expect," said Ingleborough. "Who are
these with this next lot of wagons? Non-combatants, I suppose!"

"Yes; drivers of the provision wagons and traders," replied West. "Why,
that's the man we saw going up out of the spruit."

"Yes," said Ingleborough, and as he spoke West noted that the man who
had been seated at the front of one of the wagons suddenly turned his
back and walked round to the other side.

West turned to Ingleborough.

Ingleborough turned to West.

They stood looking enquiringly in each other's eyes for a few moments
before the latter said suddenly:

"Which way will you go?"

"Left," said Ingleborough.

"And I'll go right."

They started at once, walking towards the wagon that had taken their
attention, Ingleborough making for the front where the man had
disappeared, and which necessitated passing the team of bullocks
crouching down to ruminate over the fodder that had been cut for them,
while West hurried round by the rear, the young men timing themselves so
exactly that they met after seeing a pair of stout legs disappear
between the fore and hind wheels of the wagon where the man they sought
to face had dived under.

Quick as thought, West and Ingleborough separated and ran back lightly
and quickly, this time to come upon the man they sought just as he was
getting heavily upon his legs again, evidently in the belief that he had
not been recognised.

He was thoroughly roused up to his position, though, by Ingleborough's
heavy hand coming down upon his shoulder and hoisting him round to face
the pair.

"Hallo, Anson!" cried Ingleborough banteringly; "this is a pleasant
surprise!" while West's eyes flashed as he literally glared in the
cowardly scoundrel's face, which underwent a curious change as he
glanced from one to the other, his fat heavy features lending themselves
to the dissimulation, as he growled out slowly: "Don't understand."

"What!" cried Ingleborough, in the same bantering tone; "don't you know
this gentleman--Mr Oliver West?"

"Don't understand!" was the reply, and directly after: "Goodnight,
Englishmen; I'm going to sleep!"

The next moment the heavy-looking fellow had turned his back again,
stepped to the front part of the wagon, and sprawled over part of the
wood-work as he tried to draw himself on to the chest before getting
inside.

But Ingleborough was a strong man, and he proved it, for, stepping
behind the man, he caught him by the collar of his jacket an