A scheme of salvation was taking vivid shape in his mind....
"My report of this occurrence will be that as soon as, say, three men dropped here, the rest of the troop got into a panic and made a bolt of it.

Say the Sergeant and myself remained.

We broke into the house and did for the old Boer, who, however, unfortunately did for the Sergeant.
Then I alone went out in search of my men and following their track found they had gone in a wrong direction, and eventually scented danger, which was confirmed by my meeting you, with your bloody tunic and your bloody tale." "But good God! sir," cried the man, "You'd be having me shot for running away.

I could tell a damned different story, Captain Boyce." "Who would believe you ?" The Cockney intelligence immediately appreciated the situation.

It also was ready for the alternative it guessed at the back of Boyce's mind.
"I know it's a mess, sir," he replied, with a straight look at Boyce.
"A mess for both of us, and, as I have said, I'll leave it to you, sir." "Very well," said Boyce.