ink of
examining the coat lying out there?"

"The first man who goes near it!"

"The first rogue, and he'd only feel in the pockets. But there's no
fear: that sentry would fire at any thief who tried to steal! That's
safe enough!"

"I wish I could think so!" replied West. "The first thing when they
come will be to ask me what I have done with my jacket."

"Pooh! In that loose, dark flannel shirt they'll never think of it. I
thought they'd have been here, though, before now."

They had to wait for some little time still, for the Boers had gathered
about the new-comer, forming a half-circle, evidently to listen while
Anson talked to them earnestly, his gesticulations suggesting to Ingle
borough, rightly or wrongly, that he was describing the arrangements for
defence made by the British garrison at Kimberley, which he had so
lately left; and as he spoke every now and then the listeners nodded,
slapped the stocks of their rifles, turned to make remarks to one
another, and gave the speaker a hearty cheer.

"Oh, you beauty!" growled Ingleborough. "I can't hear a word you say;
but I'm as certain as if I were close up that you're telling those
chuckle-headed Dutch that all they've got to do is to march straight in
and take Kimberley, for they'll find it as easy as kissing their hands."

"If he is telling them the weak points it's downright treason," said
West bitterly, after a glance out of the wagon in the direction of the
rocks on which lay his jacket.

"It's stand him up with a firing party, and a sergeant with a revolver
to finish the work if it isn't quite done," said Ingleborough. "The
cowardly scoundrel: he'll be getting his deserts at last! I say,
though, isn't it sickening? A blackguard like that, who doesn't stop at
anything to gain his ends!"

For Anson had finished speaking and the Boers had closed round him,
patting him on the back and pressing forward one after the other to
shake his hand, while he smiled at them in his mildest, blandest way.

After a few more friendly words the ex-clerk began slouching slowly up,
followed by half-a-dozen of the principal men, till he was close to the
tail of the prison wagon where West and Ingleborough were seated trying
to look perfectly indifferent, but the former with his heart beating
heavily and a flush coming hotly into his cheeks, when the Boers stopped
short, leaving Anson to speak, listening the while as if they
anticipated a little amusement from th