For I was more hopeful now, as it soon became evident that the enemy had twice as far to come as our men had.

At last, when the mental strain had become almost unbearable, Denham and his troop dashed forward, cheering madly.
"Bravo! bravo, Val!" he shouted to me, pulling his horse up so suddenly that it nearly went back on its haunches.

"Here, you, Joeboy, keep the teams going.

Fall in, my lads! Dismount!" The troop sprang from their saddles, swung round their rifles, and waited.

In obedience to Denham's next order I followed the last wagon, rifle in hand.