ant both the despatch-riders knew what the brief orders they had
heard meant, namely that as the commando rode along a trooper was
ordered to rein up at about every hundred yards and was left as a
vedette.

For no sooner had West spoken than there was a sharp challenge to left
and right, running away along a line, and directly after the reports of
rifles rang out and bullets whizzed like insects through the dark night
air. Many flew around and over the heads of the fugitives; for the
moment the discovery was made West and Ingleborough pressed their
ponies' sides and went forward at full gallop to pass through the fire
in front of them.

It was close work, for guided by the sounds of the ponies' hoofs, the
Boers kept on firing, one shot being from close at hand--so close that
the flash seemed blinding, the report tremendous. This was followed by
a sharp shock, the two companions, as they tore on, cannoning against
the vedette, West's pony striking the horse in his front full upon the
shoulder and driving the poor beast right in the way of Ingleborough's,
with the consequence that there was a second collision which sent the
Boer and his horse prostrate, Ingleborough's pony making a bound which
cleared the struggling pair, and then racing forward alongside of its
stable companion, when they galloped on shoulder to shoulder. They were
followed by a scattered fire of bullets, and when these ceased West
turned in his saddle and listened, to hear the heavy beat of many hoofs,
telling of pursuit; but the despatch-riders were well through the line,
and galloped on at full speed for the next half-hour, when they
slackened down and gradually drew rein and listened.

"Can't hear a sound!" said West.

"Nor I," replied Ingleborough, after a pause. "So now let's breathe our
nags and go steadily, for we may very likely come upon another of these
lines of mounted men."

A short consultation was then held respecting the line of route to be
followed as likely to be the most clear of the enemy.

"I've been thinking," said Ingleborough, "that our best way will be to
strike off west, and after we are over the river to make a good long
detour."

West said nothing, but rode on by his companion's side, letting his pony
have a loose rein so that the sure-footed little beast could pick its
way and avoid stones.

"I think that will be the best plan," said Ingleborough, after a long
pause.

Still West was silent.

"What is it?" sa