ext moment he had thrown himself
upon his side and lay perfectly still.

"What folly!" West was disposed to say; but he followed his companion's
example, letting himself sink sidewise like a dying quadruped, feeling
the despatch crackle beneath him as he lay listening to the trampling of
horses growing more distant, and waiting for Ingleborough to speak.

"Seems a stupid sort of dodge!" said the latter at last; "but I thought
it better to let them think we were hyaenas than human beings."

"But we had a narrow escape of being shot!" replied West.

"Yes, and escaped. If they had taken us for human beings we should have
been either shot or taken prisoners. Now we're safe!"

"Safe, with this bright moon shining ready to show every movement?"

"Then why move until we are safe, lad? The enemy will not come near us
so long as they think we are dead animals."

"But if they make out what we are--how then?"

"How then?" said Ingleborough, with a low sarcastic laugh. "Why, then
they'll behave like Boers, and come and see if there's anything worth
taking in our pockets. They are sweet people! But wait a bit. As soon
as they are farther off we'll continue our journey."

"Without our horses?"

"Yes; poor beasts! I'm sorry they're gone; but daybreak will show us
that we are close to Mafeking, I feel sure. We'll crawl on as far as we
can, and then get up and run for our lives."

"Yes; but you know how clever they are at bringing down a running buck!"

"Some of them!" said Ingleborough drily.

"Well, if I am brought down, don't hesitate a moment: out with your
knife, rip open my jacket, get the despatch, and run on."

"Do you mean that?"

"Of course."

"What about you? Are you to be left wounded here on the veldt?"

"Yes: until the despatch reaches the proper hands. Then come and save
me if you can."

"I understand," said Ingleborough drily. "That's if matters come to the
worst! Let's hope they will not!"

He raised his head a little and had a good look round as soon as he had
finished speaking, for all was now very still, and as far as he could
make out in the eerie light there was not a Boer within sight.

"Now then," he said softly; "let's go on! No, no; not like that.
Crawl, man, crawl."

He only spoke in time, for West was about to spring up. Then their
painful imitation of some quadruped recommenced, West following his
comrade patiently and unquestioningly till a change seemed to come over