The news was received with a shout, and as soon as silence was obtained the colonel continued: It seems incredible; but, after all, it is only the beginning of what must come to pass. For, once the Boer is convinced that it is of no use to fight, he will try his best to make all he can out of his enemies.
Well, its splendid news, said the major; but what about its being some cunning trap?
That is what I am disposed to suspect, said the colonel; so, quietly and without stir, double the outposts, send word to the men on the kopje to be on the alert, and let everything, without any display of force, be ready for what may come. You, Captain Roby, take half a company to meet our visitors, and bring the welcome provender into the market-place here.
Bob, whispered Lennox, if we could only go with Roby! Therell be a couple of score of the enemy hiding amongst those sacks.
Get out! responded Dickenson. I never did see such an old cock-and-bull inventor as you are. Its stale, too. Youre thinking of the old story of the fellows who took the castle by riding in a wagon loaded with grass and them underneath. Then it was driven in under the portcullis, which was dropped at the first alarm, and came down chop on the wagon and would go no farther, while the fellows hopped out through the grass and took the castle. Pooh! Whats the good of being so suspicious? These Boers are tired of fighting, and theyve taken the old mans advice about trade.
I
dont believe it, said Lennox firmly. I wouldnt trust the Boers a bit.
Well, dont believe it, then; but lets go and see what theyve brought, all the same.
Yes, certainly; but lets put the colonel on his guard.
What! Go and tell him what you think?
Certainly.
Thanks, no, dear boy. I have only one nose, and I want it.
What do you mean? said Lennox sharply.
Dont want it snapped off, as they say. The idea of the cheek going and teaching our military grandmother father, I mean, how to suck eggs!
You never will believe till the things rammed down your throat, said Lennox angrily. Well, come along as we have no orders.
And without further discussion the two young men buckled on their belts and followed Captain Roby, who, while the colonels other instructions were being carried out, marched his men down to where some of the Boer party, well-guarded by the outposts, could be dimly seen squatted about or seated on the fronts of two well-loaded wagons, whose teams were tying down contentedly chewing the cud. Four more Boers kept the sheep and oxen in the rear of the wagons from straying away in search of a place to graze, for there was a tempting odour of fresh green herbage saluting their nostrils, along with the pleasant moisture rising from the trickling water hurrying away towards the gully where it found its way into the river.
What do you say to telling Roby to set a man to probe the sacks with a fixed bayonet?
It would be wise, whispered back Lennox.
Tchah! sneered Dickenson. How could a fellow exist under one of those sacks of corn? Why, they must weigh on to a couple of hundredweight.
I dont care; theres some dodge, Bob, Im sure.
Artful dodge, of course. Here, lets see if we know the fellows again.
Very well; but be on your guard.
Bother! Roby and his men will mind we are not hurt.
As he spoke Dickenson led the way close up to the roughly-clad Boers about the wagons, where, in spite of the darkness, the face of their leader was easy to make out as he sat pulling away at a big German pipe well-filled with a most atrociously bad tobacco, evidently of home growth and make.
Hullo, old chap! said Dickenson heartily; so youve thought better of it?
The Boer looked at him sharply, and, recognising the speaker, favoured him with a nod.
Brought us some provender? continued Dickenson; and he received another nod.
What have you got?
The Boer wagged his head sidewise towards the wagons and herds, and went on smoking.
Well done; thats better than trying to pot us. But, I say, what about your commando fellows? What will they say when you go back?
The Boer took his pipe out of his mouth and stuffed a finger into the bowl to thrust down the loose tobacco.
Nothing, he said shortly. Not going back.
What! cried Lennox, joining in after pretty well satisfying himself that there could be no danger in the unarmed Boers and their wagons.
Whats what? said the Boer sourly.
Youre not going back? cried Dickenson, staring.
Well, we cant go back, of course. If we tried theyd shoot us, wouldnt they?
The reply seemed to be unanswerable, and Dickenson merely uttered a grunt, just as Captain Roby and his men marched up to form an escort for the little convoy.
Well, commandant? he said.
The Boer grunted. Not commandant, he said; field-cornet.
Very well, field-cornet; how did you manage to get here?
Cross the veldt, growled the man.
Didnt you see any of your friends?
No, grumbled the Boer. If we had we shouldnt be here. Have you got the money for what weve got?
No.
Stop, then. Were not going on.