"Why, of course, sir," said the sergeant confidently. "The colonel would be sure to send out to see why we didn't come back. There's a lot of our fellows out yonder that the enemy is firing at, and we can't see them for the haze. It is haze, and not giddiness and our eyes." "No, sergeant; we can see clearly enough. I can make out the advance of the relief party. Wait five minutes, and I'll see what a few signal-shots will do." But before the time mentioned the Boers could be seen steadily retreating, and the puffs of smoke from the firing of an advancing party could be made out. Signals followed, and but a short time elapsed before the Boers were driven off and the rescued party were reviving under the influence of the water proffered from the relief party's bottles. The return to Groenfontein commenced at once, with Lennox carried by four men by means of scarfs; but he was not the only man who needed this aid, four more being hit during the return, the driven-off Boers hanging at a safe distance on flank and rear, sniping at every chance with the longest of shots, till the outposts were reached, and a cheer welcomed the rescued men as they marched in. The motion through the air had gradually revived Lennox, so much so that when the party was met by the colonel and officers the young lieutenant was able to reply to a question or two before the doctor intervened. "Leave him to me for a bit," he said, and had Lennox borne toward the hut where Roby and the corporal were lying, Dickenson following close behind. "The colonel did not shake hands with him," said the young officer to himself, "and the major never spoke. Surely they don't think--" He got no farther, for they had reached the hut, when, to the surprise of all, Roby wrenched himself round to glare at Lennox being carried in, and then in a harsh, excited voice he cried: "Lennox here? Coward! Cur!--coward! How dare you show your face again?" And at these words Corporal May wagged his head slowly from side to side and uttered a weary groan. CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. AN UNPLEASANT BUSINESS. "Why, Roby!" cried Lennox, after standing for some moments gazing wildly at his brother officer, and then going close up to his rough resting-place. "For goodness' sake, don't talk in that way!" "Coward! Cur! To run away and leave me like that!" cried Roby. Lennox stared at him with his eyes dilating, and then he turned sharply and looked from Dickenson to the doctor and back again, ending by clapping his hands to his forehead and holding his breath before gazing wildly at Roby once more as if doubting that the torrent of reproaches he listened to were real. "Am I off my head a little, doctor?--the sun, and that dreadful thirst. Am I mad?" "Mad? No, my lad; but you're in a parlous state.--Here, orderly, I must have Mr Lennox in the next hut. He is exciting Captain Roby horribly." "Yes; horribly," said Lennox. "Poor fellow! Is he so bad as that?"