rough--looking
house, into which he was careful not to allow his guests to enter.

"We're to share the stable with the nags," said Ingleborough; "but it
doesn't matter. Let's go and see how they are getting on," he
continued, as the Boer disappeared indoors. "We can't afford to have
them fed on some of his lordship's refuse. I know something of the
tricks of these gentlemen of old."

They entered the rough stable, where the big Kaffir was standing on one
side and greeted them with a heavy scowl.

"Well, Jack," said Ingleborough, "are the ponies eating their corn?"

"Yes, baas," said the black gruffly; "eat um all fast."

"Ah, I thought so," said Ingleborough quietly, sniffing and blowing on
the musty trash. "Do you feed your horses on stuff like this?"

He turned so sharply on the Kaffir that the man shrank as if from a
blow; but his questioner smiled.

"Not your fault, I suppose?"

"Baas say, `Give ponies thaht,'" he replied apologetically.

"Of course, my lad," said Ingleborough, drawing out a shilling and
slipping it into the black's hand.

"Now you get some of the best corn, and see that the horses eat it. You
understand?"

"Yes, baas," said the man, with a sharp click, as his eyes glistened and
he showed his white teeth in a satisfied grin. "Soon my baas go away,
give them good to eat."

"Is your baas going away?"

"Iss; saddle pony; go away."

As the black spoke he pointed to the farther end of the long mud-walled
shed, where another pony was tied up.

Just then the shrill voice of the Boer vrouw was heard calling, and the
Kaffir gave a shout in reply.

"Tant' Ann want um," he said, and he ran out, joined the lady at the
door, and was dismissed to get some fuel from a heap, while the farmer
came out, smoking away, and Ingleborough left the shed with West as if
to join him.

"Are you going to give him your opinion?" said West.

"No: we can't afford to quarrel. The Kaffir will take care of our nags
now, and get another tip for his pains."

The next minute they were close up to their host, who had evidently been
thinking over the words which had last been exchanged.

"You Englanders," he said, "think you are very clever; but the Boers
beat you before, and they're going to beat you more this time, and drive
you all into the sea."

"Very well!" said West, smiling. "I hope they'll give us time to get
into the ships."

"Perhaps!" said the Boer, smoking more rapidly in his excitement.