We went as far as the spot where the first attack on us was made, finding only a few rifles as we went, noticing on our way sixteen dead horses--ghastly-looking objects, for near every one numerous loathsome birds rose heavily, flying to a short distance; and footprints all around in the soft earth showed that hyenas had been at the miserable banquet. The ground here and there also showed the unmistakable tracks of lions; but I am not sure they had been partakers. "Well, I'm precious glad there's no burying of the dead, or bringing in wounded Boers as prisoners," said Denham as we rode back slowly side by side. "I don't mind the fighting when my monkey's up--it all seems a matter of course then; but the afterwards--the poor dead chaps with all the enemy gone out of them, and the suffering wounded asking you for water, and whether you think they'll die--it makes me melancholy." "It's horrible," I said; "but it was none of our seeking." "No; it's the Boers' own fault--the beasts! Fighting for their liberty and patriotism, they call it. They won't submit to being slaves to the Queen. Such bosh! Slaves indeed! Did you ever feel that you led the life of a slave under the reign of our jolly good Queen?" "Pooh!" I exclaimed. "Pooh! puff! stuff!--that's what it is, old fellow. They're about the most obstinate, stupid, ignorant brutes under the sun. They don't know when they're well off as subjects of Great Britain, so they'll have to be taught." "Of course," I said. "But they are brave." "Well, yes, in a way," said Denham grudgingly. "They'll fight if they're ten or a dozen to one, and can get behind stones or wagons to pot us; but they haven't got sense enough to know when they're well off, nor yet to take care of six wagon-loads of good grain and meal, and nearly a hundred and fifty oxen." "Well, no; they were stupid there," I said. "Stupid, Lieutenant Moray!" "What!" I exclaimed. "Do you know what you're saying?" "Oh yes; all right. You're not a commissioned officer yet, but you will be. Promoted for special bravery and service in the field." "Nonsense!" I said, flushing up. "Oh, but you will be, sure. Not that I think you deserve it. There wasn't much risk." "Oh no," I said; "only the risk of being taken, and shot for a traitor, a thief, and a spy." "That's only what the Doppies would call it, and they're idiots." "If a fellow is going to be shot," I said, "it doesn't make much difference to him whether he's shot by a wise man or a fool." "Oh, I don't know," said Denham quickly. "I'd rather be shot by a wise man than by a Boer pig. But there was no risk. You and that big nigger went in the dark, and you had luck on your side, and--Oh, I say, Val, you did it splendidly! I had a good tuck-out of mealie-porridge this morning, and three big slices of prime beef frizzled. I feel quite a new man with all that under my jacket, and ready to take two Boers single-handed."