ounts keeping so close together that the
riders' legs nearly touched, and the brave little animals taking stride
for stride and needing no guidance, the best management being to give
them their heads and perfect freedom to avoid all the obstacles which
came in their way in the shape of rock, bush, and the perilous holes
burrowed in the soil by the South African representatives of our
rabbits.

Once settled down in their saddles, with the opening in the Boer net
straight before them, the fugitives had no difficulty in carrying on a
conversation, and this ensued in the calmest matter-of-fact way
concerning the predicament in which they had landed themselves.

"It's very awkward, Noll!" said Ingleborough.

"But, to use your favourite argument, it seems all for the best,"
replied West. "We can easily reach the open ground yonder before the
enemy, and then ride right away."

"If," said Ingleborough.

"If they don't stop when they find us likely to go through the horns of
the dilemma they have prepared for us."

"And lie down and begin shooting?"

"Exactly! Their bullets will go faster than our ponies!"

"Yes, but we shall put them at full speed, and they will find it hard to
hit us at a gallop."

"I hope so!" said Ingleborough. "My word! How they are coming on!"

"Yes; but they will not get within five hundred yards of us!" cried West
excitedly.

And so it proved, for as the horns of the partly-finished circle drew
nearer, that nearness proved to be nearly a thousand yards from point to
point, while half-way between, and with their ponies racing over the
ground stretched out like greyhounds, the two despatch-riders dashed
through, forcing the enemy to alter their course as they were left
behind.

"That's done it!" cried West joyously. "Now then for Kimberley; it
can't be very far away!"

"Sit close!" cried Ingleborough. "They'll fire now if they can do so
without hitting their friends."

West glanced back to his right, and saw the truth of his companion's
words, for the next minute the firing was commenced on both sides, the
bullets coming over their heads with their peculiar buzzing sound, and
the dusty soil being struck up here and there as the fugitives tore
along.

"This will put their shooting to the test!" cried West, leaning forward
to pat his pony's neck.

"Yes; it will puzzle the best of them!" replied Ingleborough. "I'm not
afraid of their marksmen, but I am of the flukes. However, we'