ful, for if he heard us going to the shed
and meddling with the horses he'd likely enough begin blazing away at us
with his rifle."

At that moment West clutched his companion's arm, for they heard no
sound, but all at once the dark silhouette of a man's head appeared
framed in the little back window against a background of starry points
which glistened like gold.

Ingleborough's hand stole to his rifle, which he grasped, as both held
their breath; but he did not attempt to raise it, for the head was
thrust inside, and a voice whispered the one word: "Baas."

"Yes," said West softly. "What is it, my lad?"

"My baas take pony and ride away. Go to fetch fighting Boer to shoot
good baas. You and good baas him."

"Ah?" said West.

"Iss. Jack put saddles on Basuto ponies; put bridles on Basuto ponies.
Good baas both come and ride away. Tant' Ann never hear nothing. Sleep
all night."

"And if we go what will your baas do to you when he comes and finds the
ponies gone?" said West.

"Bad baas never see me again! Going home to my country to-night."

"Ah, that's better!" said Ingleborough. "Here, take the two rifles, and
we'll get out here. Jack, my lad, you're a trump, and you shall have
five two-shilling pieces for this, to buy new blankets."

The Kaffir chuckled and clicked with satisfaction as he stood holding
the rifles till Ingleborough slipped out, West pausing to cram the bread
cakes and biltong into their satchels, after which he too slipped out,
and the trio hurried towards the stables.

"How far has your baas to ride to the fighting Boers?" West asked the
Kaffir.

"Long ride," replied the black. "Many Boers yesterday, many Boers other
day, many Boers come in morning with baas."

"Then we're all right for a good start," said Ingleborough. "I say,
West, you're always taking me into some trap: hadn't I better lead?"

"You are leading now," replied West. "How do we know that there are not
a dozen of the enemy in the stable?"

"What! Oh, nonsense! Come along!"

The ponies whinnied as they entered, and the black struck a match and
lit a wagon lantern, showing that they were ready bridled and their
heads tied up to a rail, while examination proved that the saddles were
properly girthed ready for a start.

"Here, stop a minute!" said Ingleborough, as the man began to unfasten
the reins attached to the ponies' heads. "Here, I promised you five
two-shilling pieces," and he counted them out r