that day was passed in gathering in the
wagons, disarming the prisoners, and making all secure in the laager,
which was now formed about a spruit that offered an ample supply of good
fresh water.

The capture proved to be far greater than was at first surmised, for in
addition to the four heavy guns with their wagons and special
ammunition, scores of the great lumbering Dutch wagons were full of
rifles and cartridges. Besides these, there was an ample supply of
ordinary stores, and, in addition to the many spans of oxen, hundreds of
captured horses and several flocks of sheep.

By night all was made secure in the great camp, and the despatch-riders
were made welcome at the mess presided over by the cavalry General, who
with his staff eagerly listened to the adventurers' account of their
journey, and to their report of the state of beleaguered Mafeking.

That night the pair slept in peace in the well-guarded camp after
debating about their continuance of their journey the next morning.

But when morning came the General demurred to letting them go.

"You must wait a day longer," he said, "until my boys have done more, to
clear the way, for your road must be full of revengeful Boers, the
remains of the force we defeated yesterday, and I am certain that
neither you nor your despatch would reach Kimberley if I let you go!"

"We are very anxious to be off, sir," said West, in a disappointed tone.

"And I am very anxious that the Kimberley people should have your good
news, my lad," said the general, smiling, "and the news too of how we
have taken the guns and stores meant to be used against Mafeking; but,
as I have told you before, I don't want the news you are to carry to be
found somewhere on the veldt, perhaps a year hence, along with some rags
and two brave young fellows' bones."

"Thank you, sir," said West quietly; "but when do you think we might
continue our journey?"

"That depends on the reports I get in from the men still away in
pursuit."

The men in camp were in high glee, for they had been struggling hard for
weeks to get to conclusions with the enemy, but without success, while
now their highest expectations had been more than fulfilled; but there
was plenty of sorrow to balance the joy, many poor fellows having met
their end, while the number of injured in the hospital ambulances and
tents made up a heavy list.

West and Ingleborough saw much of this, and spent no little time in
trying to soften