“Don’t let’s talk at all then. Let’s get well into shelter. But I see no sign of water yet.”
Neither did the speaker after they had carefully explored the rocky hillock, but fortunately there was an ample supply of succulent grass for the ponies, which were soon after luxuriating in a good roll, before grazing contentedly away, while their riders, after another examination of the place and glance round from the highest point, had to satisfy themselves with a very scanty shelter and a much scantier meal.
“Never mind,” said Ingleborough; “we shall be breakfasting in luxury to-morrow morning, I hope, with our appetites sharpened by the knowledge that we have achieved our task.”
“I hope so!” said West gravely.
“But don’t doubt, my lad,” cried Ingleborough cheerily. “Don’t be downhearted now we are so near!”
“I can’t help it!” replied West. “I feel on thorns, and my state of anxiety will grow worse and worse till we get there. Hark at the firing!”
“I can hear,” said Ingleborough coolly. “Be very deaf if I couldn’t! There, that’s the last scrap of cake, so let’s drown our troubles in sleep. You have first turn!”
“No,” replied West. “I feel too anxious to sleep! You begin.”
“Can’t,” was the reply. “If anything, I feel more anxious than you do. I couldn’t rest!”
“I wish we could canter gently on till we were seen by the Boers, and then go on full gallop right into the town!” said West. “Would it be too dangerous?”