glow of the sunset which flooded the place through the openings
above the tilt. It seemed to me horrible, and for a long time I could
not speak. At last the words came:

"Did you know that he struck down Mr Denham, and nearly killed us
both?"

"Um? Yes. Soldiers tell Joeboy."

"And you followed him?"

"Um? Yes," came, accompanied by a nod.

"And you've killed him with your assagai?" I said, with a shudder, as I
glanced at where three of the deadly weapons lay at the side of my rough
couch, across his shield.

"Um? No. Nearly kill Joeboy."

"Ah!" I cried, with a curious feeling of relief.

"Joeboy run after him all away among the Doppies; when they shoot,
Joeboy lie down, and then follow um till he see um. Then he shoot,
and--look here."

Joeboy held up his left arm, smiling, and I saw that it was roughly tied
up with a piece of coarse homespun.

"He wounded you?"

"Um? Yes. Shot pistol, and make hole here."

"And he got away unhurt?"

"Um? Yes; this time," said the black. "Next time Joeboy make hole froo
um somewhere. Hate um."

"But your wound?" I said. "Is it bad?"

"Um? Only little hole. Soon grow up again."

"Now tell me, how are all the people at home--my father, my aunt, and
Bob?"

Joeboy shook his head.

"What do you mean?" I said. "Haven't you seen them?"

"Um? No; all gone right away. Doppies been and burnt all up. All
gone."

"What's that?" said Denham, who had been awakened by our talking--"the
Boers have been and burnt up that jolly old farm?"

"Um? Yes, Boss. All gone."

"The brutes!"

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

THE DOCTOR'S DOSE.

"Look here, Denham," said the doctor; "you're an ill-tempered,
ungrateful, soured, discontented young beggar. You deserve to surfer.--
And as for you, sir," he continued, turning to me, "you're not much
better."

That was when we were what the doctor called convalescent--that is to
say, it was about a fortnight after our terrible experience in the old
mine-shaft, and undoubtedly fast approaching the time when we might
return to duty.

"Anything else, sir?" said Denham sharply.

I said nothing, but I winced.

"I dare say I could find a few more adjectives to illustrate your
character, sir," said the doctor rather pompously; "but I think that
will do."

"So do I, sir," said Denham; "but let me tell you that you don't allow
for our having to lie helpless here fretting our very hearts out because
we can't join th