"there'll be
plenty of fighting by-and-by. I'd no idea you were going to develop
into such a fire-eater."

"Fire-eater? Absurd! I only feel deeply interested in all we are
doing."

"That's right, Noll! So do we all; but let's have no rashness.
Remember all the drill and discipline. That's where we shall be able to
tell against the enemy. They can use their rifles well enough; but they
are an undisciplined mob at the best. By the way, have you run against
the flute-player lately?"

"No, but I met the people with whom he lodges yesterday. They knew me
again, and came up as if wanting to speak."

"What about?"

"Oh, they began by talking about the war and asking me whether I thought
it would last long."

"To which you said _No_, eh?"

"I only said that I hoped not, and then they volunteered the information
that they believed Anson was going to leave the town for the south."

"Indeed?" said Ingleborough sharply. "What made them think that?"

"Because their lodger had packed up all his little belongings and had
bought a wagon and a span of oxen, which he kept just outside."

"Well, he'll lose them if he doesn't look out. He'll find himself
between two fires. Either the oxen will be seized for stores, or the
Boers will cut them off. The fellow must be either desperate or mad."

"In a fright, I should say," said West. "I don't think he would stomach
the fighting."

"Oh, it's all nonsense! The report this evening was that the Boers are
closing round us fast. He'll be stopped by one side or the other.
Norton ought to know of this, though."

"I daresay he does know already," said West; "for he told me the other
day that he was keeping his eye on our friend."

"So he did," said Ingleborough thoughtfully. "He has some idea of
catching him trying to communicate with the enemy. If he does, Master
Simon will not get off so easily as he did over the diamond business.
Well, I'm tired, and I shall go to bed. Let's sleep while we can.
There's no knowing what a day will bring forth!"

"You are right," said West. "You think we shall really come to close
quarters?"

"Yes, and very close quarters too. I've expected it before now."

Nothing happens so surely as the unexpected, someone once said; and it
was so the very next day.

Military drill was, as intimated, constantly going on; but that next
morning there was a larger gathering than usual, the principal part of
the regulars being drawn up in lin