them. Reins? I
needed none, if only free of the one which held me to my left-hand
guard; for an extra pressure of either leg would send my beautiful
little Australian horse in the direction I wished to turn, while a word
of encouragement would send him on like the wind, and an order sharply
uttered check him even if at full speed.

I had had Sandho four years, mounting him as soon as he was strong
enough to bear me, and ever since we seemed to have been companions more
than master and servant. We had played together; I had hunted him, and
he had hunted me--finding me, too, when I hid from him; and he answered
when out grazing on the veldt with a cheery neigh before galloping to
meet me. Why, there had been times when we had both lain down to sleep
together on the distant plains, my head resting on his glossy neck; so,
now that he was bearing me along, comparatively helpless, and I felt his
elastic, springy form beneath me, I was ashamed of my despair, convinced
that if I gave the word he would snap that rein at the first bound, and
bear me safely away.

I made up my mind that if I could defer my attempt till it was dark I
should be safe. If, however, I were obliged to venture in daylight, I
would make my dash by some rocky pass or kopje on the way, where Sandho
would easily leave the Boers' horses behind, he being almost as
sure-footed as a goat.

The captain drew rein a little, so that I came alongside during the
first part of our ride, and he cast his eye over my bonds and gave the
Boer who had the leading-rein a sharp order or two about keeping a good
lookout. To this the dull, heavy fellow responded with a surly growl.
After this the Irishman banteringly asked me if I was comfortable.

My answer was an angry glare--at least, I meant it to be--but the only
effect was to make him laugh.

"Ye've got a bad seat in the saddle, and it will be a good lesson to ye
in riding, bhoy. Make ye sit up. I hate to see a military man with his
showlders up and his nose down close to his charrger's mane. Faith, I'm
half-disposed to make ye throw the stirrups over the nag's neck, and I
would if we'd toime. But we've none to spare for picking ye up when ye
came off.--Here," he cried to the two men next behind, for we now rode
two and two; "why are your carbines not full-cocked--rifles, I mane?
That's right. Fire at wanst if he tries to bowlt; don't wait for
ordhers."

I listened to the sharp clicking of the rifle-lock