Part 61 (1/2)

”Ay, that's so,” a.s.sented a small, wiry-looking man. ”If we had only gone straight on we could have cleared out the Manubi Bush right down to the coast, and driven the whole lot into the sea.”

”Where they were going to drive us,” chimed in another.

”And it's there we should have n.o.bbled old Kreli,” went on the former speaker. ”He's in there, mark my words--in there waiting for news--he, and Sicgau, and Botmane, and the whole bilin' of 'em. Now we've burnt his old beehives here; but that's no good, they're built again in a day.

No, sir; what we want is the old fox himself.”

”And don't we wish we may get 'im? No; it's nurses we want to look after us,” put in another.

There was a reluctant guffaw at this; but the gloom had deepened on their warlike souls.

”Well, we may as well go back, streak it straight home again, if we're going to be commanded by a set of old women,” growled the first speaker.

”We didn't come out here to _play_ with the n.i.g.g.e.rs, did we?”

”Looks like it, anyhow, mate.”

Thus amid much growling, which, however, was not directed at our friend Jim, but at the power behind that gallant leader, the camps were pitched. A portion of the Police force started off back to their headquarters at Ibeka; but here, close to the scene of their late victory, the volunteers and burgher forces remained; and at nightfall the horses were driven in and ”rung,” that is to say, tethered in circles; while additional sentries were posted, and every precaution taken, the recent success notwithstanding, for they were in the enemy's country.

Jim Brathwaite was mightily glad, and no less surprised at the unexpected meeting, and warmly seconded Hicks' suggestion that Claverton should join his corps.

”Twice I noticed a fellow to-day, Arthur,” he said, ”who reminded me of your straight riding; and, by George, it must have been you yourself.

Well, well; we are all bound to meet again some day, however we may scatter. But what do you think that fellow Hicks has done?”

”What?”

”Committed matrimony. And so has Jack.”

”Has he? Jack, I mean. I knew about the other. Who, and when, and where?”

”Oh, that's a very old story, Jim,” said Armitage, trying to look quite at his ease. ”Claverton heard it ages ago. Give us some baccy.”

They were sitting round the camp-fire. The afternoon had merged into night, and now the circle was discussing old times.

”Who?--Gertie Wray--you remember her--now Mrs Jack Armitage, promoted.

When?--last year. Where?--in Grahamstown,” replied Jim.

And then, as others joined them, the conversation turned from things personal and retrospective, to things political and present; and the state of affairs was discussed in all its bearings.

”Well, we've a big enough force in the field to thrash out the Gcaleka country,” Jim was saying; ”but then we shall have to be constantly playing hide-and-seek with the Kafirs until we catch old Kreli. If the Gaikas don't break out, all that the people on the border will have to do will be to guard their line so that none of these chaps can cross.

If the Gaikas rise, why, then our friends there will be between two fires.”

”And the Gaikas will rise,” put in Garnier--Jim's second lieutenant--a quiet-looking, brown-bearded man of about five-and-forty. ”You may take my word for that. It isn't for nothing that they've been going through all the war-dancing and farrago. It isn't for nothing they've been sending all their cattle away to the thickest parts of the Amatola forest. And it isn't likely they'd sit still--they, the warrior race of all others--and let Kreli do all the fighting. And to hear 'em talk, too! Why, they've been coming round my place in shoals, and they don't care what they say. Mind, they mean mischief.”

”But, then, how is it they haven't broken out already?” ventured Hicks.

Garnier looked pityingly at him. ”For several reasons. There's a strong peace party among them, for one thing. For another, they heard, or rather saw--for there were lots of them present--what a hammering the Gcalekas got the other day when they attacked Ibeka; and they're not ready. But if any of these chaps of Kreli's get through and join them-- then look out.”

”Well, we can put a tremendous force into the field,” went on Jim.