bs bred by the Basutos across country, and evidently
under the charge of a couple of Kaffirs, who came hurrying up at the
sight of their "baas," as they termed him.

Here Ingleborough soon displayed the knowledge he had picked up in
connection with horses by selecting two clever-looking muscular little
steeds, full of spirit and go, but quite ready to prove how little they
had been broken in, and promising plenty of work to their riders if they
expected to keep in their saddles.

"Be too fresh for you?" said the owner.

"We shall soon take the freshness out of them, poor things!" said
Ingleborough. "Would you mind having them bridled and saddled, sir?"

The order was given, and, after a good deal of trouble and narrowly
escaping being kicked, the Kaffirs brought the pair selected up to where
the despatch-riders were standing with the director.

Ingleborough smiled, and then bade the two Kaffirs to stand on the far
side of the ponies, which began to resent the Kaffirs' flank movements
by sidling up towards the two young men.

"Ready?" said Ingleborough, in a low, sharp tone.

"Yes."

"Mount!"

They both sprang into their saddles, to the intense astonishment of the
ponies, one of which made a bound and dashed off round the enclosure at
full speed, while the other, upon which West was mounted, reared
straight up, and, preserving its balance upon its hind legs, kept on
snorting, while it sparred out with its fore hoofs as if striking at
some imaginary enemy, till the rider brought his hand down heavily upon
the restive beast's neck. The blow acted like magic, for the pony
dropped on all-fours directly, gave itself a shake as if to rid itself
of saddle and rider, and then uttered a loud neigh which brought its
galloping companion alongside.

"Humph!" ejaculated their new friend; "I needn't trouble myself about
your being able to manage your horses, my lads. Will these do?"

"Splendidly, sir," cried West.

"There they are, then, at your service!" And, after a few directions to
the Kaffirs about having them ready when wanted, the party left the
enclosure and separated with a few friendly words, the despatch-bearers
making once more for the Commandant's quarters to report what they had
done so far, and to obtain a pass which would ensure them a ready
passage through the lines and by the outposts.

They were soon ushered into the Commandant's presence, and he nodded his
satisfaction with the report of their p