The mess cook had done the best he could, and provided some excellent bread, but it was rather short in quantity. As to the meat, it was hot; but there were no dish-covers, which Bob Dickenson said did not matter in the least, for during the past few weeks they had been careful to draw a veil over the food.
But of water, such as needed no filtering, there was ample, ready for quaffing out of tin mug, silver flask, cup, or horn.
And the beauty of our tipple now is, said Bob, that it never does a fellow the least harm.
It was a favourite remark of his, an impromptu that had been much admired. He made the remark again on this particular evening, but his tones sounded dismal.
Its a great blessing, though, he added; we might have none. Yes, capital water, he continued, draining his cup and setting it down with a rap on his part of the board. Just think, Drew, old man, we might be forced to sit here drinking bad champagne.
I dont want to drink bad or good champagne, old fellow, said Lennox; but I do wish we had a barrel of good, honest, home-brewed British ale, with
A brace of well-roasted pheasants between us two eh?
No; I was going to say, a good crusty loaf and a cut off a fine old Stilton cheese.
J-Ja! sighed the next man.
Never mind, gentlemen, said the colonel; what we have will do to work upon. When weve done our work, and get back home, Ill be bound to say that John Bull will ask us to dinner oftener than will do us good. What do you say, doctor?
What do I say, Colonel Lindley? cried the doctor, putting down his flask-cup. I say this Spartan fare agrees with us all admirably. Look round the table, and see what splendid condition we are all in. A bit spare, but brown, wiry, and active as men can be. Never mind the food. You are all living a real life on the finest air I ever breathed. We are all pictures of health now; and where I have a wound to deal with it heals fast a sure sign that the patients flesh is in a perfect state.
Its all very fine, said Bob Dickenson
in a low voice to those about him. Old Bolus keeps himself up to the mark by taking nips; thats why hes so well and strong.
Nonsense! said Lennox sharply. I dont believe he ever touches spirits except as a medicine.
Who said he did? growled Dickenson.
You, Bob; we all heard you, chorused several near.
Take my oath I never mentioned spirits. I said nips .
Well, you meant them, said Lennox.
I didnt. Dont you jump at conclusions, Drew, old man. I meant nips of tonics. Old M.D. has got a lot of curious chemicals in that medicine-chest of his, and when hes a bit down he takes nips of them.
I dont believe it, said a brother officer, laughing. Old Emden, M.D., take his own physic? Too clever for that!
The darkness had closed in soon after the officers had taken their seats early, after tropic fashion and one of the messmen had lit four common-looking paraffin-lamps, which swung from the rafters, smelt vilely of bad spirit, and smoked and cast down a dismal light; but the men were in high spirits, chatting away, and the meal being ended, many of them had started pipes or rolled up cigarettes, when an orderly was seen to enter by the door nearest the colonels seat and make quickly for his place.
There was a cessation of the conversation on the instant, and one motion made by every officer present he glanced at the spot where his sword and revolver hung, while their servants turned their eyes to the rifle-stands and bandoliers, listening intently for the colonels next order: for the coming of the orderly could only mean one thing under their circumstances an advance of the Boers.
They were right. But the increased action of their pulses began to calm down again; for instead of standing up according to his wont and giving a few short, sharp orders, the colonel, after turning towards the orderly and hearing him out, merely raised his eyes and smiled.
Wonders will never cease, gentlemen, he said, and he sent a soft, grey cloud of cigarette smoke upward towards the roof of the barn. You all remember our prisoners, brought in after Lennox and Dickensons fishing expedition?
There was an eager chorus of Yes from all present save the two young officers mentioned, and they were too eager in listening to speak.
Well, gentlemen, I told those men that the wisest thing they could do was to go back to their farms, give up fighting, and collect and bring into camp here a good supply of corn and beef.
Yes, sir, I heard you, said Captain Roby, for the colonel paused to take two or three whiffs from his cigarette.
Well, gentlemen, you will hardly credit the news I have received when you recall what took place, and be ready to place some faith in a Boers sound common-sense.
Why doesnt he speak out at once? said Dickenson in a whisper. Who wants all this rigmarole of a preface?
What is it, colonel? said the major.
That Boer, the leader of the little party of prisoners, evidently took my advice, continued the colonel; and instead of rejoining his fighting friends, he has gone back to the ways of peace and trade, and they have just arrived at the outposts with a couple of wagon-loads of grain, a score of sheep, and ten oxen.