hers that, in case of any untoward event
again happening, they would be in a better position for making their
escape.

General Newdigate's columns were encamped at Landmann's Drift; the
cavalry, under General Marshall, was also there. The march was
altogether without incident.

Some days passed quietly, when a small party of horse made an expedition
to Isandula; they reported that nearly a hundred waggons were still
standing upon the field of battle. On the 17th of May, three days
later, the rumour ran through the camp that the cavalry were to start on
the 19th, to bury the dead and bring away the waggons. The Army Service
Corps and waggons were to accompany the party, which was to consist of
the Dragoon Guards and Lancers, with a party of native mounted scouts.

In the afternoon of the 18th the two boys went to Colonel Marshall's
tent; they waited patiently until he came out, accompanied by two or
three other officers.

"We have come to ask, sir, if you will allow us to go with your column.
We are in charge of waggons here, but they are not going. We were at
the battle, and saw the whole thing, and were taken prisoners afterwards
and carried to Umbelleni's kraal, where we were liberated when Colonel
Wood's cavalry attacked the Zlobani hill. We are well mounted, sir, and
are good shots; so, if you will let us go, we could keep with the scouts
and not be in your way."

"How did you see the fight?" General Marshall asked.

"We had gone up to the top of the hill, sir, before it began, and
fortunately the natives did not notice us."

"Oh, yes, you can go," the general said. "Probably you can give us a
better account of the action than any one else, as others who escaped
were occupied by their own business, and could not mark the general
progress of the battle. So you were taken prisoners! Well, I am going
out now, but if you will call in this evening at about half-past eight,
I shall be glad to have a talk with you."

In the evening the boys called upon the general, one of the most popular
and dashing officers in the service. Three or four of his staff were
there, and all listened with great interest to the boys' account of
their adventures.

"You seem to have plenty of pluck and coolness, youngsters," the general
said, when they had finished. "In future you need not trouble to ask
for permission to accompany me whenever the cavalry go out, providing we
have natives mounted with us; you must go as recr