the case, a bold course
will be the safest. We could walk over to the neutral camp at Intombi
Spruit this evening, to visit the hospitals, and then cut across for
Nelthorpe. We shall be within twelve miles of the river, and with luck
might even cross it before morning. If not, there must be plenty of
dongas in which we could hide up for the day and keep out of sight of
the Boers."

"By Jove, I like that idea!" exclaimed Poynter with a gay laugh, "and
we'll have a shot at getting through to-night. What shall we carry with
us?"

"Our rifles and bayonets, and some provisions; enough to last three
days," Jack answered. "I think we've settled everything now, so I'll go
across to my friends. Expect me back at five o'clock, and we'll stroll
over to Intombi Spruit. Take my advice, Poynter, have the magazine of
your rifle filled in readiness for a tussle."

"Trust me!" answered Poynter. "Well, so long, Jack! I'll see you at
five."

Jack left him sitting in the shade of the tent inspecting his rifle,
with which every officer was now armed in place of a sword, the latter
having by its conspicuousness led to the death of many a poor fellow who
had been deliberately picked off by the Boer sharpshooters. Then he
walked across to Guy Richardson, who was progressing well, and
afterwards sat down and had a long chat with Mr Hunter.

"Good-bye, Jack, lad!" said the latter as the time arrived for his young
friend to keep his appointment with Poynter. "You're the most
venturesome young fellow I have ever come across, and if all goes well,
as I feel sure it will, we shall meet again before long. Give my love
to the wife when you get through, and tell all the boys that when we've
eaten all our horses we'll take to chewing grass before we hand over
Ladysmith and ourselves to the Boers. Wasn't I right, old boy, when I
told you long ago up in Johnny's Burg that Kruger and his pleasant
friends had a surprise in store for us. Ha, ha! they were going to
drive us into the sea, and eat fish dinners in Durban! And they had got
all the guns and men ready close to the frontier too! Remember that.
We've just checked them now, that's all, and both sides are sitting
still, watching one another. But, bless you! that won't win this grand
country for the Boers. They should be up and doing; instead of that,
they act on the defensive alone, save here and at Kimberley and
Mafeking, where we've pinched their tails pretty sharply for them