ng overhead.

The trumpet rang out, and we wheeled round as upon a pivot, our
well-drilled horses never losing their formation; and away we went as
soon as we were facing our loosely-formed, mob-like pursuers, straight
for their centre.

The trumpet again rang out; and, sword in hand, every man sat well down
in his saddle, prepared for the shock of the encounter which in another
minute would have taken place.

This, however, was not the style of fighting the Boers liked; and,
already upset by the collision of the two bodies resulting in a confused
mob, they declined our challenge, and pulled up, tried to ride off to
right and left, and again got themselves into a disorderly crowd; but as
they opened out we dashed through them, tumbling over men and horses,
and with, a cheer galloped to reach an open part of the plain.

It was a wild and exciting rush before we got through; and I have but
little recollection of what took place beyond the fact that I struck out
right and left in melee after melee, wherein blows were aimed at us with
the butts and barrels of rifles, and shots fired at close quarters, but
in almost every case I believe without effect. Then the call rang out,
"Halt!" and, with our enemies at a distance, we formed up again, to give
our panting horses breathing-time.

It was then, I remember, that Denham--who had not been missed--almost
breathless, and with uncovered head, edged in to my side, and as soon as
he was able to speak panted out:

"Glorious, Val! Glorious! Oh! we did let them have it; but there's
nothing for it except to die game or surrender, and I'll be hanged if
I'll do either, and so I tell them."

"Which way are we going now?" I said, taking off my soft hat and
offering it to him, as I wiped the perspiration from my face with my
hand.

"Do you want to insult a fellow?" he cried, laughing. "Who's going to
wear your old hats?" Then, seriously: "No, no; keep it, old chap.
Which way next? Who knows? I'm sure the Colonel doesn't. It's all
chance. I don't like running; but run we must if they'll only open a
hole for us."

"It's horrible," I said.

"Not a bit of it. They're getting it worse than we are."

"Yes; but look at their numbers."

"I've been looking, old fellow, and there's more than I can count. I
didn't think there were so many Doppies in the country. There are too
many for us to kill, and so many that they won't run away. Why, we're
nowhere. Yah! Cowards! T