"Have you any horses at the farmstead just ahead?" asked the stranger. "This is a part of Christian Uys's commando, and we want a few Boer ponies badly."
"You said Boer ponies?" said Pat interrogatively.
"I spoke plainly enough, I think," answered the Boer. "We are in need of a few horses, which the British Government will pay for. We will give a receipt for them."
"The master has some grand nags," said Pat, "but av course he will want payment for them. Can you pay on the nail?"
The Boer, who was not by any means a bad-looking man of about fifty, laughed outright at Pat's insouciance.
The Irishman went on: "Will the paper hould good if the master lets you have them?"
"When the vierkeleur flies over the whole of South Africa, your master will be paid in good gold, and that will be before many months are over," replied the Boer.
"And if the master does not care to part with the animals?" inquired Pat.
"We'll take them, of course," replied the Boer. "We are tired of bloodshed, but we have won the day; the rooineks can't deny that fact. You see the burghers behind me? Well, we are some of the fellows who cut up your crack regiments at Sanna's Post."
"Then I may return an' tell the master that you'll pay for the nags?" asked Pat.