r was in command
of the reinforcements on their way to Mafeking possessed enough
soldierly knowledge of what was the best thing to be done under the
circumstances. As the wagons in front were wheeled round to retire upon
the centre formed by the four heavy guns, and those from the rear were
hurried up to join in making a great square, cloud after cloud of
mounted men galloped forward to seize upon any patch of shelter to hold
against the advancing British force.

"It's well meant," said Ingleborough, without taking his eyes from his
glass; "but they will not have time to form a strong laager. Why, our
men will be among them before a quarter of an hour is past."

"Before ten minutes!" cried West, in wild excitement. "Hurrah! Trapped
this time! Look right across the laager; there are men coming on
there!"

It was so, and Ingleborough cheered wildly again. For the British
general must have had abundant information of the coming convoy, and had
taken his precautions and made his plans so accurately as to timing the
advance that he had completely surrounded the long line with cavalry and
mounted infantry, who now raced for the laager, heedless of the fire
opened upon them by the Boers. The enemy only fired a few shots, and
then, finding themselves taken in front, flank, and rear, made for their
horses and took flight in every direction, but not before the Lancers
got among them and dotted the veldt with horse and man.

The Boer commander and those with gun and wagon worked well, bringing
their heavy guns to bear on the main advance; but they were not directed
at masses of men in column or line, but at a cloud of cavalry covering
the plain and mingled with the enemy's own flying horse, so that before
a second discharge could be belched forth from the two large guns which
were re-loaded, the Lancers, Hussars, and Volunteer Light Horse were
among the gunners, and it was every man for himself, _sauve qui peut_.

West and Ingleborough were so intent with their glasses, watching the
utter rout of the Boers, that they did not see a body of Lancers bearing
down upon them at a gallop, and the noise of the scattered firing kept
up by the Boers drowned the trampling of hoofs, till there was a shout
which made the two despatch-bearers start round in their saddles, to see
a dozen sun-browned, dust-covered Lancers galloping at them with weapons
levelled, headed by a young officer waving them on with his flashing
sword.

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