es if help doesn't come soon."

Bob Dickenson made no further reply, but lay gazing with one eye along
the barrel of his rifle; for as his comrade spoke it suddenly occurred
to him that the top of the grey block of granite looked a little
different, but in what way he could not have explained. He noted, too,
that there was a tiny flash of light such as might have been thrown off
a bright crystal of feldspar, and without pause now he held his rifle
more firmly, laid the sight upon the flashing light, and the next moment
he would have pulled the trigger. But ere he could tighten his finger
upon the little curved piece of steel within the guard of his piece,
there was a flash, a puff of smoke, and a sensation as if a wasp had
whizzed by his ear. He did not move, only waited while one might have
counted ten, and then tightened his grasp.

"Bah!" he ejaculated as the little puff of smoke rose slowly, "how this
rifle kicks! Humph!" as the smoke cleared rapidly as soon as it rose
enough for the wind to catch it, "I was right after all."

"Hit?" asked Lennox.

"Yes; and just in time, for we should have been in an awkward place
directly."

"Yes; and I'm afraid we shall be all the same," said Lennox. "Try if
you can do any good at a couple of fellows across yonder. I can't touch
them from where I lie, and if I move I shall shoot no more."

Dickenson turned from where he was gazing hard at the top of the granite
block, the appearance of which was now completely changed; for the Boer
who, in accordance with what the young officer had anticipated, had sent
so dangerous a bullet whizzing by his ear, had suddenly sprung up,
fallen forward, and now lay there with outstretched hands still
clutching his rifle, which rested upon the ground in front.

"Mind me firing over you?" said the young officer.

"No; but give me a hint first."

"All right. I shall have to--Stop a moment," he growled softly as a
puff of smoke spurted up and another bullet came dangerously near.
"That's the worst fellow, isn't he?"

"One's as bad as the other. Lie close."

"Can't lie any closer, old man. Skin seems to be growing to the rock as
it is."

_Crack_!

There was another shot, the puff of smoke rising from close alongside
the former one which Dickenson had seen.

"I say," he cried, "which of us are they firing at?"

"Both, I expect," said Lennox. "They're sheltered by the same rock; one
fires from one side, the other from the seco