“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 fashion: 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.”