ad struck their camp
and filed off upon their homeward way, cheering and being cheered
enthusiastically by the lines of spectators. An enthusiasm, however, in
no wise shared by groups of Hlambi and Gaika Kafirs from Ndimba's or
Sandili's locations, who, in all the savagery of their red paint and
blankets, hung around the door of the canteen with scowling sneers upon
their faces, the while bandying among themselves many a deep-toned
remark not exactly expressive of amity or affection towards their white
brethren. But for this the latter cared not a jot.

"Hey, Johnny!" sang out a trooper, holding out a bundle of assegais
towards one of the aforesaid groups as he rode past, "see these? I took
'em from one of Kreli's chaps, up yonder. Plugged him through with a
couple of bullets first."

"Haw! haw!" guffawed another. "You fellows had better behave yourselves
or we shall be coming to look you up next. Tell old Sandili that, with
our love. Ta-ta, Johnny. So long!"

It was poor wit, and those at whom it was directed appreciated it at its
proper value. The scowl deepened upon that cloud of dark faces, and a
mutter of contempt and defiance rose from more than one throat. Yet in
the bottom of their hearts the savages entertained a sufficiently
wholesome respect for those hardened, war-worn sharpshooters.

Handkerchiefs waved and hats were flourished in the air, and amid
uproarious and deafening cheers the mounted corps paced forth,
Brathwaite's Horse leading. And over and above the clamour and tumult
of the voices and the shouting. Jack Armitage's bugle might be heard,
wildly emitting a shrill and discordant melody, which common consent,
amid roars of laughter, pronounced to be a cross between the National
Anthem and "_Vat you goed an trek Ferreia_." [A popular old Boer song.]

Into the fun and frolic of the occasion Eanswyth entered with zest. She
had laughed until she nearly cried over the hundred-and-one comic little
incidents inseparable from this scene of universal jollity. Even the
boldest flights of wit attempted during the multifold and promiscuous
good-byes interchanged had moved her mirth. But it was the light,
effervescing, uncontrollable laughter of the heart.

The genial, careless jests of the light-hearted crowd, the good humour
on every face, found its echo in her. In the unclouded blue of the
heavens, the golden sunlit air, there seemed a vibrating chord of joyous
melody, a poetry in the sw