y to follow its
predecessors.

"That roof sound?" said the Boer, pointing up at the corrugated iron
sheeting.

"Oh yes, that's all right," said the sergeant.

"Good," said the Boer. "Pity to let rain come through on grain like
that. Make it swell and shoot."

The first wagon was emptied and the second begun, the Boers working
splendidly till it was nearly emptied; and then the cornet turned to
Captain Roby.

"Don't you want some left out," he said, "to use at once?"

"Yes," said the captain; "leave out six, and we'll hand them over to the
bakers and cooks."

Three of the white-tied and three of the black-tied sacks were selected
by the field-cornet, who told his men to shoulder them, and they were
borne off at once to the iron-roofed hut which was used as a store.
Then the wagons being emptied, they were drawn on one side, and the
captain turned to consult Lennox about what hut was to be apportioned to
the Boers for quarters.

"Why not make them take to the wagons?" said Dickenson.

"Not a bad notion," replied Captain Roby; and just at that moment, well
buttoned up in their greatcoats--for the night was cold--the colonel and
major came round.

"Where are you going to quarter these men, Roby?" said the former.

"Mr Dickenson here, sir, has just suggested that they shall keep to
their wagons."

"Of course," said the colonel; "couldn't be better. They'll be well
under observation, major--eh?"

"Yes," said that officer shortly; and it was announced to the
field-cornet that his party were to make these their quarters.

This was received with a smile of satisfaction, the Boers dividing into
two parties, each going to a wagon quite as a matter of course, and
taking a bag from where it hung.

Ten minutes later they had dipped as much fresh water as they required
from the barrels that swung beneath, and were seated, knife in hand,
eating the provisions they had brought with them, while when the colonel
and major came round again it was to find the lanterns out, the Dutchmen
in their movable quarters, some smoking, others giving loud announcement
that they were asleep, and close at hand and with all well under
observation a couple of sentries marching up and down.

"I think they're honest," said the colonel as the two officers walked
away.

"I'm beginning to think so too," was the reply.

A short time before, Lennox and his companion had also taken a farewell
glance at the bearers of so valuable an adj