“He’s lying!” said Anson sharply. “Have them searched again!”
The Boer commandant nodded, gave the order, and half-a-dozen of his men came forward, after which the prisoners were ordered out of the wagon, and they let themselves down, when they were thoroughly searched from head to heel—of course, without result, and the Boer chief turned frowningly to Anson.
“They must have hid the letter somewhere about the wagon then!”
“Two of you get in and search!” said the commandant.
This was carefully carried out, and the men descended.
“Then they must have destroyed their message before you took them,” cried Anson, “or somehow since.”
“They were carefully searched as soon as they were taken,” observed one of the field-cornets.
“Yes,” said the commandant, “and I saw it done. Well, they will not carry any news to Mafeking. Tell them that the British are being swept into the sea east and south, and their rule is at an end. I want brave men who can ride and fight, so if they like to join the Federal forces and do their duty there will be a prosperous time for them. If they refuse there will be a long imprisonment, perhaps something worse.”
“Mr Anson, the renegade, need not trouble himself, sir,” said West quietly. “Neither my companion nor I will do as he has done.”
“You had better!” said Anson sneeringly. “It’s a grand chance for you now your characters are gone and the I.D. detectives are after you.”