officer, and halted the second half, who stood dismounted and covered by their horses, to reply to the enemy’s fire.
Instead of checking the shots, our reply seemed only to increase them; but we had the satisfaction of knowing that the fire was concentrated upon us, and that Lieutenant Denham and his bearer were running no risk of being brought down. This was kept up for fully ten minutes, during which our friends had got some distance. Then the order was given to mount; and, giving our horses their heads, we went in single file clattering along the stone-strewn and often slippery track, followed by a scattered shower of bullets, horribly badly aimed, for we had taken our enemies by surprise.
We could not go very fast; but the pace was fast enough to overtake our companions soon, who formed up under the best cover they could find, leaving us room to pass and ride on to where Joeboy trudged manfully on, and then draw rein and walk our horses, listening to the pattering of the Doppers’ bullets and the steady and regular reply of our men.
“Has he moved or spoken, Joeboy?” I said anxiously as I rode alongside.
“Um!” replied Joeboy.
“’Fraid he gone dead, Boss Val.”
“No, no!” I said, laying my hand against Denham’s neck. “I believe he is only stunned. Are you getting tired?”
“Um!” growled the great black. It seemed wonderful what expression he could put into that one ejaculation, which sounded now as if he were saying, “Tired? No: I could go on like this till dark.”
I said no more, but fell back into my place, where I found the next man eager enough to talk.