Part 26 (1/2)
CHAPTER TWELVE.
GALLANT MAFEKING!
Had he been the bearer of the most eagerly-looked-for news, Jack could not have received a more enthusiastic welcome than he obtained from the gallant little garrison of Mafeking. As he staggered into the town, hot, dusty, and dishevelled, and worn out with his long tramp, a horn was sounded, and hosts of men flocked towards him, and, gathering in a circle round him, listened while Colonel Baden-Powell--affectionately known as B.-P. by his men--questioned him.
A stiff gla.s.s of brandy made him feel quite fresh again, and, sitting down on a box at the colonel's invitation, Jack detailed his news and delivered his despatch. That done, he was hurried off by a number of the town volunteers to an underground cell built close behind a parapet of sand-bags, and there given a couple of blankets to lie on. He was tired out by his long march, and in a few moments was asleep.
When he woke again the afternoon was far advanced. Rising from his bed, he crawled out of the cell and found a young fellow busily tending some pans suspended over a blazing fire.
”Oh, there you are at last!” the latter exclaimed cheerfully. ”We've been dying to hear all your news, but have had to wait patiently for you to wake up. Can I do anything for you?”
”Yes, if you could tell me where I can obtain a bucket of water and a makes.h.i.+ft for a towel I should be obliged,” answered Jack cheerfully.
”I haven't had a wash for three days.”
”Oh, that's nothing!” the other answered, with a gay laugh. ”It's nearly three weeks since I had a shave, and when I got a look at myself in a bit of gla.s.s yesterday I nearly had a fit. Such a fright I look with this beard! But we're all the same, that's one comfort. But you want some water! You'll find some behind that house over there. Keep your eyes open as you go, and if you hear the horn sound make a bolt for this bomb-proof cell. We always keep a fellow on watch, and as soon as he sees the smoke from the Boers' guns he sounds his horn and we all run for shelter. It generally gives us plenty of time to get under cover.
But sometimes some poor chap is caught.”
Jack thanked the volunteer for his information, and strolled across to the house. There was a pump and trough behind it, and, stripping off his coat and s.h.i.+rt, he enjoyed a thorough rinse. He had already borrowed a towel, and on returning he obtained a small piece of comb and the corner of a splintered looking-gla.s.s, and made his hair tidy. Then he stood outside the cell and chatted with the volunteer who had first spoken to him, and asked him to tell him what had occurred at Mafeking.
”Oh, we've had pretty lively times, I can tell you, Somerton!” the young fellow exclaimed jovially. ”Of course you know that B.-P. turned up here some weeks ago, and started at once to enlist a colonial mounted corps. There wasn't much difficulty about it either, for we knew something about him, and rushed to put in our names. Then old Kruger despatched his ultimatum, and we sent most of our women and children south with Nesbit, who, as I dare say you have already heard, was captured on the return journey. By October 14th we were surrounded, but B.-P. didn't let the gra.s.s grow much before he was at them. For instance, on the 13th he sent out a couple of trucks of dynamite, which were a positive danger to us in the town. They were attached to an engine, and backed a mile or more up the line. The Boers spotted them, and galloped forward when they saw the engine uncouple and steam back without them. I suppose they thought they were armoured trucks filled with men, and when they were within close range blazed away at them.
There was a terrific explosion, and it is reported that a hundred were killed. Then on the 14th we made a sortie and drew our friends into an ambush, in which they suffered still more heavily.
”Since that time there has not been much doing, though I expect we shall beat them again soon. A few days ago they started bombarding us at a range of two and a half miles with three Krupp guns, but now they have got some heavier metal about five miles away, and the sh.e.l.ls are by no means pleasant. Still, we have come off well up to this. Now, Somerton, the fellows will not be back for half an hour, so give me some of the outside news.”
Jack told him all he knew about Glencoe and the campaign in Natal, and wound up with his ride to Kimberley and on to Mafeking.
”'Pon my word, I believe you have seen more of the war than anyone!”
exclaimed his friend enviously. ”But I suppose I ought not to grumble.
Here we are, volunteers, and a detachment of the Munster Fusiliers, and townsmen, about 1200 all told, and if things turn out as is expected we shall have precious tough work to hold the place against the enemy.”
”From what you have told me of B.-P. I have no doubt you will see plenty of fighting before the siege is over,” answered Jack. ”For my part, this despatch work is more fascinating than any. It gives one a splendid outdoor life, with plenty of adventure, and the dangers are not really more than those you incur here. You never know when these sh.e.l.ls may drop on your head, so that, however carefully you keep below the sand-bag parapet, you may be struck down at any moment.”
A few minutes later ten men came hurrying along the street, and joined Jack and the volunteer. They had just been relieved of picket duty, and tackled the meal which had been preparing for them with the greatest gusto. A stalwart, sunburnt set of young Englishmen they were. Dressed in the usual riding kit and s.h.i.+rt, with sleeves rolled up to the elbow and slouch hat upon their heads, they looked capable of the toughest fighting. Nearly every one of these young fellows was the younger son of gentlefolks in England.Restless young spirits, full of pluck and go, who had failed in their examinations at home, or could not settle down to the humdrum life of an office in London. One could easily imagine that only a few years before every one of them was the pride and joy of some particular public school in old England--the kind of boy who captained the football or cricket teams, and with the roar of his schoolfellows' cheers behind him carried the leather to the back of the goal-posts of some opposing team; or perhaps the calm, big-limbed, young hero, dressed in white flannels and s.h.i.+rt, who stood fast at the wickets and saved the day for his comrades, sending the strongest b.a.l.l.s delivered to him away to the boundary. That is the kind of lad that most of these had been, and now, under vastly altered circ.u.mstances, they showed the same sort of spirit. Throwing themselves upon the ground in the shade, they ate their meals with a good appet.i.te. Then, pulling out their pipes, they made a circle, and listened eagerly to Jack's news.
In the middle of a glowing description of Glencoe and the storming of the heights of Talana Hill a horn sounded in the distance, and instantly all scuttled into the bomb-proof shelter. They were not a moment too soon. Less than five seconds later a huge sh.e.l.l shrieked just above their heads, and, striking the house opposite, exploded with a terrific flash and roar, shattering the walls to pieces.
”That's bad luck!” one of the volunteers snouted; ”it has smashed up our sleeping quarters, and has set them on fire. Tumble up, you fellows, and set to work to put the flames out!”
Jack joined the others, and helped to fling water on the flaring timbers. The fire was soon put out, and they returned once more to continue the yarn.
”Well, you've seen a good deal of service already, Somerton,” said one of the young fellows, ”but if you have nothing to do to-morrow, and care for a new experience, I will take you out to snipe the enemy. It's a slow game, but has its excitements. We shall have to crawl out in the dark about three o'clock, take up our quarters outside, and wait there till the following night. Perhaps we shall not get a shot all day. But on the other hand we may bag a few of the Boers who show themselves.
Will you come?”
Jack willingly a.s.sented, and next morning, when it was still dark, followed the young volunteer outside the defences. Each carried a rifle and plenty of ammunition, field-gla.s.ses, water and food sufficient to last the day.
”Now the thing is to get hold of a spot where there is some shade to be had,” said the young volunteer, whose name was Francis. ”I know a splendid place, where we shall be able to get out of the rays of the sun. We can lie there together and chat. It is much better than being by one's self.”
Picking their way carefully amongst the boulders, Jack and Francis soon reached a ma.s.s of rock which had been specially prepared for sniping.