on't talk about it," cried Denham. "We're invalids, and no one
can doubt that who looks at your battered head."

"Or yours," I replied. "But look here, Denham; we must give up all idea
of capturing wagons. What we have to do is to fetch help."

"Yes, I think so too--get through the Boer lines and find the General's
quarters. The other idea was too mad."

We sat in silence for a while, till we felt that the time had come; then
we passed our coils of rope over our chests like bandoliers, and
strolled out into the dark court, to saunter here and there for a few
minutes, listening to the lowing of the oxen or the fidgety stamp of a
horse annoyed by a fly. Here Denham exchanged a few words with some of
the men. Finally, after a glance at the officers' quarters, from which
a light gleamed dimly, Denham led the way to the rough ascent, and with
beating heart I followed right up on to the wall. So intense was the
darkness that we had to go carefully, not seeing the first sentry till
he challenged us and brought us up.

Denham gave the word, and stood talking to the man, who lowered his
rifle and rested the butt on the stones.

"How are they to-night?" said Denham. "Quiet?"

"No, sir; they seem to have been having a good eat and drink. More
wagons came up from their rear; so the man I relieved told me. It's
been a sort of feast, I think. Wouldn't be a bad time for a good attack
on the beggars, sir. The boys are, as one of them said, spoiling for a
fight."

"Let them wait a bit," said Denham shortly. "It will come."

"The sooner the better, sir," said the sentry; and we went on as far as
the next sentry, passing the stones where we had sat to sun ourselves.
We talked with this second man about the Boers, received a similar
account of the proceedings of the enemy, said "Good-night," and then
strolled back to the stones, to sit down for a few minutes, my heart
beating harder than ever.

"Now," said Denham at last, in a low tone of voice; "off with your rope,
and give me one end. I'll make your line fast to mine, while you secure
the other end to that big stone. Tight, mind; I don't want to fall
sixty feet and break my neck."

"Nor I," was my reply. "Be sure of your knot, too."

"Right."

Then, in the silence, we each did our part of the task, ending by Denham
letting the strong thin rope glide over the edge of the great stones
which formed the breastwork. The next minute we stood listening to the
sou