ed by a
patch of bush thicker than usual, those on either side halted so as to
keep touch, and in this way the first half-mile was passed, the only
sound they heard being the neighing of a horse somewhere in front.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

THE ADVANCE.

The horse's neigh was hailed with satisfaction by the officers, for it
proved that they were going right; and soon after, this idea was
endorsed and there was no more doubt as to their being aiming exactly,
for right in front the darkness seemed to be intensified, and the
advancing party could dimly see the rugged outline of the kopje marked
against the sky.

Lennox drew a deep breath full of relief, for from what he could see
there would be no terrible blundering and fighting their way up
precipitous tracks, as the Boers' stronghold was nothing more than a
vast mound, easy of ascent; though he did not doubt for a moment but
that wherever the ground was fairly level the lower part would be
strengthened by breastworks and row after row of wagons, from behind
which the Boers would fire.

The advancing force tramped on as silently as ever, in spite of the
impediments in their way; but there was no alarm, no scout sitting
statue-like upon his active, wiry Basuto pony, and farther on no
bandolier-belted sentry, rifle in hand, shouted the alarm. They might
have been approaching a deserted camp for all the hindrance they met
with.

It seemed to Lennox, just as others expressed it later on, that it was
too good to be true, and the young officer's heart beat fast as,
revolver in one hand, sword in the other, he stepped lightly on,
prepared for a furious volley from the Boer rifles, being quite certain
in his own mind that they must be going right into an ambush.

But no--all was safe: and they were so near that at any moment the
bugles might sound, to be followed by the rousing cheer of the men in
their dashing charge.

Suddenly there was a pause, and a thrill ran along the line, for there
was something in the way not five yards from Lennox's position in the
line.

"A sentry!" was whispered, and the line advanced again, for a burgher
was lying across the way, fast asleep, and giving warning thereof
through the nose--sleeping so hard that the men stepped right over him,
he as unconscious as they were that other sentries were failing as much
in their wearisome duty and being passed.

"It must be now," thought Lennox, as he could dimly make out, spreading
to right