ese are friends."

Joeboy dropped into a peaceable attitude and stood scowling at the
horsemen who surrounded us.

"Now, sir," said the officer, "why don't you speak?"

"Because you called me a spy," I said.

"Well, that seems to be what you are, you young scoundrel. How many of
your friends are there up yonder?"

"I don't know," I said.

"Say `sir' when you speak to a gentleman," cried the officer angrily,
"and no nonsense. Speak out--the truth if you don't want to be shot."

"Of course I don't want to be shot," I said scornfully; "and I'm not in
the habit of telling lies."

"How many Boers are there, then, up in the pass?"

"I don't know," I said. "We crept by them in the dark."

"Why? To come and see what forces we had here?"

"No," I said.

"Then why did you come?"

"To get away from the Boers."

"Why did you want to get away from them?" cried the officer, gazing at
me searchingly.

I was so hot and indignant that I would not speak for some little time.

"I thought so. Making up a good story--eh? You've caught the first
spy, Lieutenant."

"No, sir, I think not," said the young officer.

"I think you have.--Now, sir," he continued, "if you wish to save your
skin, speak out. Why did you want to get away from the Boers?"

"Because I was commandoed," I said rather sulkily.

"Oh, then you were afraid to fight--eh?"

"No; but I was not going to fight my own countrymen."

"Oh!" said the officer, staring. "Here, tell me, how were you
summoned?"

I told him, and that the party was led by an Irishman named Moriarty.

"Ah! yes, I know him. Tall, handsome, dashing young Irish cavalier--
isn't he?"

"No," I said; "a middle-aged, bullying, ruffianly sort of a fellow, with
a red nose," I replied.

"Humph! Then where do you come from?"

"Cameldorn Farm."

"Eh? Hullo!" cried the young man who had captured me. "I say, take off
your hat."

"What for?" I asked.

"Because I want to look at you. How's that scratch you got on the arm
from the lioness?"

"What do you know about the scratch?" I said, leaning forward to look
the speaker full in the eyes.

"Why, only that I shot her. What's your name? Of course, Val."

"Mr Denham!" I cried in astonishment.

"That's your humble servant, sir."

"But you've got a beard now," I cried, holding out my hand. "Oh, I say,
I am glad to see you!"

"The same here, Val, my lad. I say, how you've grown! Here, Colonel,
it's all right. I