Part 12 (1/2)

Nothing happens so surely as the unexpected, someone once said; and it was so the very next day.

Military drill was, as intimated, constantly going on; but that next morning there was a larger gathering than usual, the princ.i.p.al part of the regulars being drawn up in lines with the volunteer defenders--in all, a goodly show.

It was to some extent a general inspection; but after it was over the men were formed up as three sides of a hollow square, and the Colonel in command addressed the men, complimenting them upon their behaviour, and then giving them the contents in a great measure of the despatches he had received from headquarters, in combination with the reports of the scouts and from the outposts. He concluded by saying that in a few hours they would, in all probability, be completely shut off from communication with the south, for the Boers were closing round them in great force, and that until they were relieved they would be called upon to hold Kimberley, making a brave defence to save so important a town from falling into the hands of the invader.

Here he was stopped by a tremendous burst of cheering, which hindered him from saying, as he intended, that they must be of good heart and full of trust that the General in command would soon send help.

But the enthusiastic cheering taught the Commandant plainly that the men before him needed no ”heartening up,” and he smiled with satisfaction as he felt convinced that every call he made upon them would be answered.

What followed was short and to the point. He thanked them, made a few remarks about his determination that no Boers should drag the British flag from where it fluttered, told the garrison that he was proud to say that they had an ample supply of provisions and military stores, and that the Boers had only to make their first attack to find how they had deceived themselves about the British surrender at Majuba Hill.

Here there was another deafening burst of cheers.

Finally he made a fresh allusion to the well-known town farther north which was being surrounded by the enemy even as they were being shut in there.

”It will be a race,” he said, ”between us as to which town will first beat the Boers off; and the victors will then have the glorious task of going to the relief of the others.”

After this the regulars were marched off to their quarters, leaving the volunteers standing fast; and the Commandant now summoned their officers to his side.

As it happened, this was within a few yards of the spot where West and Ingleborough were drawn up in the line, and every word the Commandant spoke came to them clear and plain.

”I have another little business to speak about, gentlemen,” he said, ”in connection with a second despatch which was enclosed to me this morning within my own. It is a letter of instructions I am ordered to convey to our brave brother-in-arms now in command at Mafeking; and, on thinking the matter over, I concluded that it would be unwise to select one of my own men to carry that despatch, from their want of knowledge of the country and people, and far better to apply to you gentlemen to recommend to me a thoroughly trustworthy man or two, who, regardless of all obstacles, would carry the despatch, bringing to bear force or cunning so as to evade the enemy's scouts, for the road is sure to swarm with them, even if it is not occupied by the Boers in force. It is possible, too, that Mafeking may be completely invested when he or they reach its neighbourhood; but I must have a despatch-rider who will look upon even that as a trifle to be overcome or crossed, and who will not rest until the despatch is safely placed in Colonel Baden-Powell's hands. Let me be fully understood: I want messengers who will be ready to fight if necessary or fly if needs be, but only to rebound and try in another direction--in short, men who will b.u.t.ton up this despatch and say: 'It shall be placed in Baden-Powell's hands by hook or crook as soon as a swift horse can cover the ground.' This is what I want, and it is urgent, or it would not be placed in my hands to deliver with such stern commands. It means life or death to hundreds, if not thousands.

So now then, whom do you know that will, with the a.s.sistance of a brave comrade, risk his life and carry my despatch?”

A dead silence, which lasted many seconds, fell upon the group, but at last the volunteer Colonel spoke out.

”I am not prepared to name anyone, sir,” he said, ”and I flinch from sending any man in my regiment upon so terribly perilous a journey, for it means almost to a certainty being shot down, for the bearer of the despatch will be bound to hurry on and pay no heed to challenges to stop.”

”Certainly,” said the Commandant, frowning; ”but surely--”

”One moment, sir; I was about to say that the fairest way would be to call for volunteers, and then select the two most likely men.”

”Well,” said the Commandant, ”do that then, and let the men fully understand that it is a most dangerous task. Mind, too, that he must be a good and a rather reckless rider, able to bear fatigue, and above all determined to do this thing for the honour of his country and the saving of his brother men.--Yes, my lad, what is it?”

For West, whose face had flushed deeply and whose blood tingled in his veins, had taken four steps forward out of the ranks, and now stood with his hand raised to the salute.

”Give me the despatch, sir,” he said. ”I'll take it.”

”You?” cried the Commandant wonderingly, as his eyes ran over the speaker. ”You are very young. But are you a good rider?”

”I think I can ride anything well enough, sir.”

”Splendid rider,” said a deep voice, and Ingleborough strode to the young man's side. ”He'll do it, sir, if any man can; and I'll go with him to help him in the task if you'll give me orders.”

”Hah!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the Commandant. ”Yes, I know you, Mr Ingleborough.

You belong to the police?”

”Oh no, sir; I am only on friendly terms with the superintendent, and have been on expeditions with him.”