"It's all very fine," said Bob Dickenson in a low voice to those about him. "Old Bolus keeps himself up to the mark by taking nips; that's why he's so well and strong." "Nonsense!" said Lennox sharply. "I don't believe he ever touches spirits except as a medicine." "Who said he did?" growled Dickenson. "You, Bob; we all heard you," chorused several near. "Take my oath I never mentioned spirits. I said _nips_." "Well, you meant them," said Lennox. "I didn't. Don't you jump at conclusions, Drew, old man. I meant nips of tonics. Old M.D. has got a lot of curious chemicals in that medicine-chest of his, and when he's a bit down he takes nips of them." "I don't believe it," said a brother officer, laughing. "Old Emden, M.D., take his own physic? Too clever for that!" The darkness had closed in soon after the officers had taken their seats--early, after tropic fashion--and one of the messmen had lit four common-looking paraffin-lamps, which swung from the rafters, smelt vilely of bad spirit, and smoked and cast down a dismal light; but the men were in high spirits, chatting away, and the meal being ended, many of them had started pipes or rolled up cigarettes, when an orderly was seen to enter by the door nearest the colonel's seat and make quickly for his place. There was a cessation of the conversation on the instant, and one motion made by every officer present--he glanced at the spot where his sword and revolver hung, while their servants turned their eyes to the rifle-stands and bandoliers, listening intently for the colonel's next order: for the coming of the orderly could only mean one thing under their circumstances--an advance of the Boers. They were right. But the increased action of their pulses began to calm down again; for instead of standing up according to his wont and giving a few short, sharp orders, the colonel, after turning towards the orderly and hearing him out, merely raised his eyes and smiled. "Wonders will never cease, gentlemen," he said, and he sent a soft, grey cloud of cigarette smoke upward towards the roof of the barn. "You all remember our prisoners, brought in after Lennox and Dickenson's fishing expedition?" There was an eager chorus of "Yes" from all present save the two young officers mentioned, and they were too eager in listening to speak. "Well, gentlemen, I told those men that the wisest thing they could do was to go back to their farms, give up fighting, and collect and bring into camp here a good supply of corn and beef." "Yes, sir, I heard you," said Captain Roby, for the colonel paused to take two or three whiffs from his cigarette. "Well, gentlemen, you will hardly credit the news I have received when you recall what took place, and be ready to place some faith in a Boer's sound common-sense." "Why doesn't he speak out at once?" said Dickenson in a whisper. "Who wants all this rigmarole of a preface?" "What is it, colonel?" said the major.