The search was continued, but nothing more rewarded their efforts. There was the ample supply of corn, stored up by some tribe, and outside the bags of gunpowder hidden by the Boers, whose plan was quite evident, and thoroughly realised by all who had discovered the entrance--to blow up the great gun captured from them and destroy the stronghold that checked their advance. Before long a sentry was marching up and down in front of that ingenious specimen of native work, the big stone entrance to the cave which ran so easily upon a pivot; while the detachment in charge of the big gun talked shudderingly of the risk they had unknowingly been running, for, given a little longer time and the right opportunity, their two crafty enemies would undoubtedly have fired their mine and blown the greater part of the kopje-top into the air. "I was growing anxious over the long silence," said the colonel, smiling, after he had been made aware or the success attending the party that had hurried up at the alarm, and after he had examined the prisoners; "but you have done a splendid night's work--cleared away an impending danger, and secured a storehouse of corn sufficient for a whole month." "A month or more," said Captain Roby. "Ha! Then we can hold out and wait. But about these prisoners. Here, major, what do you say?" "Humph!" ejaculated the major. "Two of the treacherous hounds who deceived us, and whom we let go to fetch us supplies." "And came back to blow us up," said the colonel. "Failed in that," said Captain Roby, "and then started another cold-blooded, treacherous plan." "Yes," said the colonel, "based upon the knowledge they must have wrung from one of the native tribes they have oppressed. Well, gentlemen, we have two of the miscreant spies. What next?" "The fate of spies," said Captain Roby. "I think it is due to our men that they should be shot." "Kept prisoners till we can hand them over to the general, and let him decide," said the major. "What do you say, Edwards?" "They are prisoners, and beaten," said the captain. "Yes, I side with you." "Two against you, Roby," said the colonel.--"Well, Lennox--and you, Dickenson--you may as well give your opinion. What do you say, Dickenson?" "I should like to see that black-haired brute tied up and flogged, sir." "Should you?" said the colonel, smiling. "Well, I dare say he deserves it; but it is not the punishment we can give a prisoner, so your opinion will stand alone.--Well, Lennox?" "Oh, it's all war, sir; and the fellows are half-savage peasants who hate us like poison. You can't shoot them, sir, for fighting their best--their way." "No, Mr Lennox, I can't shoot them; but it will be a horrible nuisance to have to keep them as prisoners. I wish they had died fighting like brave men. As it is they will have to live prisoners till the war is at an end. Now then, about where to place them."