"Confound their humour! It's the humour of tom-cats playin' with a—a dashed little silly dicky-bird. It's the humour of aasvogels watchin' a shot rock-rabbit kick. It's the humour of the battledore and the shuttlecock. And I'm the dicky-bird's mate and the bunny's better-half, and the other shuttlecock of the pair, and may I be blessed if I can take it smilin'!" He mops his scarlet and dripping face, and puffs and blows like a large military walrus on dry land.
"Perhaps you'll manage a smile when you've read this?"
Bingo stops in his stride, wheels, and receives an official document on blue paper. Under the date of the previous day, it runs as follows:
"Head Laager,
"Tweipans,
"January —th.
"To the Colonel Commanding the British Forces in
Gueldersdorp.
"Sir,—In reply to your communication I am instructed by General Brounckers to inform you that our prisoner, the Englishwoman who came here in the character of a German drummer's refugee-widow to act as your spy, will be exchanged for a free Boer of the Transvaal Republic, by name, Myjnheer W. Slabberts, who is at present confined under the Yellow Flag in Gueldersdorp gaol. The exchange will be effected by parties under the White Flag at a given point North-East between the lines of investment and defence one hour before Kerk-time to-morrow, being the Sabbath.
"I have the honour to be yours truly,
"P. Blinders,
"Acting-Secretary to General
"Brounckers."
"P.S.—The young lady of German extraction who accompanied the Englishwoman has entered into an engagement to remain here.
"P. B."