CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
AFTER A REST.
West started up into wakefulness the next morning from a dream in which he was galloping for his life with the Boers in full pursuit, and then he sighed and wondered when and how he had dropped asleep, for he could only recall being miserable, awake, and puzzled as to what to do, and then all seemed to have become blank till he was awakened by his captors' busy stir and the crackling of the fires being lighted.
West's first steps were to see to his companion, who did not seem to have moved, and the first feeling was one of satisfaction; but directly afterwards he felt uneasy, for Ingleborough seemed to be unnaturally still, and a shiver ran through him as he leaned over where his friend lay on the floor of the wagon, to place a hand upon the injured man's forehead below the bandage which made him look so ghastly.
Then came reaction as it was proved that the sufferer had only been in a deep sound sleep.
For Ingleborough's eyes opened, to gaze at him wonderingly.
"What's the matter?
Oh, it's you, Noll!" "Yes; you startled me!" "Eh?
What did I do ?" "You lay so still!" "Did I?
Oh, of course.

I've been very fast asleep, I suppose.

What time it is--nearly sundown ?" "No, it's morning--sunrise." "I'm blessed! What, have I slept all night ?" West nodded and smiled.
"Soundly, I suppose!" he said.

"But how are you ?" "Horribly stupid and muddled! I don't quite make out! Oh yes, I do now.

I came down such a quelch that it knocked all the sense out of me, and my head feels all knocked on one side.