y Kaffir spies."

CHAPTER TWELVE.

THE BOER ADVANCE.

The scouting parties went out in three different directions after a long
survey from the top of the kopje, the routes being marked out for the
leaders in consultation with the colonel, who, glass in hand, selected
the most likely routes to be followed so that the enemy might be
avoided, and the more distant country reached where two or three Boer
farms were known to be situated.

Then, with three of the best mounted men in each, they set off; and the
colonel took especial care that no one of the many friendly--said to be
friendly--natives who hung about the camp should follow. It was a
necessary precaution, for the outposts stopped no less than a dozen men
stealing through the long grass on both sides of the river, and, to
their great disappointment, turned them back to go and squat down
sulkily in such shade as they could find.

The instructions given were that at the latest the scouts were to be
back at sundown, so as to give ample time for pointing out the route to
be followed and preparations made for the raid to come.

Plenty of discussion ensued when the scouts had ridden off at a walk,
opening out so as not to take the attention of the Boers; and as far as
could be made out by the watchers there was not a sign of an enemy upon
either of the hills.

The question of the discussion was which company of the regiment would
be called upon to start upon the raid, the members of each hoping to be
selected; and Captain Roby maintaining loudly, in a sharp, snappish way,
that without doubt his company would be chosen, and turning fiercely
upon any of his brother officers who differed from him.

"He's precious cock-sure, Drew," said Dickenson later on, as they
strolled together up the steep sides of the kopje; "but we had our bit
of work this morning, and it is not likely that the old man will send
us."

"Of course not; but it was of no use to say anything. Our failure has
had a strange effect upon the poor fellow, and a word would act upon him
like fire upon tinder."

"Yes; but the starvation picnic has had its effect on other people too.
Who's he that he should have the monopoly of getting into a passion
about nothing? I say, though, as we were up there this morning I don't
see what is the use of our going up again; there'll be no shade at the
top, and we shall be half-roasted."

"Don't come, then," said Lennox quietly. "I'm going up to see if I ca