unded and helpless men were left on the veldt, and to collect such
rifles and ammunition as had been left.

A sharp lookout was kept against surprise; but there was no need.
Denham's glass showed that the Boers, probably satisfied with their
reverses of the previous day, were keeping to their lines.

We went as far as the spot where the first attack on us was made,
finding only a few rifles as we went, noticing on our way sixteen dead
horses--ghastly-looking objects, for near every one numerous loathsome
birds rose heavily, flying to a short distance; and footprints all
around in the soft earth showed that hyenas had been at the miserable
banquet. The ground here and there also showed the unmistakable tracks
of lions; but I am not sure they had been partakers.

"Well, I'm precious glad there's no burying of the dead, or bringing in
wounded Boers as prisoners," said Denham as we rode back slowly side by
side. "I don't mind the fighting when my monkey's up--it all seems a
matter of course then; but the afterwards--the poor dead chaps with all
the enemy gone out of them, and the suffering wounded asking you for
water, and whether you think they'll die--it makes me melancholy."

"It's horrible," I said; "but it was none of our seeking."

"No; it's the Boers' own fault--the beasts! Fighting for their liberty
and patriotism, they call it. They won't submit to being slaves to the
Queen. Such bosh! Slaves indeed! Did you ever feel that you led the
life of a slave under the reign of our jolly good Queen?"

"Pooh!" I exclaimed.

"Pooh! puff! stuff!--that's what it is, old fellow. They're about the
most obstinate, stupid, ignorant brutes under the sun. They don't know
when they're well off as subjects of Great Britain, so they'll have to
be taught."

"Of course," I said. "But they are brave."

"Well, yes, in a way," said Denham grudgingly. "They'll fight if
they're ten or a dozen to one, and can get behind stones or wagons to
pot us; but they haven't got sense enough to know when they're well off,
nor yet to take care of six wagon-loads of good grain and meal, and
nearly a hundred and fifty oxen."

"Well, no; they were stupid there," I said.

"Stupid, Lieutenant Moray!"

"What!" I exclaimed. "Do you know what you're saying?"

"Oh yes; all right. You're not a commissioned officer yet, but you will
be. Promoted for special bravery and service in the field."

"Nonsense!" I said, flushing up.

"Oh, b