This time I did not hear him make a sound, and I could, of course, do nothing but lie still, feeling in my utter misery that all was over, and that I could only lie there till near daybreak, waiting to be found again by Joeboy, and waiting in vain.
Then I would have to run the gauntlet of the outposts, and make a desperate effort to return, shamefaced and miserable, to the camp.
I tried hard to fix my attention on listening and endeavouring to make out how near I was to the Boer lines; but I could not hear a sound.
Again and again I fretted at my miserable position as the time glided away and there was no sign of Joeboy.
"I should have stopped him," I reflected.

"I ought not to have let him take the lead." Just then, however, my heart seemed to give a great jump; for without a sound the black was alongside again, touching my leg, and then gliding up till his lips were level with my ear.
"Boss Val 'sleep--um ?" "Asleep!" I whispered back indignantly.

"No." "Um!" he whispered.

"Joeboy been very long way.

No wagon there.