Part 26 (2/2)
”But you must! Things can't go on like this much longer! Either our troops will come here and attack the Boers, or the Boers will go and attack the British. Just have patience and wait!”
”But here we are, just as we were nearly a week ago, and nothing has happened.”
”Oh yes, something has!” said Ingleborough, with a smile. ”I've got well again! The first morning I couldn't have mounted my pony and ridden off even if they had brought it to the end of the wagon here and said: 'Be off!' To-day I could jump on and go off at full gallop. Do you call that nothing?”
”No, of course not!” said West. ”There, you must forgive me! I'm very discontented, I know; but you see why.”
”To be sure I do! I say, though, you've been at that satchel! The sandwiches are gone.”
West nodded.
”Haven't eaten them, have you?”
”No, they're sewed up in the belt of my jacket. I did it two nights ago, and I'm living in hopes that they will not search us again.”
”That's it, is it? Well, I'm glad you did that! There, keep a good heart; something is sure to happen before long!”
”I only hope it may; even evil would be better than this miserable state of inaction. I think till I feel half-mad.”
”Well, we won't hope for the evil, only for something in the way of change, if it's only to pay a visit to Pretoria gaol.”
”What!”
”Only so as to get some news to give to old Norton when we get back. It will interest him. I wonder whether he's keeping his eye on Master Plump-and-Pink. Well, I am blessed!”
”What is the matter? Are they making a move?” cried West excitedly, for Ingleborough had sprung to the end of their wagon prison to stand looking out.
”Someone has!” cried Ingleborough angrily. ”Look here! Why, old Norton must have been asleep.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
BAD s.h.i.+LLINGS ALWAYS COME BACK.
West stepped to his companion's side, looked out between the rough curtains of the wagon, and saw a group of mounted Boers surrounding a freshly-arrived wagon with its long team of bullocks, the black voorlooper at the head and the driver with his enormous whip on the box.
”Well,” said West, after a sharp glance, ”there's a fresh load of provisions, I suppose! What of it?”
”Rub your eyes, lad, and look again.”
”They don't want rubbing.”
”Well, of all the fellows! Look there, beyond those mounted men who escorted the wagon in--there where the commandant and the dismounted party are talking together.”
”Yes, I see where you mean; but what has it to do with us? I don't-- yes, I do. Why, it's Anson!” cried West excitedly.
”Anson it is! I began to think you were going blind!”
<script>