ehind, like a sandy desert, whose soft surface
completely muffled the hoofs. Once in a while there was a faint
rustling as the horses brushed through a patch of thick bush or the
yellow-flowered thorn; but not a stone was kicked away or sent forth a
sharp metallic sound. So quiet was it that Denham turned to me and
whispered:

"Who'd ever think there were four hundred of our fellows on the march
behind us?"

"And somewhere about twelve or fifteen hundred of the enemy in a circle
round about."

"Yes; but they're standing still," he said. "Think your Joeboy will
make them out?"

"I'm sure of it," I said.

"That's right. Then in a few minutes we shall be at them with a rush.
I don't like this fighting in the dark."

"It will be a shout, a rush, and we shall cut our way right through," I
said.

"Perhaps; but don't you cut, young fellow. If you come at any one there
in front, you give point; don't waste time in cutting. I say, Val; if I
don't get through, and you can get to where I'm found--"

"What are you talking about?" I whispered sharply.

"About my will," he said quietly. "I leave you my watch and my sword."

"And I'll leave you my rifle and Sandho. He's a splendid fellow to go."

"Stuff and nonsense!" said Denham, interrupting me. "You won't be
hurt."

"That's more than you know," I said peevishly, for his words upset me;
and when he went on I made no reply. Even if I had replied I should not
have been able to finish my speech, for Joeboy now came up at a long
loping run. He caught at Denham's bridle, checking the horse, while
Sandho and the three troopers on my right stopped short, and the whole
line of horsemen suddenly halted.

"What is it?" said Denham.

"Doppies all along," said Joeboy. "All this way; all that way," he
continued, gesticulating.

"How far?" I whispered.

Joeboy shook his head, and seemed to feel puzzled how to answer the
question. At last he raised his face and whispered, as he pointed
forward:

"Far as two sojers over dah," he said, "and far again."

"Twice as far as the advance-guard," I interpreted his words to mean.

At that moment the Colonel rode up, and Denham repeated the black's
words.

"That's right," he said in a low tone, with his face turned so that as
many of the troop as possible should hear. "Lieutenant Denham, I shall
not alter our formation. Your orders are, `Forward' at a walk, and as
silently as if the horses were grazing, till the a