But I wish I could turn your coat too--out of the wagon." "Why not ?" said West, as a thought occurred to him, and running to the other end of the vehicle, stripping off his jacket as he did so, he thrust out his head and called to the sentry whose duty it was to guard against any attempt to escape.
"What is it ?" said the man quietly.
"Take my coat and hang it on the rocks yonder," he said.

"I've been sleeping in it night after night, and it's all fusty and damp.

Out yonder, right in the sun." The request was so simple and reasonable that the man nodded, took the jacket, and was turning to go away.
"Don't let anyone meddle with it," said West; "it's my only one, and I don't want a Kaffir to carry it off." "He'd better not try!" said the Boer, with a meaning laugh, and he bore the jacket right away to where the sun was beating hotly upon the rock, where the next minute the garment was spread out.
"Talk about me having a ready wit in an emergency!" said Ingleborough merrily; "why, I'm a baby to you, West, my son! There: I'm proud of you." "Oh, but the risk!" whispered the young man.

"That precious garment lying carelessly yonder!" "Carelessly?
That's just the way to keep it safe.

Who'd ever think of examining the coat lying out there ?" "The first man who goes near it!" "The first rogue, and he'd only feel in the pockets.