“No, but I met the people with whom he lodges yesterday. They knew me again, and came up as if wanting to speak.”
“What about?”
“Oh, they began by talking about the war and asking me whether I thought it would last long.”
“To which you said No, eh?”
“I only said that I hoped not, and then they volunteered the information that they believed Anson was going to leave the town for the south.”
“Indeed?” said Ingleborough sharply. “What made them think that?”
“Because their lodger had packed up all his little belongings and had bought a wagon and a span of oxen, which he kept just outside.”
“Well, he’ll lose them if he doesn’t look out. He’ll find himself between two fires. Either the oxen will be seized for stores, or the Boers will cut them off. The fellow must be either desperate or mad.”
“In a fright, I should say,” said West. “I don’t think he would stomach the fighting.”
“Oh, it’s all nonsense! The report this evening was that the Boers are closing round us fast. He’ll be stopped by one side or the other. Norton ought to know of this, though.”