I felt for a few minutes so much brightened up that I was ready to go off too; but the thoughts of poor Denham lying out dead or wounded somewhere on the veldt kept me awake, and I was in greater pain than ever from the blow I had received. And there I lay in my misery till about midnight, when there was an alarm from the sentries of horsemen approaching, and I sprang to my feet. CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. "IL FAUT MANGER." I felt dizzy, and every movement was painful when I arose. The air was so cold that I was half-numbed; and in addition to my bruised side I ached from the tightness of my belts, and my sword-hilt and revolver seemed to have made great dents into my flesh. However, with an effort I lifted my rifle, which had been my bedfellow on the sandy earth, and hurriedly joined the others in making good the defence of the great gateway, with its newly-made protecting screen of stones. There was no desperate encounter, however, to send the blood rushing through our veins; for, as we reached the entrance, we heard the men on duty removing stones while they carried on a desultory conversation with the new arrivals; and directly afterwards a thrill of joy ran through me, and a curious choking sensation rose in my throat, for somewhere in front where it was darkest I heard the Major say: "That's grand news, Denham--thirty of you, and forty horses?" Then his voice was drowned in the loud, spontaneous cheer which rose from those about me, in which at the moment I felt too weak to join. "Here, get in, all of you," cried the Major as soon as he could make himself heard. "You're sure there is no pursuit?" "Quite," came in Denham's familiar voice. "We have had a very long round since we wore cut off, and have not heard a soul as we came through the darkness." "How about wounds?" said the Major. "Pretty tidy, sir," said Denham. "The poor horses have got the worst of it. But we're all starving, and choked with thirst." "We can manage water for you," said the Major; "but I'm afraid to say anything about food." "Never mind," said Denham cheerfully; and then he seemed to turn away, for his voice sounded distant as he said--to the men with him, of course--"Tighten your belts another hole, lads. We'll forage for food to-morrow." "That we will," cried the Major; and then out of the darkness came the trampling of horses' feet, followed by a few neighs, which were answered from where the horses stood together in the court. Meanwhile I tried to get to the front, but could not, and had to wait till the men began to file in after the homes; but at last I heard Denham's voice again. "Not a bad wound?" he said. "A nasty but clean cut from some Boer who had one of our swords." "But tell me," said Denham eagerly--"young Val Moray? Did he get in safely?" "Any one would think he was a cousin or brother," said the Major pettishly. "Yes, he managed all right, after giving up his horse to the Colonel and getting him in after he had been down."