ham in a low, hoarse voice; but the
order was needless, for, after the manner of their nature, our chargers
hung together; and as we raced along it seemed to me that we should pass
right through the enemy's lines without a check.

Vain thought! Away in front, as we galloped on, a low, deep hum seemed
to be approaching; and I knew the alarm had spread, and that the Boers
were rapidly preparing for us. More than that, we had convincing proof
that they were prepared.

Suddenly, flashing, glittering lights, as of hundreds of fireflies
playing about a hedge extending right and left as far as I could see,
began to sparkle and scintillate; but only for a moment, for now came
the crackling roar of irregular firing, the flashes being partially
obscured. Then, in a few brief moments more, we were closing up to the
long line of riflemen.

"Now for it!" cried Denham close to my loft ear, his voice sounding like
a husky whisper as we raced on knee to knee, and then our horses rose,
as it were, at a fire-tipped hedge to clear the smoke.

There was a crash, yells of rage and defiance, and we were through,
tearing away with the roar of our long line of galloping horses close
after us. There was no time to think of danger--of shots from the
enemy, or being crushed down by the hoofs of the troopers tearing after
us; all was one wild state of fierce excitement, which made me feel as
if I must shout in triumph at the result of our successful charge.

Contrary to expectation, there was now a new sound--the buzzing hiss of
bullets overhead. Then, away to my left, yet another peculiar
announcement of what might happen; for, clearly above the heavy thud of
horses' hoofs and the loud jingle of bits and chains, I could hear a
curious _zip, zip, zip, zip_--a sound I had learned to know perfectly
well: it was the striking of the Boers' bullets upon inequalities of the
ground, and their ricochetting to hit again and again, as though a
demoniacal game of "Dick, duck, and drake" were being played upon the
surface of the ground instead of upon the water from off the shore.

Suddenly some one tore along to the side of our column, and a voice
shouted, followed by the clear notes of a trumpet.

The horses wanted no touch from rein or spur. Those right and left of
me bore round, and naturally mine went with them. Left incline, and we
tore on still in as wild and reckless a race through the darkness as was
ever ridden by a body of men.

The