e within the mines.

Then came the day of relief, and with it the feeling that a long night
of misery and despair had ended; and that night West and Ingleborough
grasped hands, the former's pale sallow face lighting up with something
of his old look, as he exclaimed: "Now, if the General would only march
in with his prisoners, and bring Anson before us face to face!"

Everything, the proverb says, comes to the man who waits, and certainly
it was so here, for the day did come when the General rode in at the
head of his dashing cavalry brigade, and, what was more, with the
prisoners, and with them Anson, very much reduced in weight.

There was something more than mere eagerness to be freed from an
accusation which led the two young men down to the General's camp next
morning to wait until they could see him in their turn.

On their way they sought out the sergeant who had had Anson under his
charge, and he grinned at them in recognition.

"You were about right, gentlemen," he said, "about that prisoner."

"What about him?" said West eagerly.

"About his being an Englishman. I've seen a lot of him along with the
other prisoners, and he's as English as can be. Piet Retif! Why, he's
got James Anson written on the tails of his shirts--that is, what he's
got left."

"But look here, sergeant," said Ingleborough anxiously: "what about his
wagon?"

"Oh, that's all right, sir! Loaded up."

"Has he had the run of it?"

"Not he, sir. He wanted to, but I only let him get some under-toggery,
shirts and such. I couldn't refuse him that!"

"Did he go alone?"

"Yes, sir."

"Quite?"

"Well, not quite, sir, because I was with him."

"Hah!" sighed Ingleborough, in a tone full of relief.

"I've stuck to him, by the General's orders, ever since. Like a leech,
sir," said the sergeant, in conclusion--"like a leech."

The cavalry General welcomed the young men warmly, and, as it happened,
the same four officers were with him, ready to join in the greeting.

"I never expected to see you two fellows again," said one of them,
laughing. "I was out with my men when you were cut off. Why, you must
have had a very narrow escape!"

"Of course," said the General, laughing; "but that has been the fashion:
we have all had narrow escapes. Well, you got safely in with your
despatch?"

"We got in with our despatch, sir!" said West rather grimly, "but not
safely;" and he briefly told their adventures.

"Bravo! Well done!