Part 14 (2/2)

This was their dismissal, and they hurried away to have another look to their horses, and to see that they were well-fed, before obtaining a meal for themselves and a supply of food to store in their haversacks.

”There's nothing like a bit of foresight,” said Ingleborough. ”We must eat, and going in search of food may mean capture and the failure of our mission.”

The time was gliding rapidly on, the more quickly to West from the state of excitement he was in; but the only important thing he could afterwards remember was that twice over they ran against Anson, who seemed to be watching their actions, and the second time 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 that he has eluded Norton and gone.”

”Where?” said West.

”Oh, he'll feel that his chance here is completely gone, and he'll make for the Cape and take pa.s.sage for England.”

”If the Boers do not stop him.”

”Of course,” replied Ingleborough. ”It's my impression that he has smuggled a lot of diamonds, though we couldn't bring it home to him.”

”I suppose it's possible,” said West thoughtfully. ”But isn't it likely that he may make his way over to the enemy?”

Ingleborough looked at the speaker sharply.

”That's not a bad idea of yours,” he said slowly; ”but, if he does and he is afterwards caught, things might go very awkwardly for his lords.h.i.+p, and that flute of his will be for sale.”

”Flute for sale? What do you mean? From poverty?--no one would employ him. Oh! I understand now. Horrible! You don't think our people would shoot him?”

”Perhaps not,” said Ingleborough coldly; ”but they'd treat him as a rebel and a spy. But there, it's pretty well time we started. Come along.”

Within half an hour they were mounted and off on their perilous journey, pa.s.sing outpost after outpost and having to make good use of their pa.s.s, till, just as it was getting dusk, they parted from an officer who rode out with them towards the Boers' encircling lines.

”There,” he said, ”you've got the enemy before you, and you'd better give me your pa.s.s.”

”Why?” said West sharply.

”Because it has been a source of protection so far: the next time you are challenged it will be a danger.”

”Of course,” said Ingleborough. ”Give it up, Oliver.”

”Or destroy it,” said the officer carelessly: ”either will do.”

”Thanks for the advice,” said West, and they shook hands and parted, the officer riding back to join his men.

”You made him huffy by being suspicious,” said Ingleborough.

”I'm sorry, but one can't help being suspicious of everything and everybody at a time like this. What do you say about destroying the Commandant's pa.s.s?”

”I'm divided in my opinion.”

”So am I,” said West. ”One moment I think it best: the next I am for keeping it in case we fall into the hands of some of our own party. On the whole, I think we had better keep it and hide it. Let's keep it till we are in danger.”

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