have done!" would have

"Ride

for

your

"Do you take me for a Dutchman "

Your

round."

which had

off before

that's just

"

"That's bandaged!" he

tightly.

be

fashion.

Ingleborough angrily, and

cried

on

it

"Of course; said

me

Let

head's bleeding.

bandage

it

?

done,"

cried

life!"

" said

West

coolly.

Oh, you fool— you fool! " cried Ingleborough, stamp-

ing his foot angrily.

dismounting.

Now

"You'll be too late! then,

No, they're

up with you and make a dash."

West gave a glance to right and left, to see that some twenty of the enemy had leaped from their

A DESPATCH-RIDER»S WORK.

159

many more, came slowly on,

horses and were advancing, while twice as

who covered them with

their

rifles,

shouting to him the Dutch for ''Hands up I"

The

were even

went

was

position still

though the

perilous,

chances

about being taken or riding clear

at full gallop; but

West

did not

he

''No, thankye, old fellow,"

if

stir.

said.

*'It

would be

work riding alone. What do you say taking cover amongst the bushes?" such

dull

"Bah! Cover

for the front,

he

and none

to

for flank or

rear!"

"We

could squat

down back

to back," said

"and shoot a few of them

coolly,

first.

own weapons." you make a bolt of

I

West

want

to

fight the brutes with their

"Once more, Ingleborough

will

it?"

cried

faintly.

"No— — I

notl" said

will

West slowly and

making a dash, he caught his comrade round the waist, letting him sink gently down distinctly,

upon and

and

the sand

then,

and stones, for

his legs

had given way

his face turned ghastly.

"Thanks,

old

man," said Ingleborough,

with

a

countenance seeming

to

feeble smile

and

his eyes looking his gratitude.

He

still

now, wuth

grow

lay

fixed and hard; but

and poured a few lips,

drops

when he began

fectly

still

to

his

West opened

his water-flask

between the poor

fellow's

revive at once, and lay per-

while his comrade

removed

his

hat

and

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

i6o

proceeded to bind the ready-folded handkerchief

when he

with a stone

caused by sharp

wound,

the bleeding

about

contact

fell.

'*West," groaned Ingleborough, recovering

"once more,

little,

teeth,

now

a

never mind mel

think;

lad, think,

Mount; never mind the

"Once more,

tightly

your

life!"

firing;

ride

for

old fellow,"

said

West, through

his

"I won't leave you in the lurch!"

"But the despatches,

lad.

am

I

and

only one,

they are to save a thousand."

"Ah!"

West, springing

cried

to his feet as if the

object of his journey had been driven out of his head

by the excitement of the moment, and he took a step towards

his horse, just as, to his intense surprise, Ingle-

borough's mount suddenly threw up a plunge, and found

whinnied, as

had

if it

just

"Here, make one steed's bridle

"Look

effort,"

all

it

to

where

faintly,

to struggle to his knees, but only fell

Feel as

numbed.

Now

my

if

will

made

itself violently,

cried West,

right again!

"No," said Ingleborough "Can't!

muzzle,

and

recovered from being stunned.

and leading

— your pony's

shook

feet,

its

its

seizing the

its

rider

lay.

Can you mount?" as he made an effort back with a groan.

neck's broken and

my

shoulder

you make a dash while you can.^"

West hesitated, and duty mastered friendship and humane feehng for his companion. He was but one, and the despatch might deal with the sand

men

in

peril

of their

lives.

lives

of a thou-

A DESPATCH-RIDER'S WORK. '*Yes,

must go I"

I

horse; but he

was too

he

cautiously,

for his

apparently from a feeling

were quite sure of

slowly and

making

groaned,

late.

For though the Boers, that they

i6i

each

their prey,

man

had advanced

with

his

rifle

pre-

movements showed They had opened out so as to get

sented and finger on trigger, their plenty of cunning.

round the horses, watching the all

the time, and

when he

they were close up,

and

young man's actions

at last

made

for his

around,

bristled

rifle-barrels

mount

every muzzle^ threatening and grim.

"Throw up your hands 1" came

score of throats, and directly after the

given in

fair

chorus from a

in

same order was

English by two of the ragged, unkempt,

big-bearded enemy.

West looked

fiercely

round hke a hunted animal

brought to bay by the hounds, first

waiting

one that sprang, and ground

to

seize

the

his teeth with rage;

but he paid no heed to the men's words.

"Throw up your hands!" roared one of the men. "Throw up your own!" said West defiantly, and then to

his

bitter

annoyance he started on one

for there

was a

his face,

and instantly the sharp report of a

flash,

side,

simultaneously a whizz close to

Recovering from the sudden shock to

rifle.

his

nerves

caused by his previous unbelief that the enemy would

be so

cowardly as to

prisoner,

fire

upon a perfectly helpless

West swung himself round

to

face the II

man

" 1

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

62

who had

him from such close quarters of the powder had scorched his cheek. at

fired

the flash

The Boer was into the

CITY.

thrusting a fresh

busily

that

cartridge

breech of his piece, and as he met the young w

man*s eyes he burst out into a coarse and brutal laugh.

"Throw up your he

cried,

"Not curl"

"or

I'll

blow out your brains!"

die for it!" cried

if I

And

hands, then, you cursed rooinekl"

closed him

as the Boers

turning

"You cowardly

West.

in,

he

continued, with bitter contempt, and speaking in their

own

tongue: "I suppose you are a specimen of the brave

peasant farmers making a struggle for their liberty

"You keep

a

civil

you want

to feed the

in English, "unless

crows!"

"You keep

your cowardly gang

you

tome!"

fore

dictate

speaker sharply. close quarters

"No!"

young

tongue in your head,

man," growled out one of the party

I

in order first be-

cried West, turning

"Do you

call

manly

it

upon the

to

fire

at

upon a party of two?"

said the

man

as he turned round

shortly,

and said a few angry words

the

in

Boer jargon

words which were received by some with angry growls, while the major portion remained silent and sullen.

"YouVe

not our cornet

before you're hurtl"

cried

1

Mind your own the

man who had

fired,

West

stood,

aking a few steps towards the spot where and, seizing force

him

him savagely by the

to his knees.

business,

throat,

he

tried to

A DESPATCH-RIDER'S WORK. But he

engaged

being

right

only

tried

one hand

with

by

his

rifle,

163

—

and

his

left

his

utter

his

to

—

astonishment the prisoner retorted by kicking his legs

from under him and flinging him upon

A from

his back.

of anger arose from some,

yell

others, all looking

and of delight

on while the discomfited Boer

sprang up with a cry of rage, cocked his taking quick aim, would

have

fired point-blank at the

by the Boer

prisoner had not his act been anticipated

who had upon

Quick as thought he sprang

before spoken.

companion, striking the presented

his

with a blow from his own, furiated

man by

no cornet,

upwards

rifle

and then grasping the

in-

the collar.

"None of that!" he or

and,

rifle,

I'm

cowardly murder

"Cornet

cried fiercely in Dutch.

not

going to stand by and see a

We've got

done!

to fight, brother

burghers, but we'll fight like soldiers and men.

Our name's

been stained enough by what has been done already." "Here, you'd better go and cried the discomfited

"I'm going to

not help

haved

like a

The

fight

fiercely.

for

my home

cried West's defender,

brothers," are:

Boer

fight for the rooineks,"

to

"the

the

same

as

you

brave man."

portion

of the force

who had seemed

of the

trouble

growled

out:

dis-

disarmed by

words, and there was a general cheer at cause

country,

murder a helpless boy who has be-

posed to side against the speaker were his

and

this,

while

" You're II*

a

1

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

64

to

traitor

and the commandant

your country,

shall

hear of this."

"No, no, no, noT' came

"Serves you

chorus.

in

right." F

West made no signed to him bandolier,

to

now,

resistance

up

give

his

rifle,

was handed over with

his

defender

which,

plus the

as

a sigh, Ingleborough's

having already been taken away.

The next

was

thing done

pockets

— watch,

away,

but the inner belts

of their

money

stood breathing

and pocket-book being taken

purse,

\vere

to search the prisoners'

containing the greater

up

wrinkled

face

his

West

overlooked, while

entirely

hard,

part

and

agonising pain contracting his heart, for the Boer

had defended him unbuttoned the

an

who

of his haver-

flap

and brought out a couple of

sack, thrust in his hand,

cake loaves, and then, one after the other, two carefully

wrapped-up sandwiches, standing

few moments

for a

with them in his hand, hesitating, while Ingleborough,

who had recovered at his

suff"ering

''It's

himself

all

his senses,

companion.

over with

"Why

darted a meaning look

didn't

our expedition!"

poor Noll eat

The moments were

as

West^ who could only stand

become somewhat versed

in

his

agonising in

the

sandwiches?" to

silence; tricks

he said to

him but,

as

to

having

of those

who

fought the law through his friendship with Norton, an idea crossed his mind, and turning in a faint appealing

A DESPATCH-RIDER'S WORK.

way

Boer who seemed

the

to

pense the scales of success and

by

fixed

and the blood

his

he said:

failure,

in *'

sus-

Don't

We're prisoners;

enough?"

that

The Boer face

be holdmg

of provisions away!

take our bit isn't

to

165

him w^th trickling

and then, as

fall,

noted his pallid

his eyes,

down from

and moved by a

if satisfied

feeling akin to compassion, he

the cut caused

nodded

his head, thrust

the cake and the sandwich-like papers back into West's

and

haversack,

let

it

swing again

under

young

the

man's arm.

"Lucky

for

them we're not hungry!" he

said, in

we shouldn't have left them much." "Why don't you make them eat it?" cried the man who had fired. "For aught we know, it may be poisoned." "Bahl" cried their friend, who had done the pair own

his

so

tongue, *'or

good a

A

couple of the Boers then approached with spite

but,

in

the

man

just as his

them be!"

turn; "let

reins,

of the opposition that had taken place,

w'ho had taken West's part again

interfered,

they proceeded to raise Ingleborough to bind

hands behind

"There

is

no need!" said the

you see that he his horse,

his back.

is

too

weak

man

to stand?

and one go on either side

sharply.

"Can't

Help him upon to

keep him

in

the saddle,"

Then you

will

turnine^ to

West, he continued: "Mount: but

be shot down directly

if

you attempt

to escape.

j>

1

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

66

am

"I

friend," said

"I could have galloped away had

coldly.

me walk by The man looked Let

to.

my

not going to leave

CITY.

West

then nodded,

West

wanted

I

his side to help him." at

the speaker searchingly and

taking

of the

of one

the place

who placed himself just behind him with Then the little party moved off towards

Boers, ready.

rifle

the

kopje where the prisoners had been surprised.

**How are you?" asked West, were

in

as soon as

motion.

'T feel as half-laughing,

if I

were somewhere else!" was the reply.

half-bitter

*'A11

seems

use

have been completely knocked out of me,

to

and the

and kopjes go saihng round and round."

hills

"That

soon pass

will

short pause:

after a It

they

does seem hard

where

they'll

off,"

''Well,

said West,

and then

w^eVe prisoners after

now we have

got so far!

I

all.

wonder

send us?"

much matter!" said Ingleborough. "Anywhere will do, if I can lie down and rest till this As soon dreadful swimming and confusion passes off. "It does not

r

as

it

does we*ll escape

—to

eat the

sandwiches,"

he

added meaningly. "If

we

them again! "Pooh! Ingleborough as

you

can,"

said

Oh, Ingle,

West; I

wish

"but. don't talk about I

had your sharp

Where

there's a will there's a

faintly.

"You might have

insisted

upon being taken

to

wits."

way," said

escaped, but

share

my

lot

I

A DESPATCH-RIDER'S WORK. was obliged

do something,

to

how

nothing but think of

The

effort

have

tainly

to get away.

fallen but for his

round to the a

theatre,

that

far side

narrow gap

much

of

their

for

to keeping cer-

comrade's willing arm.

so fully occupied

the fact

to

JJ

from which he would

saddle,

Boers offering not the slightest

heed

must do

1

and West confined himself

in the

West was

and now

of talking was evidently too

ihe poor fellow,

him upright

167

by

his

the two

task,

that he paid

aid,

captors

led

them

no

right

of the kopje, and then through

the

a

rocks into

natural

amphi-

wherein there was ample room for the forma-

tion of a great laager,

an irregular

ellipse,

the

wagons being arranged

in

thoroughly hidden from the veldt

outside, while the rocks of the

kopje roughly formed

a rampart of vast strength, and apparently quite impregnable.

West took panion

in

barricade

in

all

he could

as

he and

his

com-

misfortune were led through and within the

of wagons to where the horses and cattle

were securely tethered, while a burst of cheering saluted the returning party as soon as

it

was seen

that they

had prisoners and a couple of likely-looking mounts.

was a

surprise, for

could for a

It

no one journeying across the veldt

moment have supposed

that so secure

a

natural stronghold existed behind the rocky barriers.

The next minute ponies tied up to the

the prisoners tail

saw

their

sturdy

of one of the great wagons.

1

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

68

West began

SO near that ness

came

them

free,

it

to

CITY.

wonder whether when dark-

would be possible

to creep to their side, cut

mount, and make a old dash for

But a glance

at

liberty.

Ingleborough showed him that

would be impossible,

the

for

this

poor fellow had sunk

over sidewise as soon as he had been

lifted

out of

the saddle, and lay perfectly inert and with his eyes

West

half-closed.

down by him

knelt

and, taking his

slung water-bottle, he raised his injured companion's head

a

little

and began to

a few drops at a time, a

trickle,

water between the sufferer's

httle

He was

occupied in

this

whom, a

suddenly

grey,

plentifully

sprinkled with

good English: *'What

said, in

"No," replied West.

his

my

and

up,

is

the

*'His horse

friend

was

struck,

and

was thrown heavily upon

head." *'0h,

*'Let

is

that

him sleep

soners **I

who

it

all.^"

off!

said

the

Boer nonchalantly.

But hsten, you: we shoot

pri-

try to escape."

shall not

try to

escape and leave him," said

West coldly. The Boer commandant,

for such

he proved to be,

gave him a keen look and then turned away to

one of

him— shot?"

matter with

reared

approached,

that

short sturdy-looking individual, with swarthy

and thick black beard

skin

way when he noted had

a large group of the Boers

lips.

one of the men, the

result

to

speak

of the orders he gave

A DESPATCH-RIDER'S WORK. being that Ingleborough was

wagons forming the and wait upon

leaving

to

still

in

sight

of where he

now seemed

had been

position

two Basuto ponies

fact that the

had the treasured-up despatches His great trouble

to follow

into a swoon-like

thinking of their

sit

and pondering upon the

were tethered

after his injury

and bandaged, sank

West

one of the

to

and West ordered

who,

his friend,

carefully bathed sleep,

laager,

carried

169

and that he

sat,

safe.

be whether he

to

should conceal the papers about his person or leave

them

in

the haversack carelessly

of the wagon

lest

tilt,

hung from the

side

he should be searched again

and with a more serious result than the

watch

loss of

and purse. Night came at

last,

with the difficulty

still

unsolved,

and a yet more serious one to keep him awake. It

night, side,

was

this:

Ought he

to wait

till

well on in the

and then creep out by the sentry on duty get to one of the ponies, and try and steal

And

the time glided

unanswered. despatch

;

There

on,

with

w^as the horse,

out-

away?

the question

still

and there was the

but there were also the Boers by the hundred,

hemming him completely

in,

and, even

posed to leave Ingleborough to

seemed to be mad

to a degree.

his

if

fate,

he were

dis-

any attempt

CHAPTER

XVI.

AFTER A REST. \1{] EST started up from a dream

in

with the Boers in

life

morning

into wakefulness the next

which he was galloping for

his

and then he sighed

full pursuit,

and wondered when and how he had dropped asleep, for

he could only

recall being

miserable, awake, and

puzzled as to what to do, and then

become blank busy

stir

was one of

still,

first

fires

seemed

to

by

captors'

his

being lighted.

to

have moved, and the

first

satisfaction; but directly afterwards

for

have

steps w^ere to see to his companion,

seem

did not

uneasy,

he was awakened

and the crackling of the

West's

who

till

all

Ingleborough

seemed

to

feeling

he

felt

be unnaturally

and a shiver ran through him as he leaned over

where

his friend lay

a hand

on the floor of the wagon, to place

upon the injured man's forehead below

bandage which made him look so

Then came sufferer

reaction

had only been

in

as

it

ghastly.

was proved

that

the

a deep sound sleep.

For Ingleborough's eyes opened, wonderingly.

the

to

gaze at him

AFTER A REST. li

"Yes; you

"You "Did

it's

did I do?"

lay so stilH"

Oh, of course.

I?

What

suppose.

"No,

time

morning

it's

it

I've

is

I

slept all night?"

"But how are you?"

said.

"Horribly stupid and muddled!

Oh

that

it

knocked

feels all

do now.

yes, I

all

sundown?"

smiled.

suppose!" he

I

fast asleep,

— sunrise."

West nodded and "Soundly,

been very

— nearly

"I'm blessed! What, have

out!

you, Noll!"

mel"

startled

What

"Eh?

T

Oh,

What's the matter?

171

I

don't quite

came down such a quelch

I

the sense out of me, and

knocked on one

make

But

side.

tell

my

head

me what about :

the despatch?"

"I have

it

all

"That's good.

right so far!"

Where

"Tied up yonder

are our ponies?"

to the

"That's good, too, lad! is

to help ourselves to

them

wheel of a wagon."

Then

all

we've got to do

the

first

chance and ride

"the

first

chance; but will

away.

"Yes," said West there be a

"Why side

first

not?

of things

good luck

chance?" It's

of no use to look at the black

Where

to balance

share of both. will

I

drily,

We

it,

there's

ill

luck there's always

and we're bound

to

have our

had the bad yesterday; the good

come to-morrow,

or next day, or the day after

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

172

who knows?

We

nicked and

I

had a bad

fast as the

slit

to

were not

in

You had your

killed.

fall

which

cure

will

your ear grows up.

I

itself as

call

it

Are they going

have saved the despatch!

ear

grand

to give

us any breakfast?"

Ingle.

I

"youVe done me

sighed West;

'*Hah!"

was regularly

the dumps."

in

**Keep out of them, then!" was the reply. didn't expect to get

good,

your message delivered

at

"You Mafe-

king w^ithout any trouble, did you?"

Then you

"No, no, of course notl

think

we might

make a dash for it some time?" "Of course I do; but I don't suppose the chance w-ill come to-day. Let's hope that our next move may take us nearer our goal, for

I

don't suppose the Boers

with them.

They'll send

us prisoners to

suppose; and

we must make

our dash some-

will take us

Pretoria,

I

where on the road." Ingleborough was right

:

the chance for the dash did

come that day, nor the next, nor the next. For the Boer commando did not stir from the natural stronghold which had been made its halting-place. In fact, two not

fresh

parties,

joined them,

men

for

which there

was plenty of room,

and a good deal of business w^ent on:

going out on expeditions and returning: wagons

laden with

provisions

and

ammunition and two big

field-pieces arriving, as if the force

ready for some important venture

was being increased

—

all

of which busy

AFTER A REST.

173

preparation took place under the eyes of the two

who, while being

soners,

pri-

way

fairly well treated in the

of rations, were carefully guarded.

know

^'One w^ould like to all

to

a

"As

means!" said Ingleborough. be quite

"And it's

in the

more what

little it

is,

one seems

dark!"

we're doing nothing!" sighed West.

terrible!

I

it

must begin

to

even

stir,

if

is

it

"Oh, only to

bring about another check."

"What would be "Ease

to

'*Here have

I

one's

good of that?"

the

brain! "

said

been trusted with

doing nothing, while

all

West

this

passionately.

mission and

the time the poor

Mafeking must be watching despairingly

am

fellows at

the des-

for

patch that does not come." said Ingleborough

**Look here, old lad," thetically;

foot

it's

makes

"when

a

fellow's

chained

down hand and

of no use for him to kick and strain; he only

and ankles sore and weakens himself,

his wrists

so don't do

it!

Believe me, the proper time to act

when they take you out of your chains! depressing, I know; but what can't be cured "Must be endured.

I

"But you must! longer!

British.

Just

very

more hopeless."

Things

can't

go

Either our troops will

attack the Boers,

It's

is

know, Ingle; but here wc

are prisoners, and I can't help getting

much

sympa-

on

like

this

come here and

or the Boers will go and attack die

have patience and wait!"

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

174

**But here

we

are, just as

we were

said Ingleborough, with I

couldn't

they had brought

and

*

The first morning I "IVe got well again have mounted my pony and ridden off even

a smile.

if

something has!'

yes,

week

>J

ago, and nothing has happened.

"Oh

nearly a

it

"No,

Do

you

I

could

call that

jump on and go

off

nothing?"

of course not!" said West.

must forgive me!

wagon here

the end of the

To-day

said: *Be off I'

at full gallop.

to

you

"There,

I'm very discontented,

I

know; but

you see why."

"To be

sure I do!

I

say, though,

The sandwiches

at that satchel!

you've been

are gone."

West nodded. **

Haven't eaten them, have you?"

"No, they're sewed up I

did

it

in the belt

two nights ago, and I'm

living

of

my

in

hopes that

jacket.

they will not search us again."

"That's

it,

is

it?

Well, I'm glad you

There, keep a good heart; something before long!

that!

happen

sure to

n

"I only hope

it

may; even

evil

than this miserable state of inaction. half- mad.

is

did

would be I

think

better

till I

feel

t)

"Well, thing in the

we won't hope for the way of change, if it's

to Pretoria gaol,"

"Whatl"

evil,

only for some-

only to pay a

visit

AFTER A REST. **Only so as

Norton when

we

wonder whether and-Pink.

Well,

'^What cried

West

is

to

get

get back.

am

It

will

excitedly,

to

give to

interest

old

him.

I

on Master Plump-

blessed T'

the matter?

the end of their

some news

he's keeping his eye -I

175

for

wagon

Are they making a move?" Ingleborough had sprung to

prison to stand looking out.

"Someone has!" cried Ingleborough angrily. **Look here! Why, old Norton must have been asleep."

CHAPTER

XVII.

BAD SHILLINGS ALWAYS COME BACK.

X^ZEST

stepped to his companion's

side,

looked out

between the rough curtains of the wagon, and

saw a group of mounted Boers surrounding a arrived

wagon with

its

long

team of

freshly-

bullocks,

the

black voorlooper at the head and the driver with his

enormous whip on the box. "Well/' said West,

after a sharp glance,

a fresh load of provisions,

I

"Well, of those

all

the

What

suppose!

"Rub your eyes, lad, and look "They don't want rubbing." mounted men who escorted

there's

of it?"

again."

Look

fellows!

*'

the

beyond

there,

wagon

in

— there

where the commandant and the dismounted party arc talking together."

"Yes,

I

do with us? cried

I

don't

—yes,

West excitedly. "Anson it is! I began

blind!"

mean; but what has

see where you I

do.

to

Why,

it's

it

to

Anson!"

think you were going

BAD SHILLINGS ALWAYS COME BACK. "But how strange then.

Look

They have taken him

!

"It doesn't look as

he

if

friendly.

What

"Is

and come

to

has old Norton been about?"

possible?"

it

"Oh,

believe the

I

scoundrel has deserted from the town join the Boers.

us,"

a prisoner," said Ingle-

is

seem too

all

prisoner

him with

here; we're not going to have

borough; "they

177

possible enough,

it's

if

old Norton has been

Rats desert sinking ships 1"

to sleep.

"Kimberley

a

isn't

ship!"

sinking

West

said

indignantly.

know

"I don't is

much about

so

There

that, ladl

a very small force ready to defend

it;

a long

it's

r

way from

help;

and,

swarming down upon it's

so far from

as

from

it

our

we

see here, the all

directions.

and so near

forces

to

enemy

You

is

see,

the Free

State border."

"Ah, there he

give him credit for anything!" said Ingle-

I

"I

borough.

away with

the fighting begins.

away

is

"Well,

West; "and

the Boers

with

buy diamonds.

us as well as

get

wonder

shouldn't

correspondence

slipped

plainly enough, laughing with the

Look, he clapped him on the shoulder!"

commandant! "Yes,

is

But

more than it's

plain

I can't

swag

his

I

As so

if

he

and

is

was

in

ready to

how Norton

sell

he has

likely as not,

as to

full

escape before

can have

let

him

can understand!"

enough that

he's

here!"

help feeling glad that he

is

12

said

not a

"

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

178

had been put with us

prisoner, for if he

come

a

to

Look

quarrel.

treacherous thief

CITY.

here,

we ought

is,

to

it

must have

seeing

what the

denounce him

to the

commandant." "Don*t do anything of the kind! it

What good would

do?" *'But he ^*

is

such a despicable wretch

What's that

I"

you?"

to

'*Ingleborough!

"Oh

know what

you're ready to say;

but

you've got something else to do besides playing

the

yes,

I

virtuous part

of denouncing Master Anson as a dia-

mond-dealer.

Besides, I don't believe the Boers would

think any the less of

"They

him

if

they beheved you.'*

couldn't help believing our evidence!" said

West. ''Nonsense! '*It's

"Not

It

isn't

your business I"

every honest man's business!" cried if

he

is

West hotly.

on Government service with a

des-

patch to dehver in Mafeking," said Ingleborough, with a pecuHar look at his companion.

"Hah!"

cried

West; "you are

right again!

But

oh I"

"Oh, what?"

"Why, he was

present

when we volunteered

to

carry the despatch!"

"To be citedly.

sure, so

he was!" cried Ingleborough ex-

BAD SHILLINGS ALWAYS COME BACK.

"Then

soon as he knows

as

denounce

tured he'll

me

to the

and oh,

bearer of the message,

179

we have been capcommandant as the Ingle, we shall be

searched again!"

was the thoughtful reply; "and you've got

**Yes," it

We

on you.

be no good*

might change jackets, but that would

Could you

"Yes, of course,

in

rip

out of yours?"

it

a few moments."

"Then youM better." "Not now; it's too

We

late.

must wait

for

a

better opportunity." "

"But "No, no,

I tell

you," cried

he's not a prisoner.

and

is

coming

here.

got through the Boer

Look! there can be no doubt about their

Those men, the Boer

side.

mandants and

excitedly; "look,

The scoundrel has recognised us Why, Ingleborough, he's a traitor

No wonder he

rebel.

West

field cornets,

cannot

it;

lines.

he has joined

leaders,

know

the

that he

comis

a

thief."

"But

soon

they

shall!"

answered

Ingleborough

quiet,"

whispered

West; "he's

hoarsely.

"No,

no,

Don't say a

can!" muttered Ingleborough.

"The skunk!

word; wait! I

them and coming

here.

laughing with

"If

keep

It's

my

advice now."

He's sending the blood dancing through

my

must be denounced, and

to

if

he begins

veins!

He

say a word 12*

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

i8o

CITY

about your volunteering to bear the despatch

him have

it

I'll

let

hot and strong,"

''Why, you seem to have completely turned your coat!" said

up

coat too

my

all

— out

"Why him, and

bitterly.

What we have

havel

'*I

stirred

West

But

bile.

wish

I

been saying has

just

could turn your

I

of the wagon."

not?" said West, as a thought occurred to

running

the

to

end

other

of the vehicle,

stripping off his jacket as he did so, he thrust out his

head and called

sentry

the

to

whose duty

was

it

to

guard against any attempt to escape.

''What ''Take

he

it's

it?" said the

my

coat and

man

hang

it

quietly.

on the rocks yonder,"

"I've been sleeping in

said.

and

is

all

fusty

and damp.

night after night,

it

Out yonder,

right in

the sun."

The the

man

request was so simple and reasonable that

nodded, took the jacket, and was turning

to

go away.

"Don't "it*s it

my

let

anyone meddle with

only one, and

I

don't

it,"

said

want a Kaffir

West;

to carry

off."

"He'd

better

not

try I"

said

the

Boer,

with

a

right

away

to

meaning laugh, and he bore the jacket

where the sun was beating hotly upon the rock, where the next minute the garment

"Talk about

me

was spread

having a ready wit

out. in

an emer-

BAD SHILLINGS ALWAYS COME BACK.

Fm

gency!" said Ingleborough merrily; "why, to you,

my

West,

son

I

whispered the young

Who'd ever

way

That's just the

of examining

think

man.

carelessly yonder 1"

"That precious garment lying "Carelessly?

a baby

There: I'm proud of you."

but the risk I"

*'Oh,

i8i

keep

to

safe.

it

coat lying out

the

there?"

"The "The

first

man who

first

rogue, and he'd only feel in the pockets.

goes near it!"

But there's no fear: that sentry would

who first

thing

any

when they come

my

have done with

will

me

to ask

what

I

dark flannel

shirt

they'll

thought they'd have been here,

I

it.

be

jacket."

In that loose,

never think of

thief

"The

could think sol" replied West.

I

"Pooh!

at

That's safe enough!"

tried to steal!

"I wish

fire

though, before now."

They had

to wait

for

some

little

time

for

still,

the Boers had gathered about the new-comer, forming

a

half-circle,

them

gesticulations

earnestly, his

borough, the

evidently to listen while

rightly or

arrangements

garrison

at Kimberley,

and as he spoke nodded,

slapped

make remarks a hearty cheer.

to

defence

the

he was describing

made by

the

which he had so

every

now and

stocks

to

suggesting to Ingle-

wrongly, that

for

Anson talked

British

lately

left;

then the listeners

of their

rifles,

turned to

one another, and gave the speaker

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

i82

you beauty!"

**Oh,

word you say

can't hear a

were close up

Dutch in

growled ;

CITY.

Ingleborough.

Fm

but

**I

as certain as

if I

that you're telling those chuckle- headed

that all they've got to do

and take Kimberley, for

to

is

find

they'll

march

straight

as

easy as

it

kissing their hands.*'

he

**If

them

teUing

is

West

treason," said

right

of the

wagon

the

weak

points

after

bitterly,

down-

it's

a glance out

the direction of the rocks on which

in

lay his jacket. **It's

him up with a

stand

firing

sergeant with a revolver to finish the work quite done," said Ingleborough. drel: he'll isn't it

be getting

sickening?

A

and a

party,

if it

isn't

"The cowardly scoun

his deserts at last

blackguard like

I

though,

I say,

that,

who

doesn't

stop at anything to gain his ends!"

For Anson had finished speaking and the Boers

had closed round him,

patting

him on the back and

pressing forward one after the other to shake his hand,

while he smiled at them in his mildest, blandest way.

After a few more friendly words the ex-clerk began slouching slowly up, principal

men,

prison

wagon

seated

trying

former with

till

followed by half-a-dozen of the

he

close

where West to

look

to

perfectly

Anson

to speak,

when

the

of the

tail

and Ingleborough indifferent,

his heart beating heavily

ing hotly into his cheeks,

leaving

was

and a

but

flush

were the

com-

the Boers stopped short,

listening the while as if they

BAD anticipated

a

ALWAYS COME BACK.

SHILLIlSrGS

amusement from

little

their

183

new

friend

the informer haihng the prisoners in the wain. **

Hullo 1" cried Anson, with one of

—one

tating smiles

sham

that

the

detective

how

some of

let

He

it

"hullo

felt,

West and

virtuous

Ingleborough would

here to join the Boers?

can see

is.

irri-

of the triumph over them he en-

full

joyed and the contempt he thought

most

his

But don't

I

Who'd have

the

enthusiastic

come

have me.

tell

out

know:

I

You've both been bled, and

I

that's

the bounce out of you."

stopped for a

to reply, but as they

moment

for those

both sat looking at him

about,

I

see.

megrims they bleed him

in cool

*'

The Boers know

When

a horse has the

contempt he went on jeeringly

what they're

he insulted

in the

:

ear,

and judging that

same plan would do for a donkey they've bled cocky West there, and bull-headed Ingleborough on the

the skull."

West's face grew of a deeper red, and in

a long deep breath,

understood EngHsh

for

burst

he drew

those of the Boers

into

who

a hearty laugh at this

sally of the renegade's.

"Well, I'm glad of the Boers' laughter as so

much

you wanted, Bully West, and

come I'll

to

continued Anson, taking

it!"

I

approval.

daresay,

now

"It

was

all

that you've

your senses, you'll make a decent Boer. There,

give you a recommendation for a clerkship, for you

do really write a decent hand."

1

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

84

CITV.

**Say thanks," growled Ingleborough, with a sneer

which told of

his

contempt;

plenty of interest.

He

*'he will

come up

has

army's band and give lessons on the

Anson **

started as if

Quiet,

borough; but

man, it

was

no doubt have

to lead the

Boer

flute."

he had been stung.

quiet ["

whispered West to Ingle-

in vain.

CHAPTER

XVIII.

THE RINGING OF THE SHILLING.

"pEOPLE make all

It

what

about them when the blood grows hot.

West had made up

here.

so

w^as

to

blood and forget

their plans in cold

do while

cool,

but acted just

he had cried out against to

his

the

them

to

in his

way, West's cool blood warmed,

supercilious jaunty at

the fashion

in

companion.

For as soon as Anson lounged up

grew hot

mind

his

contemptuous

scoundrel's

look

of

triumph, and at the insult respecting the Boers boiled over.

**How dare you!" he raged distance,

am,

I'll

yell for

you contemptible

or,

prisoner though

give you such a thrashing as shall

I

make you

mercy!"

"Hullo!

Boer

cur,

"Keep your

out.

officers,

"The

What

mean?"

closing up, followed

prisoner

temptuously.

does this

"You

"You know

is

by the

one of the

others.

a bit saucy!" said Anson con-

did not bleed

these

said

him enough!"

two?" asked the

officer.

1

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

86

''Well,

in

different tone. I

was engaged

a way," said Anson, in a haughty,

"They were them

"A

you'll

Insolent bully-

tame them down."

leader nodded.

bit sore at

being taken prisoners!" he said.

West;

*'No," cried

We

But

I

"it

is

the fortune of war,

we made

are Englishmen, and

sir.

a dash to escape

Kimberley, and got through your investing

"To

in-

a pair of underlings where

diamond-mines.

at the

ing fellows, both of

The Boer

CITY.

lines."

carry despatches to the rooineks?"

"Your men searched us and

"No," replied West. found no despatches."

"Messages

then.

You were

going to the British

forces?"

"We

should have joined them after a time, per-

haps," said West, speaking

more

coolly.

"Have them

"He's lying!" said Anson sharply. searched again!"

The Boer commandant nodded, gave the order, and half-a-dozen of his men came forward, after which the prisoners were ordered out of the wagon, and they let

themselves

down,

when

searched from head to heel

they

— of course,

and the Boer chief turned frowningly

the

"They must have wagon then!"

"Two mandant.

of you get

hid the letter

in

were

to

thoroughly

without

result,

Anson.

somewhere about

and search!"

said the

com-

THE RINGING OF THE

SHILLING.

187

men

This was carefully carried out, and the

de-

scended.

"Then they must have destroyed their message before you took them," cried Anson, "or somehow since/' **They were carefully searched as soon

were taken," observed one of the

as they

field-cornets,

"Yes," said the commandant, "and

saw

I

it

done.

Well

Tell

them

that the British are being

and south, and

men who can

their rule is at

ride

and

fight,

swept into the sea east an end.

so

if

I

want brave

they like to join the

Federal forces and do their duty there will be a prosperous time for them.

If

they refuse there will be a

long imprisonment, perhaps something worse."

"Mr. Anson, the renegade, need not trouble himself,

said

sir,"

West

quietly.

"Neither

my

companion

nor I will do as he has done."

"You had

better 1"

a grand chance for you

and the

I.

said

Anson

now your

sneeringly.

"It's

characters are gone

D, detectives are after you."

Ingleborough looked at the speaker sharply; but

Anson made beUeve not to notice "You've no character now, continued coolly.

was trekking

came on and was then

I

it

and went on.

either

"Old Norton came

south, utterly sick of the

he

of you," after

EngUsh

me lot.

as

I

He

had bought diamonds He searched again, and

the old pretext: that I

carrying them

told

off.

him the simple

truth

— that

you two had

1

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

88

CITY.

volunteered to carry despatches so as to get clear off with the swag you had acquired

—

after

accusing me;

me

but he professed not to believe me, and took to

back

but the very next day he started

Kimberley,

off

w

men

with half-a-dozen

you back, and

fetch

to

I

came

M

away "With

the diamonds you had hidden?" said Ingle-

borough sharply. "Perhaps," replied Anson coolly. "So, you see, you

had better

join our party,

would only be

even

for

if

you escaped

it

for the police superintendent to get hold

of you both, and

if

he

you wouldnt*

did,

him such

find

an excellent friend."

"Wants thinking about I" said Ingleborough drily. "But *our' party— 'our'?" "Yes," said Anson coolly. "I've made up my mind

to

belong to the right owners of the country for

a long time past burg, right,

and we're going

Boers at

in

got the gold at Johannes-

and the diamonds at Kimberley are ours by

There was

is

WeVe

this,

a

to

have them."

murmur I

consented to serve the company

such a beggarly position.

about the mining so that

when we of

"And

the

and Anson went on nonchalantly: "That

one reason why

covild

from

of satisfaction

I it

wanted

to

learn

might come

all I

in useful

the Boer party took possession."

then, I suppose," said Ingleborough, "you'll

expect to be manager-in-chief?"

THE RINGING OF THE SHILLING. "Well,

don't go

I

my knowledge

"but, with

mining business, it

my

many

see, there are so

Boer friends

me

Anson;

said

management of

of the

sure

I feel

as that,"

far

advantage to retain

to their

You

so

iSTg

will find

high up on the

things in the

the

way

staff.

of check-

ing losses which I have mastered."

"Stopping the

Of

I

Anson,

replied

"and

noticing the sarcasm;

doubt

I've

apparently

both your ways.

in

we have been bad enough

pass over

that

all

if

you'll

friends;

me

serve

What do you

you did the company.

without

been thinking that no

could put a good thing

course,

selling,

Ingleborough sarcastically.

for instance," said

"Exactly!"

diamond buying and

iUicit

as

but

I'll

faithfully as

say?"

"Say?" cried West.

Hold

"Stop! stopping

him

hard,

character,

"this

short;

We

settled in a minute.

Mr. Anson,

that I'm

is

seeing

Oliver!" cried Ingleborough,

glad are

escaping with the plunder that

"Exactly!" give you you'll

till

said

Anson.

that

All

can't

ilHcit

be

say now,

I

we bear such

a good

diamond-dealers

we haven't got." "Very well, then,

to-morrow night to think

it

over,

I'll

and

soon see which side your bread's buttered."

"Don't stop me, can't stand this.

A

a thing

want time.

we

that

is

I

Ingle,"

must speak.

said

West

and every

"I

This

sharp report from behind the

further words,

hotly.

man made

wagon checked

a rush for this place

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

190

CITY.

or that in full expectation that a sudden

attack had

been made upon the laager within the rocky

At

the

same moment a

and with

his

bounded

ring

walls.

of the blackest type

Kaffir

greased up into the familiar Zulu

hair into

tripped,

sight,

upon

fell

his hands,

sprang up again, ran on, and disappeared, whilst a rush

was made

man who

for the

Anson and

leaving

fired,

the prisoners together.

The next minute West's blood

felt

as

if

was

it

running cold in his veins as he saw, only a few yards

from him and close

had been

to the stone

the

stretched,

upon which

his jacket

slowly re-loading his

sentry

But the coat was gone.

pistol.

West had hard work

to repress a groan. t

"My

orders were to

man

said the

**Well,

"A

surlily,

who was

fire at

anyone

I

saw

and West heard every word.

stealing?" asked one of the officers.

Kaffir," replied the sentry.

"I'd got a jacket

stretched out upon the stones yonder, to the sunshine,

minute,

when

and I

I

only

saw a

took

foot

my

"Nonsense!" cried the

off

it

for a

its

officer;

"

toes

"a

foot

could not

that!'^

"Not do do

eyes

get aired in

up from behind a

rise

stone, grab hold of the coat with

do

stealing,"

it;

and

it

it?" said the

man

excitedly.

was creeping away, when

the black sprang

up and ran."

"Where's the jacket?"

"It I

had

fired,

to

and

THE RINGING OF THE SHILLING. The

officer*s

and he

breast,

was repeated

question

started, for

and

there,

it it

191

woke an echo in West's was just as if the question seemed to be echoed so

loudly that he fancied those near must have heard ''He's got "

Carried

it

it,

it.

suppose," said the sentry coolly.

I

away, and a bullet too somewhere

in

his

carcass."

A

might be

able

to

recover

escaping and delivering

it

the

He his eyes

to

in safety,

however

turned to

At

glance

that

while

how

could

bad

job,

moment

and

his shoulders

who met as much as

you."

I pity

a hand was clapped heavily upon

West's shoulder, and the Boer

who had

so roughly pointed to the wagon, and he

companion was being treated scare being over,

preparing to climb

failed:?

Ingleborough,

at

and then shrugged

in

late;

Kimberley and confess that he had

to say: "It's a

the

succeed

despatch,

the desire to get aw^ay died out, for

he return

at

clung to the hope that he

these words, for he had

now

West

miserably despondent feeling attacked

in,

upon

saw

him

that his

same way,

in the

their

saluted

while,

walking back and

they were called upon to stop.

Naturally the prisoners obeyed, and, turning, they

found the group of Boers in earnest conversation once

more with Anson, who

at the

end of a few minutes

nodded decisively and approached

his

two old

fellow-

thump with

ex-

citement and his eyes gleam, for the despair he

telt

clerks,

making West's heart begin

to

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

192

he had sustained made him ready

at the loss

upon the

fiercely

*'Take

me

CITV.

it

it

enemy who addressed

him.

"Let

calmly!" whispered Ingleborough.

by making a row."

You'll do no good

diplomatise.

*'Take

first

to turn

calmly!" whispered back West, "and at

a time like this!

can't!"

I

"Look here, you two," said Anson coolly. "Let's have no more bones about the matter. These gentlemen

much

say they have too

any

shilly-shallying

You know

ners.

them

to think

about to bother over

on the part of a couple of a good chance,

and I've told

along with me.

Just

it's

you'll both join

priso-

tell

them

out and out you will."

"You West * *

how

miserable renegade,

dare youl" cried

fiercely.

what does

Here,

commandant

mean

'

'

that the

they put on

all

game

this

is

up

all

make-believe.

us,

— so

Boer

at

knowing,

as

to

make

it

as

Kimberley; but

They want

able to say that they were forced to serve,

hedge

the

Anson, with a contemptu-

replied

"They're going to join

ous laugh.

cried

sharply.

"Shamming!" they do,

that

?

to

be

so as to

comfortable with their

all

consciences, as they call them." "It

Hes!

is

false!"

cried

Don't believe him;

West this

— furiously "a

man

is

tissue of

no better than

a miserable contemptible thief!"

"What!" shouted Anson, lowering

the

rifle

he

THE RINGING OF THE SHILLING. carried

193

and taking a step forward with what was

in-

tended to be a fierce aspect.

But he only took one

step, being

checked suddenly

by the action of West, who, regardless of the weapon, sprang at him, and would have wrenched away the rifle

who

had he not been seized by a couple of the Boers, held him

fast.

"Pooh I don't want to shoot Anson contemptuously. *'An I

the wretched cad!"

r

said

minel

He

old fellow-clerk of

He's savage and jealous of

my

position herel

always was an ill-tempered brute 1" **But he says that

commandant

you are a

thiefl" said the

Boer

sternly.

"Pooh! A spiteful man would say anything!" "Look here, sir, I've cried Anson contemptuously. watched the Boer troubles from the first: I've seen how the English have been trying to find an excuse for

the two republics: I

seizing

know how

possession of the great diamond-mines

by a

they got trick ar-

ranged with the surveyors of the boundaries."

There was a low murmur of assent here from the

who had now surrounded him. "Yes," he said, raising his voice, "I knew all the iniquities of the British Government how the EngUsh had seized the diamond-fields, and how they were gathering crowd of Boers

—

trying to get the

broke out

I

gold-mines, and as soon as the

made up my mind

to

join

war

the people

fighting for their hberty." 13

a

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

194

There was a burst of cheering from the few who could follow the speaker, and then a roar as soon as his

words were explained

looked round with

his

to the crowd,

fat

while

Anson

face growing shiny, as he F

beamed upon "Yes,"

his hearers.

said

Boer leader

the

"but

coldly;

this

young man, who knows you, charges you with being a thief."

"All cowardly malice!" cried Anson contemptuously,

and giving

robber?

his

— nonsense.

fingers

Pooh!

I

"A

a snap.

only dealt

in

thief.^

—

and brought

away with me a few of the stones, which were as much mine as theirs. I was not coming away from I said to myself that I'd the enemy empty-handed. spoil the Egyptians as

much

as I could,

There was a shout of delight

and

at this,

I

did."

and one of

the field-cornets gave the speaker a hearty slap on the shoulder.

"Yes,

brought some away," continued Anson,

I

rejoicing fatly in the success of his words; and, raising his voice,

Dutch:

he

said,

"I brought

first

in

English and then in Boer

some away, and

I

wish

I

had

brought more."

There was a fresh and a long-continued roar delight, repeated again

of

and again, giving the speaker

time to collect his thoughts, and as soon as he could gain silence he continued.

"Look

here,"

he said:

"I came and joined the

THE RINGING OK THE

SHILLING.

195 r

Boers because I

believed their cause to be just; and

I

knowing what

said to myself,

the

diamond-mines,

Kimberley the British

have hidden away the stones that

tyrants

belong of right to

the Boers,

been stolen from the earth their

who

the country.

—the

you

British think

are going to believe the

me

You can have to sell is

over,

my

me

go.

let

you what

words of

find.

this

common

lead you to

like,

never

the stones

But

if

you

malicious boy,

thief,

done.

I've

away the war

the few paltry stones I brought

guide into Kimberley! told

land they fought for

you

if

will

be a

to

and pay for

and

have

that

know where

I

are hidden away, and I can,

and consider

stones

the

blood from the savage black scum

and w^on with

what the

soon as

as

first

taken to show the commandants where

is

infested

be the

will

I

do of the secrets of

I

I

did;

bread and meat

want

I don't

nothing to

It's

what

and

is

till

to act as your

me!

more,

I

I'd

have do

it

again!"

"Yes," said Ingleborough, as he sat

holding

his

hand

in

to

a whisper to West,

his

injured

head: "I

beHeve him there."

West nodded, and Anson being led away Boers; but the

the

triumph

in

minute

they

saw

by a crowd of

commandant, with half-a-dozen more and the man who had

who seemed

to

fended them

when they were

by the

next

be

officers,

de-

captured, remained close

prisoners, talking together. 13*

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

196

Soon

the

after,

commandant approached them,

who

glanced at Ingleborough, pain,

and then turned

lay back,

evidently in

" You

heard what

West

to

:

your old friend said?" '*Yes," replied West.

true?"

all

is

*'It

West

*'His base confession is," said

man

is

a detected

**The

boldly.

diamond-dealer."

illicit

*'He only bought what the British wrongly claimed!" said

Boer warmly.

the

make laws

'

'

What

had

right

forbidding people to buy what

they

was

to

freely

given up by the earth for the benefit of all?" of no use for

**It is

ter!" said

and you

West

for

our

should,

I

There,

we

Hberties,

and manly.

**I

to argue about the matshall never convince you,

never convince me."

will

'*Oh yes, senses!

coolly.

me

Why

West looked the while that the

after

you had come to your

men

are not brutes, only

and

I

like you,

for

not join our cause? the Boer

full

man spoke

in all

you are brave It

in the

fighting

is

just."

eyes, thinking

sincerity

and be-

Hef that his cause was right. **Well,

what do you say?"

cried the Boer.

West tightened his lips and shook his head. The Boer frowned and turned to Ingleborough. "Well," he repent. trust

Prove

among

said, faithful,

us!"

*'you join us,

and you

will

and you

will not

gain a place oi

THE RINGING OF THE SHILLING. West

197

listened for his comrade*s reply.

*'0h, I can't join without him," said Ingleborough, *'He's master,

and I'm only man!"

'*Then he was bearer of the despatch

man Anson

—what

that

was true?"

said

'*Oh yes, that part of his story was true enough." ''That you were despatch-riders

Mafeking

— you

"Quite

two?

on the way

to

}7

right."

"And you two had been

diamond-dealers,

and

brought away a quantity?" "Just as many, as

you could put

in

we schoolboys used

to say, as

your eye with the point of a needle.

Anson was putting his own case. All we brought away was the despatch." "Then where is it?" said the Boer sharply. "I don't know; I was not the bearer," said IngleAll a

lie!

borough

quietly.

"But you know where aI

— do— not,"

"Then you have

sent

it

*'No," said Ingleborough.

do

is

failed,

to

and

go back

now?"

said Ingleborough firmly.

not the slightest idea where

we have

is

it

if

to

you

it

"I have

is!"

on by someone else?" "There, you know that

set us at liberty, all

we can

Kimberley and say what has

happened."

"You

will

not go back to Kimberley," said the

Boer, speaking with his eyes half closed, *'and

if

you

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

198

did

it

mond it

would only be City

will

in

is

to

go

a few

days

be

and

ours.

your wagon, and spend the time for

you

again.

The choice

position with us, or a long

prison,

into

closely besieged,

is

CITV.

if

not already taken

There, in

for the Dia-

go back to

thinking

before

you

till

—a

I

send

good

imprisonment before you

are turned out of the country."

He

pointed towards their temporary place of con-

finement,

and then turned away, while a couple of

the Boers

marched them

in the sentry's

charge.

to the

wagon and

left

them

CHAPTER

XIX,

THE SKV CLEARS.

/"^NCE more

the wagon, one ox a pair of despon-

in

dent prisoners, hot in temper as well as in per-

son with the excitement of what he had so lately gone

West

through,

cast himself

to groan, while his

sat

down "If

down upon

the floor ready

more experienced, harder comrade

cross-legged to think.

I

only

knew where

the coat was!" said West,

with a groan.

''Hah!"

gone

for

sighed

was one

That Kaffir

ever!

slave-like servants, of course, or

camp; and

in the

"Fm

Ingleborough.

after the

afraid

it's

of the Boers'

he wouldn't have been

attempt

at theft,

if

he was

not too badly wounded, he would bolt right off for his

own

people.

It's

a sad business, old lad: but

think you need fear that

it

will

fall

into

don't

I

the

Boers' 4

hands."

"No,

I

don't fear that!" replied

the misery and I

did so "

mean

Hah!

shame of the to

West.

"But

failure that worries

it

is

me!

succeed!"

Yes,"

sighed

Ingleborough

again;

"but

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

20O

someone

said

mortals to

— hang

command

me

CITY.

know who!

if I

''Tis not in

You're only a mortal, old

success/

and you must make the best of

fellow,

—

it.'*

West, groaned.

out a

hard;

horribly

"It's

way

as I

just, too,

had hatched

of escape," continued Ingleborough.

"I don't want to escape now."

You

"What?

mean

don't

Boers as

to join the

old Fat Face suggested?"

"Why

not?" said West dismally.

"I dare not go

back to Kimberley."

"You

daren't turn

to your country, and,

traitor

down

though you

feel

go back

Kimberley and walk

to

right

in

straight to the

mandant and speak out

like

my

dismally I'"

best, sir;

"Ahl"

"And lad; but

fashion there

by

he would reply: *Well,

*I

did

a bad job,

my

saying:

it's

the fortune of war.'"

held out his his friend in

was a warm

"Bravo, boy!

You

I failed

a man,

Com-

sighed West.

it's

West

but

you dare

the dumps,

hand

as

he sat there

tailor-

the bottom of the wagon, and

grip exchanged.

You're coming round!

I

knew

it.

only wanted time."

"Thank

you, Ingle!

Now

then,

what was your

idea of escaping?"

"Oh, a very simple one, but as to

fail."

as likely to succeed

THE SKY CLEARS.

me

''Tell

once!

at

It

201

keep

will

me

from

think-

ing about that miserable despatch."

"And

the jacket

we

to stop,

will

I

have to take

mine when the cold nights come,

turn and turn with

unless

You and

1

pretend to lovely Anson that

we

are going

and ask him to get you a fresh covering

for

your chest and back."

none of

**0h,

subterfuges.

bear

lying

Fd sooner bear the cold of the

bitter

Ingle

that,

I

can't

I

nights."

"Don't use big words, lad!

Say dodge

—a

our ponies away

to

What

them and

"Oh

still

You

of that?

tethered to the wheel Of that It

would be impossible

ride out unchallenged.

is

plan!

)T

no: not

"What

my

I

some reason they have not taken

for

"Yes, they are

wagon.

But about

war dodge.

have noticed that

Subterfuge, indeed

to get

11

my way!"

your way?" said West excitedly.

"Last night was dark as pitch."

"Yes; but there are double

"With sharp eyes

lines

of sentries about."

too; but there

was a commando

rode out, evidently to patrol the country and look out for our people."

"Yes;

"And I

I I

heard them ride away."

heard them come back at daybreak; but

was too lazy

to get up."

"I don't see what you are aiming at," said

West

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

202

you have some good idea

wearily; **but I suppose I

hope a plausible one." *'I

think

it

old lad," said Ingleborough, speak-

is,

now in a low whisper. mando musters after dark ing

go

will

we had

Suppose when that com-

— am supposing to-night — suppose,

out again

musters

*'

that

I

when

say,

I

one it

wagon and crawled

crept out of the

where our ponies are tethered?"

as far as that one

West's hand stole forward

grip his comrade's

to

knee, *'Ah, you're beginning to

borough.

**Then, as I

my

have

knife,

suppose

I

we mounted."

cut the reims and

"And

still

grasp it!" said Ingle-

joined the muster?" said West, in a hoarse

whisper.

roll-call

and

men answering

a dragoon troop, with

''It isn't

from the

telling off in fours

right."

'*No, just a

crowd!" said West excitedly.

''Exactly!

There's

one

only

the

reason

why we

shouldn't succeed."

"What's that?"

"We

don't look rough and blackguardly enough."

"Oh,

Ingle, I quite grasp

"I've been quite last

minute

what

will

— that

aware of

that,

and something

else.

old lad, for the I

have happened when the war

at present I don't I

now!"

it

didn't think

wear a wooden

leg.

don't is

Oh,

know

over, but

my

your fingers were made of bone."

knee!

!

THE SKV CLEARS. ''I

beg your pardon, old fellow!"

"Don't name

much energy

it,

Why, your

"Or

we must

the

"Why

first

didn't

my

say vicious

try

powers

— grip

try

it

ot

without

your strength on Anson

would almost go through

fingers

Ingle,

— or

Next time

holloaing out.

very glad you have so

and proud of

you,

in

Tm

lad!

enduring such a vice-like

'*

20-. J

his fat."

to-night."

opportunity."

you think of that before we

lost the

despatch?"

"Hah! Why didn't I? Suppose it didn't come!" West rose and crept to the end of the wagon and looked out.

"The

ponies

are

there,"

still

he whispered, and

then he started violently, for a voice at the other end

of the wagon cried:

West

turned,

that the man must a T' I'm just off

"Hallo, you two!"

with

sinking,

sentry!"

the Boer

As soon

went and had a good look for him

much

convinced

have heard.

and not hurt him much.

so

heart

said

good-hu-

"I must have shaved that Kaffir somewhere

mouredly.

I

his

as I ;

was relieved

but there wasn't

as a drop of blood."

West "Lucky

for

"But

made

I

him!" said Ingleborough,

the Boer, laughing;

he sent

it

the beggar drop

in

Dutch.

the jacket," said

and, to the delight of the prisoners,

flying into the

wagon.

A BASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

204

That was

and the sentry strode away,

all,

just as

West bounded upon the recovered garment like a upon its prey. "Say bless him!" whispered Ingleborough. "Oh, Ingle!" groaned

his

companion,

in

tiger

a chok-

ing voice: "I can feel the despatch quite safe."

"Hah!"

"And fate

ejaculated Ingleborough,

such a

little

and the very hour

"And

very

Ingleborough,

while ago I

I

was ready

to curse

was born!"

wrong of you

too,

my

son I"

said

which betrayed some emotion.

in tones

"Cursing's a very bad habit, and only belongs to times

when wicked indulged in

old

it

men

upon

lived in old-fashioned plays and

all

kinds of occasions,

especially

when they had sons and daughters who wanted marry somebody else." "Oh, Ingle! Oh, Ingle! The sky doesn't look

to

so

covered with black clouds now."

"By no means, my lad! I can see enough blue sky to make a Dutchman a pair of breeches for Dutchman let's say Boer. I say, what do you say to

—

going out on patrol to-night?"

"Yes, yes, of course!

"Nor no use if

we

bandoliers,

to think

said

we

and

But we have no guns!" that's a fact!

of getting our

own back

Well,

it's

ot

again, even

repented and meant to join the Boers

at once."

"They wouldn't

trust

us!"

THE SKY CLEARS. Fools

*'Too sliml

"Then

is

it

would notice

they did!"

hopeless "

West.

said

I

**

Someone

once!"

at

it

if

205

"Yes," said Ingleborough, ''and those were beauti-

But look here:

ful rifles too.

of the

only you

difficulty,

mustn't

"I

a diplomatic

tell

stand

can't

"And you

out

One

so scrupulous.

are

an

outrageous

said West,

pulling

even

lie,

down

his

are so horribly honest!"

this

—what

"I meant that dark, and crept

—

^just like

diamonds.

illicit

But why

do you mean?" have risked

I'd

away

"I have not, as Anson

bitterly.

declared, been busy buying

Mausers

way

on.

it

"Yes," said West

do you say

see a

fib."

telling

under stern necessity!" jacket after putting

could

I

as soon as

it

was

couple of the Boers'

to steal a

a cat

it

— mouser

after

Mauser

—

I say,

what a horrible joke!"

West was silent. "They say they're splendid be a

terrible

theft,

because

I

pieces;

but

it

would

should take the bando-

liers too."

West was "I say, gently: that

still

lad,"

"you

whispered

Ingleborough,

couldn't object to

would be used

"How

silent.

to kill our

my

laughing

stealing the rifles

men."

would you manage?" whispered West.

"Hahl" sighed Ingleborough,

relieving

his breast

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

2o6

CITY.

of a long pent-up breath, as he looked up at the archedin wagon-tilt: I

"this fellow's

very nearly as wicked as

am."

"Don't

— don't

too serious.

How

joke!" said West:

By

me!

the way,

and have a good nap, I

don't think there

'oining the

"Not

is

would you manage?"

"Never you mind, old Very that to

"the matter

though, before

in case I

Leave

Particular! I

down

lie

should be out

all night,

the sHghtest probability of our

is

do you?"

Boer

forces,

the

slightest!"

West

answered

drily,

"There'll be plenty of traitors to their country with-

out us!"

Five

minutes

troubled him

Ingleborough,

more than he owned

West

soundly, leaving spects

later

to,

glancing out and across the laager to the ponies had not been

the time

across

when

in the

his

wagon

Boers must be

was sleeping

moved, well

now and make sure

mad

then that

as well as to fix the

in

his

mind ready

comrade and he would be

dark,

head

thinking deeply over the pro-

of a daring escape, and every

position of every

whose

and thinking

at

times

to leave their prisoners'

for

stealing

that

the

mounts

tethered in sight of their temporary prison.

"But

they're altogether

mad!" he mused, "or

they

would never have dared to defy the power of Eng land in the

way

they have done I"

This thought had hardly passed through his mind

THE SKV CLEARS.

207

when he saw a group of the laager

by the prison wagon, each with a couple of bandoHers crossbelt-fashion over slung,

making

for the

breast,

his

well-filled

and

rifle

range forming one side of the

They broke up

laager.

come

occupants

s

into twos

and

threes,

and as

they approached they unslung their weapons and took cartridge-belts

their

off

place

to

wagon-tilts, while they settled

before having a ''Just

come

men and

to

prepare a meal

rest.

thought the prisoner, and,

off duty!"

with his heart beating the

down

them beneath the

he sat watching two of

fast,

then gazing hard at the nearest wagon,

piercing in imagination the thick canvas covering spread

over the arching-in hoops, and seeing, as he beheved, exactly where two Mauser liers

had been

"Why,

rifles

laid.

if

it

were

dark,''

creep out and secure those two sible

—

if

he thought, rifles

"I could

as easily as pos-

they were not taken away!"

West's face turned the heat of the sun sultry

and the Boers' bando-

air

scarlet,

upon the

which passed

in

and

it

was not from

wagon-tilt, nor

from the

from one end and out

at

the other.

He drew borough

to

a deep breath and

tell

moved towards

Ingle-

him of the burning thoughts within

him; but his comrade was sleeping so peacefully that

he shrank from awakening him, "He'll want

all

his strength!"

thought West, and

— A DASH FROM DIAMOND

2oS

then he

wondering whether or not they would

to

fell

CITV.

succeed.

The plan was

so wonderfully simple that

seemed

it

very possible, but

many

Yes, there were so

way.

The

would

hitch

slightest

spoil

would be detected and subjected usage, even

if

they were

and

his

hand

his

was worth

it

where he

off

he did so he menriding through

and waiting

enemy

an op-

for

by

surprise

and away and well

into the

taking the

off,

would be

as

companion

with the Boers,

portunity to dash that they

But

stole to the part of his jacket

saw himself and

the darkness

and they

all,

heart began to beat faster,

had hidden the despatch, and tally

in the

the roughest of

to

not shot.

the risk, and the thinker's

up

**buts" rising

so

gloom before they could be followed.

Once

well mounted, with the open

them, and the darkness for their

would go hard

if

friend,

veldt before

he

felt

that

it

they did not escape.

He had come

to

this

point,

and was

full

of a

wild exhilaration, feeling at heart that the venture only

wanted the dash with which they would infuse

it,

when

was taken up by seeing the Boer leader with about half-a-dozen of his field-cornets pass by the open

his attention

end of the tent and cross the laager.

He at

once

watched them with some anxiety, and then his

of despair,

all

heart began to sink with a sudden attack for

two of the party went

off in

front,

THE SKY CLEARS.

209

unfastened the reims by which the two Basuto ponies

were tethered

to

the wagon-wheels, and led

where the Boer leader and the to putting the their

to

test

in

view.

A

Httle

powers

rest

had

them

halted, prior

animals through their paces as in

castle in the air

to

connection with some

if

object

dashed down into nothingness,

and he uttered a low groan, which made Ingleborough start

up with a wondering look

in his eyes.

14

CHAPTER XX, now TO *^T^ 7 HAT'S wrong?"

ESCAPE.

said Ingleborough, in a whisper.

*'Look out at the bottom of the wagon,"

was West's

reply.

Ingleborough rose to

knees, and at a glance

his

grasped the meaning of his companion's troubled look. *'

use,

Going

eh?"

he

haven't done

said

it

horses about!

couple of

adopt our

to

rifles

''Well,

coolly.

What

worries

me

is

how I'm

and the ammunition.

cock-a-hoop about that

when

wonder

I

I

I

all their

get a

to

talked to you, for these if

they loved

hearts."

West

smiled.

"Oh,

don't do that because I said cuddled."

"I smiled because

I

see the

way

to get a

We what he had noted.

they

was rather too

beloved Dutch cuddle up their pieces as

them with

own

There are plenty more

Bah!

before!

Basutos for their

little

couple

;

HOW TO "Then

there's

somehow or sing

I'd whistle

Here,

;uns.

that

pain in

Now

bit

my

head which

all

away

the

miserable

my

do with

to

lad,

right,

keep on having since

I

what are they going

then,

were not afraid

if I

of sleep has taken

the

you'll get

if

We're

of taking the sentry's attention.

and

211

reason for you to look glum,

no

couple of horses

ril get a

ESCAPE.

fall.

those

ponies?" Sitting well back,

the

prisoners watched

all

that

and saw the ponies mounted and put through

went

on,

their

paces by a couple of big Boers of the regular

heavy, squat, Dutch build.

"Bahl What a shame!" whispered Ingleborough murdering the poor

**it's

for the Society

for

regular case

the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani-

Those fellows want

mals.

A

nags.

httle

a couple of dray-horses to

carrv them." **Yes,

and they've found

it

out," said

West

softly.

For as they looked on they saw the two Boers pull

up

after a canter

the laager,

up and down the

and then drop clumsily

that the ponies

off,

full

length of

with the result

spread out their legs and indulged

in

a good shake which nearly dislodged their saddles.

Then a couple more of little

the onlookers

tried

the

mounts, but stopped after one trot up and down,

and a general conversation ensued, ponies place,

being

led off

and

tied

making West's heart beat

resulting

in

same

up again

in the

as fast

as if he 14*

the

had

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

212

been running hard, while

down a

for,

same

the time he tried to crush

all

feeling of elation, lest he should be premature

and be met with a fresh disappoint-

in his hopefulness

ment,

CITV.

though he saw the reims fastened

the

in

was plenty of time before dark

places, there

for

the ponies to be removed. Just then their examination of the Boers' proceed-

was brought

ings

an end by one of

to

their captors

bringing the roughly-prepared portion of food that was

served out to them every day.

was rough, but good of

It

seemed

Hke to

to

who,

prisoners,

live well,

at a

its

kind,

for the

and they did not

word from Ingleborough,

Boers

stint their fell to

at

once. or no appetite,

**Appetite

"We may

said.

need

shall

all

have

to

eat

all

you can," he

work very hard

to-night,

and

our strength."

There was a

fair

amount

left

after they

had done,

r

and

this

was

carefully tied

them

if

there

was nothing more

to

and they

sat

up ready

they were successful

that

for

taking with

night.

After this

be done but to wait

till

t

darkness sentry

fell,

was again changed, when the

the wagon, to

them

back watching

cHmb

in,

fresh

while the

man

visited

look carefully round, and eye

suspiciously before returning to his post.

"Does

that

fellow suspect anything?" whispered

West. "

Of

course; but nothing fresh.

He comes

on duty

HOW TO under the

we

can,

ESCAPE.

we mean

impression that

full

and he

feels that if

to send a bullet

21^ o

we

attempt

through each of

us.

How

Anson!

Not coming here,

**No:

"I'm sure of

is

is

that

we

are

There goes do

I say, Ingle,

diamonds with him?"

illicit

He

it!

he?

duty

5)

own wagon!

going to his

you think he has any

could not, according to his

have come away without robbing the company

nature,

somehow.

wagon!

I

wish

only

I

He

should you search

"Not

I

had the searching of

his

suppose Norton did not have a chance!"

"Yes, look!

"But

But look!

could he?

his

it

if

n

"Then you don't think he suspects going to make an attempt to-night?" *ToohI

escape

to

Where

has gone to his wagon.

you had the chance?"

if

quite sure yet!"

don't talk to me.

said Ingleborough

want

I

to think of

gruffly.

something

better than diamonds."

"You mean "That's

want

to

liberty?"

right.

And

make any more

now, once for plans:

has to do, and as soon as

it

is

"No," said West gravely; until I

have managed

"Well, yes;

But

I

say,

I

wouldn't

to the horses,

we

don't

each knows what he dark he has to do

"your part must wait

in too great a hurry.

be better for us to go together

and hide by them or under them

the Boers muster?"

it."

to get the rifles."

must not be it

all,

till

"

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

214

''But suppose the sentry takes

come and examine

CITY.

it

into

his

head

to

the wagon, and gives the alarm?"

*'0h, don't suppose anything!" said Ingleborough

*'\Ve must chance a good deal and leave

impatiently.

the rest to luck/'

West nodded, and

fixed his eyes

upon the wagon

he had previously singled out, noticing that the Boers

who occupied

it

were lying

right beneath,

sleeping,

each with a rolled-up blanket for a rug.

A come

little

later

he saw a big heavy-looking Kaffir

up, look underneath at the sleepers, and then go

off for

down upon his chest, him so as to make a resting-

a short distance, to

doubling his arms before

lie

place for his forehead, and lying so perfectly motion-

became evident that he also was asleep. The evening was closing in fast now, and the men began to move about more as if making preparations less that

for

it

some excursion which they had "That looks well!"

said Insjleborough.

going to be some movement half-an-hour ago that to put off our

I

in view.

All was so

to-night.

began

to think

"There's

we

still

should have

attempt"

"Oh, don't say that!" said

West

"

We

7//?/^/

go

!

Further conversation w^as checked by the coming

of the sentry to look in upon them, scowling heavily before he slouched away.

Ten minutes increasing so

fast

or so later the darkness began to that within

fall,

half-an-hour the laager

HOW TO

ESCAPE.

would have been quite black

of the darkness,

there;

to

but,

wagons

hum

the busy

like

spite

in

grow more

a buzz of conversation seeming to

mated, the

had not been for a

if it

wagon here and the camp began

a

lantern inside

215

ani-

from

rise

of the insects outside.

All at once, as Ingleborough was going to draw

companion's attention to

his

along his arm

steal

withdrawn,

a

hstener

that he

felt

"Good whether

grip

to

very

faint

was

this

he'll

rustling

followed,

of

stealth}^

it

it

was

and

the

*'I

wonder

succeed?" forward, he seemed to strain his

little

struck

steps

him

was absurd,

till

that he heard the soft sound

approaching from the

the wagon, and, creeping towards the

other

end of

sounds, he

more than heard two men approaching, and his

a hand

alone.

ears to Hsten, though he felt that this

once

Then

hand.

his

felt

luck go with him!" he muttered.

Leaning a

all at

he

fact,

felt

as he got

head over the wagon-box he heard a whisper. *'Anson and the sentry

spy,

come

to

find out

was Anson's whisper! a lantern and finds

He

paused

for

me a

["

he said

to himself.

whether we're

Yes, that

safe.

Then we're done

"The

if

he brings

alone."

moment

or two,

asking himself

what he should do; and then the idea came. Subsiding

gave

into

his thigh a

a reclining

position,

he suddenly

sharp slap and started as

had roused him up.

if

the blow

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

2i6

CITV.

*'Don't go to sleep, stupid!" he said aloud.

Oh

can't sleep all these awful long nights!

precious dull work.

this is

and a box of dominoes!

box

dear me,

we had

wish

I

*'One

a

lantern

wonder whether there

I

is

a

in the laager?"

'^Bother!" he said, in a low smothered tone, with his I

hands covering

his

face.

*'I

wish you wouldn't!

was dreaming about old Anson and

ten

thousand

aboard

pounds' worth

of diamonds

in

got

a bag

wagon."

his

"Like

enough!"

continued Ingleborough,

*'Ha, ha, ha!" he laughed.

natural voice,

*'How?" he

said,

"How?

tell

I'll

in

his

"I should

the smothered sleepy voice.

you how

it

Find out where

had got them.

in

beggar out!"

like to serve the

laager,

that he'd

and then wait

till

might be done his

wagon

is

if

in

he the

the sentry's asleep, and crawl

out of this thing, and nobble the lot."

"Rubbish!"

"Not it! We could get them easily enough and Nobody would suspect us! bring them back here. But there would be no getting them away! I say, are you asleep again

}

i

"No," said West you?

Are you

come

in,

He

quietly.

someone

got no farther, his

What's the matter with

talking in your sleep?

thinking

hand over

"

I

was

afraid to

w^as with

for

Ingleborough

mouth and continued.

clapped a

HOW TO '*

Heigho

What bosh one

!

diamond

there wasn't a blessed

He removed some reason

"Why? fighting thing, It

is

West

much about the -Hullo! how you was

does talk

in the

wagon and

This

they cause!

startled

he was horribly

:

"Why?"

diamond-fields as any-

spoiled, for there

the end of the

wish

I

!

world 1"

said quietly:

lot of trouble

as

quite true

217

hand, and feeling that there w^as

for all this,

that their plan at

his

See what a

and

was

ESCAPE.

me?" startled, feeling

was a

faint

sound

the door of a lantern

was suddenly opened, throwing the

light

within,

and

giving the prisoners a glance of the sentry's and Anson's r

faces looking

in.

own

"All right?" said the sentry, in his

"Oh

yes,

look here:

We

all

right!" replied Ingleborough;

you might as well leave us

won't set

tongue.

fire to

"but

that lantern!

the bed-curtains, I promise you!"

"No," said the Boer, and with a chuckle he closed the

door of the lantern

to his

and walked whistling away

companion.

"Anson!"

said West, with his lips close to Ingle-

borough's ear.

How

me! I didn't hear you come! I was keeping up a sham conversation, for they were steahng down upon us to catch "Yes: the fox!

us on the hop! to turn

You

you

failed, then, or

back?"

"Neither:

I

startled

succeeded!"

were you obliged

A DASH FROM DIAMO!«^D CITY.

2i8

What? You

iC

the rifles?"

o-ot

"Yes." *'Then they must have seen them when the

was thrown

light

in!"

'*No/' said

West

quietly; "they are outside, lean-

ing against the near hind wheel."

"West, did

seems too good

lad, this

be

to

How

true.

you manage?" "Easily enough.

the one

had marked down one wagon

pointed out to you while

I

as soon as

I

it

dropped down from here

I

hands and knees to crawl towards a short distance

was I

light

— and

went on

my

You know what

it.

was, and by going very slowly

it

passed two others where the Boers were

I

sitting outside

This was easy enough, for they were so much

talking.

interested in their conversation that they took no notice

of any noise

"And aI

I

made."

they couldn't see you?"

couldn't

see

West;

them," replied

"so,

of

course, thev did not see me."

"Go

on."

"I did," said West, "and then

wagon faced

over, for the next

and

I

w^as

hanging

saw^

what

I

in front

a dull path of light

stopped, for I

1

had

must be seen,"

I

in

thought

it

was

all

another direction,

had not seen before

—a

over the driver's box, and forward on the

to cross that path,

ground,

and

I

lantern it

sent

and

felt

I

that

HOW TO

ESCAPE.

219

'*Tut-tut-tut!" clicked Ingleborough.

''But after a few

my

moments

drab brown jacket was

mined

to risk

I

how much

recollected

like the

and

soil,

I deter-

it."

'*And crawled on?" *'

my

on

my

Yes, but not on

toes.

was

light,

but

did

it

lay

my

flat

hands

was only about a dozen yards where

It

it

seemed

"Never mind

"You

I

worked myself along upon

chest and

and

hands and knees.

it

like a mile."

that! " said

Ingleborough impatiently

unheard?"

"Yes; but a

moved when

man

was half

I

across,

was searching

spring up, thinking that he

"Phew!"

wagon suddenly and I was about to

in the

sitting

for his rifle."

whistled Ingleborough softly.

"It w^as well I did not; for directly after, to save

getting

up and opening

a match, to

be

and as

shot, the

instead

I

lay perfectly

rifle

strong coarse tobacco, and

cocked I felt

I

to be

some time before

"That you "Well,

it

didn't, for

seemed an

I

expecting

lit

up,

and

smelt a whiff of

that I

"Go on and get it over!" whispered "You are making my hands feel wet." "I lay

Boer struck

fully

still,

whole place seemed

of hearing a

the

lantern,

his

was

safe."

Ingleborough.

dared to move."

you weren't gone long." hour to

me:

and then

I

crept on and out of the light into the black darkness again, rose to

my

hands and knees, wondering whether

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

220

I

was going

my

and the next minute

right,

wagon-wheel, and

softly against a

CITV.

knew

I

hand rubbed I

was

right."

Bravo!" whispered Ingleborough.

*'

"I rose up directly, and began to feel about carefully for the

to

rise

came to

my

for fear

I felt

it

was impossible

for it?"

my

**No: I waited to get

had been running.

breath,

But as soon as

heart gave a jump, for

of a

rifle

and

was

for I

went on feeling along the edge of the

my

to

of being heard."

"But you made a dash as if I

seemed

heart

mouth, for from under the wagon there

a dull deep snoring, and

do more

my

and once more

tilt,

my hand

just

could

I

I

and then

tilt,

touched the barrel

directly after that of another."

"Hurrah!" panted out Ingleborough, and West went

on.

"I began to draw the

soon as

and

I

I felt

did, to

that

my

if I

But

as

but,

horror the other began to move,

kept on the second one would

and wake the sleeping Boers.

my

towards me,

first

So

I

fall

reached up with

other hand, got well hold, and drew both together. it

readily,

and as

was

terrible

work,

for they

would not come

because the bandoliers were hanging I

pulled

I fully

But by

for

lifting

at last got the

them,

expected that something would

catch and discharge one of the pieces,

whole laager

to

certain,

even

if

it

out,

alarm the

did not

and easing and turning the two pieces nearly

to

kill

rifles

me.

over

when they

I

sud-

HOW TO denly seemed to be held ally getting

and

fast,

221

stood there gradu-

I

drenched with perspiration."

"Why, theml"

ESCAPE.

the

edge of the

must have caught

tilt

said Ingleborough excitedly.

**Yes, that's

turning

what

found to be the case, and by

I

them over again they came

standing by the wheel with what

and

free,

was

I

we wanted."

*'Hah!" sighed Ingleborough.

even then

''But

had a

I

chill,

the

for

snoring

ceased and the sleeper began to mutter, taking strength out of me,

I

till

that

felt

beneath the wagon should rouse through the darkness "

if I

So you slung the

shoulders,

was

even

up

the

he or they

if

could

I

all

escape

quick."

and bandoliers over your

rifles

went down on your hands and knees, and

crept back?"

"No, and that so

I

I did not. I

had better

I

felt

trust

that there

to the

just shouldered the pieces

was not

darkness to escape,

and stepped out boldly

walking across the broad path of

light."

"Good; but you should have struck right,

so as to get

where

"I thought of that,"

it

off to

would be more

said

time,

West

feeble."

"but

quickly;

dared not, for fear of missing our wagon.

your

So

I

I

walked

boldly on, and almost ran against a Boer." "Tut-tut- tut!

"No: he

Did he stop you?"

just said:

and passed on."

*Mind where you are coming!'

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

222

"Well?" "That's

CITY.

said Ingleborough. I

all.

and stood the

rifles

marched along

up before venturing

you were talking

I fancied that

to the

in

wagon here

to get in,

for

your sleep and would w

bring the sentry upon us.

and

I

don't

"Pooh! begun!

There,

I've

want such another job as

feel

to

me how

will be!

cool pluck, and

little

"Very well!"

said

only just

encouraged, for you have

learned and taught Just a

that."

The game has

Nonsense, lad!

You ought

got the arms,

easy the rest of our job

we

"Tm

West.

shall succeed!"

ready!

What

next?"

"We

must

commando on

lie

the

down and stir,

"Yes," said West

wait

till

we

and then softly;

"Let's wait and see!"

"and then?"

hear

the

:

CHAPTER

XXI.

WHO

EVERYTHING COMES TO THE MAN

T^/HAT

seemed

everything quite

panion, night.

couple of the weariest hours

had ever passed went slowly by, with

they

who was

like a

in

still

the laager;

lying on his back, side

whispered:

We

WAITS.

*'

by

and

at last

West,

side with his

com-

They're not going on patrol

must creep out and escape on

to-

foot."

"Without knowing the way through the entrance

among

the rocks,

and with dozens of

sentries about?

Can't be done!" **PstI" whispered

West,

for his

quick hearing had

detected the approach of someone,

and

a hght was flashed in under the

a

tilt,

little

followed after the dull rays were shut

more there was ing

The pair to move

**Two

directly after

off,

whispering

and once

silence.

lay a

or

good

five

minutes without attempt

and then West

speak,

whispered

sentries."

"No: one and Fathead."

"How

do you know?

should see the gleam of

I

my

daren't look, for fear they

eyes."

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

224 ((

CITY.

could smell him."

I

"Scented

— out

"Yes;

believe he'd put

I

kerchief and

here?"

some

some pomatum on

scent on his handhair

his

even

if

he

F

were going ii

the

to

Hist!

be shot."

Listen,"

said

West

stir."

Ingleborough

started

giving an order, and

been thrust

into a

it

up,

was

our time

as

if

plunge.

the

me!" West

It

a stick had suddenly

beehive and stirred round.

Take a long deep

I

a voice was heard

for

"Right!" said Ingleborough,

to

will

be

instinctively

all

a low tone.

in

breath, right

if

like a reflection

his

and

of old boyish days

"Now's

make

let's

you keep close

drew a long

thinking of his companion's advice,

up

"they're on

quickly;

breath

for

it

without

was

to

him

when he summoned

courage to take a plunge into deep water while

wanting

faith in his

powers as a swimmer.

But

it

was

only the making of the plunge.

Following Ingleborough, he dropped off the end of the wagon, boldly led him to the in the

each,

on

darkness they slipped crossbelt fashion,

their

broad

felt

on

the

slung their

hats well

rifles,

and together

bandoliers,

two

behind,

put

rifles

down over

their

eyes,

and then, imitating the Boer's heavy slouching walk, they hurried on through the laager in the direction of the horses.

"

EVERYTHIXG COMES TO THE MAN was,

It

possible, darker than

if

passed several Boers, quite half of

WAITS.

and they

ever,

whom

225

were leading

and one of them startled and encouraged them

horses,

by growling out

my

WHO

Dutch:

in

"Now^ then

— look

sharp,

lads!

*'We

whispered Ingleborough, as soon as

will!"

they had passed on; '*but oh,

if

gone!"

the ponies are

knew that they were still as they had seen them last, w^hile a little end of the empty wagon brought busy

In another minute they safely tethered

search

hands "

the

at in

contact with their saddles and bridles.

Oh,

borough, recognised petted,

mere

it's

as

they

whispered

Ingle-

hurried back to the ponies,

which

child's

play " 1

voices and readily

their

yielded to being

saddles were clapped

standing firm while the

on and they were girthed.

"Ready?" *'Yes. is

said West.

Shall

we

lead them

to

w^here

muster

the

being made?" *'No;

let's

mount and

ride boldly

The next minute they were stirred their

by the natural

own

kind,

instinct

up!" said West.

in the

to join

saddle, and,

a gathering of

both ponies neighed and ambled

wards the spot w^here about

some few mounted,

fifty

men were

others holding their

to-

collected,

bridles

ready

for the order to start.

There was a were

startler for

riding towards the

West, though, just as they

gathering patrol,

one which 15

:

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

226

communicated

itself to

came

Then

Mine's not where

like this;

The

at

for

thinking

We

I

shouldn*t play tricks

life!"

expecting to hear an

the spot,

but

this

did

not occur.

for the recognition of faces,

the most part

and

sleepy and out of

more of themselves than of their trifling

moment,

startHng for the

its

You

mean?

being roused up, so that they were very

There was one

after

I

any moment;

at

men were

silent,

any time

at

this

Come, no nonsense

I left it!

was too dark

humour

rifle?"

pause: "Here, what does

them from

alarm raised

the

my

intending fugitives heard no more, their horses

hurrying

It

once

at

all

a voice exclaimed

left

might mean a man's

it

for

back.

after a

may want them

their

you moved

'^Here, Piet, have

'*No/'

Ingleborough,

on

out of the darkness

CITY.

fellows.

episode, though, which was

for

West's pony, being

days of inaction, began to make

feints

skittish

of biting

nearest neighbour, with the result that the latter's

rider struck at

on two

it

fiercely

and rapped out an angry oath

company with an enquiry dehvered in a fierce to who the something or another West was

in

tone as

that he could not

Fortunately,

keep

pony

still.

and setting aside

reply, a hoarse order fusion, as

his

was

every dismounted

given,

man

all

necessity for a

causing a

climbed into

little

his saddle,

and the next moment there was a second order vance,

when

con-

to ad-

the leading couple went forward and the

EVERYTHING COMES TO THE MAN rest followed,

dropping naturally into

WHO

WAITS.

227

pairs, fortunately

West and his companion being separated. Then began the loud clattering of hoofs upon the stony way, while they wound in and out amongst without

ponderous blocks of granite and ironstone, trusting to the leading horses, in the

whose

riders

were w^arned of danger

darkness by the sentries stationed here and there.

Before

they were

of the kopje, both

half-way clear from the rocks

West and Ingleborough were

fully

convinced that to have attempted to escape on in the

darkness must have

minute

by minute

their

resulted

in

confidence

ultimate result of their ruse,

for

the couple of Boers next to

them

could have no more idea of

who

while

failure,

increased

in

was evident

it

in front

and

foot

the that

in rear

they were than they

could gain of their neighbours.

For every man's time was viding for his in

own and

his

fully

taken up in pro-

mount's safety

seeking his own, for the sure-footed

— much

more

ponies

were

pretty well accustomed to looking after themselves in

patches of country such as in their

own

half- wild state

they were accustomed to seek for the sake of the lush

growth to be found bordering upon the sources of the streams.

There was not much conversation going on, only the

exchange of a few hoarse grunts from time to

time, sufficient, however, to to think that they

encourage the two prisoners

might venture upon an observation 15*

FROM DIAMOND

A DASH

228

CITV.

or two in Boer Dutch, both imitating their captors' tones

and roughness as

far as

But they did not

they could.

venture upon much, and carefully avoided whispers as

being likely to excite suspicion.

"Have you any

plans as to the next start?" said

West. ''Only that

we

should go off north-west as soon as

wc are well on the open veldt, and we can go." "Which is north-west?" "Hang me if I have the slightest But

"No.

away

we

if

can,

does

it

not

gallop as hard as

Have you?"

idea!

matter.

Let's

get

clear

and shape our course afterwards when

the sun rises."

"Capital plan!

Anything more?"

"I've been thinking," answered West, "that

if

we

turn off suddenly together the whole troop will go in pursuit

and then

once,

at

it

will

be the race

to the

swiftest."

"Of

"Oh

course!

It

no," said

always

West

is!"

drily;

"not always: the most

cunning generally wins."

"Very

well, then

we

shall win, for

we

are

more

cunning than these dunder-headed Boers."

They rode on

in silence after this for a

few minutes,

gradually feeling that they were on level gound,

over

which the ponies ambled easily enough; but they could not see thirty yards in any direction,

WHO

EVERYTHING COMES TO THE MAN

WAITS.

22Q

"Look here," said Ingleborough gruffly: you've some dodge up your sleeve What is it?" **Only this," replied West; "Tve been thinking that if we can get a hundred yards* clear start, and then strike off to right or left, we can laugh at pursuit, for they will have lost sight of us and will not know which way to pursue." "Yes, that's right enough, but how are you going '*

1

hundred yards'

to get your "I'll

how

you

tell

bending over towards out

few words

a

listened

had

in

I

start.^"

think

it

can be done," and,

his

companion, West mumbled

the

darkness and Ingleborough

and uttered a low grunt as soon as

his friend

finished.

Then

earth.

darkness

till

utter silence,

broken only by the

sound of the horses' hoofs upon the

dull clattering

dusty

was

there

West

listening

the

while

the

in

he heard Ingleborough upon his

left

soft

black

make

a rustling noise caused by the bringing round and unslinging of his

rifle,

followed by the loading and then

the softly cocking of the piece.

"Ready?"

said Ingleborough, at last,

"Yes," was the reply.

"Then one borough

At

— two — three — and

away!"

said Ingle-

softly.

the

first

horse's rein, at the last

word West began

drawing

he drove

its

head round

to

bear upon his

to

the right, and

his heels sharply

into

the pony's

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

230 flanks

and wrenched

towards

open

the

head round so suddenly

its

made

beast

the startled httle

CITY.

veldt,

that

a tremendous bound off

sudden action having a

its

stunning and confusing effect upon the line of Boers.

"Hil stop!" roared Ingleborough in the

Boer-Dutch tongue, while as West tore on

companion stood up him

in succession,

spurs

directly, shouting

mount would

The

two shots

after

and then with another shout he

pony and "dashed

his

to

in his stirrups, fired

his

as

off

fast

set

as

his

go.

fugitives

plunged one

after the other into the

column's flank, and the burghers

darkness on the

little

saw them

few moments ere they disappeared and

for a

their ponies' hoofs

began

to

sound dull before they

re-

covered from the stupor of astonishment the suddenness of the incident had caused.

Then a voice shouted and bring him down!" "No: stop!" shouted voice.

fiercely

:

*'

A

deserter!

the leader, in a stentorian

**Do you want to shoot your faithful brother?"

There was a murmur of agreement the

Fire

rustle

and

rattle

of

rifles

at

this,

and

being unslung stopped

at once.

"Who

is

the burgher

who

followed the traitor?"

continued the leader.

There was no

reply, only a

as the Boers questioned

"Wait,"

continued

low muttering of voices

one another. the

officer

in

command.

"I

EVERYTHING COMES TO THE MAN daresay bring

our

brother

him back

in

has

wounded

in line

every

been

and facing the

him

and

2^1 o will

force

drawn

far-stretching

veldt,

their

black

man wondering which two traitor

WAITS.

a few minutes."

The Boers waited with up

WHO

Httle

of their party had

and pursuer, and naturally waited

in vain.

CHAPTER XXIL QUERV: FREEDOM?

HE

dash

West

liberty

for

getting

gallop

before

straight

away

till

been well

sturdy

his

gone

had

he

had

far,

out,

a swinging

into

and keeping

up

it

he could hear Ingleborough*s shout

when he drew

close pursuit,

pony

carried

rein

a

little,

in

till

in its

companion the second pony raced

efforts to rejoin its

up alongside. ''Bravo,

West,

lad!"

low tone that sounded magnified everything

you are not

panted Ingleborough,

in a

terribly loud in their ears,

which

excitement.

a pity

in their

''It's

in the regulars!"

"Why.>" "You'd soon be a general!" "Rubbish!" they'll

be on us!

"No; and

me

leave

it

when

I fired,

to

*'No/'

I

said

West

"Don't talk

or

Can you hear them coming?" don't believe they will come! They'll

to catch

did

shortly.

you.

I say,

with a

little

I

didn't kill

you

I.?"

said West,

laugh,

"but you

QUERY: FREEDOM?

made me jump each queer

The

time!

233

sensation

was

rather

n

"I took aim at an angle of forty-five degrees with the horizon

or

thereabouts, to be exact,"

borough pedantically; "and those two, with a Mauser

rifle,

my

said Inglefirst

shots

no doubt have travelled a couple

of miles at what they

call

But what

a high trajectory.

glorious luck!"

''Yes;

never dared to hope that the plan would

T

succeed so well." ((

anyone— why,

about humbugging

Talk

it

was

splendid!"

"But oughtn't we

West

said

to

go

off at right angles

now?"

anxiously, as he turned himself in his saddle

and hstened. "Quite

enough

time

them tearing along

to

do that when we hear

in full pursuit,

and that

will not

be

to-night."

"Think

not.?"

"I feel sure of it

it,

lad!

Of

course thev can't hatch

out in their thick skulls that their two prisoners were

the actors in this get back that

little

we have

drama: they

come scalp

I

till

it

mean

his

rifle,

they

that they'll stand

about a quarter of an hour waiting for

back, either with

—

know

escaped."

"Of course not." "And you may depend upon fast for

can't

my

me

to

prisoner alive or with his

ammunition, and pony."

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

234

"And when

CITV.

they find that you don't

come back?"

West, laughing to himself.

said

"

Then

they'll

youVe taken my

say that

gone on home with

it:

think

it

is

just

scalp and

the fortune of

war, and promise themselves that they'll ride out by daylight

bury

save

to

my body

from the Aasvogels and

out of sight."

it

"And by gether,"

degrees they will put that and that

West,

said

**and find that

they

to-

have been

thoroughly tricked."

"Yes, and poor Anson those beautiful eyes of to see I

them

rolling

never yet wanted to

"Of

and we

his,

down kill

shall

not be there

his fat cheeks.

a man.

course not, and you don't

a grand inquisitor sitting on Master

gade ways and superintending

West,

lad,

)j

"That's quite correct, lad; but

My

from

will distil pearly tears

now I" I

should like to be

Anson

for his rene-

in the torture-chamber.

word, shouldn't he have the question of the water;

no, the rack; or better

Stop a minute

:

I

still,

the extraction of his nails.

think hanging from the ceiling

wrists with a weight attached to his ankles, finish-off

Bless

with the question of

him

for a

fire

by

his

and a grand

would be more

fitting^

walking tallow sausage, wouldn't he

burn!"

"Ugh Don't be such angrily. "You wouldn't do I

a savage!"

cried

West

anything of the kind.

I

should be far more hardhearted and cruel than you'd

QUERY: FREEDOM? would have him

be, for I

wagon and

tied

set a Kaffir to flog

235

up

wheel of a

to the

him with a sjambok on

his bare back."

**0h!" exclaimed Ingleborough sharply. **

What's the matter?"

"And

I've

come away without having

the

oily

rascal stripped of his plunder."

''What! His diamonds?" ''Yes,

I

wagon of and

find

his,

know he has a

regular pile hidden in that

and, what's more, I

know where

to look

them."

"Where?" "Never you mind

till

sort of prescient idea that

the time

comes

some day we

have a

I

1

shall face that

fellow again with the circumstances reversed

;

and then

I'm going to have his loot cleared out."

And

this

easily along

and much more as the

fugitives cantered

through the darkness, giving their ponies

heads and letting them increase the distance more

their

and more,

till

all

at

once West broke the silence by

exclaiming: "I say, Ingle,

is

it

really true?"

r

"Is what really

true— that Master Anson's a

fat

beast?"

"No, no; that we have escaped and are riding

away to

me

at full liberty to like

awake and wagon."

go where we please?

a dream, and that in the morning find

ourselves once again in

It

seems

we

that

shall

dreary

:

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

236

'*

Partly true, partly imaginary," said Ingleborough

bluntlv.

''What do you mean?" said West, thanks to

made

true that we've

'*It's

you;

to

but

go where we

a jolly clever escape,

true that we're

isn't

it

in a startled tone.

at liberty

like."

''Why not?"

West wonderingly.

said

''Because you've got that despatch in your jacket

somewhere,

I

hope."

"Yes," said West, a seam.

after

running his

enough!"

"It's safe

we must go

"Well, that despatch says king; so we're prisoners to duty

"Of course it's

off

!" said

of no use to

now

graze

"It's

all

we had know where we want straight as if

it

XT Nonsense

direction '*

*i

We're I

steering as

believe the ponies

and took the

right line

1

You

don't

believe

anything of the

think we're going in the right

Because the clouds yonder thinned out a

and

I

saw three dim

and continuing the

one just

them

I'

an-hour ago, arch,

let

M

What makes you

kind.

go,

enough

to steer."

a compass. to

far

or dismount and

keep on, lad!

right;

"But look here:

We're

our ponies.

tire

Mafe-

to

still."

cheerily.

we know which way

till

at once.

West

them walk,

to let

hand down

in

line there

the place where

it

bit half-

stars in a sort

of

was another brighter

ought to be.

I

know

QUERY: FREEDOM?

them

as well

as

237

can be of old: the big one sets just

in the north-west."

"Are you

''As sure as that

soon as

I

saw

and straight

I

bore

for

Mafeking. it

I

eagerly.

off a little to the right as

more

that star, so as to turn

are keeping straight for

we

West

sure of that?" cried

to the north

don't guarantee

now

that

wc

the stars are shut out;

know as soon as it's day by the compass." ''Why don't we strike a light and examine it now.^" said West eagerly. "Because we haven't a match!" replied Inglebut

shall

"Didn't our sturdy honest captors take every-

borough. thing

away but

my

inner belt along with

which was luckily

knife,

fear

my

my money?"

"To be sure!" sighed West. "And if w^e had matches we dare for

in

of the light being

not strike them

seen by one of the Boer

patrols,"

"Yes," said West, with another they are everywhere

At

that

moment

sigh.

"I suppose

now!" the ponies stopped short,

spun

round, almost unseating their riders, and went off at +

full

speed back along the

way

they had come; and

it

was some minutes before they could be checked and soothed and patted back into a w'aik.

"The country "fancy

lions

isn't

being so

quite civilised yet," said

near

Hark; there he goes again!"

the

line

of a

West;

railway.

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

238

CITY.

For once more the peculiar barking roar of a

came from

a distance, making the air

and the ponies turn

seem

to

and begin

restless again

lion

quiver

to snort

with dread.

"Steady, boys, steady!" said Ingleborough sooth-

two

ingly to the

got

steeds.

''Don't you

of patent foreign

a couple

would be more than a match

know

rifles,

for

that

weVe

and that they

any

lion that ever

lived?"

we

"If

straight!"

shot

"There he goes again!

said

How

West

banteringly.

near do you think that

fellow is?"

"Quiet, boy!" cried Ingleborough, leaning forward

and patting

his

pony on the neck, with

"How far?

results.

It's

satisfactory

impossible to say!

heard

I've

performers

who

their tricks

are nothing to the roaring of a Hon.

about the like

it's

called

themselves ventriloquists,

most deceptive sound

thunder,

and

another

I it's

It's

One time

know. like

but

Bottom the

Weaver." "Like what?" cried West.

"The gentleman

I

for fear of frightening

him to

named who played the ladies said he

as gently as a sucking dove.

lion,

and

would roar

Now

then,

"We

did not cal-

what's

be done?" "I don't know,"

culate

upon having

of the Boers."

said West. lions to

act as sentries on behalf

QUERY: FREEDOM?

more

"Let's bear off

239

and

to the north

try to out-

flank the great cat."

Changing half-circle of

started

make

to

a

a couple of miles' radius, riding steadily

have

on, but only to

again

they

course,

their

and again

mounts

their shivering

startled

they were ready to give up

till

in

despair.

''We'd better wait ''There's

there

too I

it

much

no occasion

coming

is,

we want now

we

is

to," said

right behind

Bear

to the west.

don't suppose

daybreak," said West.

till

shall

Ingieborough, "for

and we're going

us,

and

off,

What

be troubled any more.

another kopje

on.

ride

let's

— one which hasn't

been

turned into a trap."

we wantl" said West, half-an-hour the many clumps of rock and trees

"There's what later,

as one of

loomed up "Yes,"

in the fast

said

hghtening

front.

"and

Ingleborough sharply,

what we don't want,

far nearer to us

"Where?" asked West

than

I

there's

Hke."

sharply.

"Straight behind us!"

"Why,

Ingle,"

been following us

"No," his

cried West,

all

in

"they've

despair,

through the night I"

said Ingleborough,

shading

hand; "that's a different patrol,

his

I feel

eyes with

sure,

coming

from another direction."

"What

shall

we do?"

"Ride straight

for that

kopje;

we're

between

it

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

240

and the

and perhaps they won't see

patrol,

do we must gallop away.

"But suppose said

they

M

kopje proves to be occupied?"

this

"We

West.

If

us.

want

don't

be taken prisoners

to

again." *'

my

four hours, all

said

lad,"

Ingleborough coolly,

for the

**but,

kopje?"

"Yes, for we want water,

"But

lad,

it,

there

occupy every kopje

must be

"To be at a steady

aren't

and chance

it

in

we

are."

then?"

sure!" was the reply; and they went on canter straight for

the

clump

now and

horsemen which seemed

the hne of

some of them

such a mess as

mile or so away, turning every

angles

to

their

of

outskirts

of the

rest."

enough of the brutes

in the country;

poor fellows

left for

''Ride on

right

and

shelter,

the Boers are there too?"

if

''Hang

the

for twenty-

the same, that seems to be the wisest thing to do."

"Make

to

made

That's the truest speech you've

track.

the

emmence

patrol bore off a

the misery of seeing

Just

then to watch

be going at they

as the

and the

little

that the

to

in front, a

reached

leading

files

fugitives

had

enemy they wished

to

avoid seemed to be aiming straight for the place they

had intended

for

to right or left

To make to light

a refuge, while to have ridden out

meant going

matters

worse,

full in sight

the

sun

of the patrol.

was

up the stony tops of the kopje, and

beginning in

a very

QUERY: FREEDOM?

241

few minutes the lower portions would be glowing

in

the morning rays.

"Cheer up!"

Now

dismount and lead horses

then,

enough

said Ingleborough;

to hide in

now, and we

"it's I

may be

a big one!

Here's cover able to get

round to the other side without being seen."

"And

then?"

"Oh, we won't intrude our company upon the

enemy;

let's

ride off as fast as

we

can."

16

CHAPTER

XXIIL

FALSE ALARMS.

npHE

bottom and surroundings of the eminence

af-

forded plenty of cover, and the fugitives pushed

on

in

and out among dense patches of low growth,

and, leading their sure-footed

little

ponies, they climbed

over and around piles and masses of stone that would

have been

West

difficulties

even to mules, while twice over

scaled a slope so as to carefully look

backward

at the

down and

enemy.

This he was able to do unseen, and came down again to report that the patrol was

kopje as

if

for

rest,

still

making

for the

but that their movements were

too careless and deliberate for those of an

enemy

in

pursuit.

The

far side of the pile of granite

was reached

in

safety,

and ironstone

placing the fugitives about a

quarter of a mile from the Boers in a direct hne, but quite a mile of intricate climbing if

measured by the

distance round; and they paused in a green patch

full

of refreshing beauty, being a wide ravine stretching up

FALSE ALARMS.

and with a bubbling stream of water

into the height,

and

outward

running

take their

243

ponies at once to

the

inviting

fill.

'*This

settles

letting his bridle fall

upon

we can go

*'Yes;

once!"

at

it

Ingleborough,

said

mount's neck.

his

well

in

yonder,

ponies along the bed of the stream.

leading

There

the

plenty

is

of cover to hide half a regiment."

"Of

Boers," said Ingleborough

shortly.

will

''It

not do for us."

"Why?"

West,

said

staring.

"We

can hide there

they have gone."

till

' '

see?

My

dear boy,"

The beggars

making

for

it

said

Ingleborough

evidently

know

this place,

We

on account of the water.

you

" can't

;

and are

saw none

r

on the other

"Very

well,"

and keep the

"Too

side."

hill

West

said

sharply;

"let's

ride

off,

between us and them."

late!" said Ingleborough,

"This way; come

oniI"

For as he spoke there was the loud beating noise of

of

many hoofs, indicating that the commando was coming

the whole or a portion at

a gallop round the

opposite side of the kopje from that by which the fugitives

had come; and

meant a gallop

in

ready to deHver a

had

to

full rifle

have

started then

sight

of a large body of

fire

would have

men

of which they would have

to run the gauntlet. 16*

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

244 "

We're entering another

CITY.

trap," said

West

bed of the

as they led their reluctant ponies along the

them too stony for any disbe borne down to show the keen-eved

fortunately

stream,

coloration

to

bitterly,

for

Boers that someone had passed that way, and at the

same time

man

yielding no impress of the footprints of

or beast.

As in

far as the fugitives could see, the ravine

went

a devious course a couple of hundred yards into

the eminence, but, as other side.

It

proved, nearly across to the

it

was darkened by overhanging

trees

and

creepers, which found a hold in every ledge or crack of

the almost perpendicular sides, and

darker at every score of yards

gave them

the

entrance,

voices

coming with many

drown any sound made by bad place!"

"It isn't a

the

of the Boers and the splashing

noise of their horses' feet to

but the echoing rocks

what was going on near

notice of

full

;

grew darker and

their

repetitions

own.

said Ingleborough, as they

more narrow and coming more sharply down into the water.

hurried on, with the ravine growing the sides

"It strikes

of

me

that

we

shall find the water

comes out

some cave." Five minutes later Ingleborough proved to be quite

correct, for they

paused

at a

rugged archway between

piled-up fern-hung blocks, out of which the water rushed in

a

fairly large

volume, but not knee-deep

;

and,

upon

leaving his horse with his comrade and boldly wading

FALSE ALARMS. in,

West found

245

cave expanded as soon as the

that the

entrance was passed, so that the spring ran outward

along a narrow stony bed,

and on

either side there

was a bed of sand of considerable width. *'

Come

said

along " 1

shallower, and there

is

West.

*'

The water

a dry place on either side."

Ingleborough waded

in

at once,

but unfortunately

hung back from

the ponies shrank from following, and the reins,

one of them uttering a loud

was repeated from the second

animal

gets

interior

so

snort,

loudly

which

that

the

reared up wildly and endeavoured to

break away.

West dashed back though his

companion

of

directly

and reheved

one of the refractory beasts, when by

means of a good deal of coaxing and patting they were finally got along for some yards and out on to the sandy side, where they whinnied out their satisfaction

and recovered

their confidence sufficiently to step

towards the running waters and resume rupted drink.

their

inter-

-

^'Rifles!" said

Ingleborough shortly, when West un-

slung his and stood ready,

example as he stood

in

following his companion's

the darkness with his piece

pointing out at the bright stream with

its

mossy and

fern-hung framing. **Did you hear anyone *'No,

coming?" whispered West.

but they must have heard our ponies and

be coming on/' was the reply.

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

240

"Let them come; we can keep the whole gang

at

bay from here!" But

minutes' watching and hstening proved

five

had not been heard,

that they

busy watering

Boers were too

for the

men and

their horses, the voices of the

the splashings and tramphngs of the beasts coming in

reverberations right along the to strike clearly

upon the

listeners' ears.

Three several times the with

rifles

make

cocked, ready to

and

nearer,

and

stood on guard

fugitives

to defend their post of vantage,

nearer

speaking-tube,

natural

a determined effort voices

for the

sounds

splashing

came

indicated

movements out towards the mouth of the ravine; but just when their nerves were strained to the utmost, and they watched with starting eyes a corner round which the

enemy would have

to

turn to bring

the talking and splashing died out,

range,

simultaneously uttered a sigh of

"I couldn't bear much of at last.

come on a

them

"I half think that so that

we

I

within

and they

relief.

this,

Ingle," said

West,

would rather have them

could get into the excitement of

fight."

"I don't half think

so,

lad;

T

do

quite,"

replied

Ingleborough.

"But you don't want

to fight?"

"Of

don't

killed

course

not;

anybody; but

I

at the

several Boers than they

want

to

same time

should

kill

me.

feel I'd

that I've

rather

kill

However,

I

FALSE ALARMS. hope they

will not attack us, for if

shoot as straight as

they do

can and as often as

I

What do you say?" West was silent

247

mean

I

is

to

necessary.

few moments, during which

for a

At

he seemed to be thinking out the position.

last

he spoke: "I have never given the Boers any reason for trying to destroy

am

EngHsh.

can,

I

get disheartened, us,

my

life,

So, as hfe

long as

live as

my

is

I

only crime being that

very sweet and

shall

want

I

do as you do

for I don't see

how

till

I

to

they

they can get at

"

and

*'Here, quick, ladT' whispered Ingleborough, swing-

ing round.

West

'*

We're attacked from behind

1"

followed his example, feeling fully convinced

had

that the Boers

after all seen

them seek refuge

in

the cavern, and had taken advantage of their know-

ledge of the place to creep through some tunnel which led in

from the other

scuffling

was

and

rustling

quite dark.

for

sound a

With

and with fingers

side,

rifles

there

httle

was a strange

way

where

in,

it

pointed towards the spot

on triggers, the two friends waited

anxiously for some further development, so as to avoid firing

bhndly into

enemy while

the

cavern without

injury

leaving themselves unloaded

to

when

the their

foes rushed on.

"Can't be Boers!" said Ingleborough, at the end of a minute,

during w^hich

wild beasts of

some

kind."

the

noise went

on;

*'it's

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

248

CITY.

"Lions/* suggested West.

"Oh like a

More

no; they*d go about as softly as cats!

pack of hyaenas trying

to get

up

courage

their

for a charge 1"

"If

we

fired

and stood on one

side they'd rush out!"

rephed West. "Yes/' said Ingleborough grimly; "and the Boers

would rush

in

to

wouldn't do, for

was

see what

evident that they don't

it's

That

matter.

the

know

we're

here."

"But we must do something, horses!

Why!"

cried

West

or they'll injure the

excitedly;

they've pulled the poor beasts

"it

down and

must be that

are devouring

them."

"Without our Hfe?

Nonsense!

Basutos

little

making a kick

They'd squeal and kick and rush

for

out.

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"

To West's a prolonged

astonishment his companion burst into of gentle laughter.

fit

"Here, come along!" he beggars!

said.

"Of

Here, you two ruffians, stow

all

the larky

that,

or you'll

smash up those saddles!" Ingleborough dashed

and as they got

in,

in further

followed at once by West,

from the cave's mouth they

dimly saw their mounts spring up from having a good roll

and wriggle upon the

soft

dry sand to rest their

spines and get rid of the larvae of nicious horse-fly.

some worrying

per-

FALSE ALARMS.

The moment

249

the two ponies were on all-fours they

gave themselves a vigorous shake, and then whinnied and advanced to their riders with out-stretched

softly

expectant of a piece of bread or some other

necks,

had been petted from time

delicacy with which they to time.

"Why, you

larky

little

rascals " cried Ingleborough, 1

"what do you

patting the two beasts affectionately;

mean by frightening mean frightening me,

out of our seven senses?

us for

you weren't scared a

bit

I

— eh.

West?" "Frightened?

now why

was

It

horrible!

the Boers can't bear

can understand

I

being

from

attacked

behind!'^

"Of

course!

though, no wonder children

say,

I

He

are afraid of being in the dark."

and

ponies,

said:

"Look

here,

don't understand me, but if

you'd both

being

lie

good,

to

and

rest.

It

my

advice

would do you

the firing did begin you'd escape

this

one of the ponies whinnied

gently to

its

its

big teeth as

companion's if to

bite,

ginning at the root of the to the saddle, while

neck and set to work

tail

softly,

side,

and then

head to

and began

them along the lower part of the up

suppose you

you could take

have a good if

lads, I

the

to

hit."

To moved bared

down

my

turned

other's

to

tail,

draw be-

spine,

and rasping away

right

the operatee stretched out

in the

same way upon

its

the ope-

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

250

upon the give-and-take

rator,

both animals

principle,

grunting softly and uttering low sounds that could only

be compared

"They

to bleats or purrs.

say there's nothing so pleasant in

life

scratching where you itch," said West, laughing,

They do seem

word! **

lieve

are

to enjoy

**My

it."

Poor beggars, yes!" replied Ingleborough. no country

there's

more

insects

tortured

plunge

by

flies

"I be-

the world where animals

in

than

The wretched

in Africa.

sharp instrument of theirs, pierce

in that

the skin, and leave an egg underneath;

of the body hatches

as

it

into

what we

the

fishing

warmth

boys called

a gentle, and that white maggot goes on eating and

growing under the poor animal's

meat always

till

it

is

full-grown,

when

on hot

living

coat,

its

skin dries

up

and turns reddish-brown,

and

before changing into a

which escapes from the hole

in the skin

ture

it

' '

Horses

terribly,

full

has eaten and

flits

lies

away

still

to

for

a

go and

bit,

tor-

more animals."

"And not West quietly.

I've

fly,

it

only ?

Oh

but other animals!"

no

;

the

bullocks

get

and the various kinds of antelopes as

seen

skins taken

of holes.

lecture

only horses,

And

off

blesboks

there you

are,

and

my

said

them well.

wildebeestes lad;

that's a

on natural history."

"Given

in the

queerest place and at the strangest

time a lecture was ever given anywhere," said West.

FALSE ALARMS. '*It

is

251

very horrible, though, for the animals to be

tor-

tured sol" *'Yes/' said Ingleborough flies

must enjoy themselves wonderfully.

have what people

and

thoughtfully;

— eh?

in

England

call

the

They must

a high old time^ r

What's the matter?"

'^Bereadyl" whispered West. there's

**but

no mistake now!"

"Someone coming;

CHAPTER XXIV. A REAL ALARM.

TNGLEBOROUGH

drew

and once more stood on rade

right in the

ponies, where a

breath with a

his

in

his

guard with

darkness, and in front

his

hiss,

com-

of the two

good view of the stream outside and

the corner rock fringed with ferns could be obtained.

For voices could be heard as of two men talking together, while plash,

plash,

plash their footsteps

in

some moments from the rockychasm, before they came leisurely into

the water echoed for sides of the

sight

round the corner and stood knee-deep looking

straight into the

which they

and the

cave,

w^ere, for

little

thinking of the peril in

a couple of

slightest pressure

sent the long thin bullets

upon the

upon

rifles

covered them,

triggers

their

would have

errand to pierce

the Boers through and through. the

cavern

seeing clearly enough from the men's careless

manner

But

no pressure came,

those within

^

that they felt perfectly safe

errand.

and were upon no unusual

A REAL ALARM.

253

They were roughly enough clad, and garments showed that they had been slept time and exposed to

all

was something about words they

outer

in for

some

kinds of weather; but there

and more

mien,

their

which showed them

let fall,

their

to

in

the

belong to a

superior type of Boer.

"Yes, there

Dutch, "just here on

as

and beautiful

come

was

I

The source is perennial, That's whv I wanted Dietz to

trip.

water.

out of our way."

''Does **

Boer

in

was ten years ago when

it

hunting

a

one of the two

said

is,"

it

it

go

in far?"

About a hundred

and

yards,

there

the

water

some

suddenly gushes out of the

floor;

nasty holes about, plunging

down no one knows how

and

deep,

shouldn't

I

like

but there are

venture in without a

to

light."

'*Why *'

kopje.

didn't

we

bring a lantern?"

Because we don't want

to

go burrowing

into the

)j

"Speak

for

yourself

Idol"

"Here, I've got plenty of matches "No, thank you," said the

what may be

said the second

— come

first.

"One

man.

along."

never knows

in a place like that."

West pinched

"What

is

"Who

can

his

likely to tell?

A

companion's arm.

be there?" lioness

perhaps, or a pack of jackals

!

and her full-grown cubs,

Worse

still,

snakes or

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

254

CITY.

some of the wandering bushmen with bows and poisoned arrows."

"Hardly Hkely!" *'I

said the second Boer.

think very Hkely," said the

first

speaker, peer-

ing so steadfastly into the cavern that for a few mo-

ments West

felt

were seen.

that they

certain

*'One

of the Kaffir tribes would not enter that place to save their lives."

'^Why?" *'

Because they beheve that a great water demon

hides

who

in

the spring

who

up and

rises

seizes

anyone

approaches, drags him down, and devours him."

'^AU of which must be perfectly truel" answered the

Boer,

other

a sneer.

with

**Of course you are

a believer?"

"I'm a

full

believer in

being dangerous to go

its

into caves without proper lights," said the

coldly,

"and

I

think

we

first

speaker

are undergoing risks enough

every day from the rooineks'

rifles

and

their lancers'

down some horrible pit." water demon!" said his com-

spears, without chancing a fall

"Where

there

is

a

panion, with another sneer.

"Just for the sake of gratifying a Httle idle curiosity,"

"Oh, very a natural

w^ell

then!

curiosity without

I

don't Hke to

exploring;

come

so

to such

here

goes

alone."

The next moment

the

first

speaker had stretched

A REAL ALARM. hand and barred

out

his

his

rifle.

way

companion's

his

"What do you mean by

255

with

that?" cried the Boer.

'*To stop you going."

'*What!" cried the other. *'No!"

you notl

—you

"Yes;

order

please!"

if I

'*I

order

burghers

you are a

too

soldier for the time I

order you not to

much need of

defend the country to

to

his life in

cried the other wrathfully.

my command.

we have

for

go

speaker sternly.

me?"

recollect that

and under

being,

first

shall

ji

"You

go,

the

said

*'!

let

brave

our

all

any

man

risk

a foolhardy adventure."

"Pish!" "Silence!"

Had

back.

come I" "Look

I

known of

this,

I

am

"I

said the other sternly.

would not have

going

let

you

I

here," said the other insolently,

on duty now, and once for serve

I

am

not going to put up

any man who

The

first

is

a step above

me

are not

you that while

with bullying

I

from

in the ranks."

speaker looked at him sternly, and Ingle-

borough placed

"Look

all I tell

"we

his lips close to

West's

here," said Ingleborough, "if

take aim at that obstinate

brute,

ear.

we

shoot, both

and give the other

a chance to run for his life!"

A

nod was the only answer,

what was said

further.

as both

listened to

— A DASH FROM DIAMOND

256

"You by a

bit

CITY.

because you get made field-cornets

fellows,

of luck,

don't

know how

contain

to

your-

and

selves,

"Back to your horse!" said the first speaker, the veins in whose forehead stood out in a network beneath his

while his voice sounded

flap-brimmed hat,

of

full

suppressed fury.

"Back

yourself!" cried the other.

orders in the

but

field,

we

of the Free State are getting

of the overbearing ways of you

tired

Put down your

vaal.

you hold

towards

it

sir

rifie,

me

I

men

By

of the Trans-

all that's holy,

in that threatening

a Mauser bullet through you.

send

obey your

"I'll

way,

If I die

for

if

I'll it,

I will."

At

moment,

that

possibility of a

there it

to be every

hail

from beyond the rock, and, as

replied to,

another cry was heard, in com-

pany with loud echoing splashes half-a-dozen Boers state

seemed

deadly encounter between the two men,

was a loud

was not

just as there

waded

in

the water,

and

into sight, evidently in a high

of excitement.

"Hullo there!" shouted the foremost, "didn't you hear us call?

an ambush!

We

began

to think

you had

fallen into

Quick, back with you: there's a patrol of

the rooineks out yonder coming this way, the mounted

men

with the spiked poles.

"Many field-cornet,

or few?" and,

said

n

the

apparently

man

addressed as the

forgetting

his

anger

in

A REAL ALARM.

began

he

excitement,

the

257

hurry away

to

cavern mouth, talking loudly the while.

come

they'll

stay here;

on, we'll

from the

'Til see!

we might

if not,

If try

and surround them and capture the whole gang I"

The next minute

the walls of the gully were echo-

ing the hurried splashing last

made by

the

party,

as

the

of them turned the corner and disappeared across

the veldt.

What

'*Phew!

a pity!"

wipe

off his hat to

said Ingleborough, taking

his forehead.

*'A pity!" cried West.

What:

the

news

that

some

of our people are near?"

"No, no; I

was

in

meant

I

row came

that the

hopes that we were going

to

to

an end.

have a new

version of the Kilkenny cats, and two enemies of Old

England were going leave only a

"Oh,

"We

tail

be

to tear

each other to pieces and

behind." Ingle!"

serious,

said

West

excitedly.

might venture out now."

"Don't be rash!

mean

got to find out what they

to do."

"Come where they

where

We've

along

"Very

We

are.

to see

then,

what

well,

is

but

and

must

let's

try

leave

the

horses

and climb up some-

going on." take

care!

These are awfully

breakneck walls to mount."

"Yes,

but

it

has to be done!

Why

not up that

crack?" 17

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

258

West pointed

a

to

CITY.

of wiry-looking

half-full

rift

shrubs mingled with ferns, which ran up the rocky wall

of the gully diagonally.

"Think you can do "Yes,

it's

it?"

easier than

Let's tryl"

looks.

it

"Right!'* said Ingleborough.

"Up

you go!"

h

West waded

shnging his

across to the side,

rifle

as he went, then puUing his hat on tightly, he reached

up as high as he could, and drew himself up a

foot

Then, carefully taking advantage of the angles

or two.

and edges of projecting rocks

for his feet

and getting

hand-hold of the tough shrubs, he was soon up twenty feet

above the rushing stream.

"Come

along!" he

bad climbing!"

"It's not

said.

"but

"Matter of opinion," replied Ingleborough, here goes'" and he began to mount, while

"Oh one

in

yes,"

mind of

he

said,

the

Lady

"it's

—

I

all right!

West went on. Why, it puts

ugh

say, lad,

!

—that

was

slippy!"

"Hold on then!"

cried

West

excitedly, for

one of

Ingleborough's feet glided over the edge of a stone,

which yielded, and he was

left

hanging by

his hands,

to strive to get a footing.

"Get out!" better.

said Ingleborough,

"That's

panting.

Just as if I shouldn't hold on

!

Think

I

wanted

a cold bath?"

"You gave me you leave

it

to

me?

quite a turn!" said West. I

can manage

it!"

"Will

A REAL ALARM.

"Go manage

you

on,

young

you don't look

If

it!

vain

259

coxcomb! out,

So can

be up

I'll

I

first!

Well, what are you stopping for?" a

West

Ingleborough held on tightly while he twisted his

head

to see that the

cave

to

wade

two ponies had hurried out of the

to the place

where they had

started from,

and were looking up wonderingly. *'Ha, ha!" laughed Ingleborough.

of being

left

''They're afraid

behind! Here, you two, be off back into

your stable," he continued, getting hold of a loose piece of rock with the intention of dropping

it

into the

water

softly.

^*You

to scare the lookers-on.

*'No, no, don't

may

scare

them

do that!" said West

into cantering

down

into

the midst of

the Boers!"

"Right," said Ingleborough, ''I

replacing

the

stone.

don't suppose they'll mind,"

At

that

moment one of

the ponies whinnied,

and

the other took up the cry of discontent.

"Quiet, will you?

speaking as

if

said Ingleborough^

in the full belief that

understood every word.

have the Boers

Look here!" "If you

down upon

us,

the two animals

make

that row, you'll

and that

will

mean

new

masters, with worse treatment than you get from

us!

That's

settled

them,"

continued

speaking again to his companion, and as the

two animals did not repeat

Ingleborough, it

happened

their challenging cry, 17*

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

26o

CITV^.

but began to nibble at the greenery overhanging the water.

Meanwhile the chmbing grew more adventurers got higher and more

difficult as the

excited,

once the rapid crack-crack-crack of

rifles

for

all

began

at

telling

of attack and defence, and making the climbers strain

every

which was at

effort to get to the top,

last

accom-

by West, who drew himself over the edge of

plished

the rocks and lay panting

for

a few moments before

looking down.

manage it?" he said; for Ingleborough had come to a stand some twenty feet below. **Nor' was the reply. "My right foot has slipped into a crack here, and is wedged tight. Don't wait Can't you

'*

for

me

I

Go

on, only let's

have

all

the

news

as

soon

r

as

you canl" West's

feeling that

first

idea

was

to lower himself

one was enough

down;

to find out all they

but,

wanted,

he obeyed his comrade's orders and went on climbing

upon

all-fours

what was now an easy slope with plenty

of cover in the shape of bushes and huge blocks of stone.

A kopje,

few minutes brought him

whence he had a

on, while the firing

He saw tempted

at

a

to the

clear view of

was now

all

top of the

that

was going

general.

glance that the Boers had not

to hold the natural stronghold,

for

upon

at-

dis-

covering their numbers, the half-troop of lancers, some

A REAL ALARM.

of

number, had begun

in

thirty

whom

seemed

there

were streaming out

with

the

two

in

directions,

of surrounding

intention

and the Boers,

to retire,

be about a hundred and

to

fifty,

261

prisoners, both sides keeping

and

evidently

taking

up a steady

fire

them

the while.

West stopped no longer than was necessary satisfy

himself that

farther

and

farther

the

he

over,

to the

top of the gully, where,

busy

found Ingleborough

apparently driving his

"Ahoy!"

were getting rapidly

from the kopje, and then hurried

back down the slope leaning

Boers

to

barrel

rifle

down

at

work,

into a crevice.

cried West.

"Hallo therel What news, lad?" **

Small party of lancers

Boers very strong

"Then we

get

but, if they are taking the

want.

full

retreat,

and the

They're a mile away now."

in pursuit.

shall

in

no help from our people;

enemy away,

that's

all

we

Coming down?"

"Yes," said West, low^ering himself over the edge very cautiously,

for

it

was

terribly

dangerous work,

and Ingleborough shivered and hung back, watching him till

his

companion reached the ledge where he had

been checked.

"Hah!" sighed Ingleborough; been wishing

for the last five

below was ten

"Why?" his exertions.

feet

"that's better.

I've

minutes that the stream

deep!"

panted West,

who was

breathless from

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

262

you

''For

my

to fall

I'm

boot!

afraid

me

"Let

down gave

it's

was

free.

How

it?

out," replied West, smiling.

it

it

said

n

but

course;

time to get it

it

a fine thini? to have been born clever.

now!"

that

at

"Pulled

for

he got well hold of the boot,

"My

did vou do

"Of

arm

his

Ingleborough.

"Look word!

it."

a jerk sidewise, and

it

out

it

me to get with my rifle-

help

West, and, thrusting

try!" said

the crack,

into

to lever

bending

barrel, for fear of

now

But

into!

CITY.

/

couldn't!

It

took

unlaced and to draw out

me

my foot.

all

my

Stuck,

was so wet!"

In another five minutes, while the cracking of the rifle-fire

was growing more

the boot was

distant,

placed, the dangerous descent continued,

re-

with several

sHps and

slides,

bad

and the pair reached the water only minus

a

fall,

little

skin,

came up

to

to

each saving

his friend in turn

be welcomed

them

by

their

from a

ponies,

who

ready to be led cautiously

at once,

to the entrance of the gully.

But there was no need tion

proving that no Boers were

they were too far distant

on

now

at the resting-place they

"Think West, for

for the extra care, inspec-

after

some

they'll

make

they had

minutes.

left

behind, and that

to distinguish

had

what went

left.

the lancers prisoners?" said

stood scanning the level veldt

A REAL ALARM.

263

"Not unless they can surround them, and I should give our cavahy credit for being too cautious to let them do that!" do you say

for another try

"Forward!" was the the

compass

mounted and, cantered

off,

to

'*Now then, what

said Ingleborough.

lay

reply,

down

refreshed,

Mafeking-ward?"

and

their

course,

though not much

making a bee-line almost due

the intention of cautiously approaching their

^

^

way

a glance at

after

to purchase food.

the

friends

rested, they

north, with

some farm on

CHAPTER XXV. AT TANTE

T

ANN'S.

was growing dark before a itself,

this

suitable place presented

being a typical Boer farm

very

a

in

desolate part of the veldt, the spot having been evi-

dently chosen by

its

occupants on account of the tiny

kopje and abundant supply of water welling

owner carried

ostriches,

there being pen

proached the

door

for themselves

to

pay

sell

and corn for for

birds

as they ap-

where the owner stood

and glum, as he smoked

pen of

large-eyed

foolish-looking

Yes, he said, he would

money

after

two horsemen wonderingly

staring at the

distant

on,

great

the

be-

spot for the branch of farming

sides being a perfect

the

out,

looking

his big pipe.

them some provisions

their

horses

if

they had

what they wanted.

This was at once produced, and the farmer looked

on

after

summoning a huge

horses and get out the corn

coming to put

to the

on a

;

Kaffir to help

while his fat wife,

door to glare at the kettle to

with the

visitors,

prepare them

after

condescended

tea,

and see

if

AT XANTE was a chicken

there

and some eggs for

ANN'S.

that could

be

killed

said Ingleborough;

we

a good meal, and

soon as

is

it

I

be

shall

from welcome.

we want

"all

off in the

morning as

light."

"That shed with room,

far

on

and every-

to time,

were

that the visitors

"Never mind," is

broiled,

bits 01 consultation carried

by the husband and wife from time

showed

and

frying.

There were several

thing

265

the iron roof

is

to be our bed-

suppose?" said West.

"Yes, and weVe lucky to get that and a few sacks." Just then the

Boer came slowly

hard the while, to know

from

smoking

they had seen anything of

seemed deeply

the war, and he that a skirmish

if

sidling up,

on hearing

interested

had been going on not so many miles

his farm.

"Why

are you two not fighting?" he said suddenly.

"Because we don't want

to,"

was West's smiling

reply.

"But you are Englanders?" said the Boer, "Yes,

but

all

Englanders

don't

want

to

fight,"

West, while Ingleborough looked on, quite

said

un-

moved.

"Oh, head.

don't

"They

tell,

all

me!"

want

said the Boer,

to fight

and

kill

the Boers before

robbing them of their homes and farms.

me — I know!" He w^alked away

to

where the

shaking his

Kaffir

Don't

tell

was seeing

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

266

and West noticed that he took a good

to the horses,

deal of notice of them, the

of his

direction

down

CITV.

glanced two or three times

visitors,

and then ran

in

hands

his

most professional way, narrowly

their legs in a

escaping a kick from West's steed, before he walked

back

thoughtfully

to

rough looking house,

his

which he was careful not to allow

"We're

to share

Ingleborough; see

how

'*but

said

go

and

as

the

doesn't matter.

it

them fed on some of

a

his

the

rough

afford to

refuse.

stable,

side

have

know

I

gentlemen of

tricks of these

entered

Let's

continued,

can't

lordship's

was standing on one

Kaffir

he

*'We

Boer disappeared indoors.

They

his guests to enter.

the stable with the nags,"

they are getting on,"

something of the

into

-

old."

where the big

and greeted them with

heavy scowl. "Well, Jack," said Ingleborough, "are the ponies

eating their corn?"

"Yes, baas," said the black

gruffly;

"eat

um

all

fast."

"Ah, sniffing

I

thought

so,"

said

Ingleborough

and blowing on the musty

trash.

quietly,

"Do you

feed your horses on stuff like this?"

He

turned so sharply on the Kaffir that the

shrank as

if

from a blow; but

man

his questioner smiled.

**Not your fault, I suppose?"

"Baas tically.

say,

*Give ponies thaht,'" he replied apologe-

AT XANTE

Of

*'

my

course,

the horses eat

it.

You

into

it

some of the

get

267

drawing

lad," said Ingleborough,

out a shilling and slipping

"Now you

ANN'S.

best

the corn,

hand.

black's

and see that

understand?"

''Yes, baas," said the

man, with a sharp

click,

as

eves glistened and he showed his white teeth in a

his

good

"

grin.

satisfied

to eat.

my

baas go away, give them

))

your baas going away?"

''Is

"Iss; saddle

As

Soon

pony; go away.

11

the black spoke he joointed to the farther end

of the long mud-walled shed, where another pony was tied up.

Just then the shrill voice of the

heard

calling,

''Tant*

and the Kaffir gave a shout

Ann want um,"

he

joined the lady at the door, and

some

Boer vrouw was

said,

reply.

in

and he ran

was dismissed

to get

from a heap, while the farmer came

fuel

smoking away,

and Ingleborough

out,

out,

the shed

with

West as if to join him. "Are you going to give him your opinion?"

said

left

West. r

"No: we

can't afford to quarrel.

take care of our nags now,

and

get

The

Kaffir will

another

tip

for

his pains." .

The next minute they were

who had had

last

close up to their host,

evidently been thinking over the words which

been exchanged.

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

268

"You

Englanders," he

clever; but the Boers beat to beat

you more

said,

you

**

CITY.

you are very

think

and they're going

before,

and drive you

this time,

all

into the

sea."

"Very welll"

said West, smiling.

"I hope

they'll

give us time to get into the ships."

"Perhaps!" said the Boer, smoking more rapidly

"But

in his excitement.

going to be Dutch

all

it's

now! No more English!" "All

right,"

said Ingleborough;

"but

I

want

my

supper very badly."

"Want is

to

Yes; come

eat.r*

in!

The vrouw

says

it

nearly ready."

"That's right; then

"You can come

have

let's

in

the

it."

continued

house,"

farmer, and Ingleborough raised his eyebrows a in

the little

surprise.

But a greater surprise awaited the pair on entering the

mud-floored

room

them on the

awaiting

heavy hostess ready

to

quite

find

table,

and

a

their

decent meal sour-looking

on them with a kind of

to wait

surly civility.

The then

pair were

but

too hungry to think of anything

appeasing their appetite,

good meal,

their host

and they made a

making no scruple about bringing

a stool to the table and taking

a larger share than

either.

He

said Httle,

but his

little

keen eyes examined

AT XANTE ANN*S. everything

connection

in

with

his

269

visitors'

paying most heed to their weapons, while

wants of

to the

all

vals to a second

seemed

from time

room which

his wife

saw

to time, retiring at inter-

led

have been added quite

to

costume,

out of the

and

first

lately.

You'll want to sleep soon?" said the farmer

**

when

quiringly,

the meal

in-

was ended.

"Yes, the sooner the better," said Ingleborough, rising;

an example followed by West; "and

be off

in the

morning

Well

early.

we

shall

take a couple of

these cakes."

The Boer nodded. "Shall I sell you some

biltong?" he said.

"Yes, certainly." "I

have

will

it

ready.

Where

are

you going

now:?"

"To

look at the ponies."

"Oh, they are

all

well.

My

Kaffir has

seen to

them."

"But

suppose we are to sleep out there?" said

I

Ingleborough.

"No," said the Boer; **you can sleep there," and he pointed to a rough-looking bed

"My

the room.

vrouw and

"Then this

I

Kaffir

in

sleeps with

one corner of

the horses.

My

sleep in the other room."

as soon as

we

can

we

should like to turn

dining-room into our bed-room," said Ingleborough.

"But

we'll

look at our ponies

first."

A-

270

DASH FROM DIAMOND

CITY.

The Boer grunted and proceeded

men went

while the two young

rough

shelter,

evidently the

to

refill

his pipe,

out and across to the

where they found

their

ponies looking

good

feed,

and the Kaffir

their

plumped-out

better

for a

grinning and ready to

pat

figures,

the ponies taking the touch of his hand as a friendly caress.

'*Eat a big lot," said the Kaffir, in the Boer tongue. ''Ah, like this," and he held a native basket for their

bottom of which was a specimen of

inspection, at the

the corn with which the ponies had been fed.

Capital; hard as shot!

"That's right. Jack!

There's

another shilling for you I"

The

as he took

Kaffir grinned again with delight

the money.

''Good baas!" he

said.

"Two good

baas!

Baas

want boy. Jack come 'long with you!"

"Not

this time,

"Very glad

mv come

to

lad!" 'long with

good baas!"

said

the man, in a disappointed tone of voice.

"No, we can't take you,

my

lad," said

West,

pat-

on the shoulder. "Have the ponies

ting the big fellow

saddled at daylight.

We're going

early."

The black nodded his head, and the pair, weary enough now from their long journey, and drowsy after their hearty meal, strode slowly

find that the table

had been

back

to the house, to

cleared, save that a couple

of big bread cakes lay on one end alongside of a

little

AT TANTE of biltong, the

pile

of ox-flesh so

much

ANN'S.

271

sun-dried mahogany-looking strips in

among

use

the

rough farmers

of the veldt.

The dirty-looking room smelt hot and stuffy, but a little window at the back had been thrown open, and the soft air blowing from off miles of plain made the place a little more bearable.

A

common lamp had

of light

been

came from beneath

led into the other room,

lighted,

the

and a streak

ill-fitting

door which

from which the low murmur

of voices could be heard

as

the

young men entered

talking cheerily together.

This announced their return, and the door creaked

upon

hinges,

its

giving entrance

to

the farmer,

who

pointed to the next day's provisions and significantly held out his hand.

man demanded an unconscionable amount, which made the pair exchange glances. But Ingleborough nodded as much as to say: "Pay the thief!" and the money was handed ^'How much,^"

said

West, and the

over and taken with a grunt. into the it

did

next room,

closing

After this the Boer passed the door after him; but

not prevent the acid voice

reaching the visitors! ears as

"The

if

of the vrouw from

to protest.

old scoundrel won't hand over the plunder,"

said Ingleborough, with a chuckle.

him what we

He had

didn't

"I hope

she'll

give

— a thorough good tongue-thrashing."

hardly spoken

when he found

that he

had

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

272

jumped at a wrong conclusion, for the door was pulled open again and the Boer reappeared. "Tante Ann says you are to make haste and put out the lamp," he growled, "for she don't want to be

burned

"All night,

her bed."

in

and bless you for a

freedom-loving

and

tell

specimen of the noble,

fine

Say good night

Boer.

"Good

Ingleborough.

right, uncle," replied

her that our sleeping chamber

Tante too,

to is

the very per-

fection of domestic comfort."

"Hunk!"

ejaculated the farmer, and he disappeared

again.

"I wonder that he did not turn upon you," said West, rather reproachfully; "he must have understood

you were speaking

that

"Not he,"

said

his

muddy-brained brute;

man

I

The

sarcastically."

companion.

more

"Thick-headed,

a quadruped than a

like

Kaffirs are gentlemen to

some of these

up-

country farmers, and yet they are the slaves."

"Too sleepily;

tired to

discuss

"but really

implements

in

this

place

Hallo!

said

ethics I"

He

— oh,

West

Agricultural

awful.

is

one corner, sacks of something

other, horns, saddles, tools

on.

moral

in

an-

I'm too sleepy to go

has taken those two

rifles

away

that

were slung over that low cupboard."

"To be

sure; so

he has!

Afraid

we

should steal

I

them, perhaps, and be off before he woke

you notice how he examined ours?"

!

I

say, did

AT TANTE "Yes;

ANN'S.

273

fancied he had noticed that they were

I

Mausers."

"Oh

They were

no.

fresh

him.

to

Well, I'm

going to take care that he doesn't help himself to them.

know what you're going to do, but to lie down on one side of that bed just bandolier and all, and I vote we lay the I don't

tween

Fm

going

as

am,

I

rifles

be-

us."

"I shall do the same," said West.

"What do you

window open

say to leaving the door and

for the sake

No fear of lions here?" know so much about that, but we

of the fresh air? "I don't get It's

should

some warning from the horses and oxen. not likely. What now?" There was a heavy thumping

into the other

at the

room, and the vrouw's

heard ordering them to put out the "Tell her, West, that

Bah

I

door leading

shrill

voice was

light.

her royal

commands

shall

be instantly obeyed by her obedient slaves." "Shan't,"

"That

rephed West.

and he turned out the

light,

will

quiet

putting an end to

its

her,"

abo-

minable emanation of coarse petroleum, while the soft starry light of a

glorious night stole

in,

showing the

shapes of door and windows.

"Hah

I

That's better I" said Ingleborough,

the rough bedstead creak as

down.

he

laid

making

himself gently

"I hope none of these cartridges will explode.

Oh, how

I

can sleep

1" 1$

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

274

*'And so can like this/'

sighed West, *'even dressed up

laying his

after

down

panion's, straight

'*We

I,"

the middle of the bed.

Jack the Kaffir to bring our shav-

didn't tell

he was

in

Ingleborough,

'*I

how our dear

West made no "I say!

I

you

shall,

through

that

say, though, if

is I"

want

I till

I

little

you hear

to sleep."

see the pearly

window

me

at

dawn

the back

turn round in the

begin to pop, just wake

me

may be an accident." West again made no reply. '*And we should have Tante Ann waking

up,

night and the cartridges up,

Anson

Westl"

'*A11 right, in

friend

reply.

*'Oh, don't talk, please.

here.

say."

))

"I wonder

streaming

who now

a horizontal position seemed to have

suddenly grown wakeful. ^'Well?

alongside of his com-

rifle

ing-water at daybreak," said that

CITY.

or there

when

there would be a greater explosion

still.

There,

good night!" ''Good night."

Then

silence,

save that the cry of some prowhng

creature far out on the veldt sounded wonderfully like

the baying of a dog.

CHAPTER XXVL DARK

A

A N

must

hour

*'

Then

in a

bearers

which

during

of the

despatch

low whisper West spoke.

Asleep, Ingle?"

"Asleep? close

passed away,

of the weary

neither

moved.

have

VISITOR.

my

was

No,"

whispered

back.

can*t

**I

eyes."

'^Neither can I."

*'Whv not?" *'Over tired and

excited,

suppose.

I

All this

is

so strange too."

"What have you been "At

first

I

w^onder whether I

thinking about?"

could only think of the despatch and

we

should get

it

began thinking of that black out

what he

Then

to Mafeking. in

the stable and

said,"

"About

his

master wanting his

pony saddled?"

whispered Ingleborough. a Yes.

What

did he

want

his

pony saddled

for at

that time of night?" 18=^

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

276

"How

CITY.

"That's what

strange " said Ingleborough. I

kept on bothering mel'* "Ingle."

"Yes." F

"Do you

meant treachery?"

think that fellow

"I don't know; but I'd believe in any treacherous act

on the part of a Boer."

"Would he be likely to where there is a commando?" "For the sake of

ride

somewhere

off

to

taken prisoners or

getting us

shot?" ^'Or so as to get possession of our ponies

him examining them as "So did I." There was

if

I

1

saw

he liked them."

and West spoke.

silence again,

"Ingle," he said, "I can't sleep here; the despatch

seems

We

to

shall

better

rest

of the veldt, or "Let's be will.

and

We

who

has

at

can

ing these people, and the man,

our

in

this stuffy,

off,

me

say

of

my

duty.

on

this

than

saddles

—the

paraffiny

free

room?

cool air

J)

once!" slip

most

the

remind

to

What do you

wretched bed.

"We

me

be sticking into

out quietly without waklikely

regular

we

are

misjudging

racial hatred

of the

British."

we must be careful, for if he heard shed and meddHng with the horses he'd

"Perhaps; but us going to the likely

enough begin blazing away

at us with his rifle."

A DARK VISITOR.

At

moment West

that

clutched his companion's

arm, for they heard no sound, but

all at

once the dark

man's head appeared framed

silhouette of a little

277

in

the

back window against a background of starry points

which glistened

like gold.

Ingleborough's

hand

stole

to

his

rifle,

which he

grasped, as both held their breath; but he did not

tempt to

raise

head was thrust

for the

it,

inside,

at-

and

a voice whispered the one word: "Baas." ''Yes," said

West

"What

softly.

is

it,

''My baas take pony and ride away.

Boer

fighting

good baas.

shoot

to

my

Go

lad?"

to fetch

You and good

baas him."

"Ah?"

ride

put saddles on

Jack

"Iss.

bridles

said West.

Tant'

Ann

put

Good baas both come and

on Basuto ponies.

away.

Basuto ponies;

never hear nothing.

Sleep

all

night."

"And

if

we go what

will

your baas do to you

when he comes and finds the ponies gone?" said West. "Bad baas never see me again! Going home to

my

country to-night."

"Ah,

that's

take the two

better!"

rifles,

and

said Ingleborough.

we'll get out here.

youVe a trump, and you shall have pieces for this, to buy new blankets." lad,

The

Kaffir chuckled

till

Jack,

my

five two-shilling

and clicked with

as he stood holding the rifles

"Here,

satisfaction

Ingleborough slipped

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

278

West pausing

out,

tong into

their

and the

out,

"How

cram

satchels,

bread cakes and

the

bil-

which he too sHpped

after

hurried towards the stables.

trio

far

to

has your baas to ride to the fighting

West asked the Kaffir. "Long ride," replied the black. "Many Boers yesterday, many Boers other day, many Boers come in Boers?"

morning with baas."

"Then we're borough.

some

all

good

right for a

start,"

said Ingle-

"I say, West, you're always taking

trap: hadn't

"You are we know that

I

me

into

better lead.^"

leading now," repHed West.

"How

do

there are not a dozen

enemv

in

of the

the stable?"

"What! Oh, nonsense! Come along!" The ponies whinnied as they entered, and the black struck a match and lit a wagon lantern, showing that they to

a

were ready bridled and

rail,

their

heads

tied

up

while examination proved that the saddles

were properly girthed ready

for a start.

"Here, stop a minute!" said Ingleborough, as the

man began heads.

to unfasten the reims attached to the ponies'

"Here,

I

promised you

and he counted them out ready

five two-shiUing pieces," in his

hand, making the

black's eyes sparkle with delight in the lamplight.

"Stop,"

said

West

sharply;

poor fellow's

by helping

losing his place, such as

it

our expenses money, and

I shall

is,

"the

us.

I

have

give him a sovereign."

A DARK VISITOR. he

**Well,

deserves

West pushed back

his

279

Ingleborough,

said

it/'

as

companion's hand containing the

and held out the sovereign,

silver coins with his left,

which looked very bright and new

the yellow light

in

shed by the lantern.

A

sudden change came over the

Kaffir's

face at

Instead of the grinning white teeth and twinkling

once.

hps were drawn tightly over

eyes his

his

teeth,

and

a scowl contracted his eves. *'No, no, no," in

the Boer Dutch,

Say

he cried, with child-like petulance, sadly

"No want

mutilated.

one.

five big shiUings." ((

Whatl"

cried West.

*'Why,

worth twice

this is

as much."

"No, no," cried the man poor black baas!

Kaffir.

Want

'*

angrily.

to cheat

No, no; Olebo want to help white

White baas want cheat poor black Zulu!" old

'*Poor merrily;

**his

Here, Jack sovereign,

chap!"

said

education

has

Ingleborough,

been

laughing neglected.

sadly

— Olebo, or whatever your name is— take the and you

pieces as well.

No

**Eh?

shall

have the

two-shillings

five

1)

cheat Zulu boy.^" cried the

man

doubt-

ingly.

"No,

all

right; catch hold.

There,

now you can

buy many blankets, and may you never be

tricked

any worse!"

"Hah! Yes; buy

lot,

take

home!" And

the white

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

28o

teeth

were shown

CITY.

were gripped

again as the coins

including the sovereign, which was held up

fast,

to the light.

**

White

"All right; but take

Now

No: yellow

shilling? it

to an honest

first

farden."

man,

my

lad.

then, untie those reims."

The black turned to obey, but stopped short and stood staring away through the open side of the shed for a

few moments, with the

showing

his face,

starting

his

upon

light

shining full

eyes,

open mouth, and

dilated quivering nostrils.

"Whafs

the

matter?

Can

he

hear

lion?"

a

whispered West. **Here, stop, stop I"

your jobl

—WeVe

He*s off to run

cried Ingleborough.

paid him too

amok among

well

"Finish

and too soon.

the brandy and blanket

dealers."

For the black had darted

outside, but in the

they saw him suddenly throw himself

one ear

gloom

down and

lay

to the ground.

"Yes, he can hear a

lion,"

grumbled Ingleborough;

"but the ponies haven't caught

He had

it

yet."

hardly finished speaking before the Kaffir

sprang up again and dashed into the shed, where he reached

up and dragged something from the

rafters

which proved to be an elephant-hide shield with three assegais secured to the handhold inside.

"Baas hold

this I"

Olebo hear horses!"

he said excitedly.

"Boer coming.

A DARK VISITOR. Half throwing the weapons

281

to Ingleborough,

who

caught them, and leaned them against his side while

he examined the charges of his

by West, the

an action imitated

rifle,

Kaffir rapidly unfastened the reims, setting

the ponies' heads free, and then darted at the lantern,

opened the door, and blew out the Hght.

**Now come

'long,"

he whispered, and taking the

ponies' heads he placed himself between

them

stopping the next

along,

moment

them and led to hold

them

steady while their riders mounted.

**01ebo run 'long with two baas

he

the way,"

"Basuto ponies tumble over ostrich pens."

said.

"Hah

I

he fancied

Good ideal" said West, and, listening now, he made out the sound of a troop of horse

in the distance; but

nothing

show

Ingleborough said he could hear

yet.

Leaving themselves

to the

guidance of the Kaffir,

they found

to

straight

he led them to the house, and then round

off,

their

surprise

where the

to the back,

little

that,

instead of striking

window by whose means

he had stolen close to where they lay and given the

alarm stood open.

"Here, take your shield!" said Ingleborough.

"Wait a "Hist!

bitl" replied the black, chuckling.

You'll have the old

"No," said the black

Wicked

old witch

burn backl

1

Wait a

Throw bit;

vrouw

confidently;

hear." "fast

kettle at Kaffir,

you see!"

asleep.

hot water

A DASH FROiM DIAMOND

282

CITV.

Dependent as they were on the man's guidance through the darkness amongst the enclosures, the tives left

him

to himself for a

what he was about

little

few moments, wondering

to do.

They soon knew, to the

window,

he stopped the ponies close

for

left

their

heads,

and went close

up, to begin fumbling about his spare garments,

came

the chink of the coins he

*'i\ratches,"

he

took a few from

reached

tlien

in

fugi-

said,

the

at the

had

whence

just received.

and West made out that he

box he held

in

his

window, chuckling

hand, and softly.

"Ingle," whispered West, with horror in his voice. '*

What's the matter?"

"Do

you know what he's doing?"

"Nobbling a couple of the blankets because he isn't

going to stay for his wages?"

"Xo; I'm the straw

sure he has emptied the match-box on

mattress,

and

is

going to burn down the

house."

"Nonsense!" Crack! went a match by way of endorsement of West's words,

began

and the next moment the

little

to burn inside the Kaffir's hands, Hghting

exulting

countenance

as

he waited

till

wood was well ahght. "What are you going

to

as he leaned forward

laid his right

black*s shoulder.

and

do?"

said

flame

up

his

the splint of

West

hoarsely,

hand upon the

— A DARK VISITOR. *'

going

Don't shake

make

big

light

out!" was the answer.

roast Tant'

fire,

28^,

Ann

!

Big

^'Olebo fat

witch,

soon burn!"

As the

the Kaffir finished he lowered one hand, leaving

match blazing

brightly,

leaning in to apply

it

and he was

to the

little

in

the act

heap of matches he

had placed upon the loose straw mattress, w^hen sliarp snatch at his

of

a

shoulder jerked him back, and the

burning sphnt dropped to the ground. *'Ah

—h

h!" growled die

man

savagely, and he

drew another match across the box he

"None of "Wicked strance.

still

held.

that!" growled Ingleborough sternly.

old witch!"

said the

black,

in

"Burn Olebol Don't give him enough

No good!" "You come Boers coming of the pens!"

along," cried West.

fast.

Now

then,

lead

remonto eat!

"I can hear the the horses clear

CHAPTER XXVIL NIGHT ON THE VELDT.

HTHE

and began what Ingleborough

grunted,

Kaffir

afterwards called

"chuntering/' but he obeyed at

once, leading the ponies at a quick walk in and out

amongst several

ostrich enclosures,

till

a quarter of a mile from the farm,

came

they were quite

from which there

the buzz of voices and the occasional stamp of

a horse on the

"No more

still

night

air.

and

wire fencel" said their guide,

dicating that they should

urge the ponies forward he

took his shield and spears from Ingleborough, hold of the

mane of West's pony, and

broke into a canter, ran talking softly,

in-

lightly

caught

then as they

by the animal's

and now and then breaking out

side,

into a

merry laugh. ^'Ought burnTant' witch!

Very

"I'm

fat

I

Ann^Vhe

said.

Make her good vrouwl"

afraid Jack's

morals are sadly

improvement, lad," said Ingleborough

"What

^'Wicked old

a horrible

ideal"

in

need of

at last.

replied West,

with

a

NIGHT ON THE VELDT, shudder; "and the worst of to consider that

it

285

seems

that the fellow

is

would have been a good piece of

it

fun."

"Yes,

is

it

his nature to,

as

we

are told of the

poems of Dr. Watts.

bears and lions in the

say the old

woman had been

poor fellow!

n

I

dare-

a horrible tyrant to the

*'But the hideous revenge!'* *'

Which

come

hasn't

off,

my

lad!

shocking in the extreme, and

scoundrel's ideas are

would not associate with him much Here! Hi!

But the black

in

the

I

future.

Olebo, stopl"

The young man drew

rein,

and the black looked

up enquiringly. **Lie

The from

listen for the

and

Kaffir nodded,

side

of the

jumped

up,

the

listened,

down and

Boers!"

trotted a

ponies,

dozen yards away

threw himself down,

and repeated the performance

three times at greater distances before returning.

'*No hearl'* he said. "It at the

would be safe then

other way."

to strike a

match and look

compass," suggested West, and, taking out

box, he struck a then held the

light,

"Due east." "Then we'll to-morrow

shaded

it

in his slouch hat,

pocket compass to

little

"Well, which

till

"Gone

way

are

and

it.

we going?"

turn due north,

night,

his

and travel that way

and see what that brings

forth."

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

386

CITY.

Starting off again, they journeyed on,

sometimes

at a walk,

much

the horses as

at

sometimes

an easy canter, so as to save while the Kaffir kept

as possible,

up, seeming not in the slightest degree distressed, but

ready

enter into

to

conversation

changing from one side

by a

at

to the other

any time,

so as to hold on

different hand.

**Soon be daylight now," said West; '^but

does not expect to keep on with

this fellow

*'0h no, pull

after

I

up before

don't think so for a

sunrise at

some

us,

I

hope

does he?"

moment.

We'll

sheltered place and have

a good look-out for danger before letting the ponies

graze and having breakfast.

what happens

Let's see

thenl"

But the sun was well up before a suitable kopje

came

in

likely

to

sight,

one so small that

contain enemies,

it

did

not

appear

but sufficiently elevated to

give an observer a good view for miles through the clear veldt

air,

^'Looks safe!" said Ingleborough; lish

children

circle

fear the

Boer

fire.

*'

but burnt Eng-

Let's

have a good

round."

This was begun, and the black instantly grasped

what

w^as intended,

stirrup-leather,

and hanging well down from West's

he began to search the ground carefully

for tracks, looking

up from time

and pointing

to time

out those of antelopes, hons, and ostriches, but never the hoof of horse or the footprint of man.

NIGHT ON THE VELDT.

"No Boer

"No

there!" he said.

287

Good

one come.

water," he continued, pointing to the shght tracts of grass which

among

had sprung up

the rocks

was losing

which

and decent-sized

"Any

it

rising

was nearer

to

trees.

Boers hiding tliere?" said West sharply.

"Boers ride there on ponies!" replied the decisively, as

ponies

but

soil,

with thorn-bush

fairly furnished

w^as

dry

itself in the

which looked brighter and greener as the kopje,

stream

a

w^here

Kaffir

he pointed down at the drab dust.

"No

make marks."

"That's

enough,"

said

"Come

Ingleborough.

along."

Without hesitation now they put rode up to

a canter,

the

pleasant

their

mounts

to

refreshing-looking

place, and after leaving the ponies with the Kaffir

and

climbing to one of the highest points, took a good look This proved that there was not a mounted

round. in sight,

there

and they descended

to

select

was plenty of herbage and water

when they

sat

down and began

"Nothing hke a

they had been eating for biltong

is

some

a spot where

for their steeds,

to breakfast.

appetite,"

fine

man

said

little

rather like eating a leg of

West,

time;

"but

mahogany

after this

dining-

r

table into oil

which a good deal of

salt

gravy and furniture

has been allowed to soak."

"Yes,

it is

rather wooden," said Ingleborough coolly.

"Must wear out a man's

.teeth

a good deal."

"

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

288

"Eland," said the dried

Kaffir,

meat on seeing

his

CITY.

tapping his stick of the

companions examining and

"Old baas shoot eland, Olebo him up and dry him in the sun. Good." smelling the food.

"Well,

how

it

isn't

O

bad,

child of nature

1

But

cut

I say,

do you mean to come with us?"

far

"No go any more,"

replied the

"Go Olebo

man.

Give her big shiUing and

kraal, see wife.

little

yellow

shilling,— Good ?

He

brought out the sovereign from where

been placed, and held

it

had

it

up.

"Good? Yes," said West, and he set to work to try and explain by making the black bring out a florin and then holding up his outspread ten fingers, when the

man seemed "Look but

I

to

have some idea of

here,

I'll

get

it

his

meaning.

into his benighted intellect;

should have thought that he would have known

what a sovereign was worth."

nodded sharply,

Just then the Kaffir

after

examin-

ing the coin.

"Gold?" he

"Of

said, in

course,"

said

sovereign and ten

more

heap and

down

Dutch. Ingleborough, florins,

at a short distance

The

Kaffir nodded,

heavy coins

in his

which he placed

from the

little

pile

and

in

he

"Look here, Olebo," he florins. "Buy four blankets I"

the sovereign.

taking up the ten

out

taking

a

a

laid

said,

his instructor replaced the

pocket to take up the sovereign.

NIGHT ''Now,

see

"Buy

out.

THE VELDT.

ON-

here/' said

289

Ingleborough,

holding

it

four blankets."

*'Ahl" cried the delighted black, snatching out his

own

treasured coins, the gold in one hand, the silver

"Buy

in the other.

cried,

four blankets for Olebo wife," he

Then putting it besovereign "Buy four blankets

holding forward the

hind him he held out the

silver.

:

for Olebo."

"Now

we've got

cried West,

it,"

laughing, and

watching the way in which the black hid his cash away.

"I say," he continued, to his companion, speaking English,

"where does he put

that

money

to

keep

in it

safe?"

"I dunno," said Ingleborough. natural

cunningly.

He

hide

to these Kaffirs to

See

how

artful

"It

away

seems to come their treasures

they are over the diamonds!

doesn't put the cash in his

trousers pockets, nor

yet in his waistcoat, nor yet his coat, because he has neither one

nor the

other.

I

expect he has a

little

snakeskin bag somewhere inside his leather-loincloth.

But here, I'm

thirsty; let's

have some water!"

As he spoke Ingleborough sprang up and walked towards the head of the

spruit,

followed by his com-

panions, and they passed the two ponies,

which were

hard at work on the rich green herbage along the border of the stream. lay

Then, getting well ahead of them,

down and thoroughly quenched their thirst. "Now," said West, "what next.^ We ought 19

all

to

290

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

•

go on

CITY.

once," and he unconsciously laid his hand

at

upon the spot where the despatch was hidden.

We

''No/' replied Ingleborough, "that won't do.

seem

safe here,

ready

enough

and we must hasten slowly.

his

stop

if

the

it

ponies

must be

grass and a rest."

comrade's words of wisdom. evening,

till

borough, "and take those bushes

but

hot too," said West, in ac-

getting

is

knowledgment of ''We'll

on,

They want more

properly nursed. ''The sun

go

to

We're

in

we can

lad,'*

continued

Ingle-

turn to sleep in the shade of

find a soft

We

spot.

had no

rest last night."

"I suppose that must be

he joined

in a sigh

on finding a

a mass of granite from

it,"

replied West,

and

satisfactory spot beneath

which overhung a quantity

of thorn-bush and creeper which formed an impenetrable shade.

The black followed them, noting keenly every movement and trying hard to gather the meaning of the English words.

"Two

baas

said at last,

see

if

in

lie

down long

broken Dutch.

Boer come.

time,

"Olebo

take the

first

sit

lie

down and

sleep.

watch."

Ingleborough made no opposition, and

had climbed up

and look,

See Boer, make baas wake up."

"No," said West; "you two I'll

go to sleep," he

to a spot beneath a tree

he could get a good stretch of the veldt

after

West

from which in

view, the

NIGHT ON THE VELDT.

291

down at once and did not stir a limb till West stepped down to them, when the Kaflfir sprang Others lay

up without awakening Ingleborough.

"Olebo look

West

Boers now/' he

for

and the

hesitated,

Kaffir

said.

grasped the mean-

ing of his silence.

"Olebo come and he

to fetch Boers,"

"So you "and

said.

young Englishman warmly,

did," cried the

trust

you now.

black

showed

I'll

baas when big old baas go

tell

Mind

the ponies

don't stray

away."

The happy

beautiful white

his

teeth in a

satisfied laugh.

"Too much

much nice water," he said. go away from baas only to find

grass, too

"Basuto pony don't grass.

"You're right!" said West. there!" he continued,

about

two hours

"Wait

pointing to where

after

midday,

till it

the sun

is

would be

"and then wake

the

other baas."

The

Kaffir

as he put

it

to himself,

would be unable five minutes,

grazing, till

he

nodded, and West lay down to

to

for

sleep;

rest,

he was convinced that he but he had not lain back

gazing at the sunlit rivulet and the ponies

before his

lids

closed and

all

was nothingness

was roused by a touch from Ingleborough.

The sun was

just dipping

Hke a huge orange ball

the vermilion and golden west. 19 *

in

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

292

CITV.

^'Had a good nap, old fellow?" '*0h,

it's

wonderful!" said the young man, spring-

up.

"I

don't

ing

minutes.

seem

have

been asleep

five

))

"I suppose not. is

to

Well,

good-bye.

waiting to say

all's right,

He

and Blackjack

wants to

start

off

home."

The

Kaffir

came up from where he had been

and caressing the ponies, and stood looking

at

patting

them

as

motionless in the ruddy evening light as a great bronze

image. **01ebo go now," he said, turning

show

his

shield to

that the remains of his share of the provisions

were secured

to the

^'Olebo see baas, both baas, some

plaited grassy rush.

day."

handle by a rough net of freshly-

He accompanied

the words with a wistful look

at each,

and before they could think of what

in reply

he turned himself sharply and ran

to say off at a

rapid rate, getting out of sight as quickly as he could

by keeping close

to

the bushes,

before striking

out

into the veldt. *'

Humph

I

suppose they are treacherous savages,

I

some of them," said Ingleborough thoughtfully; "but there doesn't seem to be much harm in that fellow if he were used well." "I believe said

West

him go."

he'd

sadly.

make

'^I'm

a very

faithful

servant,"

beginning to be sorry

we

let

NIGHT ON THE VELDT.

"So am

We

I.

shall

without

lonely

quite

feel

293

But the despatch."

him.

"Ah

yes, the despatch!"

"Now

self together.

said West,

pulling him-

and saddle, and a long

then, boot

night's ride!"

"And a good day's way we must get on."

A

afterwards!

rest

the

they had taken their

quarter of an hour after,

bearings

That's

by compass and mounted, when

the well-

refreshed ponies started off at once in a brisk canter, necessitating the drawing

time; and then

it

was

of the

on,

rein

on

on,

at

from time to different

rates

beneath the wonderfully bright stars of a glorious night, during which they passed several farms and one goodsized village,

which were carefully avoided,

had enough provisions and naturally

more

it

if

to

them

last

a halt was to be

would have

to

be

for they

for another day,

made

to

purchase

a seasonable time.

at

"Yes," said Ingleborough

laughingly,

be a sure way of getting cartridges

and roused up a Boer farmer

if

"it

we wanted them

in the night.

soon give us some, the wrong

way

would

He would

on."

"Yes," said West, "and there would be the dogs to

deal with

as

well.

Hark

at

that

deep-mouthed

brute!"

For

just

then the cantering of their ponies had

been heard by the watch-dog it

went on baying

at

them

till

at

one of the farms, and

the sounds

grew

faint.

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

2 94

Then

was on and on again

it

a strange feeling

till

and they had

of weariness began to oppress them, to fight with the desire

and nod over a dislocating

At

which made them bend forward

their ponies' necks,

rising

up again with

start.

West made

the second time of this performance

a great effort and began watching his companion, to

Then

see that he was just as bad. to sleep

began

the intense desire

to master the watcher again.

he

*'Hi, Ingle!"

"Rouse

cried.

up, and

let's

walk

for a mile or two.'*

*'Yes,

yes.

—What's

that?"

pony and cocking his was a sudden rushing

springing off his

For there

crowd of animals, of what kind

great

dark to see; but

it

Ingleborough,

cried

was evident

rifle.

as of a

noise

was

it

too

still

had come

that they

suddenly upon a migratory herd of the graceful-limbed antelopes that had probably been grazing and had been startled into flight.

"Pity a sigh.

it

was not

"We

then at the

first

patch of fire

wood and pool

and

But a couple of hours rest

biltong,

and refreshment,

of water

we

frizzled antelope-steaks." later, it

when they

was

stale

halted for

cake,

hard

and cool fresh water.

"Never mind, we're miles nearer Mafekingl" West.

with

could have got some fresh meat, and

could have had a

their

said Ingleborough,

light!"

"How many

more

nights will

it

take?"

said

NIGHT

ON"

THE VELDT.

295

The answer to that question had not been arrived at when they dropped asleep, lulled by the sound of rippling water and the crop^ crop^ crop made by the grazing ponies, and this time their weariness was so Ingleborough great that sleep overcame them both. was

to

have watched, but nature was too strong, and

both slept

till

self-reproach.

sundown, to

rise

up

full

of a feeling of

CHAPTER XXVIIL A LOUD REPORT.

"T^AYS

of rest and nights of travel succeeded, during

which the despatch-riders began to wonder

at the

ease with which they progressed. **I

thought

said West.

would be twice

it

We

Ingleborough

rein as

"nearer than

he spoke, West's pony stopping

same time

They had been night,

drily;

Haiti"

He drew short at the

a

must be very nearMafeking now."

**Yes, very/' said

thought.

hard a taskl"

"Here have we been two days without

sign of a Boer!

I

as

as

its

riding

companion.

steadily

on

through the

and now as the ponies stood side by

side they

stretched out their necks in the soft cool darkness, and

the sound of their cropping told that they were amongst grass.

"Why

did

you

pull

up?"

said West, in a cautious

whisper.

"For you now."

to

hear

how

near

we

are to Mafeking

;

A LOUD REPORT.

297

''Near?"

"Yes; can't you hear the firing?"

"No,"

said West,

"Yes,

now

there

was a

I

delivered in the

"A

few moments' pause.

he cried eagerly,

do," dull

after a

concussion as

if

for all

at

once

a blow had been

air.

cried

West

"I forgot," said West

softly.

heavy gun,"

excitedly.

"Hist!"

"That must be one

of the siege guns," he continued.

"Yes," said Ingleborough, "and

it

must be near

daybreak, with the bombarding beginning.

perhaps

At

we

are nearer the

Be

enemy than we thought."

the end of a couple of minutes there

dull concussion

careful

was the

of another heavy gun, and this

was

continued at intervals of ten or fifteen minutes during the next hour, while the adventurers advanced cautiously at a walk,

keeping a sharp look-out through the trans-

parent darkness for a patch of rocks or woodland which

might serve

for

their

dawned before a itself,

in the

next

suitable

halt.

But day had quite

place of refuge presented

shape of one of the low kopjes.

"Dismount!" whispered Ingleborough sharply, and they spent the next ten minutes carefully scanning the district

round

in

full

expectation of seeing

some

sign

of the enemy.

But nothing worse was

in

view than two or three

of the scattered farms of the open veldt, and in the

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

298

CITY,

distance a dark indistinct patch which appeared to be

a herd of grazing

but so distant that neither

cattle,

could be sure.

On was

be

to

dash the

way

their

their

the

for

patch

to the

rock and brush that before making a

resting-place

last

beleaguered

going north and

trail

of.

town, south,

they

and

upon

struck

two places

in

scared off vultures from the carcass of an unfortunate ox,

shrunken and dried

bones and hide were

They were too

in

the

sun

little

but the

out the

smoke,

till

left.

distant to

but steadily increasing

fire

were quite near enough

make

told plainly

enough

for a dash into the

that they

town when

darkness set in that night.

"You said

think then that this will be the best way.^"

West, as they reached

their shelter without seeing

a sign of danger. *'I

fact,

am

not sure yet!" replied Ingleborough.

I'm very doubtful whether w^e should not

the place

certain to

is

and we should very Oliver pressing

it

'*Then

and then

West

fail,

for

be surrounded by the enemy,

likely

laid

*'In

his

be ridden or shot down.*'

hand upon the despatch,

so that the paper crackled beneath the cloth.

we had

try

better ride in as near as

and creep

we

dare,

in at the darkest time."

"Let's pray for the clouds to be thick then I" said

Ingleborough; quarter.

"for the moon's

getting past the

Last night would have done exactly."

first

A LOUD REPORT.

we were

*'But

^*Yes; fore

we

it

Hark

not here.

sounds as

299

Mafeking

if

at the

firmg!"

be taken be-

will

get there!"

''For

goodness' sake

"Don't

let's

But

shelter.

I

talk at

don't

talk

then.

all

that!"

like

get well into

Let's

see no sign of water yet."

Neither did the speaker after they had carefully

explored the an ample

rocky hillock, but fortunately there was

supply

which were soon

of succulent grass after

the

for

good

luxuriating in a

ponies, be-

roll,

fore grazing contentedly away, while their riders, after

another examination

from the highest

and

of the place

had

point,

to satisfy

much

a very scanty shelter and a

glance

round

themselves with

scantier meal.

*'Never mind," said Ingieborough; breakfasting in luxury to-morrow morning,

"we I

shall

be

hope, with

our appetites sharpened by the knowledge that

we have

achieved our task." "I hope sol" said

West

"But don't doubt,

my

"I can't help

till

my we

lad,"

cried Ingieborough

"Don't be downhearted now we are so nearl"

cheerily.

and

gravely.

state

it

1" replied

West.

"I feel on thorns,

of anxiety will grow worse and worse

get there.

Hark

at the firing!"

"I can hear," said Ingieborough coolly. deaf so

if I

let's

turn!"

couldn't!

"Be very

There, that's the last scrap of cake,

drown our troubles

in

sleep.

You have

first

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

300 U-\T

"I feel too anxious to sleep!

No/' replied West.

You

CITY.

begin."

"Can't," was the reply.

anxious than you do.

we

"I wish

"If anything,

more

I feel

couldn't restl"

I

could canter gently on

till

we were

t

seen by the Boers, and then go on

town!" said West. "Would

into the

must be done with

be too dangerous?"

They would

guile.

right

gallop

"No;

madnessl" replied Ingleborough.

"Just

certain.

it

full

it

cut us off for

ji

iiT'

"Very

I'm afraid so!" said West.

we must wait "And sit

for the evening.'*

wakeful," said Ingleborough.

"Yes," said West.

And

sit

then,

well,

"Sleep

is

there wakeful they

their only satisfaction

impossible!"

did,

hour

hour,

after

being that of seeing their weary

horses enjoying a good

feed

untroubled

by the

in-

creasing heat, or the cares which harassed their masters.

For as the sun rose higher the creased,

till

it

going on, and

was evident in his

that

a terrible attack was

weariness and despair no words

on the part of Ingleborough had any

who their

felt

distant firing in-

effect

convinced that before they

journey Mafeking

would have

upon West,

could

continue

fallen

into

the

enemy's hands.

There was no further jflies,

hunger, and a burning

sufficient to

talk thirst

The

heat,

either of

them

of sleep.

were

have kept them awake, without the

terrible

A LOUD REPORT.

301

feeling of anxiety

and the alarms caused by bodies of

horsemen or

of wagons journeying

lines

were waiting

tion they

Again and again be coming his

in

the direc-

to take.

of the Boers seemed to

parties

and West and

straight for the hiding-place,

companion crept on hands and Jmees towards

their

ponies, getting hold of their reims, and then crouching

by them ready

mount and gallop

to

should the necessity

But

it

way

like

the

day ghded

hope, ior though the into the

it

on

and

heard the it

Ingleborough.

evening

at

last

of cooler air and, what

wafts to

firing still

them

still,

went on,

it

a feeling of

had dwindled

slow steady reports of one heavy piece

discharged at about the same rate

"And

lives

arise.

was of more consequence

first

their

did not, and in a strangely-feverish dream-

came, bringing with

down

for

firing in the

own

tells its

**The town

as

when they had

morning.

tale with truthful lips!" said is

still

holding out, and the

defenders have ceased to reply." "

Because they are nearly beaten " said West sadly. I

"By no means, you Ingleborough cheerily. their

ammunition!

croaking

" It*s

because they want to save

They only want

have something w^orth

firing

at.

their shells

grumpy!"

in

at

random.

when they

to fire

As

they have the whole town to shoot pitching

old raven!" cried

for at,

the

enemy,

and keep on

There,

don't

be

!

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

302

can't help itl" cried

''I

me

credit for

cause

we

West

passionately.

having kept up well

are so near success that

I

till

now.

''Give It's

be-

feel everything so

keenly."

"I know^, old fellow, and you Ingieborough. just to

Just a

"I didn't play a false

encourage you. little

may

more

trust

me I"

prophet's

said

part

I'm speaking the simple truth

patience,

and you

shall deliver

your

despatch." *'If I

could only feel that!" cried West.

'*It

may

be the savmg of Mafeking to receive news perhaps of help being on the way."

"Be patient then! It will soon be night, and then we'll mount and make our final dash!" '*No/' said West bitterly; "wc shall have to make it

now.

Look."

CHAPTER

XXIX.

HARD PUSHED.

NGLEBOROUGH

shaded

and turned very

his eyes

grave, for on gazing in the direction pointed out

by

his

men

companion's finger he saw a column of horse-

creeping over the veldt as

their resting-place, while as they

watchers could

make

ing a long train of

oxen.

They found

not of oxen,

coming

if

straight for

came nearer

the eager

out that the party were

guard-

wagons drawn by great teams of that there

were two other teams,

but of ponies similar to their own, and

not dragging the great tilt-covered wagons, but something heavy and comparatively small.

"Guns I"

said Ingleborough laconically.

"Yes, and heavy guns too!" cried West.

"YouVe us.

for

It's

right, lad;

an ammunition

Mafekingl

and they train,

will

and

come near

not

they'll 'go straight

That's another false alarm!"

Ingleborough was quite

crept slowly on along the track distant as the sun sank

for the distant train

right,

till

lower and

it

grew dim and

finally

disappeared

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

304 in the

CITY.

But the troubles of the despatch-

haze of dust.

bearers were not at an end, and they lay watching the

west with

its

great masses of ht-up clouds, glorious in

their colouring,

the last bright lights had died out,

till

before they turned to look

And

then

fact that

West drew

the direction of the east.

in

companion's attention to the

his

behind them the sky was perfectly

the pale moon, a couple of days past the

was gradually growing

clear,

first

and

quarter,

brighter and brighter in w^hat

promised to be a perfectly unclouded ''Yes," said Ingleborough coolly;

night.

"we

shall

have

a glorious time for our ride."

"A aim

glorious

at us as

we

night for the Boer outposts to take ride in."

"No," said Ingleborough

"I think not!"

coolly.

"What do you mean?" said West, turning sharply upon his companion. "You have some fresh idea?" Being in such a pickle as

"Well, yes. a

man li

course.

"Wait a

bit

"I'm sharpening

What

low as he

sat in

plain

could,

to hide

impatiently,

towards

them

silence for about

that the

coolly.

still."

straggling away, and bring

had helped

keen."

do?"

are you going to

and seel" replied Ingleborough

West turned away as

make them

sharpening his wits to try and

Of

this sets

night

it

all

his

back

to

go,

stooping

which

pony,

to the bushes

was which

the day, after which they

an hour,

was as dark

until

as

it

it

was

quite

was Ukely

to

HARD PUSHED. Then

be.

in

a

nervous

305

way he turned

excited

to

Ingleborough again.

West

*'Yes/' said the latter, without waiting for

speak; the in

will

**it

moon

grow no darker

to set,

unless

and by that time

I

we

to

wait hours for

hope we

shall

be

Mafeking."

**What do you mean to do then?"

till

"Mount and ride steadily on at a gentle canter we get in touch with that ammunition train." "But we shall be challenged by their rear-guard." "Perhaps,"

not.

we

I

said

Ingleborough

"perhaps

coolly;

reckon on getting pretty close up without.

are challenged, I want

"Of

you

to

course," replied West.

do as

I

you."

tell

"Anything

If

to

fulfil

our task!"

"Ready.?"

"And

waiting!"

"Then mount!" Their ponies were waiting patiently by their sides,

and the next minute they had sprung and rode

off in the direction taken

West asked no

questions,

for

into the saddles

by the he was

train. full

of con-

fidence in his long-tried companion, and with the ponies

well refreshed and steadily on,

eager from their

rest,

they rode

keeping a sharp look-out for danger,

but

meeting with no adventure for quite a couple of hours,

by which time both

felt

that they

must be getting near

to the end of their journey. 20

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

^o6

But they had nothing off the

CITY.

to guide them, for they

and even had they been on,

track,

have been impossible to follow

would

in the strange eerie

it

Hght shed by the quarter-moon.

dence that they were

it

were

Once they had

in all probability

going

evi-

right, for

a horrible odour suddenly assailed their nostrils, making

them press

their ponies'

sides

and go past something

holding their breath

indistinct at a gallop,

well beyond what was in

all

some wretched horse or ox

till

probability

that

they were

body of

the

had died of overwork

and exhaustion.

"We

must keep on now!" whispered Ingleborough.

"I feel that

we

are going right."

"But the Boer laagers and outposts!" whispered back West.

"Somewhere ahead,

We

thing to chance.

of Mafeking, so or three.

Keep

I

lad; but

we must

leave some-

are, say, within half-a-dozen miles

put

it;

perhaps not more than two

a sharp look-out for lights."

"The enemy's?" "Or friends'," replied

"There's a

Ingleborough.

good deal of chance now, and we must

trust

a

little

to our luck,"

"In other words, you mean make a bold dash?"

"Yes, but not a blind one!

gumption

into

what we do!

I

want

You'll trust

to put a

me?

little

J)

"I will!"

"Forward

then,

and give the ponies

their

heads!"

.

HARD PUSHED.

307

West gave vent to a deep low '*HahI" of satisfaction, and away they went, with their mounts seeming from pressure on

the freedom

to exult in

their

bits,

keeping close together, and bounding along over the level veldt as if perfectly familiar with the way, their riders

knew

to

it

be bespread with

though

pitfalls in

the

shape of the burrows made by the aardvarks and other

made the wide open veldt their home. The moon shone brightly now, though the light

animals that

was

and the distance ahead looked strange

puzzling,

and weird; but the pace

at

which they were going had

a peculiarly exhilarating effect upon both of the riders,

who seemed

share the

to

For, guesswork though

must to

right ahead,

lie

feel

it

excitement of their ponies.

was,

West

felt

that

Mafeking

and as they dashed on he began

a kind of certainty that

if left to

themselves

sagacious steeds would take them right into the

their

tow^n

A in this

good four miles must have been passed over way,

and

at

attack West, filling

be going

in the

last

a fresh sensation began to

him with anxiety

wrong

they must before now^,

direction. if right,

lest

they should

For he argued

that

have come upon signs

of the besiegers, and he was in the act of leaning over

make him

acquainted with his

doubt was chased

away by a loud

towards Ingleborough to fears,

when

challenge

all

from

his

right,

followed by a flash and a

report.

20 *

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

3o8

That one shot was the opening note of an overture, for directly after

and the

their heads,

the balls

first

reports

began whistling over

grew

into a loud rattle

followed by the trampling of horses and loud shouting. "It's all right," said firing

at

random.

It's

Ingleborough coolly; "they're impossible to take aim on a

Can you see them?" "No; only the flashes!" said West excitedly. "That's enough! Then they can't see us! We're

night like this

through

and

ril

their

I

lines

for they're

too,

back our horses to beat

firing

behind

us,

theirs in a race."

now began to ring out on their right, and directly after they came from their left. "Shall we shout?" whispered West. "No. What for?" "We must be getting among our own people!" "No such luck, my lad! Keep steadily on! Ah! Reports

Poor beast!"

"What

is

it?"

said

stopped short, obeying

West

its

excitedly, as his

mount

natural instinct and the love

of companionship of a gregarious animal.

For

Ingle-

borough's pony had suddenly uttered a peculiar neighing cry, reared up, and fallen backwards.

"Are you hurt?" whispered West again. "No; I just escaped! Quick; jump down." West was on his feet directly, and Ingleborough grasped

his

arm.

"I'd say ride for

it

alone, lad," he whispered, with

HARD PUSHED. his lips close to his

Now down

safest.

309

companion's ear; "but

my way

on your hands and knees and

is

let's

play wild dog or baboon!"

"I don't understand you!" whispered West. *'

Never mind; do as

I

do!" and the next minute

they were going along on hands and knees over the

ground,

level

feeling

galloping horses

all

quiver with the trampling of

it

round, while the flashing of

and the crackling reports seemed all

be coming from

directions.

So near

West no

to

rifles

way

them came some of the horsemen

certain

felt

hail,

to

that

they must be seen; but there was

no whistling

wearisome though the

bullet, and,

of progression was to the muscles and painful to

hands and knees. West kept on side by side with

companion

till

his

the firing began to drop off and then

ceased, though the hurrying to and fro

of horses

still

went on. "It

was sooner than

at last;

"but

crawl.

If

I

we

meant

I

intended," said Ingleborough

for us to dismount at last

are seen the

enemy

will

take

and

us

for

hyaenas or dogs."

He had

hardly whispered

shot was fired from, their

them,

when

left,

these words

before

a

the bullet whisthng over

to the astonishment of

uttered a snarHng yelp, followed

West, Ingleborough

by an excellent

imi-

tation of a dog's bark.

"Do

as I dol" he whispered, and the next

moment

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

-.10

he

had thrown himself upon

fectly

CITV.

his side

and lay per-

still.

**What folly!" West was disposed to say; but he followed his companion's example, letting himself sink sidewise like a dying quadruped, feeling the despatch

him

crackle beneath

as he lay listening to the trampling

of horses growing more distant, and waiting for Ingle-

borough

to speak,

"Seems a at last; **but I

stupid sort of

thought

it

dodge I"

better to let

said the latter

them

we

think

were hyaenas than human beings,"

"But we had a narrow escape of being shot I" replied West.

and escaped.

"Yes,

human

beings

we

Now

prisoners.

"Safe, with

had taken us

If they

for

should have been either shot or taken we're safe this

I"

bright

moon

ready

shining

show every movement?" "Then why move until we are enemy will not come near us so long

safe,

lad?

to

The

as they think

we

are dead animals."

"But

if

"How

pockets.

make

out what

we

are

—how

then?"

then?" said Ingleborough, with a low

castic laugh.

come and

they

"Why,

see

They

then they'll behave like Boers, and

there's anything

worth taking

are sweet people!

But wait a

if

sar-

soon as they are farther

in

bit.

our

As

off we'll continue our journey."

"Without our horses?"

HARD PUSHED.

daybreak I

Fm

poor beasts!

'*Yes;

show us

will

feel sure.

Well

gone; but

sorry they're

we

that

311

are close to Mafeking,

we

crawl on as far as

and

can,

then get up and run for our lives."

"Yes

you know how clever they are

but

;

down a running buck!" "Some of them!" said Ingleborough

at

bringing

"Well,

am

if I

brought down,

moment: out with your

knife, rip

drily,

don't

hesitate a

my

jacket, get

open

the despatch, and run on."

"Do you mean that?" "Of course." "What about you? Are you

to

be

left

wounded

here on the veldt?"

"Yes:

until the

despatch reaches the proper hands.

Then come and save me

you can,"

if

"I understand," said Ingleborough if

matters

come

to

the worst!

Let's

drily.

"That's

hope they

will

not!"

He

raised his

head a

little

and had a good look

round as soon as he had finished speaking, for

now

very

still,

and as

eerie light there

"Now He

he could make out

was not a Boer within

then,"

no; not like that.

far as

he said

all

softly;

"let's

was

in the

sight.

go on!

No,

Crawl, man, crawl."

West was about to spring up. Then their painful imitation of some quadruped recommenced. West following his comrade only spoke in time, for

a dash from diamond

:m2 o

patiently and unquestioningly

come over **

citv.

a change seemed to

till

the light.

Morning coming

fast!" said

West.

*'The sooner the better," was the reply; "for I'm

we

not sure that

are going right,"

**I'm sure we're going

wrong," said West quickly.

"Why?" "Because we

wagon

going straight

are

for

that

great

laasjer."

"Yes;

there's Mafeking,

with

its

corrugated-iron

roofs, off to our right."

"Hah!" was a

flash

ejaculated West, for at that

from the

moment

front of the laager they

there

were ap-

proaching, followed by a tremendous roar and a hissing

sound overhead, as a

way towards the not more than a

shell Avinged its

town, whose outskirts w^ere certainly

couple of miles away.

"We've wasted ever so much strength," said Ingleborough; "but never mind: we know exactly where we are.

It's

about two miles' run to the nearest houses.

What do you

say

— go

on crawling, or make a dash?"

"It will be broad daylight directly," replied West,

"then

we

for every

be discovered, and become the mark

shall rifle

within range.

we

w^alk steadily

on

and then run

for our lives."

till

"Wait a moment! find out that

we

I

say

see that

Do

let's

we

get up and

are discovered,

you know how we

are discovered?"

shall

HARD PUSHED. *^Yes," said

West

"we

coolly;

^.i^. o»o

shall

have the

bullets

whisthng about us."

you are cool!" said Ingleborough.

*'Well, it;

and

we

in addition

Boers coming at

full

"That's

have some of the mounted

shall

gallop."

"Perhaps," said West; **and perhaps the Mafeking outposts will begin firing to

cover

feel breathless to begin,

it's

Come

for

quietly,

the nearest building

—a

and

I

rapidly getting lighter.

serted; but

seemed

had one advantage

it

where they were, and

object to

any mounted Boer who came

Then with

—

it

be perfectly de-

it

was the nearest

would,

if

fall

the town;

upon

fire

in pursuit.

the day broadening rapidly they walked

and burst

far

in

advance, right away

in

but there was no sign of pursuit for quite

ten minutes, and not a friend outskirts the fugitives

"Now

they could

with shell after shell arching over their

on,

heads, to

straight for

to

form cover from which they could

it,

steadily

making

set off,

long, low, broad place with a

corrugated-iron roof which

cool,

then,

on!"

They rose

reach

Now

us.

anywhere

visible

in the

approached.

then," shouted Ingleborough suddenly;

and as you run unsling your

rifle

"be

and be ready

for a shot, for I'm going to fight to the last."

"Make

for that

"Yes.

Forward; here they come."

Away

they

shed?"

went,

for

West

at

his

companion's

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

314

warning had looked sharply round, of mounted Boers dashing

and the

fugitives

of their

them

after

had hardly got far

rifles

about a score gallop,

at full

into the

full

swing

they heard cracky cracky cracky

stride before

the reports of

to see

the

in

rear,

and ptngy pingy

ptng^ the whistling buzz of the thin bullets, several of

which came unpleasantly near. **Open out half-a-dozen yards," said Ingleboro ugh '^and

lessen

Think we

marie!

their

shall

reach that

shed?" said

**No,"

thought.

hind

it

West

coolly.

^'It*s

farther off than I

clump yonder, and he be-

Let's stop at that

to fire back."

"Very be taken

in flank

"Not

till

shall

and rear."

we've brought down two of them," said

West, through

"Two

we

well; but they'll ring round us and

his teeth.

apiece,"

Ingleborough.

said

put on a spurt, and

let's

"

Now

then,

get to that heap, or they'll

be down upon us before we're half-way to the shed.

Runl"

They

did run, with

all their

might; but out on the

open veldt distances are horribly deceiving, especially in the early

fugitives

morning

the Boers

clump of earth

it

came

and

to the

rapidly

despair

nearer,

of the

while

which they made seemed

to

the

be as

The only thing they made out was became more diffused, and they plainly saw that

distant as ever.

that

for

light,

IIAKD PUSHED. it

was a long ridge of earth

315

thrown up,

freshly

evi-

dently from a ditch beyond.

"Why, "Run,

run;

lad,

a long

it's

we must do

now!

it

Ingleborough.

cried

rifle-pit,"

)J

But the pursuing Boers were coming on the fugitives

felt

that

in

and

fast,

a minute or so they would

be overtaken.

There was something, though, as the

in their favour,

enemy converged upon them

distance ceased, those

ing to hit their

own

of no use;

"It's

Ingleborough,

now mark

diminish the

who were

the firing from a

using their

rifles

fear-

friends.

we

can't

that there at

for

do

panted West, as

itl"

was no need

which the Boers

to try

fired,

and

closed in

again.

"Not two hundred yards away now!" borough hoarsely.

said Ingle-

"Let's turn and have a couple of shots at

them!"

cried West.

"No: we should be bound It

was not the distance

killing,

and Ingleborough was

and turned

coming

in

to

miss.

but' the right.

Run, run!"

pace that was

To have stopped

to fire, with their pulses throbbing,

breath

a laboured way, every nerve and muscle on

the jump, must have resulted in missing; and the next

moment

the

enemy would have

ridden over

them and

they would have been either shot or prisoners.

Knowing

this,

they tore on

till

the

rifle-pit

was

— A DASH FROM DIAMOND

3i6

hundred yards

a

only

spread out Hke a fan not

away. fifty

The

foremost

yards distant, and

gallop, with the result

at full

CITV.

Boers

came on

appearing certain that

before the fugitives had torn on despairingly another score of yards their enemies would be upon them. **

My

despatch!"

then aloud: '^Halt!

True

to his

groaned West to himself,

and

Fire!"

comrade

in those despairing

moments,

Ingleborough obeyed the order, stopped short, swung round,

and following West's example, he was

act of raising his

ing hands,

rifle

the

in

to his shoulder with his quiver-

when

Crack, cracky cracky cracky cracky cracky half-a-dozen flashes

and

puffs of

smoke came from over

the ridge of

the low earthwork in front, emptying four saddles, while

one horse went down headlong, pierced from chest

haunch by a

bullet,

their pursuers

and the fleeing pair saw the

open out

right

and

left,

to

rest

of

swing round

away back, pursued by a crackling which brought down six more before they were and

to

gallop

fire

out

of range.

Meanwhile twice over the big gun from

work

far

fugitives'

away

sent a couple of shells

heads on

their

and a few seconds shouted:

"Cease

later

earth-

over the

to the beleaguered town,

a cheery English voice had

firing!"

hurrying out of the to

way

right

its

rifle-pit

Then a dozen men came where they had

surround the exhausted pair.

lain low,

HARD PUSHED. ^'

Hands up!" shouted

are you

his left

ven's sake

to

"Who

r

cried

hand upon

the ground.

He

their leader loudly.

— deserters?"

''Deserters!''

317

his

"Despatch

West

hoarsely,

breast and

as he pressed

let his

rifle

fall to

—Kimberley—Water— for Hea-

—help!"

sank upon his knees, for everything seemed

be swimming round him before he became quite

Wind.

But he could hear

still

what he heard was a hearty

as he

swooned away, and

British cheer.

CHAPTER XXX. AT THE COAL. ''TT has more than paid night,

when

for

it

down

they lay

said

all!"

West

that

to rest after a wildly-

exciting day.

"Yes,"

repHed Ingleborough,

laughing.

**I

felt

quite jealous I"

'T don't believe youl" said couldn't; they all

made

as

much

did over me, from the chief

"Well,

I

West fuss

"You

sharply.

over you as they

downward!"

suppose they did; but

I

began

to

have

the horrors once!" ii

Horrors?"

"Yes; knowing as of food,

I

began

I

did that they must be short

to think that they

were welcoming

warmly because we were something good to eat, and all the feasting was the beginning of fattening

us so

us up."

"Of

course you did!" said

West

drily.

"I say though," continued Ingleborough; not a state secret, what

when he took you

was

aside .^"

it

"if

it

is

the chief said to you

AT THE GOAL. '*0h,

no secret from you!" replied West.

it's

"Let's have

"Well,

319

it

of

first

thenl" all,

was a

it

of

lot

flattery."

"Flattery?"

"Yes, about being

so

and bringing the

brave,

Kimberley despatch through the Boer

"That was not patch to

"So

its

"

did

You

flattery.

lines."

did bring the des-

destination very bravely."

you!"

Oh, very

said

West

well, so did T

Being buttered

sharply.

then

was we

It

1

is

not an

unpleasant

when you can honestly

believe

that

like!

and, without

being vain,

I

if

you

sensation

you deserve

suppose we can

it;

that

feel

our consciences are at rest"

"Nevermind

that!" said

West

like

being buttered, as you call

that

he should have

to

it.

"I don't

hurriedly.

The

chief said then

send another despatch back to

Kimberley, and that he should ask us to take

"What

it,"

a cracker!" cried Ingleborough.

"Cracker— he?

I

declare he did!"

"I don't believe you."

"Very well!" "No;

it

is

said

West

stiffly.

not very well!

say anything about us.

He

Come now, said

you.

he didn't

Confess

:

the

truth!"

West began ii

said,"

to hesitate.

He — well — perhaps

not exactly in

the words I

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

320

''That will do,

sir

cramming

are convicted of

account of the interview.

"But he meant he did

**No,

"I say shan't

—of making

He

up a

fictitious

did not allude to me."

to include you,

not, Noll;

*'You

Ingleborough.

cried

I"

CITY.

of course 1"

he meant you."

he meant both of

he

If

us.

did not,

1

go!"

"What!" 'T shall not go a step out of the

way

my

without

comrade!"

"What!" "Well, come, "If

butter! there's

I like that, lad,

mean

I

"All There,

cried Ingleborough, holding out his hand.

Inglel" said

it,

right, old

we'll

you mean

West

it."

reproachfully.

You always were a trump! despatch back And now no more

chap!

take the

!

We're very brave an end of

if

I say,

it,

of

fellows, I

course,

and

wonder how Anson

is

getting on."

"The miserable renegade!" like to see the

cried West.

"I should

scoundrel punished!"

"Well, have patience!" said Ingleborough, laughing.

"It's a

very laudable desire, which

of seeing gratified. well go to sleep

I live

in

hopes

But don't you think we might as

and make up

for all

we have gone

through?" "Yes, but who

is

to

sleep with

all

this

terrible

bombarding going on?" "I for one! " said Ingleborough.

"I'm getting quite y

AT THK GOAL. used to

it!

But

I

say,

lean see a

is

it?"

West

said

listening to the roar of the

of

shells,

bardment

way

better

diamond

ing a fortune than keeping in the

*'What

^21

business."

He was

carelessly.

enemy's guns and the crash

Boers were keeping up

for the

of mak-

their

bom-

right into the night,

mean to go oh dear, how West waited for **I

into

the

gunpowder

trade,

and

the words that should have followed

a long-drawn yawn, but none came,

for

the simple

reason that Ingleborough was fast asleep.

Ten minutes

later,

in the face

of his suggestions to

the contrary, and in spite of the steady regular discharge

of

artillery,

was

sending huge shells into the place,

West

and dreaming of Anson

sitting

just as fast asleep,

gibbering at him as he played the part of a

monkey

filling his

cheeks wuth nuts

out as

he were suffering from a very bad attack of

if

mumps.

The odd

part of

till

it

the pouches were bulged

was

that

when he took

out and tried to crack one of the nuts in his teeth he

could not, from the simple fact that they were diamonds.

21

CHAPTER

XXXI.

BAD FOR ONE: GOOD FOR TWO.

"IT'S

a bad job

—a

very

bad job,"

said West,

a sigh, as he mounted one of the excellent ponies patch-riders

in

pair of very

had been provided for the

the gallant chief in

with the laughing

king, little

by

that

comment

command that the

at

des-

Mafe-

two brave

animals ought to consider themselves very lucky

who would

being provided with two such masters,

take

with

them

where,

if

right

away from

the

beleaguered

town,

they stayed, their fate was bound to be that

they would be minced into sausages

or boiled

down

but

West

into soup.

They were two

beautiful httle

always sighed and said

mounted, for lost

his heart

it

beasts;

was a bad job whenever he

was sore about

the

pony he had

before they entered Mafeking. **I

say,

young

of his grim smiles: to stay in

fellow," said Ingleborough, with one

**how

mourning?"

much

longer are you going

BAD FOR ONE: GOOD FOR TWO. Stay

^'

mourning? "

in

West,

said

323

he

as

staring,

bent forward to pat his mount's back. *'Yes:

seems

to

those two

for

me

ponies w^e

To

very absurd!

bemoan

right folly to

because

lost;

begin with,

it

down-

it's

pony when you

the loss of one

have been provided with another equally good; secondly,

bemoan

it

is

more absurd

it

is

the most absurd thing of

one that

to

West

dead enough by

time!" said

this

bitterly.

*'Mine it

may

be, for

it

was

reared up and kicked out

it

but from the

hit;

that I daresay

between

**I

I will

his legs,

some Boer has

it

and

is

mourn

make

the

them, as you

for

best of

things.

nipped

it

making the most of it."

hope you are right!" said West.

not

beasts

little

got better; while yours was so good

you may depend upon

tightly

but

it

way

had no bones broken,

and these Basuto ponies are such hardy

that

thirdly,

be mourning for

to

all

and

at all;

not dead.''

in all probability is

'*Oh, they're both

pony

a

call

*'And there, it,

see;

Let's

any more, this

is

the

day out from Mafeking."

sixth *'

Seventh," said Ingleborough correctively.

"Of

course;

so

it

is,

but

I

lose

through

count

being so intent upon the one idea of getting back to

Kimberley.

Do

you think we

shall

manage

to

get

through the Boer hnes.^"

"Think?

We

shouldn't

Why, we've got to be long if we could

get through

only ride

them.

straight SI*

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

324

CITV.

away, and not be always running right on to some fresh

who

party *'

make game

begin to

That's

Ingle," said West, ^'If

anybody

an

rather

else

nobody

ambiguous way of speaking, as he caressed his pony.

laughing,

heard you he would think you meant

that the Boers bantered

*'But

of us directly."

and chaffed

else does hear us,

us."

and you think

that

mean that they begin to pump out bullets at us just I say, I'm beas if we were a pair of springboks. ginning to think that we are leading a charmed life, for escapes we have had from their it is wonderful what I

long-carrying

^Tm

rifles."

beginning to think

of-fact w^ay," replied

West; "and

hundred yards' range

is

used on active service.

aim

beyond

quite long I

know

distance

that

much more

a

in

one

think

I

enough that is

this,

for

matterthat five

any

when one

very

rifle

takes

doubtful

of

hitting." **I

feel so after half that

borough, and then:

"Yes;

I

**

thought

distance," replied

Ingle-

Hullo! See something.^"

we were

going to have a good

long ride in peace this morning, but look yonder!"

The two young men drew

rein

and leaped to the

ground, each hurriedly getting out his

commandant

at

ones, to steady

glass,

for

the

Mafeking had supplied them with fresh it

by

resting

it

upon the saddle he had

just quitted, their well-trained ponies standing perfectly

motionless.

BAD FOR ONE: GOOD FOR TWO.

"What do you make scanning

a

of it?"

325

Ingleborough,

said

dark line right away beneath

mistily-seen

the sun. *^

Wagons

West

trekking," rephed

quietly.

'^Friends?"

**Who can say? stores on the way to

^Tm let

I

the besiegers,

you are

afraid

the nags feed while

we

runnmg away

said

lie

and

filling his

we had

for I

us yet."

West.

^Tm

tired

of so

much

I

their

ponies

grazing,

pipe and Hghting

it

lying

and horsemen plodding along

his

pony

in

coolly

with a burning-glass, but

at the

about two miles an hour, and ready

upon

amongst some

Ingleborough

keeping a watchful eye upon the long

to spring

better

down and watch,

The next minute they were stones

should think."

I

Well,

right!

don't think they have seen

"Very well,"

Reinforcements and

think not.

train

of wagons

customary rate of at

any moment

case a party of the

enemy

make up their minds to try and drive in the two ponies when they caught their eye. This he knew was doubtful, for it was beginning to be a common sight upon the veldt — that of a wounded should

h

two picking up a scanty

living

from the grass and green points of the shrubs,

w^hile

or w^orn-out horse or

an investigation generally proved that the poor brutes

were not worth the trouble of the Still,

ride.

on the other hand, the suspicious nature of

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

26

the Boers might

prompt them

see whether riders

to

were near the grazing animals, and an opportunity

for

capturing a prisoner or two be theirs.

The

pair kept a keen look-out;

a long time

that

but

they were to be

left

long hne of wagons and horsemen

it

seemed

for

peace,

the

in

plodding

steadily

onward, completely blocking the way the bearers of the

Kimberley despatch had

At

though, just after

last,

West had expressed

the Boers were too intent

opinion that their

to take.

upon

his

getting

heavy guns on towards Mafeking, Ingleborough,

unnoticed by his companion,

made a sudden movement,

dropping his pipe and altering the small lenses of field-glass,

through

which he lay gazing,

his

supporting

himself upon his elbow^s.

"Hah I"

said

West,

who was

similarly

occupied;

"they've got four heavy guns and a tremendous stores.

to

have

of

Wouldn't one of our generals give something his

men

so arranged that he could cut

off in all directions!

a kopje in

"Yes,"

no

lot

sight.

The country

What

is

them

so open, and not

a prize those guns would be!"

said Ingleborough sharply;

"but there

is

British force at hand, so they are going to surround

us instead."

"What!" cried West excitedly. "That they are, and no mistake!" continued borough, slewing himself round so as to look rent direction.

in

a

Inglediffe-

!

BAD FOR ONE: GOOD FOR TWO. *'You don't

mean — oh,

327

Three strong bodies

Ingle!

Why, weVe

coming from behind, north and south. trapped!"

"We

are,

my

lad;

here they

for

come from

the

front."

West turned his long line of wagons

glass again in the direction of the

look round, to see that

his

after

a party of the Boers were riding out straight for them. **

Trapped; but we must dodge between the wires,

eh?" cried West, who, like his companion, had made at

once

Look

for

where

his

pony was

grazing.

**

Hah

out. Ingle!"

was looking

Ingleborough

West had caught

his

but

out,

but his

pony,

by the suddenness of

and, throwing up

its

the

approach,

his

animal

little

helpless.

companion had

startled the other

head,

left

cantered

off with his rider after him.

"Stop, stop!" shouted

"You

West.

only scare

the brute more."

"Right!" said Ingleborough sadly, and he stopped short and

began

to return.

"There!" he

cried, as

sprang into his saddle; "you have the despatch. with you through that opening! ril turn prisoner

to

a canter,

Off

won't hinder you!

again for a change."

"Lay hold of my pony's him

I

West

tail

and run!

and change with you

as

I'll

keep

soon as

you're tired!" said West, scanning the opening between the end of the Boer line and the party of horsemen

A

328

DASH FROM DIAMOND

who were making

away

to his

lying

towards the

left

CITY.

middle of the

straight

for them,

where the big

line,

guns were being dragged along, *'No good!"

said Ingleborough.

**Off with you,

and save your despatch!" **

Can't leave you,

cried West.

orders,

don't waste time!

and

as

I

tell

you!"

sir!"

kill

if

me

if I

throw up

my

you can!"

roared

West

fiercely,

"and

I'm going to trot after your mount,

he'll join us."

**Hahl excitedly, tail

They won't

Save your despatch

"Obey

Do

''Hook on!"

"I will not!

hands!

old fellow!

Bravo, sharp brains!" cried Ingleborough

and twisting the long thick

about his

left

hair of the pony's

hand he ran hghtly

after

his

com-

West rode uttering a shrill neigh as they went off, w^hich made the other stop, cock up its ears, answer, and come galloping after them, so eager panion, the pony

to join

its

fellow that

who caught

it

brushed close past Ingleborough,

the rein without trouble.

"Right!" he shouted, and the next minute he was in the saddle,

with the ponies cantering along side by

side.

"More to the left!" cried West. bearing away to cut us oft!"

"The Boers

are

This was plain enough, and the fugitives saw that if

a fresh party started from the end of the long line

they w^ere bound to be cut

off.

BAD FOR ONE: GOOD FOR TWO.

329

Never mind/' cried Inglcborough; *'\ve may get away! Those fellows are quite a mile from us, and '*

mounts

their like

be pumped out

will

Let the ponies go

Easy, easy!

that.

they push forward

if

own

their

pace!"

down look away

gan to

now

into a canter, the fugitives

Settling

to their

the other parties closing

where they

left,

them

in

from

had

be-

seen

their flank

and

rear.

Where's the

*'Hallo!

enemy?"

of the

rest

cried

West. *'

Yonder, out but

there;

tremendous

"Then Just as

if I

"Very I

Gallop or

rate!

were going

to leave

of you,"

nice

a

off."

old fellow!

you behind!" Inglcborough merrily;

I

won't forsake a

You're about

friend.'^"

There's no friendship

Ah, here come some of the

time.

"We,

for a despatch-rider.

fit

"Friend be hanged!

*'Yes,-I see them,"

said

in

war-

flankers."

West;

"but what does

mean?" For

that

Boer

said

you

at

ever knew^ of!"

"Because

this

West.

lower

lies

coming on

they'll cut

we'll gallop!" cried

"but you're not the worst

these fellows are

say,

I

The ground

of sight!

all

at

once the galloping party on their right

which had come straight from the centre of the

line

— began

to

pull

the middle of the plain.

up

until

all

were halted

in

— A DASH FROM DIAMOND

330

'*Tliey see

borough,

companions coming,"

their

we

**and that

CITV.

are safely cut

off.

said

Ingle-

Well,

it

is

giving us a better chance!" **But theyVe turning

"Here come

excitedly. look,

how

the others,

they're opening out!

Why,

Look, look!

No, no.

and folding back," cried West

they're carrying

— they're

gallop!

full

Gallop

full

speed now!

Ingle, those are not rifles

lances."

"You're dreaming!" growled Ingleborough.

mind what

they're carrying

and we've got

"And we sounding

full

save

it

"Never

they're going to cut us

;

to save that

shall

Look,

off,

despatch!" too!" cried West, his voice

"Those are our Lancers

of exultation.

them!"

a regiment of

"You're right!" cried Ingleborough excitedly now,

and he began

to draw^

There's proof!

and hurrying up their big guns.

"Look

rein.

at

the Boer line.

They're turning back from the front their rear so as to

Hurrah!" he

yelled,

form laager round rising in

his stir-

rups to wave his hat.

"And

hurrah a hundred times more!" yelled West,

following his companion's example,

no

less

than four directions

as he

clouds

little

moving over the widely-spreading

saw now

in

of horsemen

plain.

The next minute they had their glasses out and were watching the Boers— a hne no longer, but broken up

into

what

at first

seemed

to

of which order began to form,

be wild confusion, out for

w^hoever

was

in

BAD FOR OXE: GOOD FOR TWO.

command

of the reinforcements on their

331

way

Mafe-

to

king possessed enough soldierly knowledge of what was

be done under the circumstances. As

the best thing to the

wagons

in front

the centre formed

were wheeled round

seize

join

to

making a

in

mounted men galloped

great square, cloud after cloud of

forward to

upon

by the four heavy guns, and those

the rear were hurried up

from

to retire

upon any patch of

shelter

hold

to

against the advancing British force. "It's well

his

to

meant," said Ingieborough, without taking

eyes from his glass; "but they will not have time

form a strong laager.

Why, our men

them before a quarter of an hour

is

"Hurrah! Trapped

the laager; there are It

was

so,

right across

there!"

and Ingieborough cheered wildly again.

British general

mation

of

precautions

in wild excite-

Look

men coming on

For the

the

this time!

be among

past."

"Before ten minutes!" cried West, ment.

will

must have had abundant

coming

and made

convoy, his

plans

and

infor-

had taken

his

so accurately as

to

timing the advance that he had completely surrounded the long hne with cavalry and

now

mounted

infantry,

raced for the laager, heedless of the

upon them by the Boers.

fire

flank, in

and

rear,

made

opened

The enemy only

few shots, and then, finding themselves taken for their

who

fired

in

a

front,

horses and took flight

every direction, but not before the Lancers got

them and dotted the veldt with horse and man.

among

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

-.-.2 JO-^

The Boer commander and those with gun and wagon worked w^ell, bringing their heavy guns to bear on the main advance; but they were not directed

masses of men

in

column or Hne, but

at

at

a cloud of

cavalry covering the plain and mingled with the enemy*s

own

flying horse, so that before a

second discharge could

be belched forth from the two large guns which were the Lancers, Hussars, and Volunteer

re-loaded,

Horse were among the gunners, and for himself, sauve

qui

it

Light

was every man

petit.

West and Ingleborough were

so intent with their

watching the utter rout of the Boers, that they

glasses,

did not see a at a gallop,

body of Lancers bearing dow^n upon them

and the noise of the scattered

firing

kept

up by the Boers drowned the trampling of hoofs,

till

there

was a shout which made the two despatch-bearers

start

round

in their saddles,

to see a

dozen sun-browned,

dust-covered Lancers galloping at them with weapons levelled,

headed by a young

officer

waving them on

with his flashing sword.

*'Up hands!" yelled Ingleborough, and glass and hat were thrust on high. It

was only

just in

time,

the

officer

raising

sword as he reined up by West and caught ii

Hallo!"

he roared, as

his

men surrounded

pair with lances at their breasts; **who are

^'Despatch-riders

West,

—Mafeking

his

to

his

arm. the

you?"

Kimberley," cried

BAD FOR ONE: GOOD FOR TWO. ''Where

are

your

despatches

333

then?"

cried

the

officer sharply.

**Here!" cried West.

**YahI" cried the young

officer.

caught two Boer generals directing the a jolly

thought Fd

'*I

What

fight.

)»

sell!

"You've got something better among you!" Ingleborough, joining in the laugh which rose

said

among

the men. a

Have

we.^

What?"

"There are four heavy guns yonder, and a tremendous wagon

At

that

train."

moment trumpet

and the men burst

and

had been

it

ture of the

directions,

in all

was plain enough

inflicted

trumpet rang out,

mounted

into a wild cheer, for the

Boers w^ere scattering lives,

after

that a

flying for their

tremendous blow

upon a very strong

the cap-

force,

convoy being complete, and those

in

charge

who had

not succeeded in reaching their horses readily

throwing

down

their arms.

"We'll, we've whipped!" said the young officer of

Lancers, taking off his helmet

"They

face.

my

lads!

he

Here, open out;

cried,

turning to

"I must take you both

know

wipe

in

that I ought to take

we must

on the

to

my

join

centre.

West and

streaming

his

home

can't find fault with us at

these ragged rascals back

two,"

to

his

chief,

for this,

in

driving

Here, you

companion, for I

your bare word."

don't

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

334

^'Well, I don't think there's

much of

Dopper

the

about either of us."

"No," said the

"but the Boers have got

officer,

scum of Europe and America with them, and you may be two little bits."

the

"Want

West

our rifles?" said

"No; but

coolly.

don't try to bolt, either of you:

be dangerous.

My

boys

are

it

would

handy with the

rather

lance!"

"So

I

see!"

said

West,

glistening at the tops of the

which looked unpleasantly

"And

so I

felt,"

one of them pressed

glancing

bamboo

at

the

points

shafts, several

red.

said Ingleborough grimly,

my

of

ribs."

"for

CHAPTER DOWN

T^HE

XXXII.

BY THE SPRUIT.

trumpets were ringing out again

various

parts

to

the

call

of the force together, a couple of

regiments being sent in pursuit of the only body of the defeated Boers which showed any cohesion, the greater part of those

who had reached

doing

a great extent singly, and the rest of that

this to

day was passed

in gathering

the prisoners, and

making

was now formed about a

all

their horses

and escaped

wagons, disarming

in the

secure in the laager, which

spruit that offered

an ample

supply of good fresh water.

The capture proved first

surmised, for in

to

be

addition

far greater than

to

was

at

the four heavy guns

with their wagons and special ammunition, scores of the great lumbering cartridges.

Dutch wagons were

full

of

rifles

and

Besides. these, there was an ample supply

of ordinary stores, and,

in

addition to the

many

spans

of oxen, hundreds of captured horses and several flocks of sheep.

By

night

all

was made secure

in the

great camp,

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

336

and the despatch-riders were made welcome presided over by the cavalry General^ eagerly

listened

the

to

who

mess

at the

with his staff

adventurers' account of their

journey, and to their report of the state of beleaguered

Mafeking. That night the pair

camp

after

debating

slept in peace in the well-guarded

about their continuance of

their

journey the next morning.

But when morning came the General demurred

them

letting

go.

"You must

wait a day longer," he said,

boys have done more,

must be force

full

we

to

''until

my

way, for your road

to clear the

of revengeful Boers, the remains of the

defeated

yesterday,

and

I

am

certain that

neither

you nor your despatch would reach Kimberley

if I

you go!"

let

"We in a

are very anxious

to

be

off,

sir,"

said West,

disappointed tone.

"And

I

am

very anxious that the Kimberley people

should have your good news, smiling,

"and the

my

new^s too of

lad," said the general,

how we have

taken the

guns and stores meant to be used against Mafeking; but, as I

you are

have

told

to carry to

don't want the

news

be found somewhere on the

veldt,

you before,

I

perhaps a year hence, along with some rags and two

brave young fellows' bones."

"Thank you, sir," said West quietly; "but when do you think we might continue our journey?"

DOWN

BV THE SPRUIT.

''That depends on the reports

men

away

still

The men

I

337

get in from the

in pursuit." in

camp were

been struggling hard

for

high glee, for they had

in

weeks

get to conclusions

to

now

wnth the enemy, but without success, while highest expectations had been there

was plenty of sorrow

more than

to balance

their

fulfilled;

the joy,

but

many

poor fellows having met their end, while the number of injured in the hospital ambulances and tents

up a heavy

list.

West and Ingleborough saw much of no

little

this,

and spent

time in trying to soften the pangs endured by

the brave lads lot,

made

who

suffering the

lay patiently bearing their

unhappy

agony of wounds, and many more the

miseries of disease.

There was

West and

his

trouble

with

the

prisoners,

and

companion were present when a desperate

attempt to escape was

by one of

too

their

made by

leaders

—a

a party worked upon

half-mad fanatical being

whose preachings had led many

to

believe

that

the

English conquerors were about to reduce the Boers to a complete state of slavery.

The attempt

who

fell

failed,

in the terrible

and the leader was one of those encounter w^hich ensued.

Both West and Ingleborough were witnesses of the resulting fight, for the attempt

was made

in

broad day-

when such a venture was least expected, and, those who seized upon a couple of score of the

light, just

after

22

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

338

CITY.

captured horses and tried to gallop off had been captured, the young carry the

wounded

men worked

hard

in

re-

helping to

patch of wagons that formed

to the

the field hospital.

"Ugh I"

said

West, with a shudder,

had

Ingleborough

deposited

a

he and

after

Boer

terribly-injured

down

before one of the regimental surgeons; "let's get

and wash some of

to the spruit

"Yes," said Ingleborough, hands;

"we

fight!

Horrible!"

"It's

be

if

we had been

in the wild

suppose," said West; "but

battle, I

seems

to

my

to turn

horror away."

after a glance at his

couldn't look worse

one thing

this

own

in the

excitement of a

this

business after

blood cold."

Ingleborough made

enough to do afterwards

no in

reply,

and the pair had

descending the well-wooded,

almost perpendicular bank to where the

little

river ran

bubbling and foaming along, clear and bright.

"Ha!"

sighed West; "that's better!

It

was

horrible,

though, to see those poor wretches shot down."

"Um!" murmured very!

They

bayonets

killed

Ingleborough dubiously.

the

sentries

first

with their

own

!"

"In a desperate struggle for freedom, though! there, I'm not

"No, get

"Not

going to try and defend them!"

don't, please!"

away from

But

said Ingleborough.

"I can't

the fact that they began the war, that

the Free State had no excuse whatever,

and

that the

DOWN enemy have behaved way to the people of *^All right!

I

BY THE SPRUIT.

339

most cruel and merciless

in the

the towns they have besieged/'

suppose you are

right;

but

I can't

help feeling sorry for the beaten."

"Feel sorry for our own party then!" said Ingleborough, holloa

''Why,

laughing.

we

till

Noll,

are out of the wood.

bit

of success

all

round."

;

but so far

"but look over there.

We

trouble of scrambling

down

there must be

for

that fellow

shall

have

They

sat

fully,

said

West

sharply;

have been

the

at

almost perpendicular

this

much

a

horribly beaten

easier

we'll find that slope

come down down chatting

again

to

and began

seem a

"It does

needn't

a pretty

last is

spot where

if

next time, for

we want

a wash."

together about the beauti-

look of the stream, while Ingleborough

fully peaceful

Ht his pipe

it,"

not

walking up."

is

"Never mind;

we

This

we have been

"Yes, yes; don't talk about

place,

we must

lad,

to

smoke.

pity," said

Ingleborough thought-

exhaling a cloud of smoke: "this gully looks as

calm and peaceful as a stream on old Dartmoor

home.

My

w^ord

!

I

wish

some

flies!

There must be

throw

in that

pool and forget

and guns and

rifles

I

had a rod, a

fish here. all

I

line,

at

and

should like to

about despatch-bearing

and men using lances.

It

would

be a treat!" "It looks

deep and black too

in there," said

West.

22*

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

340 *'Yes, a

good day's

fishing

CITY.

such a peaceful

in

—Ugh!

Come away. Let's get back to the camp." "Why? What's the matter?" cried Ingleborough, starting up, in the full expectation of seeing a party of

the

enemy making

their

way down

the farther bank to

get a shot at them.

But West was

down

only

pointing

with

averted head

deep black pool, and Ingleborough's face

at the

contracted as

his

eves

took

in

all

that

had excited

West's horror and disgust.

For

there,

round and round just

slowly sailing

beneath the surface, were the white faces of some

dozen Boers, wounded to the death or drowned efforts to

in their

escape the British cavalry, and washed down

from higher up by the

swift

round and round the pool waters from cient

half-

power

stream, to go on gliding

till

a sudden rising of the

some storm should give to

sweep them

out.

the stream

suffi-

CHAPTER

XXXIII.

THAT BASE

"T ET'S

see;

this will

wagons,"

said

take us round by the hospital

Ingleborough.

round the other way,

now I" They chose

COIN.

for

we

*'I

don't

vote

we go

want any more

horrors

a different direction to return to their

temporary quarters

in the

camp, one which took them

round by the row upon row of captured wagons and the

roughly-made enclosure

had now been herded,

into

which the prisoners

and where they were doubly

guarded by a strong party of mounted

had stringent orders to

fire at

infantry,

who

the slightest sign of trying

to escape. *'

They'll accept their lot now,

borough.

"Who

Non-combatants,

expect/' said Ingle-

are these with this next lot of I

**Why,

out of the spruit."

wagons?

suppose!"

**Yes; drivers of the provision

replied West.

I

that's the

wagons and

man we saw

traders,"

going up

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

342

"Yes," said Ingleborough, and as he spoke West

man who had been

noted that the

of one of the wagons

walked round

seated at the front

suddenly turned his back and

to the other side.

West turned

to Ingleborough.

Ingleborough turned to West.

They

stood

looking

moments before Which way will you go?"

eyes for a few **

'*Left/' said

''And

They that

I'll

the latter said suddenly:

Ingleborough.

go

right."

their attention, Ingleborough

the front where the

man had

passing

necessitated

for

other's

started at once, walking towards the

had taken

down

each

enquiringly in

to ruminate

the

wagon

making

for

disappeared, and which

team of bullocks crouching

over the fodder that had been cut

them, while West hurried round by the rear, the

young men timing themselves so exactly after seeing

that they

met

a pair of stout legs disappear between the

and hind wheels of the wagon w^here the man they

fore

sought to face had dived under.

Quick as thought, West and Ingleborough separated

and ran back

lightly

and quickly,

upon the man they sought upon

just as

this

time

to

come'

he was getting heavily

his legs again, evidently in the belief that

he had

not been recognised.

He

w^as

thoroughly

roused

up

to

though, by Ingleborough's heavy hand

his

position,

coming down

THAT BASE

COIN".

343

r

upon

his shoulder

and hoisting him round

to face the

pair.

Anson!"

**Hallo, *'this is

cried Ingleborough banteringly;

a pleasant surprise!" while West*s eyes flashed

as he hterally glared in the cowardly scoundrel's face,

which underwent a curious change as he glanced from one to the other,

his fat

heavy features lending them-

selves to the dissimulation, as he growled out slowly: '*

Don't understand."

"What!" "don't

tone;

cried Ingleborough, in the

you

know

this

same bantering

gentleman

— Mr.

Oliver

West?" "Don't understand!" was the reply, and directly after:

"Goodnight, EngHshmen; I'm going

The next moment

the

to sleep!"

heavy-looking fellow had

turned his back again, stepped to the front part of the

wagon, and sprawled over part of the woodwork as he tried to

draw himself on to the chest before getting

inside.

But Ingleborough was a strong man, and he proved it,

for,

stepping behind the man, he caught him by the

collar of his jacket

and the loose part of

bocker-like breeches, and dragged

him

his knicker-

off the

him down in front of West. The result was that their prisoner began

wagon,

to plant

to rage

out abusive words in Dutch, so loudly that in the exasperation he

felt,

Ingleborough raised his right foot and

delivered four kicks with appalling vigour and rapidity

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

344

appalling

to the

yells for help

in

receiver,

who

CITY.

uttered a series of

sound honest English, struggling the

while to escape, but with his progress barred by West,

who

closed up and seized

him by

the arm.

F

The

outcry had

called-for help

for the

effect,

its

arrived, in the

shape of a sergeant and half-a-dozen men,

who came up

at the

"What's

double with fixed bayonets. cried the sergeant

all this?'*

sharply, as

he surrounded the party. *'Only a miracle called Boer,

who

cried Ingleborough.

I"

*'

This so-

could not speak a word of English,

has found his tongue," a What

prisoner

you,

are

—a

Boer ?'*

cried

the

sergeant.

**Ah, yah, yah,"

was the

reply,

gutturally given;

"Piet Retif, Boer." **Well,

orders are that the Boer prisoners are

sir,

not to be ill-used," said the sergeant. the prisoner: ''This your

"Ah, yah, yah,

"He means

it

"Oh

Then, turning

wagon and span?"

Piet Retif."

says Yah, yah, sir/* said the sergeant, "which his

is

yes,

wagon." it

is

his, I

believe," said Ingleborough.

"Then what have you "Only

against

that he's a renegade

him?"

EngHshman, a man who

deserted from Kimberley to the Boers. "It's

to

a He, sergeant," cried the

"That's

good English,"

cried

5)

man

excitedly.

Ingleborough.

"I

THAT BASE told

you

I

COIN.

had worked a miracle; now perhaps

make him say

a

little

more.

but James Anson,

Company.

What do you

"The same "It in

is

I

can

He's an illicit-diamond

merchant and cheat as well, and Retif,

345

his

name

late

clerk to the

say.

West?"

is

not Piet

Kimberley

as you," replied West.

a lie!" cried the man.

"Piet Retif, dealer

mealies and corn,"

"Mealies and corn!" cried Ingleborough scornfully.

"The man and, worse

is

what

than

I say:

all,

an

utter

a renegade

scoundrel,

and deserter

cheat, to

the

Boers."

Anson*s jaw dropped, and

from a warm pink to green.

his face

seemed

to turn

CHAPTER XXXIV. ANOTHER START.

"DEFORE

Anson's jaw had time to return to

the sergeant and his

looking as

as

stiff

West was

the

sprang up to attention,

on parade.

if

first

Ingleborough, just

men

place

its

to see the reason,

as a

stern

voice

and he nudged

asked what was

WTong. **Bit

and

of a row,

sir,

between the two despatch-riders "Prisoner

this prisoner, sir," replied the sergeant.

charges these two gentlemen with assaulting him. he's a

Says

Boer!"

The new-comer, who had

four officers

in

atten-

dance upon him during what was apparently a tour of inspection

of the

camp,

turned

sharply

on

two

the

friends.

'T cannot have the prisoners

''Why is this?" "Because he sharply.

"This

not a Boer,

is

man

us at Kimberley.

w^as in the

He

is

little

ill-treated,"

sir,"

he

said.

said Ingleborough

company's

office

with

better than a thief,

or

ANOTHER START. v/orse, for

man, an

he

illicit

is

347

a receiver of stolen goods, an English-

buyer of diamonds, and a renegade who

gave information to and deserted to the Boers."

"Half of your

*'That will do," said the General.

charges would condemn him. prisoner on.

I

is

am

Sergeant,

He

carefully guarded.

will

see that this

be

tried

later

too busy to attend to such matters now."

Anson gave vent

after listening to the

to a gasp,

general's orders for his safe custody.

But, though he

was

listening

eyes were otherwise

his

employed.

face

his

till

to

the

started

half

him on the

Piet Retif, this

way!"

and was marched

violently,

off

be placed with certain of the prisoners who were

most carefully guarded.

"Did you

Anson was "No.

notice anything in particular just before

led off?" said Ingleborough.

Poor wretch.

"Keep your sorrow lad,

clapped

sergeant

"Now, Mr.

shoulder, saying:

Then he

the

They were

upon West, and they did not

closed, but fixed intently quit

to the orders given,

I'm sorry for him!" for a

more worthy

object,

and mind and give that fellow a wide berth

he gets

ever

his liberty again."

"Which he

will,

"Well, perhaps diamond-buyer get free,

if

my

all

of course." so, for the

they w^ould

Company

lil^el

But when he does

you be careful!"

"Why, what harm

can he do

can't give the

me?"

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

348 **

Can't

something or another

he

will

means

what

it

been

fighting

seems

Of

1

it

for granted

face,

and read

Fve

course, he doesn't like me, for

him

against

along; but

all

my

mark

to hate you, and,

best to do you a mischief

being the cause of

his

"but

abruptly;

you may take

ill

been watching

I've

do.

Ingleborough

said

say,"

He

I

somehow he

words, hell try his

gives you the credit of

trouble I"

all this

*'But I've not been!" said West.

"No; that

I've

you have,

day we met.

done the scoundrel ten times the mischief

him from the very

for I disliked

He was

too oily for me,

and

thought that he would turn out a bad one. culprit,

but he means to

the change out of you

!

me

let

That's

first

always

I

I'm the

alone and to take

all

all

— only don't give him

a chance!"

"Not I

I;

but

we

much more

shall not see

of him,

suppose."

"What?

There'll be

I've got a pill for

my

a

gentleman.

"What do you mean "Tchah! Nonsense.

—not I

wagon to be searched. him go back to it."

"The wagon? Of

a day or two, and

)»

a lead pill?"

mean

drel's let

in

trial

I

to ask for the scoun-

was

course," said

afraid they

West

would

thoughtfully.

"I had forgotten that."

The young men's eyes met to read each other's

thoughts;

as

if

they were trying

but no more was said

ANOTHER START.

West and Ingleborough

next morning

and the

then,

were summoned

wagon.

to the General's

"Good morning,"

349

despatches are, of course, very important, and

be delivered

that they should *'

go on

Yes,

said

sir,"

West

it is

urgent

once?"

at

eagerly.

"Then we may

once?"

at

The General "No,"

smiled.

he replied;

"all

through the night scouts

and natives have been coming different sources in this case,

the

''Your

said the officer sharply.

in,

and

in general

from

one has a great variety of news; but

coming from parts widely asunder,

same announcement.

Stung by the defeat

get

I I

have

given them and the loss of their convoy and big guns,

they have been collecting in great force, try

and surround

me

in turn

evidently to

and recover

all

they have

lost."

"Then we had sir,

before the

"The way the

way is

better is

only one

it

at once,

said West.

completely closed, young man," said "East, west, north, and south,

commandos

way open

"And

a dash for

completely closed,"

General gravely.

there are strong

make

with guns,

and there

is

for you."

that is?" said

West

excitedly, for the General

had stopped.

"By

going nearly due west, and cutting your

way

through."

"Cutting our

way through!"

said

West

blankly,

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

350

and he turned

to

CITV.

look at Ingleborough for an expla-

nation, but the latter only shrugged his shoulders.

you are both puzzled!"

**Ah,

"You want

smiling.

said

know how you

to

General,

the

are to cut your

F

way

through!

my

letting

I'll

"

"There

began West. no 'but'

is

"You

in the matter,

said the

sir,"

are both willing messengers; but you

cannot do impossibilities.

way you

and

fellows clear the road for you!"

'^But

General.

me

you: by keeping with

tell

If

you go on

in

your own

be either shot down or captured, and

will

either case your

despatches will

fall

into

in

the enemy's

hands."

"Unless

"Of

my

I

destroyed them

That

course.

lad, if

defer that

you had time. till

bullets fly very swiftly,

said

West

what you would

But

as

the last extremity,

that this necessary task

set,

is

first!"

would be

bitterly.

try

to do,

you would naturally the probabilities are left

undone.

Rifle-

and the Boers' traps are cleverly

as our people are finding to their cost."

"But the despatches must be deHvered,

West

excitedly,

"and

it

is

my

sir,"

said

duty to go on at any

risk!"

"And mine

to

do two

things,

young gentleman,"

said the General, speaking very sternly. assist

you

I find that

cut

in the task

Kimberley

my way

you have is

in

"One

is,

to

hand; the other, as

being hard pressed, to

try

and

through to the help of the brave people

ANOTHER who

are holding

great

against

it

START.

351

Now,

odds.

as the

two objects work together, your way must be with I

may

my way

not be able to force

sir?" said

we

can

are to stop with your cavalry brigade,

West,

"Certainly,

in

disappointed tones.

as

long

movement, which

will

as

am making

I

commence

at once.

account of the extent of the convoy

and the number of prisoners, There, gentlemen,

my

am

I

staff,

shall

I

may make

warning, so that you

If

find

I

it

down, on

have captured

you

give

fair

a dash for yourselves.

You

busy.

I

forward

a

necessary to diverge from the course laid

selves to

I

you well on your way."

certainly see

'*Then

through, but

us.

will

your-

attach

and help keep a watch over the

loot in diamonds."

Taking

this to

be a dismissal, the two young

retired to talk the matter *'I

over

don't like it!" said

our orders as to what patch!

Ought we

a

own

quarters.

"We

have

are to do about the

des-

West

we

to let

in their

men

excitedly.

cavalry

general

override

those instructions.^"

"I suppose so," replied Ingleborough. after

all,

he

is

"Perhaps,

right."

"Right?" "Well, he knows from good information the state of the country, and

we do

not.

It

would be better

your despatch never to be delivered than for into the

enemy's hands."

it

for

to fall

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

352

CITY.

*'0f course!"

why

'*Then

not take

Are we not going

matters

news

to take

as

you

find

them?

our General over

for

yonder, and reinforcements as well?"

"Yes, not like

I

hope

when

replied

so/'

one's plans are

West;

made

to

"but one does

have them

inter-

fered with."

"Of course we

not," said Ingleborough, laughing; "but

started with fixed plans

from Kimberley, and we've

been interfered with and baffled ever since."

"But we did get the despatch even when

"Yes,

seemed

it

to

Mafeking!"

quite hopeless;

and

we're going to get the answer back toKimberley yet."

West a

seems

Bah! What to

satisfy

Haven't we turned the tables

you!

completely upon that

West nodded

fat

pink innocent?"

his head.

"Isn't he prisoner instead of us?"

own

"Yes,

that's true!"

"And

hasn't

and

his

done that!" said West, with

his

he proved your innocence

guilt before those officers?"

he

"Yes,

has

puckered face smoothing

"Then

just confess

contented, hard- to -satisfy

"I do

— frankly!"

"Come,

that's

out.

that

you are a

grow^ling,

dis-

young humbug."

cried West, laughing outright.

something;

and

I

begin to think

ANOTHER START. I will

that

forgive you and stick to

my own

of following out

own

*'Your

353

you

after

instead

all,

ideas."

ideas?" said West, looking at his com-

panion enquiringly.

'*What were those?"

**Well," said Ingleborough, in his dry stolid

manner;

"Shakespeare was a very able man." *'My dear Ingle," cried West,

"whatever

staring,

has Shakespeare got to do with your plans?"

"Everything,

you young ignoramus.

Doesn't he

say something about there being a tide in the

men

of

affairs

which, taken at the flood, will lead to fortune?"

"I believe so; but

I

wish he could point out the

would take our Uve barque safe

into

Kimberley."

his

works were

written for people living in a wet country

where there

tide that

"Ah, but you

see he

does not;

He

plenty of rivers and seas.

are

thing about the veldt, and,

strong in his geography,

in

fact,

didn't

know

any-

he was not very

or he wouldn't have WTitten

about the sea coast of Bohemia."

"There," cried West, "you're getting into one of your long-winded arguments, your plans!

its

in

"Being a poor man and seeing the annexing a rogue's plunder when

as the nose to

it

as

all

hear

are only these!" said Ingleborough very

height, I thought to myself that there

harm

to

tj

"Oh, they gravely.

and I'm waiting

on one's face that the

officers

and

we have

Tommy

as

tide at

could be no it

is

as plain

good a

Atkinses

right

of this 23

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

354

brigade.

I

came

to stand in with

we go

conclusion that I'd

the

me on

diamonds

off with the

as

to

CITY.

fair

halves principle,

in that barrel, calling at

to leave that despatch,

get you

and go

Kimberley

and then going on

to

the Cape, and then home."

you did

''No,

don't talk bosh

and getting

not, Ingle,"

mean

"A '*Then

quietly;

"so

tents, inspanning,

off."

— an

And

hallo!

what does

attack?"

battery

we

West

Look, they're striking

I

*'By George! so they are. this

said

of Horse Artillery guns," cried West.

are going on in real earnest."

"Yes," said Ingleborough, "and so our friends the Boers will

find."

CHAPTER XXXV. THE NET AND THE

HTHE

Start

FISH.

was made more quickly than

either

West

or Ingleborough had anticipated; in fact, the celerity

was wonderful considering

that the cavalry brigade

was burdened with the great convoy of wagons captured from the Boers. But there was a keen soldier one who knew occur

likely to

As

how in

to

be ready

in

for

every emergency

an enemy^s country.

the two despatch-riders

mounted

the cavalry regiments were in motion,

ground

in

command, and

advance and on the

some taking up

flanks, while

Lancer and a Dragoon regiment, stood action

as

rear-guard,

giving

opportunity to off-saddle

their ponies,

and

the rest

fast

six-gun their

two more, a ready for battery

horses,

an

fresh

from a twelve-mile march that morning.

The wagon moving freshly

off after

lines

were

in

perfect order,

steadily

two of the big newly-captured guns,

manned by picked

crews, the other two being

reserved for the centre of the train and taking up their 23*

FROM DIAMOND

A DASH

356

drawn

position easily enough,

CITY,

as they

were by double

made them

teams of sturdy ponies which

mobile than would have been the case

if

far

more

trusted to the

slow-moving oxen.

"They won't attempt attacked," said West,

going on; "our

men

to use those guns

if

we

are

as

he watched the preparations

will

be quite ignorant of how to

work them."

"Our men

try if the

will

Ingleborough confidently; "and "Yes," said West; "but

enemy will "They if

necessity comes," said that's half the battle 1"

it's

hardly likely that the

attack so well-armed a will,

body of men."

though, and do us no end of mischief

they get the chance."

But the General

enemy no chance,

for the

for

first

three days gave the

he carefully avoided kopjes and

broken ground, keeping out a cloud of mounted men scouting in every direction, and camping each night on

some

the banks of

In

fact,

spruit.

every military precaution

was taken on

defensive principles, for the captured convoy was too

valuable for any risks to be run by 'attacking one or other of the It

in

was soon found

front,

tunity to

horses,

commandos

rear,

trying to

hem

that the Boers were in motion

and on both

flanks, awaiting

swoop down and stampede spread confusion amongst

open up a chance

in the brigade.

an oppor-

sheep, cattle, and the men,

to re-capture the guns

and

and so stores.

THE NET AND THE But no chances were

FISH.

given,

for

357

everything

had

been arranged, and during seven days' march West had experience

a fine

the

in

So, in fact, had

brigade.

manoeuvring

of a cavalry

enemy, but

the

theirs

was

at a bitter cost.

Finding that the British force would

not

attack

any of the natural strongholds nor step into any of the traps contrived at river crossings

banks were

filled

with trench,

where the perpendicular and

pit,

shelter,

but that

the carefully-guarded convoy went on slowly towards

day

safety

changed

after day, the

their tactics,

enemy became more

and gathered together

for attacks,

getting their guns into action ready for their

tured

artillery

to

be halted,

daring,

own

and with a few

capwell-

directed shots at a tremendously long range to put the carefully planted guns out of action

and compel a rapid

retreat.

If they

surrounded the convoy

with knots of flying

mounted

cloud of dust

riflemen,

in

there

their

thousands

was a

rush, a

kicked up, and away went half

the Horse Artillery battery to one knoll, the other half to

another,

and before the intention of the General

could be grasped the shells were falling fast those knots, bursting and untying

them

in

among

an appalling

way which littered the dry earth with dead horses and men; while, whenever a bolder dash than usual was made to capture either of the half-batteries, the Boers found

that,

mobile as they were, the British cavalry

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

358

could nearly double them in swiftness of evolution, and

Lancers and Hussars cut them up and sent. them in

flying

every direction.

Day

after

day

this

reinforcements the

went

enemy

on, with the result that the

were pretty well

received

balanced by the constant dribbling away of ambulance

wagons loaded with wounded men. "Isn't

"Why, we I like this

it

splendid.^"

Ingleborough kept on saying.

could go on journeying like defensive

game!

Chess

is

months.

nothing to it!"

"So do

the Boers like a defensive

"Yes,"

said

Ingleborough,

this for

game!" "Did you

laughing.

hear what one of the Boers taken said to the officer in

command "No.

I

of the prisoners' guard?" did not catch

it;

but

I

saw our men laugh-

What was it?" "He said our officers did not fight fair, and when our man asked him what he considered was fair fighting, the scoundrel gave him to understand that we ing.

ought to attack them when they were well entrenched in a

kopje ready to shoot

all

our

men down."

"Well," said West, "what did our

"Laughed so

at

him, and told him that

very anxious to

butts

for

fire

them with a

at

targets

series

it,"

if

they were

of mantlets and a good

But that wasn't

said Ingleborough, laughing;

you think the fellow said?"

say?"

we would arrange

supply of the Bisley Running Deer. the best of

officer

"what do

!

THE NET AND THE "I don't know," said West,

FISH.

359

who was watching

the

evolutions of a couple of the Light Horse Volunteer

regiments and as the plodding train for in

life

many

of the Lancers,

of

tired

for,

of keeping with the tremendous baggage

a whole week, the two friends had ridden out

advance over a wide open

of rolling downs

series

covered with dry scrubby growth, parched to grayness

by the

torrid sun,

Ingleborough laughed heartily for a few moments. *'

There they go/' he

said, pointing to the leading

troop of the Hussar regiment as ridge about a mile in advance.

it

disappeared over a

make

"Let's

for that

wave-like place."

"Very

West; "I suppose we

well," said

be

shall

safe there!"

"Safe enough, of course, for our it

clear

But

!

Forward

I didn't tell

How

!

men have swept

the ponies

you what the miserable

enjoy a gallop ruffian said."

"No," cried West, enjoying the motion as much as the ponies.

walking; but

"This

we had

is

delightful after all

that

slow

when we have Now, what did the

better turn back

seen what those fellows are about

!

Boer say?" "Said he had always heard

Majuba; now he knew

"The

insolent

we were cowards

at

for himself"

hound!" cried West.

"What

did

our officer say?"

"That

it

was lucky

for the

Boer that he was a

;!

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

S6o

prisoner, for

he had been free he would have tasted

if

a flogging from the

men?"

are our

CITV.

flat

But hullo! where

of a sabre.

cried Ingleborough, as they reached the

crown of the low ridge and looked down

open

veldt, *'

beyond which was another

Gone over

'*

Shall

we

a

strip

of

ridge.

"

They

and come back with them?"

said

!

there "

must have galloped!

at

said

West

quietly.

11

follow,

Ingleborough.

"We may

as well,"

trying to cut off

"Or

was the reply; "they must be

some of

the Boers."

going in for a charge to scatter them, for

Come

want no more prisoners. to see the

we

on, then; I should like

charge!"

The ponies seemed

to share their desire, for, an-

swering a slight pressure on their flanks, they spread out and went

avoiding as

if

down

by

slight

the

slope like greyhounds,

instinct the holes

the veldt was dotted

away

and stones with which

in front.

"Steady, steady!" cried West.

overdo n

don't want to

it!"

Of

course not," shouted Ingleborough;

word, what delicious I

"We

air,

and what a place

"but

my

for a gallop

should like to see a herd of antelope appear on that

ridge to the w^e

left,

I

should be obliged to go after them

might get one for the

officers'

mess."

West

"Where?"

said Ingleborough.

THE NET AND THE

FISH.

'i6i o

''Coming over that continuation of the ridge a mile

away

to the left.

cried

West

No: mounted men

!

escape by

"By

jingo

No!"

I

have seen

us.

Noll, old

be cut

for we're in for

show

it

off

bit too

and away, or someperhaps both of

off or shot;

us,

once more.'*

West coolly; "be Boers how English fellows no," said

the

"Yes, but hang

how we

Now

and those Boers

we've come a

fellow,

Steady! Right turn! else will

"Our men

cried Ingleborough.

off to the right, I believe,

"Oh

to

opening!"

this

have gone

body

men have

excitedly, "they're the party our

They've headed them, and they're trying

cut off!

far.

Ingle, old chap/'

it

all!

steady,

and

we'll

ride!"

showing the beggars

It's

ride away."

"Never mind; we must "But

we

can't,"

cried

ride for the convoy."

Ingleborough

savagely;

"there's another party cutting us off."

"Forward then over the ridge

in front

!

Our

fellows

must have gone over there."

"No,

I

don't think they did."

"Then we

will," cried

be south and west. far

now; and

let's

"Hold hard! Ingleborough

;

West

Forward

for

excitedly; "that

Kimberley;

it

must

can't

be

deliver the despatch."

Look before you leap!" shouted

and, rising in his stirrups, he gave a hasty

glance round, to see Boers here, Boers there, in parties of from six to a dozen, spreading out as they

came

'>

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

62

along at a gallop, forming more and more of a till

there

was an opening only

south-west

West

— and

one direction

in

after grasping this

—to the

he turned to

as he settled himself in his saddle.

**Why, Noll, lad," he

cried,

**

of a seine-net in Cornwall, with mackerel.

They've got

it

like the

it's

drawing shoal of

us for the

nearly round us, and

don't start, in another ten minutes It

fully

circle,

we

shall

we

if

be enclosed.

looks fishy, and no mistake!" a

Then come on!"

cried West.

We

''Oif with you, but at a gentle gallop.

nurse our nags, for the obstinate brutes will

must

make

it

a

long chase.'*

As he spoke he

pressed his pony's sides, and away

they went together at a long easy gallop, their mounts keeping so close together that the riders' legs nearly touched,

and the brave

little

animals taking stride for stride and

needing no guidance, the best management being to give them their heads and perfect freedom to avoid the obstacles which

came

in their

rock, bush, and the perilous holes

way

in the

burrowed

by the South African representatives of our

Once in

no

settled

down

in their saddles,

all

shape of

in the soil

rabbits.

with the opening

the Boer net straight before them, the fugitives had difficulty in

ensued

in

on a conversation, and

the calmest matter-of-fact

predicament *'It's

carrying

in

way concerning

which they had landed themselves.

very awkward, Noll!" said Ingleborough.

this

the

THE NET AND THE

FISH.

363

your favourite argument,

'*But, to use

"We

West.

for the best," replied

it

seems

all

can easily reach the

open ground yonder before the enemy, and then

ride

away."

right

said Ingleborough.

**If,"

'*If

when they

they don't stop

find us hkely to

go

through the horns of the dilemma they have prepared for us."

"And

down and begin

lie

shooting.^"

Their bullets will go

"Exactly!

than our

faster

ponies I"

"Yes, but we shall put them at they will find

it

hard to

hit us at

and

speed,

full

a gallop."

"I hope so!" said Ingleborough.

"My

How

word!

they are coming on!"

"Yes; but they yards of us!" cried

And

so

it

finished circle

not get within five hundred

will

West

excitedly.

proved, for as the horns of the partly-

drew

nearer, that nearness proved to be

yards from

nearly a thousand

point to

point,

while

half-way between, and with their ponies racing over the

ground stretched out Hke greyhounds, the riders

dashed through, forcing the enemy to

course as they were

left

Kimberley;

it

can't

West

be very

joyously. far

"Sit close!" cried Ingleborough. if

alter their

behind.

"That's done it!" cried for

tw^o despatch-

"Now

then

away!" "They'll

fire

they can do so without hitting their friends."

now

A DASH FkOM DIAMOND

364

CITV,

r

West glanced back

to his right,

and saw the truth

of his companion's words, for the next minute the

was commenced on both their

heads with

dusty

soil

sides, the bullets

firing

coming over

buzzing sound, and the

their peculiar

being struck up here and there as the fugitives

tore along.

"This

put their shooting to the testT' cried

will

West, leaning forward to pat *'Yes;

it

will

I

am

now! close

puzzle the best of them!" replied

'Tm

Ingleborough,

his pony's neck.

not afraid of their marksmen, but

However, we're

of the flukes.

in

for

it

I

Easy

We're getting more and more ahead as they in.

There, those behind are obliged to leave

firing for fear

oft

of hitting their friends."

Ingleborough was

right,

for after

shot or two the firing ceased, and

it

another useless

became a chase

where success, barring accidents, would

rest

with the

best and freshest horses.

Knowing

this,

the fugitives

eased their ponies

all

they could after placing a greater distance between them

and

.their

and

to right

pursuers, but keeping a

and

left,

knowing

full

good look-out ahead well as they did that

the appearance of fresh Boers ahead would be fatal to their progress.

Half an hour glided by, during which

first

one and

then the other glanced back, but always with the same result of seeing that

enemy were

settled

some two down to a

or three dozen of the

steady pursuit.

THE NET AND THE

FISH.

'^How long do you think they

West

said

they are Germans they'll stick to our

if

hours

for

but

;

Transvaal Boers

The

up?"

this

they are French mercenaries they'll give

if

directly;

heels

keep

at last.

"Well,

up

will

365

they're

if

all

Free

Staters

or

we do. mules never know when they

go on

they'll

stubborn, obstinate

they drop or

till

are beaten!"

**Then they're not French adventurers

"Nor

Germans!"

yet

said

we've got the genuine Boer

1"

said

West.

Ingleborough.

"No;

us; and

going

after

it's

to be a long chase."

"How

do you think

far

"Just as

far

as

is

to

Kimberley?"

from Kimberley

is

it

it

to

here!"

replied Ingleborough gruffly.

"Thank you

nothing!"

for

"What's the good of giving

snapped

foolish

"What's the good of asking

Look

here, lad,

we may

as

out

West.

answers?" foolish

questions?

well look the position in

the face."

"Of

course."

"Very

well,

then; we've

or so of Boers after us,

got a score and a half

meaning

to take us prisoners

or shoot us down."

"Oh

yes, that's plain

"Very

well!

the General has

enemy

that,

enough

I"

Then

as

to distance to Kimberley,

dodged

in

and out so

though

I

know a

little

to

avoid the

about the country,

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

366

we

I'm regularly puzzled as to where lies

out here, but whether Kimberley

or a hundred I don't know.

What

way of

is

the surest

getting there

^*

Yes,

we

south, **

and

I see,

we keep

if

shall get there.

my

That's correct,

so that

are round

how we

reach them **

I

it

make

it

away that

is

right

away

hit that

on our

right, riding

we

left

it

that

may depend upon

in greater strength

than ever,

when we

are to get through their lines

don't know."

"But we did not know

get into Mafeking!

to

and we're going ''Ah,

five miles

lad, but recollect this:

Neither do II" said West.

how we were

think

'^

the town invested, and you

enemy

I

do know

I

to

it

are.

is

Once we can

west for the railway.

the

CITY.

do

to

this

Still

we

did

it,

somehow."

somehow!"

'*Look here," said West, after another glance back at their pursuers: **do in

a blacker light

you think you could put matters

you were

if

to try?"

**To be frank, old fellow," said Ingleborough, laughing,

"I really don't think

"No more do side

could

I"

I!"

"But look here: blackest

I

in

full

it's

as well

always to look the

Then you know the accordingly. Hooray One

the face.

worst at once, and can act

!

to us!" shouted Ingleborough, glancing back.

"What

is it?

I

see one of the

and another pulled up

to help him.

enemy broken down It's

two

to us."

THE NET AND THE "There, you see worst of

now

367

the good of looking at the

it."

"It's quite

"Not

cheering!" cried West.

very, for the rest are

"Let them!" said West. go.

FISH.

We will

making a

"Our ponies

spurt,"

are

full

of

not push them unless absolutely obHged."

"Words of wisdom A long, steady pace wins. Keep on we can afford to lose a little ground, for we have been gaining for some time!" 1

;

CHAPTER XXXVI. CLOSE PURSUIT.

TTOUR

after

hour passed,

and the chase continued

over the wide rolling veldt, the fugitives making

more and more westerly

their course

so

as to hit the

railway, hoping every time they reached the top of one

of the wave-like

ridges

to

find

that they

were

close

at hand.

But

it

was always the same

—

veldt,

veldt,

veldt,

stretching on

towards the horizon, with a village or

farm once

a way,

in

and the enemy always

at

the

same distance behind, keeping doggedly on. Twice over, though, the fugitives had scraps of encouragement from one of and

in

their pursuers

pulling up,

each case another drew rein and stopped with

him.

At

last

a

spruit

was reached,

with

the

fresh

bubbling water tempting the escaping pair to alight a

way

only to be understood by one

who

in

has been

similarly situated. It

was

just after the

Boers had pulled up to

let

CLOSE PURSUIT. walk

their horses still

his

a long ascent,

after

going on at the same pace,

and they were

when West checked

pony. *'It's

we must

of no use;

mount, unsling your

and

369

try

fill

check while

in

I

water the

the bottles."

Ingleborough

nothing,

said

West was

next minute

"Dis-

and get behind that stone

rifle,

and hold the enemy

horses and

drink," he said.

and the

only obeyed,

leading the ponies

down

to the

shallow crossing, leaving his companion with his barrel resting

upon the big stone

rifle-

formed a natural

that

breastwork.

Seeing that the pair had stopped, the Boers began

even

to press forward,

open the

made them

but the next shot

twice;

out,

Ingleborough

after

and take up

position,

pull

had

up

fired

short,

beginning to return

fire then.

A

few minutes

drink, the bottles

the horses

later

were

re-filled,

and

had had a good all

was ready on

the far side of the spruit for continuing the

West shouted

to

his

block of stone about the natural

breastwork

directly

after

and

size fired

and wading

to

where he threw himself upon and then waded across

who

campanion,

flight.

placed a

of his

head upon the

twice,

dropping

the

side

his breast,

to rejoin his

down

of the gully,

drank deeply,

Then

companion.

they were off again at a canter, getting a good quarter

of a mile on their road before the Boers discovered by 24

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

370

a careful flanking

approach

their defence of the spruit *'

be

They'll

West, as he stood up

they

that

had given up

and dashed on.

now

us

after

CITY,

at

full

speed

!

'*

said

gazing back,

in his stirrups F

said

'*No,"

daresay, for

Ingleborough;

an hour to give

thinking that they can

rest,

"they'll their

lull

stop

there,

I

horses water and

us into the beUef that

they have given up the pursuit; and then they'll come

on again, following us as

dusk."

is

it

steadily so as to trap us as soon

"I don't think you are right," said West; is

of no use to argue about

We

it.

'*but

it

shall see!"

The day wore on and they saw nothing but the wide-spreading brown veldt, with no sign of the great river,

mountain ridge or other object familiar

no

to

Ingleborough during his travels through the country.

"No," he

said, in reply to a question

from West,

make out anything, only that we are going south-west. The country is so big, you see. All I can say is that we must be going right. We're making for the river, and we can't do better. It may be many, many miles away still!" "I can't

i

"Well,

enemy

don't

let's

keep on.

seem

to

be

There's one comfort:

after us."

"No," said Ingleborough, and speaking very I

drily;

don't trust them.

we'll give

them

their

the

after a

good look back,

"they don't seem

They mean work

first."

to run us

to

be,

but

down; but

CLOSE PURSUIT. In

hour

after

nothing for

evening came, and then there was

the

till

rode steadily on hour

fugitives

the

spirit

this

37^

but to look out for some halting-place

it

with cover and feed for the ponies.

"We

keep on without giving them a

can't

"for

said Ingleborough;

we may have

rest,"

day

to ride all

to-morrow."

"What?"

we're so far off "I don't

"You

cried West.

anything, lad/' replied Ingleborough;

"for, as I said before, the country

that

and

so big,

is

we may have two

journey before us yet.

three

or

it

is

days'

)J

"But food— rest?"

"My

think

don't

still?"

know

quite possible

surely

faltered

West.

eyes are wandering everywhere in search of r

food," replied Ingleborough,

come upon mean food,

it

them

keep on hoping

either given, bought, or taken rifles.

As

to

the

rest,

That

to

will

by threatenhave

we'll

that

get into Kimberley."

Night but

I

a farmhouse somewhere in sight.

ing with our

when we

"and

without a sign of spruit, pool, or farm;

fell

was a

bright,

sufficient

clear time,

Hght to keep on

with the stars in

the

hope

giving

that

was

growing desperate- that they must soon come upon some stream. last

But they hoped

began

to

in

vain,

and the ponies

grow sluggish and indisposed

whenever some patch of bush was reached

to

at

proceed

in the

of the dried-up expanse. 24*

midst

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

372 ^*

may

There,

of no use,"

it's

as well let the

green

shoots

fresher for the halt.

As

*Ve

said Ingleborough;

browse upon such

poor brutes

they can

as

CITV.

for

us,

be

They'll

find!

we must

all

the

feed upon

hope and the remembrance of the good things we have

had

in the past." *^

Don't

give up yet!" replied West.

let's

and every mile brings

cool travelling,

^'It

nearer

us

is

to

safetv."

**Very well; but

we

shall find

it

hard work to get

the ponies along."

So they rode

on, with their

and more sluggish

mounts growing more

and then West suddenly

for a while,

uttered an exclamation.

**What

is

it?"

**Your nag?"

cried Ingleborough.

''Yes; he has suddenly

begun

to step out briskly."

'*So has mine," said Ingleborough.

**It's

all right.

r

Give yours can smell

it

his

head

— they

sniff water.

I

half fancy I

myself; the air comes so cool and moist."

Just then

one of the ponies snorted, and the pair

broke into a canter which lasted for about a quarter of a mile,

when they dropped

into

ground was encumbered with stones

a walk,

for

the

but almost directly

;

a pleasant refreshing odour of moist greenery saluted the riders' nostrils, and then the ground yielding beneath gravelly,

down

the

ponies'

hoofs,

and the next minute the

at the reflected stars,

was

then

riders

soft

and

rough and

were gazing

which became blurred as

CLOSE PURSUIT.

373

the ponies splashed into water and then lowered their

muzzles to drink. '*A great pool.^" said West, **No; hark I"

West

listened, to

hear the rippling trickle of running

water.

*'A river!" he said excitedly.

"Yes, and

may be

it

the Vaal.

one of the streams running into

"And we must keep on down.

If not,

be

will

it

it."

this

and follow

side

it

11

"Well, no," said Ingleborough, with a "seeing that the Boers are after us, safer to follow

"Very

it

down from

What

well!

I

laugh;

little

think

be

will

it

the other side."

shall

we do — get down and

wade.?" "I would rather keep "Let's wait

then try I

think

if it

till it

is

rephed Ingleborough.

dry,"

the ponies have drunk safe

enough

will be, for

for

them

sufficient,

to

walk across.

you can hear how shallow

"Yes," said West; "close

in here;

and

it

but what

is!" is

it

farther out?"

He reflection "It's

stood

up

in

of the stars for a big

be madness

"Very

river,

to try

stirrups

his

some

Ingle,"

and ford

well; let's get a

it

and

followed

the

distance.

he in

said,

"and

it

would

the dark."

good drink

as soon as the

ponies have had their share, and then follow the river

n

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

74

down till we come upon a and we can rest." This

hobbled

was followed

plan

soon found, where, to the river

fugitives lay do\vn

way a snug

after

their

being

of Boers,

resting-place

bank and allaying to

rugged

cautiously making their

rest,

Hstening

faUing water not far away. fulness

ponies

amongst the dense bushes and

stones which barred their

down

the

out,

a spot where there seemed to be plenty of

at

while

feed,

place where they can graze

despatches,

Then,

and

their thirst,

to in

all

the

was

way the

sound of

perfect

forget-

the dangers of

way, both dropped into the deep sleep produced

by exertion

—a

more beginning

sleep which lasted

till

the sun

to flood the earth with light.

was once

CHAPTER

XXXVII.

ROUGH WORK. T

T

was the sound of

a deep breath \Yhich put an end

to West's slumber,

staring

two more,

at

looking, not a foot It

and he opened

big,

brown,

away from

and

rested,

he

peaceful-

own.

full

wakefulness

came

was

pony,

and he realised where he was, and that well-fed

and

soft,

his

was some moments before

his eyes to

it

his

mutely asking him whether he was

not going to mount and ride off again. It itself,

was then

and he raised

to see that they

the

the thought

that his

head and looked sharply around,

were amongst stones and bushes where

bank went precipitously down

river flowing

to a beautiful

amongst abundant verdure.

lay Ingleborough,

other pony,

of danger asserted

still

still

fast asleep,

cropping away at the rich green growth

Then, as

West made out nothing but upon which they had stumbled

see,

of the spot

Close by him

and beyond him the

which sprang up among the stones. he could

ness of the night.

winding

He

rose to his knees

far as

the beauty in the dark-

stiffly

enough,

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

376

and was

in the act

of getting upon his

river,

feet,

realising

formed a riband on

either

beyond which was the open

veldt,

that the beautiful greenery side of the

CITY.

when he dropped down again

to

reach out and grasp

Ingleborough's shoulder, for in his rapid glance he had

caught

sight of a party

about

sunshine

full

of mounted

half-a-mile

walking their horses, and

for certain to

enemy of

the whole or a portion of the

out in the

They were

away.

seemed

it

men

the previous

him

day, for he recalled, what had not struck time, that one of the Boers

at the

was mounted upon a grey

and one of the others he could see from where

horse,

he watched was **

be

Plenty

of

muttered; ^^but

similarly

grey this

mounted.

horses

seems

to

about,

of course!"

be the one

saw

I

he

yester-

day." '*

What's the matter?" said Ingleborough.

'^Histl

are

upon us!

Keep

quiet!" replied West.

*'The Boers

Look!"

Ingleborough rose cautiously, took a long earnest look through his glass, and put

it

back.

"Yes, there they are," he said coolly;

**

there's that

Good job we didn't try darkness. Why, we should

chap again on the white pony. to

ford

the river in the

have been swept away."

West glanced

for a

moment

in the direction

of the

stream, and grasped the truth of his companion's words,

before scanning their position and taking

it

in at once.

ROUGH WORK. '*Wc

over yonder," he said quickly.

can't get

"That

*'No/' replied Ingleborough.

Neither can they attack us from rear

is

377

that

cuts

two ways.

quarter; so our

safe."

''We

be able

shall not

to

escape north," continued

West.

"No; we are shut

in there."

"Nor

yet south, for they would pick us off easily

we

could get through the rough ground to gallop

before

away."

"Quite

my

Noll,

front.

lad;

right,

and they are advancing on our

boy, there

only one

is

thing to

be

done."

"What "Turn hold out

that patch of rocks there into our fort,

and

they've shot us down, or w^e've shot them,

till

or they've

that?"

is

made

us surrender."

"What about

provisions?"

"Plenty of water," said Ingleborough coolly, nodding

towards the

river.

"We're nearly famished now." "Yes, lad! bit

of something

there's

no

fort for us,

into

I

time

if

for

I

enemy would

I

say,

talking.

stick

I

as if

could peck a

I

had the chance. There's

and the next thing

cover.

us down."

.

certainly feel

was

right

is I

doggedly to our

to I

a

But

come,

ready-made

get the ponies

knew

trail

till

that

the

they ran

"

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

378

**Look here

cried

I"

'Tm

West:

those rocks and try and cover

CITY.

going to crawl to

you while you follow

with the ponies." *'No need," replied Ingleborough; **the poor things

have eaten

till

they can eat no more, and they'll follow

us right enough.

we

and get under cover before

Let's try

are seen."

West

hesitated for a

moment,

Boer party might

that the ford, but

ride

away and

try to find a

a glance showed him that in the brief period

which had passed since he

enemy

for the thought arose

w^ere

much

awoke and saw them the

nearer, and, following his companion's

example, he began to crawl on

clump of rocks pointed

all

fours towards

the

out, the horses quietly following

them.

They had about

fifty

yards to go through a cover

of bushes and lumps of rugged stone, but before they

were half way there West cried impatiently: like

it;

the Boers must see

mount and make

a dash for

'*I

the horses directly.

it

would be best

Let's

it."

*'Very w^ell!" replied Ligleborough quietly.

haps

don't

"Per-

!

"Then as soon as you are up we must ride towards them till we are clear of these bushes, and then off we go

to the right."

**Good; but they will

it

must be sharp work,

see us the

Ingleborough.

moment we

are

for of course

up!"

answered

ROUGH WORK. **We must

risk

Ingle," said West.

it,

could keep them at bay.

be horrible beating

rem

to

be

''We never

Let*s have action

:

it

would

behind a rock with the sun

lying

down upon

379

Now^ then, get hold of your

us.

I

There was a few moments' pause while the pair

Then West drew a deep

crept alongside of their ponies.

"Mount!" As he uttered the word he glanced over

breath and cried:

back

at the

his pony's

advancing enemy, and saw^ that they had

caught sight of the two animals, halted, and were in the act of taking

aim

But neither West nor

them.

at

Ingleborough paused, raising a foot to the stirrup and

when

being in the act of springing up,

about a dozen

rifles

rang

out,

the reports of

and West's rein was

jerked out of his hand as he was thrown upon his back, while his

pony made a

the last of which took

of about a dozen feet

series

of tremendous bounds,

into

the river with a plunge

it

right

into

a deep pool.

The

water splashed on high, glittering in the sunshine, and the next minute the unfortunate beast

away towards the

swift current, just

the water, and on raising

its

head

it

was

floating slowly

feebly pawing at fell

again with a

heavy splash.

"They can shoot well!" said Ingleborough coolly. West turned his gaze from the dying pony, irritated

beyond measure by

coolness,

and then

his

companion's easy-going

saw^ the full extent of their trouble,

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

38o

for Ingleborough's

pony had sunk upon

gently over

then Iain

upon

passed right through

its

knees and

its

to

side,

its

one of the Boers'

without a struggle,

**

CITY.

die

instantly

having

bullets

brain.

Might have been worse!" continued Ingleborough.

*'They did not

Come

hit us!

Follow me, and

see us now.

They

can't

creep to the

fort.

along, lad! let's

Keep down, lad; keep down." West had involuntarily dropped on

fours

all

as

Ingleborough spoke, and none too soon, for another dozen bullets

came

spattering to

rattling

over them, cutting the twigs and

amongst the rocks, while several passed close

them with a buzzing sound.

"No

**There!" cried Ingleborough the next minute. question

our

fort;

now about what

there's plenty of water;

shot our provisions ready for us.

and the Boers have

We

of the meat up for biltong, and eat as while the rest of

it

is

"Look

here:

must cut some

much

as

we

can

fresh."

"For heaven's sake West.

Here's

going to do.

w^e're

let's

don't

talk

of eating!"

cried

creep along through the cover

and try and get away."

"On

foot,

followed by mounted

men?

No

good;

we

pumped out in less than a couple of hours!" "Then let's make the brutes pay dearly for what they've done!" cried West angrily. "Now Ingle, let's prove to them that we can use our rifles too I'm should be

I

going to shoot every horse

I

can."

'

ROUGH WORK. so

*'Very well:

them the

off I'm

place

?

a

I;

going to bring

of them

rest

am

run

for

and

-.81

if

that does

down man

not beat

after

man

till

lives.

Got a good

rifle-barrel

rested in a

their

'

Yes/' said West, whose

crack between two stones.

"Then

fire

away; but don't waste a shot!"

"Trust me!" cried West grimly.

"Now

then, fire;

and remember the despatch!"

He

took careful aim as he spoke, and drew trigger,

with the result that one of the Boer ponies short,

spun round, flung

its

rider,

stopped

and galloped madly

away.

The next moment Ingleborough's

rifle

cracked, and

a second pony began to walk on three legs, while the party opened out, galloping so as to form a half-circle

about their enemies, the two ends resting on the river

bank and forming a radius of about three hundred yards. "Sixteen more ponies to bring down," said Ingle-

borough;

"and those two dismounted men

will

take

"That's what the whole party will do!" said

West

cover and begin to stalk us."

bitterly.

"We

shall

them

into

cover,

all

and nearer.

At in

front

some

hit

no more ponies:

they'll

get

and then come creeping nearer

yj

that

moment Ingleborough

fired

again right

where one of the Boers dismounted among

trees.

A DASH

382

FROM DIAMOND

"There's one more though," for the

poor brute he had

to he kicking on

fell,

its

Before

Ingleborough,

up and then

fired at reared

"Try

flank.

for another your-

he had finished speaking West had

and another pony was

again,

wards them, dragging

man

to

hit,

come

dismounted rider

its

clung to the reins

till

when

his

lay

head came

insensible,

in

his

hundred yards and then

with a

contact

pony

galloping

falling,

fired

tearing toafter

he was jerked

and drawn along the ground some

feet

he

said

ladl"

self,

the

CITY.

it,

off his

yards,

fifty

and

stone,

another

for

paralysed in

for

its

hind-

quarters.

And now

the Boers' bullets began to rattle about

stones which

the

them

protected the hidden pair,

and only able

lying close

to fire

keeping

now and

then;

but they got chances which they did not miss of bringing down, killing, or disabling five ponies, which

upon being

left

more of

the enemy's

alone began to

graze,

and naturally exposed themselves.

Maddened by the Boers

foes,

their losses

and

inability to see their

kept reducing the distance, creeping

from stone to bush and from bush

to stone, rendering

the defenders' position minute by minute one of greater peril.

But the danger did not trouble West.

It

only

in-

creased the excitement from which he suffered, and, with his eyes flashing in

his

eagerness,

he kept on

!

ROUGH WORK.

383

showing the Boers where he lay by opportunity, religiously keeping his in

the

before

belief that

full

at

firing

aim

every

for the ponies,

long the Boers would

retire.

no good to play that game!'* cried Ingle-

"It*s

borough suddenly, and he made a quick movement, turning a

little

to his right

There was a hoarse not above a hundred

and yell,

firing.

and a

man sprang up

yards away, dropped

his

rifle,

the Boers, Ingle," cried

West

and turning round he began to stagger away. *'You are

at

firing

excitedly.

"Yes:

was time

T'

growled Ingleborough, through

his teeth, with his voice

sounding hoarse and strange.

(

it

Two

'I've hit three.

haven't moved."

"What's the matter?"

asked West,

in

anxiety, for he felt that something serious to his

a

tone of

had happened

comrade.

"Don't

Those two.

talk,"

Two

Fire

growled Ingleborough angrily. n

of the Boers

suddenly sprung

"Look!

up,

away

West's

to

left

front

had

and bending low were running

towards him, evidently making

for

a patch of bush,

out of which a mass of grey stone peered, not a hundred

yards

from

that

was

it

of his

rifle,

their goal,

the life

young men's for

life,

waiting

and then,

till

shelter.

Feeling

West glanced along the Boers had

just

as the

now

the barrel

nearly reached

second dashed close

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

384

CITY.

behind his leader, West drew trigger, shivering the next

moment,

upon

lying

smoke

for as the

men

rose he saw one of the

face and the other crawling back on

his

all-fours.

*'Good shot!" said Ingleborough hoarsely, and then

he uttered a deep groan. *'

Ingle, old fellow,

what

is

West.

it?" cried

The only answer he obtained was from

his

com-

and another Boer

rade*s piece, for the latter fired again,

sprang into sight not a hundred yards away,

fell

upon

and then rolled over.

his knees,

"Ingle, old fellow," cried

West;

youVe

'*don't say

hurt!"

"Oh!" groaned Ingleborough. old

man; but

that last brute got

"Wasn't going

to,

me."

"Hurt much?"

"Much? if I

It's

like

red-hot iron through me. t3

Oh,

only had some water!"

"Water?" get some.

cried West,

"Yes;

springing up.

111

*)

Cracky cracky crack different directions,

and

Half-a-dozen

!

in

rifles

rang out

an instant West suffered

his thoughtless unselfish act, for

he

felt

as

if

in

for

someone

had struck him a cruel blow with a sjambok across the face from the front, while butt of his

blade

upon

—

rifle

this

his

with

all his

someone force full

else

had driven the

upon

his shoulder-

blow from the back driving him forward

knees

and then causing him

to fall

across

ROUGH WORK. Then

Ingleborough.

seemed

a

for

385

moments

few

everything

as a blank.

*'Hurt

much?" came

the next minute, as

if

from

a distance.

No I"

''Hurt?

and rose

effort

said

West

to his knees.

huskily,

and he made an

Then, stung to rage by

an agonising pain which stiffened him into action, he levelled his

couple in

once more, took

rifle

of the

who were

Boers

a stooping position,

fired,

aim

a quick

at

a

running towards them

and

distinctly

saw

one

of the two drop to the ground.

The next moment someone and the other went down,

from

his

hand and he

fell

fired

West's

just as

hand, to grip ful

—a

it

in

a

pang seeming

way to

rifle

dropped

over sideways, yielding to a

horribly sickening sensation, followed

fancy that someone had

over his shoulder,

by a half-dreamy

and got hold of

felt

for

that

was

his

at first terribly pain-

run up from hand to shoulder.

The pain appeared to grow worse and worse, then deadened, and came again, and so on, like spasms of agony, while

all

the time the

firing

went on from

all

around. *'Poor old Ingle!" ''they've killed him,

quite frightened

Get

it

over,

you against

me!

was about

his last clear thought;

and now they're

— nearly

Oh!" he groaned

only have delivered

till

they've

Oh, how they keep on shooting!

you cowardly brutes tw^o!

firing

my

then:

a score of "if I could

despatch!" 25

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

386

His

left

hand was raised

feel

whether the paper was

the

effort

as the

now, and then

rifle

all

I

Blood

reports

safe;

still

warm and

"Poor old Ingle brain,

painfully to his breast to

was sickening, and

something wet and

CITV.

his

but the pain of

hand glided over

sticky. !

"

rang

flashed

through

his

out from very close

was blank.

The end of everything seemed

to

have come.

CHAPTER XXXVIIL THE SURGEON'S WORDS.

''"DAD enough, poor

but

fellow;

them both round. Nothing and

these

Mauser

bullets

think

I

vital,

you

can pull

I

see, touched,

make wonderfully

clean

wounds!"

"And

the other?"

"Bad flesh-wounds

— great

of blood.

loss

I

just

got at that artery in time."

West heard

these words spoken

head kept getting

in his

way

by someone whose

as he lay staring up at

the great bright stars directly overhead, and

seemed

it

very tiresome.

He aside; fectly

tried to

speak and ask whoever

but his tongue would not still,

trying to think

dull far-off sort of.

way

that the people near

it

what

it

stir,

all

gradually

him were

it

was

to

move

and he lay

per-

meant, and in a

dawned upon him

talking about the Boers

he had somehow or another and for some reason shot

down. Then, as he thought, the calm feeling he was en25

*

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

•;88

CITY.

joying grew troubled, and he began to recall the fact that he

had been shooting somebody's ponies

somebody mad,

he

for

felt

convinced that they would not be nice

flesh tasted sweet.

itself

oily

and the

it

would be

horrible

when his throat Then the terrible

at a time

was dry with an agonising forced

was

fat

Besides which,

have to eat horseflesh

thought

must have been

that he

he had heard that the

eating, as

to

and

else with food,

thirst.

upon him

that

while shooting

down ponies he had missed them and instead,

to supply

and once more

The next time

all

was blank.

power of

the

men

killed

thinking

came

to the

was very dark, and a jarring pain kept running through him, caused by the motion of his hard poor fellow

all

bed, which had

somehow grown wheels and was

being

dragged along. Cattle

were lowing and sheep bleating.

were shouts, Kaffir

too,

drivers,

such

as he

knew were

There

uttered by

and there were the crackings of

their

great whips.

After a while he

and heard men

made

out the trampling of horses

talking, while in

an eager confused way

he listened for what they would say about those two

wounded Boers, one of whom had nearly bled before that artery was stopped.

These, he

to death

felt,

must

be the Boers he shot when he ought to have shot ponies.

And

as he got to that point the trouble of thinking

THE SURGEON'S WORDS.

389

worried his brain so that he could think no more, and again

At in

was blank.

all

came a morning when West woke up room which seemed to be familiar. There

last

a great

were nurses moving about

in their clean

dresses,

and he knew that he was

up as a

hospital.

in

white-bordered

some place

Several of the occupants of the beds

wore bandages suggestive of bad wounds, and his

fitted

came from time

thoughts there

to help

to time the

dull

heavy reports of cannon.

He coming

did not recollect all

yet; but he grasped the fact that

wounded and was now

He clearer

he had been

lay for a few minutes with his brain growing

and

clearer,

hand, but could not.

and

laid a

his

in hospital.

and

at

last,

The

seeing

he

nurses looking in his direction,

able,

had preceded

that

other proved

obedience to a sign

in

hand upon

tried

the

one of the to

raise

more managenurse

and smiled down

his forehead,

one

came, in his

face.

**Your head's cooler!" she said. **Yes," he replied:

"Terribly

I

We

"have

I

*'

You're better?

jj

been very bad?"

thought once that you would not

recover."

"And Ingleborough?" "Ingleborough?

who was brought

Oh, you mean your companion

in with

you?"

West nodded: he could not

speak.

;

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY.

390

*'Well,

"But

think he will get better

I

wound:

his

is

now!

J>

so bad?"

it

**He nearly bled to death; but you must not talk

much

yet.

n

"Only a me, he

West

said

little!"

"Pray

eagerly.

tell

will get better?"

"Oh

yes:

"Oh,

no doubt about

there^s

thank

"But what place

goodness is

!

"

West

cried

believe."

I

it,

fervently.

this?"

Why, Kimberley, of course!" "Ah!" cried West excitedly, and his hand went "This?

"My

to his breast.

"Your jacket?" cut and torn,

jacket!"

"Oh,

said the nurse.

and soaked with blood.

I

that

was

think

it

all

has

been burnt."

"What!"

cried

What

"Hush, hush!

A pillow,

this?" said a deep, stern

quiet, grave- looking face

was bent over West's

and the poor fellow jumped

at the idea that

must be the surgeon.

this

"No,

am

sir;

in trouble

"Clothes, will not "

"but

no, sir!" he whispered excitedly, catching

"I

new-comer*s arm.

at the

you

is

"Patient delirious, nurse?"

voice.

I

"Oh, don*t say that!"

West.

Not I

about

eh?"

my

to

dress,

must have

sir,"

my

better:

it

is

only that

clothes."

said the

want clothes

am

for

doctor,

smiling.

two or three weeks

"Oh, yet."

whispered West excitedly

jacket.

It is

important!"

THE SURGEON^S WORDS. "Why?'^ the

said the surgeon,

laying his

hand upon

young man's brow soothingly. "I was bringing

when "It

391

I

was shot down,

was sewn up *'

on a despatch from Mafeking sir,"

whispered West excitedly.

for safety in the breast."

Indeed?" said the doctor, laying

his fingers

on

the lad's pulse and looking keenly in his eyes. *'Yes,

what

am

I

**Yes, will

Of

sir,

"I know

indeed!" said West eagerly.

saying, sir."

you are cool now; but I'm

afraid the jacket

have been burned with other garments of the kind. course, the contents of the pockets will have been

preserved." *'0h, they are nothing, *'It is

is

cried

sir,"

West

a letter sewn up in the breast that

I

piteously.

want.

It

so important!" '*Well,

I'll

see!"

said

doctor gravely,

the

and,

who had been in attendance, he West in a state of feverish anxiety.

signing to the nurse left

the ward, with

At

to West's intense satisfaction, the horribly

last,

blood-stained garment

went out trembling to

was brought in, and catch it by the breast,

his

hand

fully ex-

pecting to find the missive gone.

he cried wildly,

*'Yes,"

"Hah!"

him here!"

is

here!"

cried the doctor, and, taking out his knife,

West checked him. he panted: "the Commandant. Send

he prepared to **No,"

"it

slit

it

up, but

for

"

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

392 ((

Let

!

My

me

good

he

lad,

is

CITY.

so busy, he would not

message and send

cut out the

come

to him."

it

"No," said West till

he comes." jj

"But really "Tell him

has a

letter for

a wounded messenger from Mafeking him, and he will come."

West was right the magic word Mafeking brought the Commandant to his bedside; and as soon as he came up he stopped short and made what little blood poor West had left flush to his face, for he cried: "Hullo Why, it is our illicit diamond-dealer I thought we were never to see you again 1" "It is not truel" cried West "The man who :

!

!

denounced

me hed!"

"Then you have been

to

Mafeking?"

Mr, Ingleborough and

"Yes,

sir:

"And

brought back a despatch?"

"Yes,

sir:

here

"Where?"

said

at the stained tunic "

Open

took out

it

now,

it

is!

the

Commandant, glancing down

on the bed. sir,"

his knife again,

said slit

West

to the doctor,

the cloth,

the big letter, terribly soaked with

"Bravo Brave messenger I" !

I."

its

who

and drew out

bearer's blood.

cried the

Commandant,

grasping West's hand before tearing open the packet

and finding enough of the despatch unstained

to allow

him

"Hah!"

to decipher the principal part of the text.

THE SURGEON'S WORDS. he

when he had

cried,

''

finished,

on the whole good

news; but," he continued, glancing

have been a long time coming.

"Have

We

sir?

I,

lost

393

at the date,

*'you

M

no time!"

'*The poor fellow has been lying here for a

fort-

night, sir," said the surgeon.

"A the

fortnight

reconnoitring

sheep and

cattle.

Why,

ago? party

Yes,

was the day when

that

with

returned I

they were attracted by the

You

"Yes,

Of

them?

11

sir." I

Our

raiding party did

though they did have a desperate

wards to get through the Boer "Yes, that I

course, yes:

and saved two young

firing,

are one of

"Well done, then work,

captured

remember now: they had a

brush with the Boers up the river.

Englishmen.

the

sir,"

have got

fight

good after-

Getting better?"

lines.

"now

said

West, with a sigh of

my

despatch safely into your hands 1"

relief:

"But what about your bad character?" "It

was a

accusation,

false

cried

sirl"

West

"The man who denounced me was

dignantly.

in-

the

criminal himself" " Well,

you have done your duty so

truly that I

believe you in preference to him."

"But

I

shall

soon, for this brigade.

Has

be able to

man that

the prisoners, guns,

is

fully

a prisoner

come

now

into the

clear

myself,

sir,

with the cavalry

town

yet,

sir,

with

and the convoy they captured?"

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

394

CITY.

^'Hahl" cried the Commandant: "this

Has

deed!

"Yes,

the brigade captured said

sir,"

news

is

in-

you say?"

all

West, and he told

had

that

all

place up to the time of he and Ingleborough

taken

F

being cut off and chased by the Boers.

"We knew nothing of this!" said the Commandant. "We are prisoners ourselves; but your news gives us hope of a speedy

for the General

release,

grow under

to let the grass

"He is not, sir!" said bring me and the man who "The sooner

the better,

mandant warmly. "Within a

the

How

not one

his feet."

West.

"Then you

accused

me

my

soon

lad!"

will

shall

face to face." said the

Com-

he be up, doctor?"

fortnight, I hope, sir!"

was the

reply.

"Then goodbye for the present, my lad!" Commandant. "Your long-delayed despatch

send a for

"

is

it

Boers

thrill

of hope through

breathes nothing at

all

here

in

said will

Kimberley,

but determination to hold the

bay."

"May

I

say one word more, sir?"

said

West

ex-

citedly.

"What do you

"He more we

think, doctor?"

has said enough, shall

he'll fret if

"What

sir,

if

have the fever back.

he does not get something is

it,

he talks much Well, perhaps off his mind."

then?" said the Commandant.

"I had a brave comrade patch, sir."

and

to

ride with

the

des-

?

THE SURGEON'S WORDS.

Not

"To be

sure, yes, I

killed, I

hope?"

"No, here.

sir,

395

What

remember.

about him

but badly wounded, and lying somewhere

n

"Poor

fellow!

promotion

for

I

must see him.

There must be

you both."

"If you would see him,

sir,

and speak to him as

you have spoken to me," said West, with the weak tears rising to his eyes.

"Of

yes!

course,

There,

you have done splendidly

diamond charge

Now,

lie!

!

I

can

doctor, take

"Ha!"

I

shake

Don't worry

feel that

me

hands,

it

my

lad:

about the

was a contemptible

to your other patient."

sighed West, nestling back on his pillow

with a calm look of content in his eyes, which closed directly after for a sleep that least.

lasted ten hours

at the

CHAPTER XXXIX, ANSON

IN A

HOLE— AND

SOMETBIING ELSE.

"T^iON'T worry about the diamond charge!" said the Commandant; but Oliver West did, day after was soon able

day, though he got better fast and

go and as a

man

drained

with Ingleborough,

sit

who

does

from

his

borough did too in

;

who

slowly recovered,

has had nearly

West

body. for those

all

despair,

were often ready

West and

and Ingle-

were anxious days, those

men

even

low,

wounded, weak, and

while the

Ingleborough to

recovered

suffer

sick

would never come.

to think that relief

wounds only gradually,

the life-blood

worried,

Kimberley, which brought strong

near to

to

with

from the

their

rest,

re-

when really unfit, while the deadly work went on, the men braving the shell and shot with more spirit when they knew that the women and turning to duty

children were safe within the mines.

Then came feehng that

the day

of

relief,

and with

it

the

a long night of misery and despair had

ended; and that night West and Ingleborough grasped

HOLE— AND SOMETHING

ANSON" IN A

ELSE.

397

hands, the former's pale sallow face lighting up with

something of

would only march

the General

"Now,

as he exclaimed:

his old look,

in with

and bring Anson before us face to face

his

prisoners,

I"

man

Everything, the proverb says, comes to the

who

and certainly

waits,

was so

it

if

here,

day

for the

did

come when

his

dashing cavalry brigade, and, what was more, with

the prisoners,

duced

the General rode in

at

the head of

and with them Anson, very much

re-

in weight.

There was something more than mere eagerness to be

from an accusation which led the two

freed

young men down

to wait until they could see

On

their

way

him

in their turn.

they sought out

had had Anson under

them

camp next morning

to the General's

his

the sergeant

who

and he grinned

charge,

at

in recognition.

a You

were

about

"about that prisoner.

gentlemen,"

right,

he

said,

J)

"What about him?"

said

West

eagerly.

"About his being an EngHshman. I've seen a of him along with the other prisoners, and he's English as can be.

Anson

written on the tails of his shirts

he's got a

Why,

Piet Retifl

left.

But

he's got

—that

as

James what

n

look

here,

sergeant,"

said

Ingleborough

anxiously: **what about his wagon.?"

"Oh,

is,

lot

that's all rieht, sirl

Loaded uo."

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

398

"Has he had **Not he,

CITY.

the run of it?"

He wanted

sir.

some under-toggery, !" refuse him that get

shirts

to,

but

I

only

and such.

I

him

let

couldn't

*^Did he go alone?''

"Yes,

sir."

"Quite?" "Well, not

quite,

because

sir,

"Hah!" sighed Ingleborough,

I

was with him." a

in

tone

full

of

relief

"I've stuck to him, by the General's orders, ever since.

clusion

Like a leech,

— "like

said

sir,"

the sergeant, in con-

a leech."

The cavalry General welcomed the young men warmly, and, as it happened, the same four officers were with him, ready to join

in the greeting.

"I never expected to see you two fellows again," "I was out with

said one of them, laughing.

when you were

cut

off.

my men

Why, you must have had

a

very narrow escape!"

"Of that has

course,"

the

been the fashion:

escapes.

"We rather

said

laughing;

General,

we have

all

"but

had narrow

Well, you got safely in with your despatch?" got in with our

grimly,

despatch,

sir!"

"but not safely"; and he

said

West

briefly told

their adventures.

"Bravo

I

Well done!" was chorussed.

"Why, you two

will

have

to join

the regulars I"

ANSON IN A HOLE— AND SOMETHING

"We

said the General.

Think

volunteers!

come

to

r don't nary see

me, and

want

to

it

I'll

over, and, if

what

see

be rude; but

You

visitors.

have men

can*t

I

word

sent

I

ELSE.

you

like

you decide

have no time

day,

sir

you wanted to began.

know about the prisoner taken man who said he was a Boer."

want

— the

then,

for ordi-

me on important business. What is it?" "You speak," said Ingleborough, and West

"We

to

"I remember,"

cried

for

to join,

Now

can do!

in that

399

that

"I have him

the General.

safe."

"When

is

he to be

tried, sir?"

"Can't say; he will be handed over to the autho-

who

rities

a renegade

"Yes,

see to such things now.

who had sir,

after

You

said he

was

joined the Boers."

being charged with

illicit

diamond-

dealing with the Kaffirs working at the great Kimberley

mines

;

and we want you

to give orders for the

wagon

he had with him to be searched."

"His wagon searched?"

am

cried the General.

"How

know which wagon he had?" "The sergeant knows where it is, sir," replied West; "and we could recognise it directly." "But why do you want it searched what for?" "For diamonds, sir, that he brought away from I to

—

Kimberley, and which you have brought back."

said

"H'm! Diamonds, eh? This sounds interesting!" the General. "You think he has some there?"

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

400

*'We both believe he

"What do you *'0h,

let's

*'Very well!

ril

be ready

value.'*

gentlemen?"

say,

laughing.

officers,

salvage and loot, and

search made!

and of great

sh-,

have the search made by

one of the

cried

has,

CiTV.

all sorts

all

means!"

may mean

'*It

of good things!"

Take the matter

up,

and

Til see the

Let the prisoner be present, of course, in half-an-hour."

Punctually to the minute the General was ready,

and he walked down through the temporary camp

where the wagon stood among scores of the sergeant and four

men

to

others, while

stood by with Anson,

who

looked shifty and uncomfortable, wincing suddenly as

he caught sight of West and Ingleborough, and then gazing sharply about at the mounted Lancers on duty as patrols, for the prisoners were many, and there had

been several attempts

at escape.

The General looked

at

him

sharply,

and then

at

the wagon.

"Is that your wagon, prisoner?" "It

was

till

you took

it!" replied the

young man

surlily.

"What do you "Yes, brevity.

"I

sir,"

say, sergeant?"

answered the sergeant, with military

marked

it

with

my

knife the day that

it

was taken."

As he spoke he laid a finger upon notches he had made in the woodwork.

a couple

of

ANSON IN A HOLE— AND SOMETHING ELSE.

"Now

then/' said the General, "before I

401

have the

wagon examined Anson*s eyes twitched.

"Repeat the charge you made against

man!'*

this

continued the General.

now

Ingleborough

word what he had before with being an

illicit

word for and charged Anson

firmly repeated almost said,

diamond-dealer.

"And upon what do you

base

charge?" said

this

the General sternly.

"The

personal knowledge

of myself and friend

here," replied Ingleborough.

"All Hes, General," cried Anson excitedly.

me

two are charging

They were

with what they did themselves.

when they were

diamond-dealers, and

illicit

"Those

found out they tried to plant the crime on me.

All

liesl"

"Crime?

"Yes; a

man

sir,

not

Yes,"

suppose

I

it

the

said is

General

one of the greatest crimes that

can commit in Kimberley. all,

for

it

is

All Hes, eh

"Oh

in the

yes.

company's

General,"

and through the plotting turned out of

"And

my

Well,

I

evident from your speech that you

are an Englishman and not a Boer.

you were

thoughtfully.

office at

said

I

Kimberley."

Anson;

of these

judge too that

"that

two men

is

true,

was

I

situation."

then deserted to the Boers?"

"No, General.

I

w^as obliged to

do something 26

for

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

402

a living, so

I

bought a wagon

to

CITY.

go

in for trade

;

but

was captured by the Boers and they have kept me a prisoner ever since. Then you fought the Boers and

I

me

beat them, and took

Vm

why

That's

here."

"An

Englishman

Why

men ? What

did

—prisoner

to your

own

country-

you not declare what you were ?

name

did he say his

was, sergeant?"

was a Boer and

'^Said he sir,"

prisoner again.

his

name was

Piet Retif,

said the sergeant, with a look of disgust at Anson's

fat face.

*'Yes;

"He

General.

himl"

that looks black against

taken with the

is

who charge him

are

men

of

said

Boers, while

the

those

being chosen to

trust,

bear despatches." **

Because they were not found

"There never was a worse

Anson.

and

out,

sir

pair

I"

cried

of cheats

»>

tricksters.

"Perhaps not

I

" said the General.

a prisoner with the Boers,

my man?

"So you were

)»

"Yes, General, and very glad to see the troops

come up and

"You

said that

gain such a success.

you was a dealer

British

)»

in mealies

and

corn," growled the sergeant.

"Well, a

"Of

man must do something

course," said the General.

simple and innocent enough."

"I

ani,^ sir,

really!" cried Anson.

for his living."

"Well, you look

ANSON IN A HOLE— AND SOMETHING

"And

never engaged in

"

sir

Me,

Never,"

?

Anson

was only charged by those two Theft they got on, and

"And

I

403

diamond-dealing?"

illicit

cried

ELSE.

virtuously.

" I

to save themselves

!

was trampled down."

joined the Boers out of revenge, eh?"

*'No, sir:

it

"Well, fate

was is

all fate

and accident."

very unkind to us sometimes,

man," said the General.

That

"

is

my

your wagon and

span of oxen, you say?"

"Yes,

sir."

What

"Well, you have prospered by your change. did you say

you traded

"Provender,

sir

in

1)

?

— mealies

and corn."

"And you?" cried the General, turning West. "What do you think he deals in?" " I

he

believe

deals

in

diamonds,

sharply

sir,"

replied

West.

"Why?"

said the General.

"For one reason, I

have perfect

faith,

sir,

because

caught him

my

like

whom

in the act."

"Yes: anything more?" " I know him to be a cowardly

"Oh!" groaned Anson.

friend, in

Har,

sir,

and

"I never heard anything

1)

it.

"

Go

on," said the General.

"Lastly,

sir,

because he

set

it

about that

I

had

volunteered to carry a despatch to Mafeking so as to get

away with

the diamonds I had smuggled." 26*

"

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

404

"And

CITY.

you?" said the General. got away to Mafeking with the

"I

did

despatch!'*

said West, smiling. "

And where

"

My

friend

are the diamonds in question

and

believe

I

Anson's wagon," said West then against the

for

bitterly,

he

Later

prisoners.

on he

James

felt bitter

whose proceedings he

traitor,

when they were

that they are in

?

recalled

a

felt

little

sorry for his words.

*'Ohl" cried Anson, throwing up his hands and looking appealingly

the

at

who

General,

him

fixed

with his eyes.

"Well," he said; "what have you to say to this?" **It's

abominable,

sir

—

it*s

atrocious

—

it*s

cruel!

))

"

"

Then you have no smuggled diamonds with you ? "No, sir," cried Anson excitedly. "They charged me once before, and had my wagon searched by the police.

»»

"And "No,

did the police find sir,

not

one

!

It

they might carry off theirs the scent.

any?"

was a blind, sir, so that by throwing the police off

be bound to say they have a

I'll

lot with

them now!" "Well, "

I

doubt that!"

Where would "

Oh,

sir,

said the General, smiling.

they carry them

n ?

you don't know what

artful

tricks are

played " said Anson eagerly. !

"

Oh,

I've heard of a

few since

I

came

to

South

"

"

I

ANSON Africa

;

IN

but

them

don*t

I

despatch-riders

A HOLE— AND SOMETHING ELSE. think

likely that

it

would carry many

illicit

405

a couple of

diamonds with

I

"

Have

the butts of their revolvers examined,

sir,

r

and the

stuffing

of their saddles,'*

have heard of the butts of a

rifles

cried

Anson.

*'

being bored to hold

lot."

*'So have I!"

wagon would be more '^

Oh

yes,

sir,

likely to

supply hiding-places!

wagon?

"to some of

my

t)

course, I shouldn*t like

it,

sir,

but

"But? Ah, you mean conquest gives me the of search

my

of course, being

objection,

perfectly innocent," said the General,

searching your

J)

find any."

"You would have no

"Of

fancy a

I

but the police inspector searched

wagon, and did not

men

"but

said the General;

right

?

"

It's

hke casting a

"

But

it

on a man's

slur

character.

sir."

makes

it

are proved to be innocent

begins to be interesting!

Anson

tried to

when you

shine out the brighter

Here, sergeant,

1

this

case

Search our friend's wagon."

master a wince, and merely shrugged

his shoulders, standing with

while the sergeant and his

his

hands

in

his

men commenced

pockets

their task,

examining every part of the wagon while the

officers

waited patiently, lighting up and smoking their cigars until the

sergeant

came back

to

make

his report.

"

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

4o6

"Well, what have you found?"

"Nothing "

stiffly.

were,

but

these,

sir,"

replied

the

Tucked away behind the doubled

sergeant tilt

they

and the man held out a revolver, Anson's

sir,"

swordstick, and his

little

mahogany

flute-case.

*'Humph! No diamonds, sergeant?" " Not so much as a pin or ring, sir,"

replied the

man.

said I

"Are

these yours, Mr. Piet Retif ? " said the General.

"The

walking-stick and the flute-case are mine,"

Anson

had a

coolly.

rifle;

"

The

but your

pistol

men

must be the

driver's.

took that away."

"Nothing else?" said the General.

"Nothing

else,

We

sir.

looked

repHed the sergeant, and he offered

had brought

objects he

;

revolver,

stick,

superior the

but the General shrugged his

shoulders and looked at his officers, the

his

everywhere,"

and

who each examined

flute-case,

and passed

them

back to the sergeant. "Well, gentlemen," said the General, turning to

West and Ingleborough "you hear. What have you to say now? "The prisoner owned to these things being his I" :

said Ingleborough.

"No, isn't

I

didn't!"

said

Anson

sharply.

"Revolver

mine."

"Only taking

cocking

the it,

lent

to you,

perhaps," said Ingleborough,

weapon from the sergeant's hands making Anson wince.

and

ANSON ((

HOLE— AND SOMETHING

IN A

T' I'm not going to

ELSE.

407

said Ingleborough, smiling

fire/*

contemptuously, as he held the pistol in both hands with his thumb-nails together on the top of the butt.

Then, pressing the cock sidewise, the butt opened from

end to end upon a concealed hinge, showing that

was perfectly hollowed out and diamonds lay

Anson turned *'

Tisn*t

that half-a-dozen large

packed

within, closely

it

wool.

in cotton

clay-coloured.

mine

!'*

he

know

"I

cried.

nothing

about it!" **Well, never mind," said the General;

now.

An

interesting bit of loot,

gentlemen

There was a murmur of voices

at

**

it is

ours

" !

this,

and as

handed round the butt

soon as the pistol had been

was closed with a sharp snap, and the General turned to

Ingleborough again. **Well, sir," he said: **I

am

am

not sure,"

**is

that all?"

replied Ingleborough;

**but

I

suspicious about that stick." it

*'Yes,

said Ingleborough,

his hands,

from

hollowed out.^"

'*You think

its

sir,"

is

he drew

sheath a

blade, which he

apart,

it

in

dragging into the light

held against the cane,

down

proving that

to the ferrule at the end.

about the handle?" said one of the

eagerly, as Ingleborough thrust

cane sheath.

taking

handsome Damascened three-edged

the blade went right

"What

it

and,

officers

back the blade into

its

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITY,

4o8

"That

is

what

suspect

I

he carefully examined the

and turned

it

of opening

" said Ingleborough,

!

silver-gilt

seemed

in vain, for there all

till

it,

once he

at

tip,

but

and

twisted

be no way

to

tried to twist the

sheath portion beneath the double ring which divided

from sheath, when the handle turned

hilt

and

half-an-inch

hollow

shell

was

held

in cotton

wool.

More loot, gentlemen *'What comes next?" *'

*'The

flute,"

cried

borough opened the fitting tightly in

"A

silent

drawn

which

lining

diamonds packed

then

I

off,

another

for

about

disclosing a

deposit

o

" said the General, smiHng.

two voices together, and Ingleshowing the three

case,

joints

the velvet-lined compartments.

musical instrument!"

said the General,

smihng.

"Can anyone play the overture to monds?" said one of the aides-de-camp "This

is

them

put that

in

Crown

Dia-

merrily.

the overture!" said another, and Ingle-

borough took out two fitted

the

together, its

joints

in

turn,

perfectly empty,

and then took out the top

joint, to

proper position, before raising the

strument to his

lips

and

running

in-

up and dow^n the

gamut.

"Nothing there," said the General. But Ingleborough lowered the hands,

and drew

sidewise,

it

flute,

held

it

in

both

apart at the tuning-slide, held

it

and then unscrewed the top plug, showing an

ANSON IN A HOLE— AND SOMETHING ELSE. opening, out of which he shook a magnificent

409

gem

of

great size and perfect make.

'*Bravo!" cried the General excitedly.

"I'm

afraid,

ment

will

Mr. Dealer

And

then:

mealies and corn, the judg-

in

Have you done?" he

go dead against you.

continued, turning to Ingleborough.

''Come, West,

*'Not quite, sir!" replied the latter. don't

me

let

get

the

all

for

credit

unmasking the

scoundrel."

*'Look here," cried Anson viciously, against being called a scoundrel

silent

think,

sir,

my

private

you had better keep your tongue

we have

until

Those are

what were bought honestly."

savings, invested in **I

!

"I protest

quite

done!"

said

the General.

Then, turning to the two young men, he bade them

go on.

"Come, West," where our friend who

Ingleborough, "you suspect

said

no scoundrel has hidden more

is

diamonds, do you not?"

"Well, yes," said West, rather unw^lHngly, for the

whole business disgusted him.

"Speak place as

I

out,

then!

think he has

am

the

same

more plunder; but you

shall

I

sure

it

is

in

have your turn now."

"No, no; go on,"

said

West

"If you

that

there

suspect

w^armly. is

some place

searched," said the General sternly, "speak out,

"Then

I believe, sir," said

West, "that

if

un-

sir."

the water-

'

A DASH FROM DIAMOND CITV.

4IO

cask that

wagon

slung under the

is

opened you

is

will

number of diamonds hidden there!" There was a burst of excitement at this, everyone

find a

who

present speaking save the sergeant,

pantomime which meant: **Of course I"

down and gave

"Why, "and then

thought

I

says

where

is

meant."

I

once," cried the sergeant,

o* that

to

bent

myself:

'That*s

stoopid a

too

no one would hide diamonds where they Ve sure be found' but I crept underneath on my hands and

place to

I

he

for

sounding slap.

his leg a

Yes," said Ingleborough; **that

*'

did a bit of

;

;

knees and gave

wash about away.

a swing

it

That

inside.

make

so as to satisfied

me,

the water

and

I

came

'

"You have General, smiling.

mark, Mr. West,"

the

hit

"There

is

no doubt about

said it!

the

Look

at the prisoner's face I"

Anson

tried

hard to pull

back

it

shape, for he had been gazing at

into

West with

its

normal

a malignant

look that meant anything from a rifle-shot to

a stab

with a bayonet.

"Now,

sergeant,

see

if

you can do

better this

time!" cried the General, as Anson's mouth shut with a

click.

Then he stood his

fast

with

his

brow wrinkled and

hands clenched, waiting expectantly with the rest of

those

present

until

the

raw-hide reins by which

cask was it

set

free

from the

was slung under the hind

ANSON IN A HOLE— AND SOMETHING part of the wagon,

and then rolled

out,

ELSE.

411

giving

forth

the regular hollow sound of a barrel half full of liquid.

*'Only sounds hke waterl" muttered the sergeant,

and he set

it

running, to soak into the dry ground, and

much as he could, before giving an order to the nearest man to take hold of one end while he raised the other, both men looking stern and severe draining out as

Then together they gave the cask a shake, and the sound which followed was that of

in the

lusty

extreme.

some shovels

full

of pebbles rattling in the inside.

The next minute they had

*

down on

cask

set the

end with a grin of dehght, which was taken up by fellows, while a satisfied smile

dawned upon the

their

faces

of the aides-de-camp. stop

'*Here,

officers, for, in

was one

spite

shouted

fellow " I

one of the

of his heaviness, Anson proved

be active enough upon occasion, and

that he could this

that

;

seizing

for,

he dived

opportunity,

his

under the wagon, and by the time the soldiers had run

round to the other side he was out

among

the

wagons

in the

off,

mad

escape; but before he had gone

dodging

in

and

idea that he could

a hundred yards he

came out suddenly upon a mounted man, and

the next

F

instant

he went sprawling over a lance-

steel-shod

butt

keep him from

end was planted upon

shaft,

and the

his

back to

rising.

"Pity you should have taken said the sergeant, as he

all

came panting

that

trouble!"

up, followed

by

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

412 his

because we might want you to

"

men,

CITY.

a bit about the value of them stones

Let him get up, Lancer!

with you. lad, if

you cut and run again

I

us

all

then,

up

see here,

my

tell

Now

And

— being a prisoner caught w

of trying to escape—

my men

have orders

and youVe so broad and

fat that

they are sure

in the act

to

fire,

to bring

you down

Anson glared

first shot.'*

at the

men*s

rifles

and fixed bayonets,

but he said nothing, marching back between the to the spot

where he had

fellow-clerks

;

but the

left

barrel

place of safety, and those

men

the General and his old

had been carried

who had

witnessed his

to

a

dis-

comfiture had gone.

Half-an-hour later he had been marched the camp, and

was under lock and key

out of

in the military

prison, a sentry being posted at the door.

CHAPTER WINDING

T^HE

adventures of Oliver

XL. UP.

West and

borough were pretty well time, for

at

his friend Ingle-

an end; and

was

it

between wounds and exposure they had been

brought to a state which necessitated plenty of rest and comforts to enable them to quite recover themselves.

Of fill

feasting, praising,

— more

the hues his

and complimenting they had

than enough,

West

said,

their

for he declared that

of returning health which were coming into

way

in

"and

all

cheeks were only blushes caused by the

which people talked about

his bravery, dash,

that stuff/*

Ingleborough took

it

all

more

contentedly.

"I don't mind their praising us!" he I

rather like

earn

it

it;

said.

"Frankly,

and, without bragging, I think

we

did

all!"

we did it's much

"Well, of course

run

some

risks!" said

West; "and

nicer for our friends to

we escaped and are aUve and well." "And a jolly deal nicer for us too

know

that

But what do

"

A DASH FROM DIAMOND

414

you say

army ?

to joining the

we might both

said I think

CITY.

After what the General

get commissions."

now

**Perhaps," said West; ''but ifs doubtful

everything

my

settling

is

down.

disposed to invest

feel

I

company

share of the loot and to stop on with the

made me.

they have

after the splendid offer

that

Hadn*t

you better do the same?" "I'm nearly half disposed

Noll," replied Ingle-

to,

borough; "but more than half inclined to go police altogether.

the

life

would Yes,

desk.

and say

had an

I've

suit

me

better than

this settles

it!

I

shall

Fm

think

I

down

settling

go on

to

a

Norton

to

'Yes.'*'

"Well, I'm sorry," said West; time

and

invitation,

the

into

glad, for you'll

"Here, hold hard!

By

puffing me.

I

make

"but

a splendid

at

the

same

officer!'*

don't want to hear you begin

the way, you heard the

news about

Fatty Anson:>

"No, not a word!'* cried West

excitedly.

"Promoted."

"Nonsense! What a shame "It's

a

commission

fact,

my

lad!

He

1"

has just

received his

in Mrs. Partington's Brigade."

"What!"

cried West.

"Oh,

this

is

some

bit

of

"It's

a

chaff!

"Oh fact.

no!"

said Ingleborough,

The regiment employed by

laughing.

the old lady to help

her keep out the Atlantic with a mop.**

WINDING "Bah!

You mean

that

UP.

he

415

has

been sentenced

with other convicts to help to build the

Cape break-

water?"

"Good boy!

Quite right!

For

five

years!" replied

Ingleborough.

"Well," deserves

it,

said

and

I

West

thoughtfully,

hope he

when he has served

will

his time."

"I suppose he

become a

better fellow

\

A SELECTION FROM

ERNEST NISTER'S PUBLICATIONS. By Mrs.

Meade.

L- T.

The Time of Roses. By L. T. Meade, author of "A Bunch of Cherries," "The Kingfisher's Bgg,*' etc. Cloth gilt, crown 8vo. Fully illustrated. Mrs. L. T. Meade has

"E. N."

Gift

53. here fiven as another story in her well-known style.

Books

for

Young

People.

An

excellent series of cloth Gift Books, containing original stories by popular authors, illustrated by well-known artists.

The Lost Middy. By Geo. Manville Fenn, author of " A Dash from Diamond City," "Old Gold," King o* the Beach," "King Robertas Page," "Young Robin Hood," etc. Cloth gilt, crown 8vo. Eight full-page illustrations by Stanley L. Wood. 53,

A

story of a

young

midshipman's

thrilling

adventures

with

a band of

smugglers.

Sweeping the Seas. By Gordon Stables, M.D., R.N. " Rob Roy MacGregor," etc. Cloth gilt, crown 8vo. page illustrations by Archibald Webb. An .

exciting tale* dealing Mrith the cruise

A Dash from Diamond crown 8vo,

By

Geo. Manville Fenn. Cloth Eight full-page illustrations by F. A. Stewart. City.

stirring tale, dealing with incidents of the Boer of the tricks connected with the illicit traffic in diamonds.

By

Eight

Geo. Manville Fenn, illustrated by Stanley L, Wood,

full-

5s. of the ^unous privateer Alabama.

A

Old Gold.

Author of

Cloth

gilt,

53.

War, and disclosing some

gilt,

crown 8vo.

Fully 5s.

Hasting the Pirate. By Paul Creswick, author of " In i£lfred's Days," " Under the Black Raven," " The Smugglers of Barnard's Head," etc. Cloth, crown 8vo. Eight full-page illustrations by T, H. Robinson. 3s. 6a. «

A

sequel to "Under the Black Raven," in which we learn of the mate triumph of Saga the Dane and the death of his rival Hasting.

ulti-

—

Some of Ernest Vbite

W;jrvlll

—

Nister*s Publications*

and Bed Rathven.

By Evelyn

Cloth, crown 8vo.

of "Princess Fairstar/' etc.

by

J. Williamson. spirited story of the time of the

illustrations

A

Everett-Green, author

Under the Black Raven,

Wars

Eight full-page 3s 6d«

of the Roses.

By Paul

Creswick. Cloth, crown 8vo. T. H. Robinson. 3s. Cd.

illustrations by Iiv this book (which is a seqael to " In Alfred's Days," althoa|!h a complete tale in itselO the author relates in very spirited fashion the farther history of Saga the Dane. The story is well illustrated by Mr. Robinson.

Eight full-page

By Gordon

Rob Roy MacGFegop, crown Zvo,

Stables, M.D., R.N. illustrations by Stanley L.

Eight full-page

Cloth,

Wood, 33. 6d.

The to

end

is

smell of the heather seems to permeate this book, which from beginning crowded with adventures.

In jSlfped's Days : A Stor^r of Saga the Dane. By Paul Creswick, Cloth, crown 8vo. Fully illustrated by T. H. Robinson. 3s. 6d.

"A

invasion of England by the Danes, written by Creswick in vigorous and stirring style." Daily Telegraph. story

of

tlie

Paul

Liohtenstein* After the German of Wilhelm Haufif. Adapted for English readers by L. L. Weedon. Cloth gilt, crown 8vo. Fully 3s. 6d« illustrated.

A

romantic story of the most eventful period of German history.

By

Geo. Manville Fenn. Cloth gilt, crown 8vo. o* the Beach* Illustrated throughout, coloured frontispiece. 38. 6d. "Another characteristic story of adventure at sea in the \xo^\cs."~LiUraturc.

Ring

A Bunob

Cloth gilt, crown Svo. of Cherries. By L. T. Meade. Fully illustrated, coloured frontispiece. 33, 6d. " The book is sure to prove welcome to young readers." The Scotsman.

By

The Two Maries. Chief,"

etc.

Cloth,

Eliza

crown

£. Lance.

F. Pollard, author of "The Little Svo, Six full-page illustrations by 2S. 6d.

A

story of two little girls who are sent home from India. the nurse in charge dies, and there is no one to identify them.

On

the voyage

All Through. By Arthur J. Daniels, author of " Winning a Prize," **A Secret that Strayed," etc. Cloth, crown Svo. Six fullas. 6d. page illustrations by J. B. Green.

Chums

An

exciting story of school

life.

By Evelyn

Cloth, crown Svo. 28. 6d. A story of the time of Charles I. The chequered lives passed by the children of that unfortunate monarch are depicted in suw a manner as to enlist the sympathies of all boys and girls.

Everett-Green. Six full-page illustrations by F. H. Michael.

Princess Fairstar.

The

Little Caiief.

By

Eliza F. Pollard.

Cloth, crown Svo.

by T. H. Robinson.

Six

full-

as. 6d. A most interesting romance, dealing with the departure from Europe of the Pilgrim Fathers, and their varied experiences during the early days of their settlement in New England.

page

illustrations

—

Some of Ernest

—

Nister's Publications.

and Bimba. By Evelyn

Everett-Green. Illustrated by Arthur A. Dixon.

firnno

"...

Cloth, crown 8vo, as, 6d.

which we can strongly recommend."

this pleasant little story,

School

Guardian.

The Hermit of

Isia

M.

Sitwell.

Fully illustrated.

8vo.

"A

clever story."—School

Food for Powder:

A

Cloth, crown 2S. 6d,

Guardian*

Tale of the Light Dragoons.

By

D. H.

Cloth, crown 8vo.

Parry. *'

By

Hillside Tower.

One

of the best

Fully illustrated, coloured frontispiece. 2S. 6d. military romances we have seen this sezson"—LiUrary World,

Carol Adair« By M. B. Manwell, author of "The Young Knights Cloth, crown of Gaddesdon," "The Girls of Dancy Dene," etc. Illustrated throughout, coloured frontispiece. 2S. 6d. "An interesting story of a sweet, nnselfish girl." Publishers' Circular,

8vo.

The AdventnreB of Hamp&ey Cloth, crown 8vo.

An Wars

By Sheila £. Braine. Chatteris. Illustrated throughout, coloured frontispiece. IS. 6d.

adventurous story, the scene of which

is

laid daring the

of the Barons.

By M.

The Young Knights of Gaddesdon.

A

story full of

A Young

life

Crusader.

the Brave," etc. frontispiece.

A exploits of

capital tale of

and "go," written

is. 6d.

in this author's

By

therein.

Sheila K. Braine.

Fully illustrated, coloured frontispiece.

By Rosamund

is

a

Cloth, crown 8vo. is. 6d.

Marriott Watson.

Fully illustrated, coloured frontispiece.

This

style,

Sheila E. Braine, author of "With Rupert Cloth, crown 8vo. Fully illustrated, coloured is. 6d. the Crusade of Richard I,, with a narrative of the daring

a young English knight who took part

Island Rose.

well-known

By

With Rupert the Brave.

8vo,

Crown

B. Manwell.

Profusely illustrated, coloured frontispiece.

8vo.

An

time of the

Cloth, crown is. 6d.

daintily-written historical story of the time of Charles I.

Robert's Romance.

By

Clifton

Bingham.

Cloth, crown 8vo.

trated, coloured frontispiece.

The Sea-Bird.

is. 6d,

By

L. E. Tiddeman. illustrated, coloured frontispiece.

The

Girls of

Danoy Dene. By M.

Cloth, crown 8vo,

B. Manwell.

A

By Arthur Lee

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Fully is. 6a.

Cloth, crown 8vo.

Illustrated throughout, coloured frontispiece. story of some rather troublesome school-girls.

Drifted to Sea.

Illus-

Cloth, crown 8vo.

is. ,

Illus.

trated throughout, coloured frontispiece, is, A story of two boys who drift out to sea in a rowing boat, are picked up by an outward-bound vessel, and meet with many adventures before being sent safely home.

—

Some of Ernest

Ntster's Publications,

King's Son. By L. L. Weedon, author of "A RebeVa Daughter," etc. Cloth, crown 8vo. Many illustrations, coloured

Yahie:

A

is«

frontispiece.

A

very interesting account of the adventures of Columbas on his TO]rage in search of the New World.

By

Gayton : The Duke's Page.

Cloth, crown 8vo.

Clive R. Fenn.

is*

Fully illustrated, coloured frontispiece. This romantic pleasure by all.

A

siory,

with

By

Rebel's Daughter.

remarkable denouement, will bo read with

its

L. L.

Weedon.

Cloth, crown 8vo.

Fully IS.

illustrated, coloured frontispiece.

An

interesting story

Dick of Temple Bar. illustrated,

of

Monmouth

the

By M.

Rebellion.

Fully

C. Rowsell. Cloth, crown 8vo.

is.

coloured frontispiece.

By Paul

The Smugglers of Barnard's Head.

Creswick.

Cloth,

crown 8vo. tale,

IS. Illustrated, coloured frontispiece. "Love and romance and smuggling are equally blended in this delightful which will be greedily devoured cither by boys or girls." The Bookseller.

Cloud and Sunshine*

By

Weedon.

L. L.

Cloth, crown 8vo.

Fully

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A

is.

Hoyer, author of "The Missing Messenger," *• Little Maid," "The Little Girl Who Did Not Like Her Nose," etc. Cloth, crown 8vo. Fully illus-

By M. A Runaway

Forgotten Link.

A.

trated, coloured frontispiece.

is.

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Winning a

Fully

Cloth, crown 8vo.

IS.

By L. L. Weedon. Cloth, z6mo. Molly. coloured frontispiece. The :>tory of a little motherless girl, who has been a good

Hadcap who

plays

all

sorts of

With a Grain of

madcap pranks, and Salt.

By

J.

Illustrated,

gd. deal spoilt and

lu consequence is often in trouble.

Chappell.

Cloth, i6mo.

Illustrated,

gd,

coloured trontispiece.

A

a

quaint little story, in which periences in the Land of Salt.

A Midsummer Carol. By Ascott midsummer,

two children helped here

is

shown

little

boy meets with some stranj^ ex-

R. Hope.

coloured frontispiece.

How

their

Cloth, i6mo. Illustrated, gd. mother by singing a Christmas carol at

in very simple language.

Grannie's Treasures.

By

Ethel Dawson.

Cloth, i6mo.

Illustrated,

coloured frontispiece.

gd.

A

charming story is woven about each of Grannie's will be found most interesting by the children.

The Mid l6mo.

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By

Arthur o' the Maintop. Illustrated, coloured frontispiece.

treasures,

Lee

and the book

Knight.

Cloth,

gd.

Some of Ernest

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Believing. By L. E. Tiddeman. coloured frontispiece.

Seeing

A

Cloth, i6mo.

Is

By Arthur

Secret that Strayed.

Illustrated,

gd.

J,

Cloth,

Daniels.

Illustrated, coloured frontispiece.

Prfce'« Luck. By Sarah Pitt coloured frontispiece.

^HiS

Mostly in Mischief.

By

Cloth,

i6mo.

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gd.

Marshall Steele.

Cloth, i6mo.

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gd.

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The Pour

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By

E. Robarts, author of " Douglas." Cloth, l6mo. Illustrated, coloured frontispiece. 6d. Bessie and Bertie and their doggies, Bobs and Beauty, are the Four B's, B's.

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The

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Girl I Left Behind Me. By Geraldine Glasgow. Cloth, i6mo. Illustrated, coloured frontispiece. 6d. The little girl who, to her grief^ is left behind when the others go to the seaside is made happy in the end.

The

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Drummer A

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Cloth, i6mo. 6d.

pretty, pathetic little tale.

Terry the Troop Horse.

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Cloth, i6mo. Illustrated, coloured frontispiece. 6d. Terry and his master are the heroes of many adventures during the war

Beatrix

with the Boers, and in the end both happily return to England.

By Edith

Douglas.

Robarts.

'Cloth,

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frontispiece. This is a story of how a Httle boy does a plucky action in order to save his cousin's picture from destruction.

A Runaway

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A

most daintily-written

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By Lady Arbuthnot.

Chance.

M.

A. Hoyer.

Cloth, i6mo.

6d, which

will

Cloth,

be much appreciated.

i6mo.

Illustrated,

frontispiece.

Here two persons'

is

told

how

lives.

Cloth, i6mo.

Illustrated,

6d.

coloured frontispiece. 0*

coloured 6d.

Chance, a dog, was the means of bringing happiness into

Aunt Emily's Nieces. By Winifred Fenn. Hal

Illus-

the

Fells.

By

Beatrix

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Illustrated, coloured frontispiece. Quaint in style, and with touches of pathos, which render

Cloth, it

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Some of Ernest Nisters By

Three Boys on the Tramp*

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F. Scarlett Potter.

Cloth,

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By

Dorry.

L.

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L.

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Cloth,

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The Missing Messenger. ByM.A.Hoyer..

Cloth, i6mo.

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Edie's Disobedience.

By Winifred Fenn.

Cloth, i6mo.

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By

Jack.

Cloth,

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The Children's Guest. By

L. L.

Cloth, i6mo.

Weedon.

coloured 6d.

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The Dainty

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These handsome illustrations,

Series.

little

entertaining library of juvenile literature. Size, f'cap 4to.

To the Bescue. By E. Everett-Green, and Red Ruthven," etc. An

author of "White Wyvill is.

exciting story, written in Miss E. Everett-Green's best style.

Geo. Manville Fenn, author of "The Lost Middy," "A Dash from Diamond City," "Old Gold," "King Robert's Page," "The Little Skipper," "The King's Sons," ^tc.

Coastguard

By

Jaclc.

IS.

A

bright,

animated

Queen of the Day.

little

By

Roses," "A Bunch Temptation," etc. The story of a little

A

Golden Apple.

By

story for boys.

L. T. Meade, author of " The of Cherries," "A Golden Apple,"

Time

"A

of

Big is.

girl's

birthday,

L. T. Meade.

And Other

Stories

by E. Nesbit, is.

Eliza F. Pollard, etc.

Mrs. Meade here relates the story of a little girl's act of disobedience in order to please a sick playmate, and what came of it ; whilst the other stories are all written in

A

simple and plei^ing style.

Princess's Token.

A

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The King's Sons.

By Evelyn

Everett-Green.

showing how a princess

her promise.

By Geo. Manville Fenn.

Another of Mr. Geo. M. Fenn's interesting

The Rose Carnation.

A

fulfilled

is.

By

is.

stories for boyi.

Frances E. Crompton.

pretty tale, true to nature

and

fall

of bright

and

is. attractive incidents.

—

A

—

—

Some of Ernest Nisters

Publications.

By

And Other

Big Temptation.

Meade.

T.

L.

Stories

fayourite authors.

How

<*A

Dear

by is.

Little

Coaple" Went Abroad.

By Mary D.

Brine. IS.

The Voyage of the "Mary Adair." By Frances E. Crompton. is. Honour Bright. By M. C. Rowsell. is. The Kingfisher's Egg. By L. T. Meade. And Other Stories by Olive Molesworth, G. R. Glasgow, and Ellis Walton.

is.

Our Soldier Boy. By Gto. Manville Fenn. Tattlne. By "RuthOgden." King Robert's Page. By Geo. Manville Fenn.

The King's

Butterfly.

By Evelyn

is. is. is. 6d.

Everett-Green.

is. 6d.

A charming little historical story, written in the author's happiest style. is. 6d, The Young Rajah. By Arthur Lee Knight. is. 6d. Toung Robin Hood. By Geo. Manville Fenn. 2S. Jim's Conquest. By Helen Milman. Illustrated by E. Lance. A charming story of a child's love breaking through the coldness and reserve of her aunt and guardian.

Nister's Holiday Annual.

Edited and arranged by Alfred

Coloured picture boards.

J.

FuUcr. 3s. 6d.

In handsome cloth binding, gilt edges. " Is brimful of good things for

little

5s. Record.

people."

>

The Games Book for Boys and

Girls. Medium 8vo, cloth gilt. 5s. " A good practical guide to all manner of amusements, outdoor and indoor. It seems to embrace i)rctty nearly everything, from cricket and blindman's buflf to egg and stamp collecting. The Times. "

Illustrated Standard The Swiss Family Robinson.

and Art

A translation

Gift Books.

from the original, edited

by W. H. G. Kingston, illustrated with full-page coloured plates and 74 black and white drawings. Medium 8vo, bound in cloth, elegant, burnished red edges.

Robinson Crusoe.

Bound

in

6s. cloth gilt,

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Svo.

Full-page

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has

hitherto

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produced

for

boys."

6s. The

Some of Ernest Nisters

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Translated into English by W, Tales, Angeldorff, Illustrated with over lOO drawings by E. Stuart Hardy. Elegantly bound in cloth, gilt edges, medium 8vo. 6s.

Hans Andersen's Fairy

Grimm's Fairy Tales* Bound

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Ten

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Bound in cloth gilt, medium Svo. Ten coloured plates and numerous black and white illus-

Once Upon a Time. full-page

68.

trations.

"Nothing could possibly be better than these our nursery literature."— JA* Whitehall Review.

Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes* medium Svo, 240 pages. for

delightful contributions to

Bound

in cloth gilt, red edges, 6s. '"Mother Gooses Nursery Rhymes' is essentially the book to be bought reading in the nursery, and is wonderfully cheap at the published price of six

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Jingles. Bound in cloth gilt, medium Svo, 184 pages. 4S« Most profusely illustrated. Contains all the Mother Goose rhymes and jingles in most compact form.

Mother Goose Thoroughly well

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Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare. Bound in cloth gilt, medium Svo. Beautifully illustrated by Walter Paget. Undoubtedly the finest and which has ever appeared.

best

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Cloth, medium Svo, 168 pages. Bible Stories. By L. L. Weedon. Fully illustrated in colour and black and white by Ambrose Dudley. 6s. 6d. The many beautiful stories from both the Old and the New Testaments are here treated in simple language suited to the understanding of the young.

By Paul Creswick, author of Robin Hood and his Adventures. "Hasting the Pirate^" "Under the Black Raven," "In ^Elfred's Days," etc. Bound in cloth, top edges gilt, medium Svo. Illustrated in colour

An

and black and white by T. H. Robinson.

interesting account of the life

6s.

and adventures of Robin Hood.

The Magic Fruit Garden. By Marion Wallace Dunlop.

Cloth

gilt.

Fully illustrated.

as. 6d. "In 'The Magic Fruit Garden' we make the delightful discovery that by eating a sum-berry 'we know all about arithmetic.'"—XrVira/wr^.

Little Ivan's Hero.

Bound

By Helen Milman

(Mrs. Caldwell Crofton).

in cloth, elegant, gilt edges.

2S. 6d.

ERNEST NISTER, FINE ART PUBLISHER, 24,

ST.

BRIDE STREET, LONDON,

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