There was a low buzz of excitement as every man resumed his seat, Roby alone hesitating, but dropping sharply back into his place in unwilling obedience to a sharp tug given at his tunic by the officers on either side. "What about your promise?" said Lennox in a whisper to Dickenson. "Hang my promise!" growled his comrade. "Do you take me for a stump?" CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. "WHAT A BRICK!" Every one burst into the hurried flow of conversation that now followed the colonel's announcement, the excitement growing at the thought of the dreary siege at last coming to an end, while, to judge from the remarks, the feeling at the table was one of relief at the prospect of at last trying final conclusions with the Boers. "Yes," said Captain Edwards to those near him, "I am heartily glad. Let them come on and give us a chance of some real fighting. All this miserable sniping and lurking behind stones has been barbarous. People say that the Boers are patriotic and brave: let them act like soldiers and give us a chance." The conversation grew more and more exciting, till the meagre repast was at an end, when the colonel rose and walked round to the back of Dickenson's seat. "Come to my quarters," he said quietly, and he walked out, followed by the young subaltern. The stars were out, shining brightly, and all looked peaceful and grand as the colonel led on to his hut, with Dickenson stringing himself up for the encounter he was about to have with his chief, and growing more and more determined and stubborn as the moment approached. "I don't care," he said to himself. "I'll tell him I'll challenge Roby, whether it's allowed or not;" and then he felt as if some one had thrown cold water in his face, for the colonel said quietly: "What a grand night, Dickenson! I wonder what our friends are doing at home, and whether they are thinking about us." Dickenson stared at him, but it was too dark for him to distinguish the play of his officer's countenance. "No light," said the colonel as he turned into his quarters. "Have you a match?" "Yes, sir," said the young officer rather gruffly, and the little silver box he took from his pocket tinkled softly as he searched for a match and struck it, the flash showing the colonel turning up the lamp wick. "That's right," he said; "light it." A minute later the mean-looking hut, with its camp table, lamp, and stools, was lit up, and the colonel seated himself. "I've very few words to say, Dickenson," he said kindly, "but those are about your conduct to-night. You are young, hot-headed, and unwise." "Can't help it, sir. My nature," said the young man shortly. "I suppose so. But of course you are aware that you have been guilty of a great breach of etiquette, and that your conduct cannot be passed over very lightly." "I suppose not, sir. I'm ready to take my punishment."