“Yes, sir.”
“Good,” he cried, looking me over, “and you ride him well. We’re the Light Horse. I’m the Colonel, at your service, and I accept you at once as a recruit.”
“You can go through the swearing-in business some other time, Val,” said the Lieutenant. “Now then, are the Boers in force and coming down the pass?”
I told him all I knew, and the Colonel laughed.
“You’ve seen a sentry and heard a few shots fired, my lad,” he said. “Why, you’re not worth calling a spy.”
“Am I one of the Light Horse now, sir?” I said eagerly.
“Certainly.”
“Then send me back up to the Nek, and I’ll try and prove myself a better one.”
“I’ll send you up, sir,” said the Colonel stiffly, “with a vidette, to feel for the enemy and try to draw him out; but we don’t call members of the Light Horse spies. If you go on such an adventure it will be a reconnaissance.”
I felt humbled, and was silent.