ll be fired before we start, so that the wind will keep
them going."

"What about the powder?" said Dickenson gruffly. "That is all together.
There are three wagons wheeled down into the shelter of the rock, so
that the blast will not reach the fire."

"It'll blow it right up," growled Dickenson.

"No," said the major; "the rocks will deflect it upwards. I've seen to
that."

"Couldn't we make the mules carry off the wagons? All three ambulances
will not be wanted."

"My dear boy, you mean well," said the major impatiently; "but pray be
content with taking your orders. Edwards and I have thought all that
out. The fire will not go near the wounded Boers, and the explosion
will not touch the fire. As to carrying off these wagon-loads of
cartridges that will not fit our rifles or guns, what is the use? Now,
are you satisfied?"

"Quite, sir," said Dickenson. "I was only thinking that--"

"Don't think _that_, man; obey orders."

"Right, sir," said Dickenson stiffly, and he went off to look up
Sergeant James. "Hang him!" growled the young officer. "It doesn't
seem to be my work. Making a confounded powder-monkey of a fellow!"

He glanced up, and saw that the men were busy on high with the
field-glass, but making no sign. Then he noted that the ambulance, with
its escort, was coming on fast; and soon, after a little inquiry, he
came upon the sergeant, busy with the men, every one with his rifle
slung, linking wagons together with tent-cloth poles and wood boxes and
barrels so that the conflagration might be sure to spread when once it
was started, to which end the men worked with a will; but they did not
hesitate to cram their wallets and pockets with eatables in any form
they came across.

"Make a pretty good bonfire when it's started, sir," said the sergeant.

"Humph! Yes," said Dickenson. "But what are those two barrels?"

"Paraffin, sir, for the beggars' lamps."

"Well," said Dickenson grimly, "wouldn't it help the fire if you opened
them, knocked in their heads, and bucketed out the spirit to fling it
over the wagon-tilts?"

The men who heard his words gave a cheer, and without orders seized the
casks, rolled them right to the end where the fire was to be started,
drove in the heads with an axe, and for the next quarter of an hour two
of the corporals were busy ladling out the spirit and flinging it all
over three of the wagons and everything else inflammable that was near.

"Now pack the p