Part 56 (2/2)
”Well,” said West, ”what did our officer say?”
”Laughed at him, and told him that if they were so very anxious to fire at targets we would arrange b.u.t.ts for them with a series of mantlets and a good supply of the Bisley Running Deer. But that wasn't the best of it,” said Ingleborough, laughing; ”what do you think the fellow said?”
”I don't know,” said West, who was watching the evolutions of a couple of the Light Horse Volunteer regiments and as many of the Lancers, for, tired of the plodding life of keeping with the tremendous baggage train for a whole week, the two friends had ridden out in advance over a wide open series of rolling downs covered with dry scrubby growth, parched to greyness by the torrid sun.
Ingleborough laughed heartily for a few moments.
”There they go,” he said, pointing to the leading troop of the Hussar regiment as it disappeared over a ridge about a mile in advance. ”Let's make for that wave-like place.”
”Very well,” said West; ”I suppose we shall be safe there!”
”Safe enough, of course, for our men have swept it clear! Forward! How the ponies enjoy a gallop! But I didn't tell you what the miserable ruffian said.”
”No,” cried West, enjoying the motion as much as the ponies. ”This is delightful after all that slow walking; but we had better turn back when we have seen what those fellows are about! Now, what did the Boer say?”
”Said he had always heard we were cowards at Majuba; now he knew for himself.”
”The insolent hound!” cried West. ”What did our officer say?”
”That it was lucky for the Boer that he was a prisoner, for if he had been free he would have tasted a flogging from the flat of a sabre. But hullo! where are our men?” cried Ingleborough, as they reached the crown of the low ridge and looked down at a strip of open veldt, beyond which was another ridge.
”Gone over there!” said West quietly. ”They must have galloped!”
”Shall we follow, and come back with them?” said Ingleborough.
”We may as well,” was the reply; ”they must be trying to cut off some of the Boers.”
”Or going in for a charge to scatter them, for we want no more prisoners. Come on, then; I should like to see the charge!”
The ponies seemed to share their desire, for, answering a slight pressure on their flanks, they spread out and went down the slight slope like greyhounds, avoiding as if by instinct the holes and stones with which the veldt was dotted away in front.
”Steady, steady!” cried West. ”We don't want to overdo it!”
”Of course not,” shouted Ingleborough; ”but my word, what delicious air, and what a place for a gallop! I should like to see a herd of antelope appear on that ridge to the left. I should be obliged to go after them; we might get one for the officers' mess.”
”There they are, then!” cried West.
”Where?” said Ingleborough.
”Coming over that continuation of the ridge a mile away to the left.
No: mounted men! Ingle, old chap,” cried West excitedly, ”they're the party our men have cut off! They've headed them, and they're trying to escape by this opening!”
”By jingo! No!” cried Ingleborough. ”Our men have gone off to the right, I believe, and those Boers have seen us. Noll, old fellow, we've come a bit too far. Steady! Right turn! Now off and away, or somebody else will be cut off or shot; perhaps both of us, for we're in for it once more.”
”Oh no,” said West coolly; ”be steady, and we'll show the Boers how English fellows ride!”
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