very much upon circumstances. I, for example, am a non-combatant, and
though I have little dread of infectious diseases, which many heroes
would shrink from risking contact with, I hold all lethal weapons in
strong dislike. And yet, if there were a barrel of beer in front,
though it were guarded by the best shots in Boer land, I would have a
fight for it."

"I should think you would!" cried Harry. "Beer! How can you be so
cruel as to mention the word?"

But though the Arab fusillade was almost innocuous, it harassed the
troops, keeping them on the alert all night. And when, with the first
streaks of dawn, the dreary march began, all traces of the foe had
disappeared. All the morning dragged along, till fatigue and the heat
of the sun compelled the mid-day halt. Then forward again till dark;
and no wells reached! Hardly a drop of water left for each man!
Several had dropped and died in the course of that day's march, and
several horses. The bugle bands, which had been so cheery in the start,
were silent now; the poor fellows were too parched to blow their
instruments. Even the tam-tams were silent. Not that either would have
been prudent, for though, doubtless, they were never lost sight of by
the enemy's scouts, there was no advantage in publishing their
whereabouts.

Harry was on outpost duty that night, and when the firing was renewed,
which happened soon after dark (though no enemy had been sighted all
day), he, not being hard pressed, would not withdraw his men. The stars
were very bright, and objects were distinguishable at about thirty yards
distance; perhaps further by Harry, who was particularly clear of
vision, that being the reason, possibly, of his fine shooting. The
Arabs got closer to the rocks, amongst which the outpost was situated,
with sentries at intervals connecting it with the square. Harry felt
savage with thirst, fatigue, and this aggravating annoyance, and was
strongly tempted to try and make an example. He took a rifle from one
of his men, and began stalking carefully in the direction of the
flashes; not directly towards them, of course, which would have been
trying to meet the bullets, but on the flank.

Crouching down under a sand ridge, he got pretty close, crawled a little
nearer on his hands and knees, and peered forwards. There was a flash
and a report quite near to him, and then Harry could plainly distinguish
the man kneeling up, withdrawing the old cartridge from his