Part 25 (1/2)

But he tried only with one hand--his left--his right being engaged by his rifle, and to his utter astonishment the prisoner retorted by kicking his legs from under him and flinging him upon his back.

A yell of anger arose from some, and of delight from others, all looking on while the discomfited Boer sprang up with a cry of rage, c.o.c.ked his rifle, and, taking quick aim, would have fired point-blank at the prisoner had not his act been antic.i.p.ated by the Boer who had before spoken. Quick as thought he sprang upon his companion, striking the presented rifle upwards with a blow from his own, and then grasping the infuriated man by the collar.

”None of that!” he cried fiercely in Dutch. ”Cornet or no cornet, I'm not going to stand by and see a cowardly murder done! We've got 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 fight for the rooineks,” cried the discomfited Boer fiercely.

”I'm going to fight for my home and country, brothers,” cried West's defender, ”the same as you are: not help to murder a helpless boy who has behaved like a brave man.”

The portion of the force who had seemed disposed to side against the speaker were disarmed by his words, and there was a general cheer at this, while the cause of the trouble growled out: ”You're a traitor to your country, and the commandant shall hear of this.”

”No, no, no, no!” came in chorus. ”Serves you right.”

West made no resistance now, as his defender signed to him to give up his rifle, which, plus the bandolier, was handed over with a sigh, Ingleborough's having already been taken away.

The next thing done was to search the prisoners' pockets--watch, purse, and pocket-book being taken away, but the inner belts containing the greater part of their money were entirely overlooked, while West stood breathing hard, his face wrinkled up and an agonising pain contracting his heart, for the Boer who had defended him unb.u.t.toned the flap of his haversack, thrust in his hand, and brought out a couple of cake loaves, and then, one after the other, two carefully wrapped-up sandwiches, standing for a few moments with them in his hand, hesitating, while Ingleborough, who had recovered his senses, darted a meaning look at his suffering companion.

”It's all over with our expedition!” he said to himself. ”Why didn't poor Noll eat his sandwiches?”

The moments were as agonising to him as to West, who could only stand in silence; but, having become somewhat versed in the tricks of those who fought the law through his friends.h.i.+p with Norton, an idea crossed his mind, and turning in a faint appealing way to the Boer who seemed to be holding in suspense the scales of success and failure, he said: ”Don't take our bit of provisions away! We're prisoners; isn't that enough?”

The Boer fixed him with his eyes, noted his pallid face and the blood trickling down from the cut caused by his fall, and then, as if satisfied and moved by a feeling akin to compa.s.sion, he nodded his head, thrust the cake and the sandwich-like papers back into West's haversack, and let it swing again under the young man's arm.

”Lucky for them we're not hungry!” he said, in his own tongue, ”or 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.”

”Bah!” cried their friend, who had done the pair so good a turn; ”let them be!”

A couple of the Boers then approached with reins, but, in spite of the opposition that had taken place, the man who had taken West's part again interfered, just as they proceeded to raise Ingleborough to bind his hands behind his back.

”There is no need!” said the man sharply. ”Can't you see that he is too weak to stand? Help him upon his horse, and one go on either side to keep him in the saddle.”

Then turning to West, he continued: ”Mount; but you will be shot down directly if you attempt to escape.”

”I am not going to leave my friend,” said West coldly. ”I could have galloped away had I wanted to. Let me walk by his side to help him.”

The man looked at the speaker searchingly and then nodded, West taking the place of one of the Boers, who placed himself just behind him with rifle ready. Then the little party moved off towards the kopje where the prisoners had been surprised.

”How are you?” asked West, as soon as they were in motion.

”I feel as if I were somewhere else!” was the half-laughing, half-bitter reply. ”All use seems to have been completely knocked out of me, and the hills and kopjes go sailing round and round.”

”That will soon pa.s.s off,” said West, and then after a short pause: ”Well, we're prisoners after all. It does seem hard now we have got so far! I wonder where they'll send us?”

”It does not much matter!” said Ingleborough. ”Anywhere will do, if I can lie down and rest till this dreadful swimming and confusion pa.s.ses off. As soon as it does we'll escape--to eat the sandwiches,” he added meaningly.

”If we can,” said West; ”but don't talk about them again! Oh, Ingle, I wish I had your sharp wits.”

”Pooh! Where there's a will there's a way,” said Ingleborough faintly.