t my head, and that feels hot
and scorched. Can you see anything wrong?"

"Not yet; it's so dark. Here, let's take you to the doctor."

"No, no!" cried Lennox. "Not so bad as that. But tell me--what about
the officers sleeping in those huts?"

"All right, I believe; but the backs of the houses are blown in, and the
fellows at home were blown right out of their beds."

"No one hurt?"

"Oh yes; some of them are a bit hurt, but only bruised. But you? Oh,
hang it all! somebody bring a light. Hi, there, a lantern!"

"No, no!" roared the colonel out of the darkness. "Are you mad? Who's
that asking for a light?"

"Mr Dickenson, sir."

"Bah! Keep every light away. There may be another explosion."

The colonel gave a few sharp orders respecting being on the alert for an
expected attack to follow this attempt--one that he felt to have been
arranged to throw the little camp into confusion; and with all lights
out, and a wide berth given to the neighbourhood of the headquarters,
the troops stood ready to receive the on-coming Boers with fixed
bayonets.

But an hour passed away, and the doubled outposts and those sent out to
scout had nothing to report, while all remained dark and silent in the
neighbourhood of the damaged huts.

Meanwhile Dickenson had hurried Lennox and the sergeant off to the
doctor's quarters, where they were examined by that gentleman and his
aids.

"Well, upon my word, you ought to congratulate yourself, Lennox."

"I do, sir," was the reply, made calmly enough.

"And you too, sergeant."

"Yes, sir," said the man stolidly.

"Why, my good fellow, you ought to have been blown all to pieces."

"Ought I, sir?"

"Of course you ought. It's a wonderful escape."

"Oh, I don't know, sir. What about my back hair, sir?"

"Singed off, what there was of it; and yours too, Lennox. Smart much?"

"Oh yes, horribly," said the latter.

"Oh, well, that will soon pass off. Threw yourselves down on your
faces--eh?"

"No. We were knocked down."

"Good thing too," said the doctor. "Saved your eyes, and the hair about
them. A wonderful escape, upon my word. Yes: you ought to have been
blown to atoms.--Eh? What's that, sergeant?"

"I say we should have been, sir, if we hadn't scattered the
powder-bags."

"Scattered the powder-bags?" said a voice from the door, and the colonel
stepped into the circle of light spread by the doctor's lamp. "Tell me
what you know about this explosion,