Part 37 (2/2)

”What shall we do?”

”Ride straight for that kopje; we're between it and the patrol, and perhaps they won't see us. If they do we must gallop away.”

”But suppose this kopje proves to be occupied?” said West. ”We don't want to be taken prisoners again.”

”That's the truest speech you've made for twenty-four hours, my lad,”

said Ingleborough coolly, ”but, all the same, that seems to be the wisest thing to do.”

”Make for the kopje?”

”Yes, for we want water, shelter, and rest.”

”But if the Boers are there too?”

”Hang it, lad, there aren't enough of the brutes to occupy every kopje in the country; some of them must be left for poor fellows in such a mess as we are.”

”Ride on and chance it then?”

”To be sure!” was the reply; and they went on at a steady canter straight for the clump in front, a mile or so away, turning every now and then to watch the line of hors.e.m.e.n which seemed to be going at right angles to their track. Just as they reached the outskirts of the eminence the leading files of the patrol bore off a little and the fugitives had the misery of seeing that the enemy they wished to avoid seemed to be aiming straight for the place they had intended for a refuge, while to have ridden out to right or left meant going full in sight of the patrol.

To make matters worse, the sun was beginning to light up the stony tops of the kopje, and in a very few minutes the lower portions would be glowing in the morning rays.

”Cheer up!” said Ingleborough; ”it's a big one! Now then, dismount and lead horses! Here's cover enough to hide in now, and we may be able to get round to the other side without being seen.”

”And then?”

”Oh, we won't intrude our company upon the enemy; let's ride off as fast as we can.”

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

FALSE ALARMS.

The bottom and surroundings of the eminence afforded plenty of cover, and the fugitives pushed on in and out among dense patches of low growth, and, leading their sure-footed little ponies, they climbed over and around piles and ma.s.ses of stone that would have been difficulties even to mules, while twice over West scaled a slope so as to carefully look down and backward at the enemy.

This he was able to do unseen, and came down again to report that the patrol was still making for the kopje as if for rest, but that their movements were too careless and deliberate for those of an enemy in pursuit.

The far side of the pile of granite and ironstone was reached in safety, placing the fugitives about a quarter of a mile from the Boers in a direct line, but quite a mile of intricate climbing if measured by the distance round; and they paused in a green patch full of refres.h.i.+ng beauty, being a wide ravine stretching up into the height, and with a bubbling stream of water running outward and inviting the ponies at once to take their fill.

”This settles it at once!” said Ingleborough, letting his bridle fall upon his mount's neck.

”Yes; we can go well in yonder, leading the ponies along the bed of the stream. There is plenty of cover to hide half a regiment.”

”Of Boers,” said Ingleborough shortly. ”It will not do for us.”

”Why?” said West, staring. ”We can hide there till they have gone.”

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