“You’ve got something better among you!” said Ingleborough, joining in the laugh which rose among the men.
“Have we? What?”
“There are four heavy guns yonder, and a tremendous wagon train.”
At that moment trumpet after trumpet rang out, and the men burst into a wild cheer, for the mounted Boers were scattering in all directions, flying for their lives, and it was plain enough that a tremendous blow had been inflicted upon a very strong force, the capture of the convoy being complete, and those in charge who had not succeeded in reaching their horses readily throwing down their arms.
“We’ll, we’ve whipped!” said the young officer of Lancers, taking off his helmet to wipe his streaming face. “They can’t find fault with us at home for this, my lads! Here, open out; we must join in driving these ragged rascals back on the centre. Here, you two,” he cried, turning to West and his companion, “I must take you both in to my chief, for I don’t know that I ought to take your bare word.”
“Well, I don’t think there’s much of the Dopper about either of us.”
“No,” said the officer, “but the Boers have got the scum of Europe and America with them, and you may be two little bits.”
“Want our rifles?” said West coolly.
“No; but don’t try to bolt, either of you: it would be dangerous. My boys are rather handy with the lance!”
“So I see!” said West, glancing at the points glistening at the tops of the bamboo shafts, several of which looked unpleasantly red.