"Go on. What were you going to say?" "I was going to remark that the best of fighting the Boers is, that they won't stir towards coming at us without they've got the daylight to help them to shoot. We ought to do more in the way of night surprises. I like the mystery and excitement of that sort of thing." "I don't," said Lennox shortly. "It always seems to me cowardly and un-English to steal upon sleeping people, rifle and bayonet in hand." "Well, 'pon my word, we've got into a nice line of conversation," said Dickenson. "Here we are, back in the market-square, brilliantly lighted by two of the dimmest lanterns that were ever made, and sentries galore to take care of us. Wonder whether Blackbeard has finished his confab with the chief?" "Let's go and see," said Lennox, and he walked straight across, answering the sentry's challenge, and finding the Boer back in his former place, seated upon the wagon-box, and conversing in a low tone with the men within. He did not start when Lennox spoke to him this time, but swung himself deliberately round to face his questioner. "Well," said the latter, "what did the colonel say?" "He said it was a good thing, and that we should take our wagons, inspan, and be passed through the lines to-night." "Oh, come," said Dickenson; "that's good! One to us." "Yes," grunted the Boer after puffing away; "he said it was very good, and that we were to go." "Then, why in the name of common-sense don't you get ready and go instead of sitting here smoking and talking?" "Oh, we know, the colonel and I," said the man quietly. "We talked it over with the major and captains and another, and we all said that the Boers would be looking sharp out in the first part of the night, expecting to be attacked; but as they were not they would settle down, and that it would be best to wait till half the night had passed, and go then. There would be three hours' darkness, and that would be plenty of time to get well past the Boer laagers before the sun rose; so we are resting till then." "That's right enough," said Dickenson, "so good-night, and luck go with you! Bring twice as many sheep this time." "Yes, I know, captain," said the Boer. "And wheat and rice and coffee and sugar." "Here, come along, Drew, old fellow; he's making my mouth water so dreadfully that I can't bear it." "You will come and see us go?" said the Boer. "No, thank you," replied Dickenson. "I hope to be sleeping like a sweet, innocent child.--You'll see them off, Drew?" "No. I expect that they will be well on their way by the time I am roused up to visit posts.--Good-night, cornet. I hope to see you back safe." "Oh yes, we shall be quite safe," said the man; "but perhaps it will be three or four days before we get back. Good-night, captains." "Lieutenants!" cried Dickenson, and he took his comrade's arm, and they marched away to their quarters, heartily tired out, and ready to drop asleep on the instant as weary people really can.