together. "Now
then, boot and saddle, and a long night's ride!"

"And a good day's rest afterwards! That's the way we must get on."

A quarter of an hour after, they had taken their bearings by compass and
mounted, when the well-refreshed ponies started off at once in a brisk
canter, necessitating the drawing of the rein from time to time; and
then it was on, on, on at different rates beneath the wonderfully bright
stars of a glorious night, during which they passed several farms and
one good-sized village, which were carefully avoided, for they had
enough provisions to last them for another day, and naturally if a halt
was to be made to purchase more it would have to be at a seasonable
time.

"Yes," said Ingleborough laughingly, "it would be a sure way of getting
cartridges if we wanted them and roused up a Boer farmer in the night.
He would soon give us some, the wrong way on."

"Yes," said West, "and there would be the dogs to deal with as well.
Hark at that deep-mouthed brute!"

For just then the cantering of their ponies had been heard by the
watch-dog at one of the farms, and it went on baying at them till the
sounds grew faint.

Then it was on and on again till a strange feeling of weariness began to
oppress them, and they had to fight with the desire which made them bend
forward and nod over their ponies' necks, rising up again with a
dislocating start.

At the second time of this performance West made a great effort and
began watching his companion, to see that he was just as bad. Then the
intense desire to sleep began to master the watcher again.

"Hi, Ingle!" he cried. "Rouse up, and let's walk for a mile or two."

"Yes, yes.--What's that?" cried Ingleborough, springing off his pony and
cocking his rifle.

For there was a sudden rushing noise as of a great crowd of animals, of
what kind it was still too dark to see; but it was evident that they had
come suddenly upon a migratory herd of the graceful-limbed antelopes
that had probably been grazing and had been startled into flight.

"Pity it was not light!" said Ingleborough, with a sigh. "We could have
got some fresh meat, and then at the first patch of wood and pool of
water we could have had a fire and frizzled antelope-steaks."

But a couple of hours later, when they halted for their rest and
refreshment, it was stale cake, hard biltong, and cool fresh water.

"Never mind, we're miles nearer Mafeking!" said West. "How many more
night