Well, he muttered at last, this is getting monotonous, and Im growing tired of it. If they do shoot us both, theyll have had to pay for it. Why, they must have used a couple of hundred cartridges. Not very good work for such crack shots as they are said to be. If they spend a hundred cartridges to shoot one buck, it would come cheaper to buy their meat.
All fancy, he muttered directly after; that fellow couldnt have been going where I thought, and yet it seemed so likely. Theres the clump of trees, and
the very stone a fellow would make for to rest his rifle on when he took aim from his snug hiding-place. But theres no one there. The sun shines right upon it, so that I could see in a moment if a Boer was there. His face would be just beyond that shadow cast so clearly by what must be a dead bough. Yes, all a fancy of mine.
Bob! cried Lennox.
Hullo!
I shall want some of your cartridges if help doesnt come soon.
Bob Dickenson made no further reply, but lay gazing with one eye along the barrel of his rifle; for as his comrade spoke it suddenly occurred to him that the top of the grey block of granite looked a little different, but in what way he could not have explained. He noted, too, that there was a tiny flash of light such as might have been thrown off a bright crystal of feldspar, and without pause now he held his rifle more firmly, laid the sight upon the flashing light, and the next moment he would have pulled the trigger. But ere he could tighten his finger upon the little curved piece of steel within the guard of his piece, there was a flash, a puff of smoke, and a sensation as if a wasp had whizzed by his ear. He did not move, only waited while one might have counted ten, and then tightened his grasp.
Bah! he ejaculated as the little puff of smoke rose slowly, how this rifle kicks! Humph! as the smoke cleared rapidly as soon as it rose enough for the wind to catch it, I was right after all.
Hit? asked Lennox.
Yes; and just in time, for we should have been in an awkward place directly.
Yes; and Im afraid we shall be all the same, said Lennox. Try if you can do any good at a couple of fellows across yonder. I cant touch them from where I lie, and if I move I shall shoot no more.
Dickenson turned from where he was gazing hard at the top of the granite block, the appearance of which was now completely changed; for the Boer who, in accordance with what the young officer had anticipated, had sent so dangerous a bullet whizzing by his ear, had suddenly sprung up, fallen forward, and now lay there with outstretched hands still clutching his rifle, which rested upon the ground in front.
Mind me firing over you? said the young officer.
No; but give me a hint first.
All right. I shall have to Stop a moment, he growled softly as a puff of smoke spurted up and another bullet came dangerously near. Thats the worst fellow, isnt he?
Ones as bad as the other. Lie close.
Cant lie any closer, old man. Skin seems to be growing to the rock as it is.
Crack !
There was another shot, the puff of smoke rising from close alongside the former one which Dickenson had seen.
I say, he cried, which of us are they firing at?
Both, I expect, said Lennox. Theyre sheltered by the same rock; one fires from one side, the other from the second. I cant touch them. Try at once.
Dont you hurry me, or I shall muff it, old man, said Dickenson coolly. I want a better chance. Theres nothing but a bit of wideawake to fire at now. Ha! Lie still. Hes reaching out to fire at me, I think.
Dickensons rifle spurted, and their enemys was like an echo; but the muzzle of the Boers piece was suddenly jerked upward, and the bullet had an opportunity of proving how far a Mauser rifle would carry with a high trajectory.
Thanks, old fellow, said Lennox. That has halved the risk. Perhaps the other fellow will think it too dangerous to stay.
Doesnt seem like it, said Dickenson, drawing in his breath sharply and clapping his left hand to his ear.
Dont say youre hit, Bob! cried Lennox in an agonised tone.
All right; I wont if you dont want me to.
But are you?
I suppose so. Theres a bit taken out of my left ear, and I can feel something trickling down inside my collar.
Oh Bob, old fellow! cried Lennox.
Lie still, man! What are you going to do?
Bind up the place.
You wont if you stir.
There was pretty good proof of this, for another shot whizzed between them. But he who sent it had been too venturesome in taking aim to revenge his comrades fall, and the result of Dickensons return shot was fatal, for he too sprang up into a kneeling posture, and they saw him for a few moments trying to rise to his feet, but only to fall over to the left, right in view of the two officers.
Drew uttered a sigh of relief.
If we are to escape, he said, we must stop any one from getting into that position again.
Look sharp, then, said Dickenson, whose keen eyes detected a movement on the other side of the river. Theres a chap creeping among the bushes on all fours.