st be near the Boers' laager where
we missed him."

"I was thinking something of the sort," said Dickenson. "Will you go
with me, James?"

"Will I go with you, sir?" cried the sergeant. "Wouldn't I go through
anything to try and get him back? You'll ask the colonel to name me,
sir?"

"If he gives consent," said Dickenson warmly. "He'll tell me to take
two or three men, and of course I shall pick you for one."

"Thankye, sir; and don't you be down-hearted. You're fagged now, sir,
with all we've done since we started, and that explosion gave you a
horrid shaking up. You go to your quarters, sir, as soon as the colonel
has given leave, and lie down--flat on your back, sir--and sleep till
it's time for starting. I'll have the others ready, and I'll rouse you
up, sir."

"Very well, sergeant," said the young officer. "I must own to being a
bit down."

As soon as the sergeant had left him, the young officer went to the
colonel's quarters and asked to see him.

"Come in, Dickenson," said the chief, and he held out his hand. "Thank
you, my lad," he said. "I've heard all about what you've done. Very
good indeed. I sha'n't forget it in my despatch, but when it will get
to headquarters is more than I can tell. I'm glad you have come. What
can I do for you?"

Dickenson stated his wishes, and the colonel looked grave.

"I don't know what to say, Dickenson," he replied. "It would be a very
risky task. I have scouts out, but I doubt whether they'll be able to
tell whether the enemy is still holding the kopje. If he is, you will
run a terrible risk. I've just lost one of my most promising young
officers; I can't spare another."

"I was afraid you would say so, sir. But Drew Lennox and I have always
been regular churns together, and it seems horrible to settle down
quietly here in safety and do nothing to try and find him."

"It does, my dear sir; but we soldiers have to make sacrifices in the
cause of duty."

"Yes, sir; but we've had a splendid bit of luck since last night. Can't
you strain a point?"

The colonel smiled.

"Well, it's hardly fair to call it luck, Dickenson," he said. "I think
some of it's due to good management. Eh?"

"Yes, sir; you are quite right."

"Well there, then, if you'll promise me to run no risks with the lads,
and return if you find the enemy still at the kopje, I'll give you leave
to take a sergeant and a couple of men and go."

Dickenson looked pleased and yet di