"You are the bearer of this letter, Mr. Meyring, from my friend, Mr. Chambers?"
"Yes, sir, and of this also, which I did not care to give into any hands but your own."
Mr. von Rensburg took it a little surprised. The first had been so simple and matter-of-fact that he had not suspected for a moment that Yorke was not, as it stated, an employé at the mine. He looked scrutinizingly at Yorke when he had read the second letter.
"I will not ask who you are, Mr. Meyring, or whether that is your real name. It is just as well not to know more than I can help. I understand you want to cross into Cape3 Colony, and may be glad of my advice as to the best road to take. In the first place, may I ask how you came here—by rail?"
"No, sir, we drove. I have a friend with me, and it is open to us either to drive from this point, or, as we have two horses, to ride, or to go on foot, though naturally we would rather not adopt the last plan if it could be helped."
"That I can well understand," the other said with a smile; "and indeed it would be the worst method; it would be far more natural for you to be driving or riding than going on foot. Now, tell me exactly how you stand. You,[Pg 282] I see, are dressed as a young farmer in comfortable circumstances. How about your friend?"
"He is dressed as a farm-hand, sir; and I have also a Kaffir with me to look after the horses."
"Is your companion Dutch?"
"Yes, sir."
"You are not, I think. You speak Taal very well, but I fancy I can detect that it is not your own language."
"That is so," Yorke agreed; "but I am glad to say that you are the first person who has noticed it."
"I am not surprised at that, for you really speak it very well; it is more the tone of your voice than anything wrong in the language—or I may call it the dialect—that is noticeable."
"I have learned it partly from books, sir, but chiefly from conversing4 in it almost entirely5 for six months."
"You must have the knack6 of learning languages if you have picked it up so well in so short a time. You have only arrived here to-day, I suppose?"
"Yes, sir, half an hour ago."
"From Johannesburg?"
"You were, I suppose, intimate with Mr. Chambers?"
"I can scarcely say that I was intimate with him, but my man—for he is my servant as well as my friend—happened to overhear a plot to murder Mr. Chambers and loot his house, and he, with my Kaffir, Mr. Chambers and myself, gave the ruffians so warm a reception that there is not likely to be a repetition of the attempt."
"Were they a strong party?"
"There were twelve of them, and only two got away alive. The really dangerous part of the affair was that the three men in the house were also in the plot; but we had tied them up before the others arrived."
"That was a very thorough piece of business indeed," Mr. von Rensburg said, more warmly than he had spoken[Pg 283] before; "and I can well understand now that my friend Chambers should be anxious to aid you in any way. Will you tell me a little more about it? You are not, I suppose, pressed for time."
"It was a fortunate escape for Mr. Chambers. No doubt those scoundrels thought that he had money in the house. They would hardly have gone in such numbers if it had only been a question of ordinary robbery. And was your employment at the mine confined to this exploit?"
"Entirely, sir; but as the house stands on the mine property, Mr. Chambers said when he wrote the letter that he could say with a good conscience that I had been employed there."
"I have one question to ask: Are you personally known to anyone here? I mean, is there anyone whom you would be likely to meet who would recognize you?"
"No, sir, I don't think there is anyone here likely to have seen me before. And if there should be anyone, I am sure he would not know me in my present disguise."
"I asked the question," Mr. von Rensburg went on, "as in that case there is no occasion for me to make any instant decision as to the route you had better take. If there had been any danger of your being recognized I should say you had better start to-morrow morning early, but as it is, we can take our time about it."
"I am in no very pressing hurry, though I should be glad to be on the other side of the Orange River as soon as I can. I have already been away nearly seven weeks."
"I can guess pretty well who you are, Mr. Meyring," the other said with a smile, "though I don't want to know. I should certainly be glad if you would take up your residence here while you remain, but I think it is better that you should not. I am not very popular here at present, because I opposed the Free State taking part with the Transvaal. I[Pg 284] can call upon you at your hotel very well; because then, should there be any question, I can simply show the letter you first sent me in, and say that I know nothing more than that. I don't think it at all likely that any question will arise, and my coming to see you will be an advantage to you rather than otherwise, for it will show that you are not altogether an unknown person. I will this evening think over what people I know on the different roads, where parties of our men are stationed, and how you had best proceed."
"Thank you very much, sir. At what hour are you likely to call?"
"We will say ten o'clock. I will bring a good map I have with me—or, no, I had better merely call and ask for you, and then bring you here. It would look strange if you were to ask for a private room, and we certainly cannot talk that over in the public room. They will not know that you have been here to-night, and you had better send your man with this letter again in the morning. Tell him before the landlord, or anyone else, that he is to take the letter to me, and say that you have arrived, and will call upon me at any hour that is convenient in reference to the business."
This programme was carried out, and at ten o'clock Yorke was standing10 at the door of the hotel when Mr. von Rensburg came up. He went into the hotel without noticing Yorke, and said to the landlord: "You have a Mr. Meyring staying here, have you not?"
"Yes, sir; he was outside just now." He went to the door. "There he is, sir," he said, pointing to Yorke.
Mr. von Rensburg went up to him. "My name is von Rensburg, Mr. Meyring. I did not know when I should be disengaged, so did not send an answer to the letter you brought, but I am free now, and if you will come with me to my house, we will talk over the business you mentioned, and see which commando you had better join."
"Thank you, sir! I am naturally anxious to lose no time.[Pg 285] I should certainly prefer joining the force which is likely to be engaged soonest." The innkeeper and two other men lounging near heard what he said, and paid no further attention to them as they walked off.
Once in Mr. von Rensburg's parlour the latter said: "It will not be an easy matter to get through. The drifts are all guarded, both on the Orange River and the Riet. Of course the nearest way is through Petrusburg and Jacobsdal, but I put that out of the question. Then there is the road through Fauresmith and across the Orange at Zoutpans Drift, but that also is a long way round. I believe that as good a way as any would be to take the Boshof road across the Modder at Truters Drift. From there a road keeps along for three miles north of the Modder, and leads finally to Kimberley; it cuts the road from Boshof to Jacobsdal. But at that point there are strong forces to prevent the British from trying to make a detour11 that way. These are the names of the various commandos there, and at Jacobsdal, and at the drifts across the Orange.
"The safest way, though longer in miles, would be to go south to Bethulie, as if you were going to join the commando at Steynsburg, or better still, Colesberg. Once past Colesberg you would find no difficulty in making your way to De Aar. I could help you more that way than any other, because I could get a pass for you, and your horses, your servant, and the Kaffir, direct by rail to Colesberg; so that really you would not lose so much time as you might think, for from Colesberg to De Aar is not much more than half the distance that it is from here to Jacobsdal. The Philippolis commando is there."
"I know the country on the other side of the Seacow River," Yorke said, "and once past Colesberg could make my way easily enough. I would much rather choose that line. Once at De Aar I should not have much more than a hundred miles to ride to the Modder, even if I could not get up by train."
[Pg 286]
"Then I will see the officer in charge of the railway arrangements, and find out when a train is going down to Colesberg with ammunition12 and supplies, and if he is not taking any horses down, will get him to put on a truck for your animals. What do you mean to do with your cart?"
"Mr. Chambers said I could do anything I liked with it. It would only be in my way now, for the tracks beyond Colesberg west are as much as horses can manage. Besides, I should find it more difficult to get away from the town in a vehicle than on horseback."
"Well, if I were you I would speak to the innkeeper; he would be likely to know someone who would want to buy it. If not, you had better leave it with him, and tell him that you are so anxious to get to the front that you do not care about wasting time here looking about for a purchaser; and ask him to sell it for you, and to keep the money until you return for it. You must appear careful about it, for no Dutch farmer, however well off, would throw away the value of a good cart. You had therefore better ask him to write to you at the post-office, Colesberg, telling you what sum he has sold it for."
"As he knows that I have come here, sir, I might ask him to hand the money over to you, as you have kindly13 offered to remit14 it to me."
"Yes, it would be as well to seem as anxious as possible. When I come round this afternoon to tell you the result of my enquiries about the trains, I will look at the cart."
"It is a very good one, sir, of Cape Colony make, and it only wants repainting to appear quite new."
"In that case I will tell the innkeeper that if he does not know of anyone who will buy it at once, I will give you the sum he and I may value it at, and if at the end of a week he doesn't find a purchaser at that price, I will take it myself. A cart more or less makes but little difference, and you may as well have the money as let the innkeeper put it in his pocket."
[Pg 287]
"But the money ought to go back to Mr. Chambers, sir."
"It will be much more useful in your pocket than in his. He gave you the thing to do as you liked with, and certainly will not expect to be paid for it, and would be hurt rather than pleased at the money being sent to him. No doubt you will find uses for it."
The innkeeper, however, knew of a trader in the town who wanted a good cart, and the matter was arranged in a few minutes. There was a train going that evening, and with an order signed by the military secretary at Bloemfontein for Gert Meyring and Hans Bernard, both going to join the Philippolis commando at Colesberg, accompanied by a Kaffir boy, to travel by military train, they started that evening. It was an open truck, but as they had brought blankets and horse-rugs in the cart, for sleeping on the veldt, they preferred the night journey to being exposed to the scorching15 rays of the sun all day. It took some fifteen hours to cover the distance between Bloemfontein and Colesberg. After getting the horses out of the truck, they saddled them, slung16 their rifles and bandoliers over their shoulders, strapped17 the blankets behind the saddles, and then rode into the town, which was little more than a long single street extending along the bottom of a very narrow valley.
Peter had been most reluctant to leave his rifle behind him at Bloemfontein, and had been allowed to bring it, saying that if he were questioned he could say that it was a spare rifle belonging to Yorke. As it was notorious that in the battles of Graspan and Belmont many of the richer Boers had been attended by servants, who loaded spare rifles, and so enabled them to keep up a steady fire, Yorke had consented, as at the worst it could but be taken away for the use of some Boer with an inferior weapon, and he felt that the time might come when it would be well that Peter should be able to give efficient aid. A good many armed men were in the street, but they paid no attention to the new-comers. Yorke avoided the principal inn, where the field cornet of[Pg 288] the commando would probably have taken up his quarters, and alighted at another of less pretension18.
"Have you a room disengaged?" he asked the landlord on entering.
The landlord looked doubtful.
"I don't want to commandeer a room," Yorke went on; "I pay for what I have."
The landlord's face brightened. "Yes, I have a double-bedded room vacant."
"That will do, though I should have liked two single ones. My native boy will of course sleep in the stable with the horses. If you will show me my room he will carry up my spare rifle and blankets there. We shall want a meal at once, for we have but just arrived by train from Bloemfontein."
The meal was a good one, and after it was eaten Yorke went to the bar; the landlord was standing behind it. "I will pay for our meals as we have them," Yorke said, "and for the room for to-night. I don't know when I may be off, and I may be sent suddenly away, so that it is as well to keep things squared up. So please add the charge for the stable and food for the horses."
The landlord made out the bill, and when he had paid it Yorke said, "I should like to have a talk with you. It is difficult to get news at Bloemfontein as to what is going on down here, and as I have only just arrived, I am altogether ignorant as to the situation."
"If you will come into my parlour behind the bar I will tell you what I know."
"I dare say you have some good cigars?" Yorke asked when they were seated.
"Yes, but I don't sell many of them at present."
He took a box out of a cupboard, where it was hidden under some corks19 and dusters. Yorke took out two, handed one to the landlord and lighted the other himself.
"You are English, I see."
[Pg 289]
"Yes, we are mostly English here—worse luck just at present."
"I am English too," Yorke said, speaking for the first time in his own language.
The landlord looked at him in astonishment20. "I should never have thought it," he said. "You speak Dutch ever so much better than I do, and you look like a Boer all over."
"Yes, I am disguised. I have made my way down from Johannesburg, and I want to get through the Boer lines. That is what I want to talk to you about. Where are they now? First, tell me what has been done here."
"Well, on the 1st of November the Boers came in here, and had their own way for two months. Then on the 1st of January General French came up and surrounded the place, and there was fighting in the hills for two or three days; but the Boers captured a company of the Suffolks who attacked a hill outside the town, and they were afterwards reinforced so strongly that, after repulsing22 one attack, French retired23, and things have been quiet since. The English hold Molteno. A good many men have gone down that way."
"Do you know what commandos are here now?"
"They are principally Colonial rebels, some from the west and some from the south."
"You have the Philippolis commando here, have you not?"
"We had till yesterday, and then they were summoned to go to Steynsburg, for they say that one of our columns is advancing against Dordrecht."
"That is lucky, for my railway pass says that I am going to join that commando. Now that I find they are gone I cannot report myself, and therefore escape questioning. How many Boers are there in and around here?"
"From a thousand to twelve hundred."
"How have they been behaving?"
[Pg 290]
The landlord shrugged24 his shoulders. "They take pretty well what they want, and give bits of paper which they say will be paid when the war is over; they mean, out of the money they expect to get from our government as an indemnity25. Of course we don't look at it in that light, and only keep them in the hope that they will be a proof of the losses that we have suffered, and that our government will take them up when they finally thrash the Boers."
"And where are these twelve hundred men?"
"There are three or four hundred of them on the hills round the town. They have got some guns there, to keep us in order, as they say. Most of the others are wandering about in bands, and plundering26 the farms of the loyal settlers. I fancy they have some small parties out towards the west, keeping a sharp look-out lest a force should come this way from De Aar; but I think they trust chiefly to their getting news from the Dutch farmers between Hanover and the railway there."
"Then my best way, undoubtedly27, would be to cross the Seacow River either by the road leading north-west to Hopetown, or from that to Philipstown, or by the third road to Hanover. The north road is least likely to be watched, as any force from De Aar would certainly come either through Philipstown or through Hanover."
"You seem to know the country well," the landlord said in surprise.
"I do not know it on this side of the river; I know it pretty well on the other; and once across, I have little fear of being captured. Who is the field cornet in command?"
"Moens; he is in command of the party on the hills, and, I believe, generally of them all."
"It is as well to know, though I don't want to see him; but when I once get outside the circle of hills I can tell any Boers that I may fall in with that I am ordered by him to watch the banks of the river."
"How long do you mean to stay?" the landlord asked.
[Pg 291]
"It is two o'clock now," Yorke said; "I would rather not go till to-morrow. I should like to see a little of the country, and the horses have only had a day's rest after eight days' hard travelling, so I will go out into the town and see where the road I intend to go by leaves it. I shall want to buy some things for the journey, for I cannot reckon upon getting to De Aar in much less than three days."
"I will get you anything you want," the landlord said. "I have plenty of bread and meat in the house, and could put a couple of bottles of good wine into your saddle-bag."
"Thank you; that would be best, especially as I shall want the meat cooked. There are three of us, and as we sha'n't have much else, we can do with at least two pounds a day each, and about the same quantity of bread. We shall want a bag of mealies for the horses, they wouldn't pick up much on the veldt. I have got six water-bottles, which it will be as well to fill before we start, for we may cross the river in a hurry, and there is not much chance of finding water in any of the spruits. We have got tin mugs, and the only other thing we require is some tobacco; I forgot to lay in a supply at Bloemfontein. Can you pick up a pony28 for my Kaffir?"
Yorke now went out and joined Hans, who was waiting for him in the street. Looking carelessly at the shops as they went along, they made their way out of the town, and, having been directed by the innkeeper, struck off by the road they intended to follow without having to ask any questions. They went about half a mile and then returned, as it would have seemed unnatural29 for them to be seen walking farther.
"I think we know as much as we need about it now," Yorke said. "We may as well go back to the inn. It is quite evident that we are not likely to be asked any questions here, nor, indeed, as far as I can see, anywhere, unless we come upon an outpost."
They loitered about the streets for an hour. No one spoke8 to them, for the Boer force there was composed of men from various parts of the Colony, as well as from the Free State,[Pg 292] and as they were to a great extent unknown to each other, a fresh face excited no attention. Yorke on their return found the landlord had bought a stout30 pony for Peter. Half an hour later Peter ran into their room.
"Baas," he exclaimed, "there are three Boers looking at our horses. They say that one of them is stolen."
Yorke and Hans caught up their rifles and bandoliers and ran downstairs.
"I was rubbing them down, baas, in the yard when they came in, and one of them pointed31 to the brand on the horse you ride and said he knew it. Then they asked who was my master, and I said, 'Mr. Meyring'; and he said, 'I have reason to believe that this horse is stolen from a friend of mine. If he is in the inn tell him to come here.'"
The yard was at the back of the house, with a gate opening into a lane behind it. As they entered it Yorke started involuntarily, for he recognized in one of the men who was standing by his horse his old enemy Dirck Jansen; it had never occurred to him that, as Richmond lay but some eighty miles from Colesberg, this was the point Dirck would be most likely to make for as soon as it was seized by the men of the Free State. Fortunately Dirck's back was towards him and he did not notice the momentary32 pause.
"Where did you get this horse, sir?" Dirck asked authoritatively33.
"I am not accustomed to be questioned in that tone," Yorke said quietly. "I have had the horse for some months. I had it at Pretoria."
"It has been stolen," Dirck said angrily. "It belonged to a neighbour of mine near Richmond. I have seen him riding it, and I know well that he would never have sold it. I don't say that you stole it, I simply say that it was stolen; and unless you can prove to me that you came by it honestly, I shall take it."
"I am not in the habit of carrying receipts about me for months," Yorke said; "nor do I show them to the first[Pg 293] stranger who rudely asks for them. My man here can confirm what I say, that I have had the animal for more than six months."
The calmness with which Yorke answered him still further excited the passionate34 young Boer, and he turned suddenly upon Hans, on whose face there was a broad grin of amusement.
"You insolent35 young lout," he exclaimed, "how dare you laugh when your betters are talking!" and he brought down his heavy whip upon his head, knocking off his hat, and almost striking him to the ground. "Ah!" he exclaimed, as he saw his face plainly, "I know you now. You are the fellow who ran away from Allnutt's farm. Now I understand it. This no doubt is—" and he turned towards Yorke. But before the name was out of his lips, Yorke sprung at him, and with the same blow that had once before proved so effective, knocked him off his feet, his head striking heavily on the pavement of the yard.
His two companions raised a shout, and would have thrown themselves upon Yorke, but Peter, who had scarcely taken in the purport36 of the conversation, sprang upon one of them and grasped him by the throat. Hans had, as he recovered from the blow he had received, snatched his rifle from his shoulder, and grasping it by the muzzle37, met the other Boer with a sweeping38 stroke, which caught him on the temple, and prostrated39 him apparently40 lifeless on the ground.
"Hold that fellow tight, Peter," Yorke said sharply; "choke him if he struggles.
"Hans, fetch one of the picket41 ropes from the stable. Now, tie Dirck up, hand and foot, tightly, and shove my handkerchief into his mouth. That will do for the present; we will fasten him more securely afterwards. Now, help me to carry him into the stable. That is right. drop him down in this empty stall. Now another rope, and then we will tie the fellow Peter has hold of. Peter, slacken your hold a little, he is black in the face. Now, round his legs first, Hans.[Pg 294] That will do. Now, Peter, we will drag him into the stable; there is no fear of his shouting for a minute or two. Now, Hans, for your man; I rather fancy you have killed him. We can't help it whether you have or not. Now you can tie them more securely, and gag Dirck and Peter's man effectually. We need not trouble about the third; if he does come round, it won't be for a long time. Now we will drag them to the farthest stall, so that if anyone happens to look into the stable, he won't notice them unless he enters. Now, Hans, run upstairs and fetch down the blankets and things. You saddle the horses; I will look in and pay for the horse and other things the landlord has bought for us."
"You have got the things for which I asked you, landlord?"
"Yes, they are all in this basket."
"Thanks, I will pack them in my saddle-bags at once. I am off in a hurry. I have just been recognized by one of these Boers, and haven't a minute to lose. Let me know what I owe you altogether. I will pack these things while you are making out the account. Where is your Kaffir boy? he is not in the yard."
"I have sent him into the town on an errand."
"Well, when he returns, will you manage to send him somewhere else that will keep him from going to the stables for the next hour. I have a particular reason for wishing that no one shall enter them for at least that time. It is just as well that I should not tell you why."
The landlord nodded. "The best thing you can do, sir, is to lock the door and bring me the key, in case any Boers ride up and want to put their horses there. I may mislay it for a quarter of an hour. If they are only staying for a short time, they will probably content themselves with leaving the horses in the yard when they find they cannot get into the stables."
"Thank you very much. I think an hour will give us a[Pg 295] fair start, for at any rate we could not be overtaken before it gets dark."
Five minutes later Yorke and Hans rode out into the yard, followed by Peter, and were soon clear of the town. They now put their horses into a trot42, the native keeping eight or ten lengths behind. They slackened their pace a little as they passed between two hills, on which parties of Boers were posted. There was nothing unusual in their riding out to join the scouting43 parties, and no attention was paid to them. When well beyond this point, they again quickened their pace.
"It is a pity you did not kill Dirck, Master Yorke," Hans said; "he will always be a trouble."
"I could not kill him in cold blood, Hans; though, if it had been a fight, I should have done so without hesitation44. He has tried to kill me twice, and I should feel myself perfectly45 justified46 in taking his life. However, we can congratulate ourselves on having got out of that scrape so easily. If the alarm had been given, nothing could have saved us. You and I would have been denounced as spies, and shot without the semblance47 of a trial. We will endeavour to cross the river to-night, if we can get down to the bank without interruption. If we were to meet any party now, our story that we have just joined the commando, and have been sent by Moens on outpost duty to begin with, would do as long as we are posted on the river. But this would hardly be good enough if we cross, especially as we do not know whether any parties are beyond it; and as we may have a lot of them out in pursuit of us in half an hour, we cannot risk being detained. Besides, it will be quite dark by the time we get there, and naturally we should wait till morning before crossing the river. So we will go on till we believe we are about a mile from it, and then turn off, strike the river, and if it is too dark then to choose a place for crossing, wait till morning. But if we don't find the[Pg 296] banks too steep, we will swim the horses over. I sha'n't be comfortable until we are on the other side.
"We need not worry ourselves, but will let the horses go at their own pace, so as to be fresh if we are chased. Besides, if we are going at a leisurely48 pace, we shall not attract any particular attention should we be seen by the scouts49 on the neighbouring hills."
They went at a fast canter now.
"I am afraid that it is too light to go on," Yorke said, when he guessed that they were within three miles of the river. "We will turn off to the left, and when we get to a place where we cannot be seen from any of the hills, we will halt till it is nearly dark, then we will turn back, recross the road, and keep along on the north side of it. If anyone in search of us comes along and questions the Boer outposts, if they get any information at all, it will be that we were seen to turn off to the left of the road, and they will think that we intend to cross either by the Hanover Road, or that of Philipstown, or to swim the river between them. Of course that would be our natural line to De Aar, and it is at these points their scouts will be most vigilant50, for any hostile movement would come from De Aar, and not from the north road through Petrusville. This is so evident, that I have great doubts whether they would even place a guard at that crossing."
This plan was carried out. Recrossing the road after dark, they kept close to it, pausing and listening occasionally for the sound of horsemen.
"They have gone by other roads," Yorke said. "Now, Peter," he went on, "you have better ears than any of us, and your footsteps will not be heard. We will keep half a mile behind you, and will lead the horses. When you get near the river, you must go very cautiously, and find out whether there are any men on guard there. When you have discovered that, run back with the news. Of course, if no one is there, we shall come straight on and cross. If there[Pg 297] is a guard, we will turn to the right and strike the river a mile higher up, and cross if we can."
Peter at once set off at a run, the others following at a leisurely walk. In half an hour he rejoined them.
"No one is there, baas, and the water is low, and we can cross the drift easily enough."
"That is good. We will push on at once, then, for if those fellows in the stables were discovered soon after we left, we may have a party in pursuit of us along this road, as well as the others, even now."
They mounted and went on at a trot to the river. It was of some width, but it was not too deep for the horses to ford51. They had gone a quarter of a mile on the other side, when Peter said, "Listen, master, horses coming." They drew rein21, and sat listening for two or three minutes. They could hear nothing. Then there was a low sound, which rapidly increased in volume until it came to an abrupt52 halt. Then on the still night air they could hear a volley of execrations.
"They have reached the river. We only had ten minutes to spare," Yorke said. "I don't think they will pursue us any farther, as they cannot be sure that we have come by this road, though they must have learned from the men on the hills that we started for it; but we might easily have crossed to the Philippolis side after we got out of sight. At any rate, they know that they would have no chance of catching54 us to-night, as we should only have to move two or three hundred yards off the road to be well out of sight. Now, Peter, tear up one of the blankets and muffle55 the horses' feet; they could hear us a long way off in the stillness."
"I will do that, baas; but they too angry and talk too much to hear us."
"That is likely enough, Peter; but there is nothing like being on the safe side."
Five minutes sufficed to muffle the feet of the horses, and then they continued their journey, keeping on the road, sometimes going at a trot, and sometimes walking, until they[Pg 298] had covered, they calculated, some twenty miles from the river. Then they moved off a few hundred yards, opened the saddle-bags, and had a good meal, gave the horses a feed of mealies, and lay down for the night. They were on the move again at daybreak. Yorke had decided56 to go on as far as the little stream called the Hondebloss, where they could give the horses a drink and fill up the water-bottles, which they had not had time to do before leaving, though fortunately they had watered their horses at the small stream that runs through Colesberg. It was possible that there might be a Boer force at Petrusville, and therefore he determined57 to strike due west from the river for Potfontein Siding. The distance was too far to be traversed in a day, without the risk of knocking up the horses. Consequently they camped out on the veldt that night, and arrived at the little railway-station the next morning.
Here they found a company of militia58, whose officer at first regarded them with some suspicion. Yorke had, however, that morning stowed away his wig59 as before, and Hans had cut off the long fringe of hair under his straw-hat, and on stripping off his coat and flannel60 shirt, Yorke showed the khaki uniform underneath61, with shoulder-strap with the badges showing the number of his corps62. The story, too, that he had escaped from Pretoria was recognized to be true.
"You will have to ride up to the Modder, there is no getting into a train here. Troops are passing up every day. I suppose you know that Lord Roberts has now arrived to take the command. He reached Cape Town on the 10th of January. Lord Kitchener came with him as chief of his staff. We expect them to come through in a few days. Our troops have been pouring up fast. No doubt there will be a forward movement directly he arrives. It is a frightful63 nuisance being stuck down here guarding the line. So you have come down from Pretoria? How did you manage to get away?"
"It is a long story," Yorke replied. "I shall have time[Pg 299] to give it to you at full length presently. As Lord Roberts has not yet come up, I shall give my horses a couple of days' rest. They have made a tremendous journey. We drove from Pretoria to Bloemfontein, averaging nearly fifty miles a day, got a lift in the train down to Colesberg, and have come from there in two days."
"They certainly deserve a rest then before going ninety miles from here to the Modder."
"I wish I could get a lift in a train. Our horses have done very heavy work lately. We should have three days' ride of thirty miles each to the Modder; it would be much pleasanter for us to be able to go by train than have to ride all the way."
"I am afraid I cannot manage that," the officer said. "Quantities of stores are going up, and lots of Kaffirs accompany them to help handle them and do heavy work. If you had been on foot, of course you could have gone, but we have no empty trucks we could put on for the horses. And now I suppose you are hungry. We have nothing but bully64 beef to offer you. There is no getting up stores at present, and we have none but our rations53."
"Thank you. I breakfasted before starting. I have some five or six pounds of excellent cold beef, which I hope you will join me in eating. I have also a couple of bottles of wine and a tin of biscuits."
"That is reversing the usual order of things," the officer laughed. "However, we are not men to stand on ceremony. At any rate, we will add your fare to ours."
An hour later Yorke sat down to a meal with the three officers of the detachment; and he then related the story of his escape from Pretoria, and, without alluding65 to the treasure, told how Hans had overheard the plot to attack the house of the English president of one of the mines, and how they had defeated it.
"You may well say that your man is a good fellow, and that native of yours also. Your servant is eating his supper[Pg 300] now with the non-commissioned officers, and by the laughter, I have no doubt he is giving them his account of his adventures."
The next two days were spent quietly in resting the horses, and with good feeding they were again fit for travel. On the following morning they mounted early and rode to Orange River Station. Yorke was hospitably66 entertained by one of the officers of a regiment67 stationed there, while Hans and Peter were equally well looked after. Two days afterwards they rode into the camp on the Modder River.
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1
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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knack
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| n.诀窍，做事情的灵巧的，便利的方法 | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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detour
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| n.绕行的路，迂回路；v.迂回，绕道 | |
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12
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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13
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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14
remit
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| v.汇款，汇寄；豁免（债务），免除（处罚等） | |
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15
scorching
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| adj. 灼热的 | |
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16
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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17
strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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18
pretension
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| n.要求；自命，自称；自负 | |
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corks
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| n.脐梅衣；软木( cork的名词复数 )；软木塞 | |
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20
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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21
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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22
repulsing
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| v.击退( repulse的现在分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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23
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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indemnity
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| n.赔偿，赔款，补偿金 | |
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plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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authoritatively
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| 命令式地，有权威地，可信地 | |
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34
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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35
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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37
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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38
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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39
prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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40
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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41
picket
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| n.纠察队；警戒哨；v.设置纠察线；布置警卫 | |
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42
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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43
scouting
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| 守候活动，童子军的活动 | |
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44
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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45
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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46
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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47
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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48
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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49
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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50
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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51
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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52
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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53
rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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54
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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55
muffle
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| v.围裹；抑制；发低沉的声音 | |
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56
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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57
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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58
militia
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| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
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59
wig
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| n.假发 | |
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60
flannel
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| n.法兰绒；法兰绒衣服 | |
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61
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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62
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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63
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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64
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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65
alluding
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| 提及，暗指( allude的现在分词 ) | |
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66
hospitably
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| 亲切地，招待周到地，善于款待地 | |
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67
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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