s, I should think."

"I'm afraid you are right! Well, we had better let the nags feed while
we lie down and watch, for I don't think they have seen us yet."

"Very well," said West. "I'm tired of so much running away!"

The next minute they were lying amongst some stones and their ponies
grazing, Ingleborough coolly filling his pipe and lighting it with a
burning-glass, but keeping a watchful eye upon the long train of wagons
and horsemen plodding along at the customary rate of about two miles an
hour, and ready at any moment to spring upon his pony in case a party of
the enemy should make up their minds to try and drive in the two ponies
when they caught their eye.

This he knew was doubtful, for it was beginning to be a common sight
upon the veldt--that of a wounded or worn-out horse or two picking up a
scanty living from the grass and green points of the shrubs, while an
investigation generally proved that the poor brutes were not worth the
trouble of the ride.

Still, on the other hand, the suspicious nature of the Boers might
prompt them to see whether riders were near the grazing animals, and an
opportunity for capturing a prisoner or two be theirs.

The pair kept a keen look-out; but it seemed for a long time that they
were to be left in peace, the long line of wagons and horsemen plodding
steadily onward, completely blocking the way the bearers of the
Kimberley despatch had to take.

At last, though, just after West had expressed his opinion that the
Boers were too intent upon getting their heavy guns on towards Mafeking,
Ingleborough, unnoticed by his companion, made a sudden movement,
dropping his pipe and altering the small lenses of his field-glass,
through which he lay gazing, supporting himself upon his elbows.

"Hah!" said West, who was similarly occupied; "they've got four heavy
guns and a tremendous lot of stores. Wouldn't one of our generals give
something to have his men so arranged that he could cut them off in all
directions! The country is so open, and not a kopje in sight. What a
prize those guns would be!"

"Yes," said Ingleborough sharply; "but there is no British force at
hand, so they are going to surround us instead."

"What!" cried West excitedly.

"That they are, and no mistake!" continued Ingleborough, slewing himself
round so as to look in a different direction.

"You don't mean--oh, Ingle! Three strong bodies coming from behind,
north and south. Why, we're trapped!"