t he interrupted me.

"Take them," he said shortly, and in a way that meant a command; but I
compromised the matter with my conscience by only taking half.

I now left the Colonel's quarters with Denham and Joeboy, and only
waited till it was as dark as it seemed likely to be before having a few
final words with my companion and Briggs, who were the only men in the
secret of what was about to be undertaken. Then, filling my
water-bottle and placing the biscuits in my pocket--after Denham had
refused a share--I saw that my bandolier was quite full of cartridges,
slung my rifle, and placed one revolver in its holster-pocket and thrust
the other in my breast. We now walked towards the well-barricaded
gateway, gave the word, and Joeboy and I stepped out, with Denham and
Briggs; but stopped to shake hands with Denham, who held mine tightly.

"Good luck to you, Val, lad!" he said softly. "Don't take any notice of
what I said before--I mean of all that cold water I poured on your
scheme. It's splendid. Go in and win; and when you're half-way back,
or if you're pursued, make old Joeboy fill his bellows and roar. I'll
come to your help, even if there's a thousand Doppies after you."

"I know you will," I said warmly as I returned the pressure of his hand.
"There, good-bye."

"Good-bye, old boy! You'll do it. Oh! I wish I were coming too."

"Good-bye, Mr Private Moray," said Briggs softly, in his deep tones.
"I wish you everything in the way of luck. You'll do it, my lad, I
know.--Here, Joeboy, you stick to your boss."

"Um! Me stick to Boss Val--um!--alway."

"Good-bye," I said again, trying to free my hands, for Denham and the
Sergeant each held one tightly and in silence.

At last, as we stood there in the darkness, they let my fingers slip
through theirs, and I stepped out into the open, following Joeboy's
steps, for he at once took the lead, without making a sound.

"Ah!" I said to myself, after drawing a very long breath, "this is
going to be the most exciting thing I ever did."

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

SUCCESSFUL BEYOND EXPECTATION.

"Boss Val come close up to Joeboy," said the black a minute or two
later.

I had but to take two steps, and then I could touch the speaker, who was
standing with his back towards me.

"Joeboy no turn round," he said. "Boss Val keep close. Joeboy got to
keep seeing wagons, and not lose them."

"But you can't see the wagons now," I said softly.

"Um? Joeboy s