d ankles sprang to their places,
while my brother reached out of the side of the wagon and dragged in two
rifles, evidently their own, and Denham and I cocked the revolvers we
had thrust back into our breasts.

"That's good business, gentlemen," said the Sergeant grimly. "I like to
see reinforcements when one's in a tight place."

He patted Bob on the shoulder as my brother took his place beside the
two soldiers at the front of the wagon, my father going to the back.

"You can shoot, then, my lad?"

"Oh yes," said Bob quietly. "My father taught me five years ago."

"That's right," said the Sergeant, and he set the lantern on one side
and covered it closely with one of the rugs. "Now, silence. We don't
want to invite attack. Here they come! They're mounted men, and they
may sweep past. Hear that bugle?" he said to me.

"Yes," I replied, almost below my breath.

"Officers hear them coming. Prepare for cavalry. Here they come.
They've rallied, and--No, no. Hark! Hark! Hurrah! No, no; don't
cheer, my lads. They're racing for their lives, and there's a line of
cavalry after them."

"Hurrah, Val!" shouted Denham wildly. "Our Light Horse out and at 'em
at last!"

"Oh," I groaned, "and we not with them now!"

"But they're sweeping after them in full charge, and sabring right and
left. Look--look! I can see it all. No, no," he groaned; "it's as
dark as pitch.--But they're scattering them, Sergeant?"

"Like chaff, sir, and--Hark at that!"

_Crack! crack_! Two volleys rang out.

"I hope that has not gone through to friends," growled the Sergeant.
"Ah, all right, gentlemen; there goes the `Cease firing.' They know
your Light Horse have been let loose. The Boers won't stand after this,
so we may sing `God save the Queen!' `Rule Britannia!' and the rest of
it. This fight's won, boys. Silence in the ranks!"

He was just in time to stop a cheer, after which we listened to the
sounds of the engagement or pursuit, now growing more distant, and I
asked a question or two of my father, who now returned to my side.

"Your aunt, my boy? She is safe in Pietermaritzburg. The farmhouse was
burned to the ground, all the sheep and cattle commandeered, and your
brother and I forced into the Boer ranks."

I could ask no more questions for a few moments; but Denham was not
restrained by his feelings, and I heard him ask the Sergeant:

"But how was it you came to the help of the Light Horse, Sergeant? Did