Part 63 (1/2)
”Yes, sir.”
”Quite?”
”Well, not quite, sir, because I was with him.”
”Hah!” sighed Ingleborough, in a tone full of relief.
”I've stuck to him, by the General's orders, ever since. Like a leech, sir,” said the sergeant, in conclusion--”like a leech.”
The cavalry General welcomed the young men warmly, and, as it happened, the same four officers were with him, ready to join in the greeting.
”I never expected to see you two fellows again,” said one of them, laughing. ”I was out with my men when you were cut off. Why, you must have had a very narrow escape!”
”Of course,” said the General, laughing; ”but that has been the fas.h.i.+on: we have all had narrow escapes. Well, you got safely in with your despatch?”
”We got in with our despatch, sir!” said West rather grimly, ”but not safely;” and he briefly told their adventures.
”Bravo! Well done!” was chorussed.
”Why, you two will have to join the regulars!” said the General. ”We can't have men like you for volunteers! Think it over, and, if you decide to join, come to me, and I'll see what I can do! Now then, don't want to be rude; but I have no time for ordinary visitors. You sent word in that you wanted to see me on important business. What is it?”
”You speak,” said Ingleborough, and West began.
”We want to know about the prisoner taken that day, sir--the man who said he was a Boer.”
”I remember,” cried the General. ”I have him safe.”
”When is he to be tried, sir?”
”Can't say; he will be handed over to the authorities who see to such things now. You said he was a renegade who had joined the Boers.”
”Yes, sir, after being charged with illicit-diamond-dealing with the Kaffirs working at the great Kimberley mines; and we want you to give orders for the wagon he had with him to be searched.”
”His wagon searched?” cried the General. ”How am I to know which wagon he had?”
”The sergeant knows where it is, sir,” replied West; ”and we could recognise it directly.”
”But why do you want it searched--what for?”
”For diamonds, sir, that he brought away from Kimberley, and which you have brought back.”
”H'm! Diamonds, eh? This sounds interesting!” said the General. ”You think he has some there?”
”We both believe he has, sir, and of great value.”
”What do you say, gentlemen?”
”Oh, let's have the search made by all means!” cried one of the officers, laughing. ”It may mean salvage and loot, and all sorts of good things!”
”Very well! Take the matter up, and I'll see the search made! Let the prisoner be present, of course. I'll be ready in half-an-hour.”