we started. Come
along."

Within half an hour they were mounted and off on their perilous journey,
passing outpost after outpost and having to make good use of their pass,
till, just as it was getting dusk, they parted from an officer who rode
out with them towards the Boers' encircling lines.

"There," he said, "you've got the enemy before you, and you'd better
give me your pass."

"Why?" said West sharply.

"Because it has been a source of protection so far: the next time you
are challenged it will be a danger."

"Of course," said Ingleborough. "Give it up, Oliver."

"Or destroy it," said the officer carelessly: "either will do."

"Thanks for the advice," said West, and they shook hands and parted, the
officer riding back to join his men.

"You made him huffy by being suspicious," said Ingleborough.

"I'm sorry, but one can't help being suspicious of everything and
everybody at a time like this. What do you say about destroying the
Commandant's pass?"

"I'm divided in my opinion."

"So am I," said West. "One moment I think it best: the next I am for
keeping it in case we fall into the hands of some of our own party. On
the whole, I think we had better keep it and hide it. Let's keep it
till we are in danger."

"Chance it?" said Ingleborough laconically. "Very well; only don't
leave it till it is too late."

"I'll mind," said West, and, as they rode out over the open veldt and
into the gloom of the falling night, they kept a sharp look-out till
they had to trust more to their ears for notice of danger, taking care
to speak only in a whisper, knowing as they did that at any moment they
might receive a challenge from the foe.

"What are you doing?" said Ingleborough suddenly, after trying to make
out what his companion was doing. "Not going to eat yet, surely?"

"No--only preparing for the time when I must. Look here."

"Too dark," said Ingleborough, leaning towards his companion.

"Very well, then, I'll tell you: I'm making a sandwich."

"Absurd! What for?"

"I'll tell you. You can't see, but this is what I'm doing. I've two
slices of bread here, and I'm putting between them something that is not
good food for Boers. That's it. I've doubled the pass in half, and
stuck it between two slices. If we have the bad luck to be taken
prisoners I shall be very hungry, and begin eating the sandwich and the
pass. I don't suppose it will do me any harm."

"Capital idea," said Ingleborough,