But I say, wouldn't it be better for us to go together to the horses, and hide by them or under them till the Boers muster ?" "But suppose the sentry takes it into his head to come and examine the wagon, and gives the alarm ?" "Oh, don't suppose anything!" said Ingleborough impatiently.

"We must chance a good deal and leave the rest to luck." West nodded, and fixed his eyes upon the wagon he had previously singled out, noticing that the Boers who occupied it were lying right beneath, sleeping, each with a rolled-up blanket for a rug.
A little later he saw a big heavy-looking Kaffir come up, look underneath at the sleepers, and then go off for a short distance, to lie down upon his chest, doubling his arms before him so as to make a resting-place for his forehead, and lying so perfectly motionless that it became evident that he also was asleep.
The evening was closing in fast now, and the men began to move about more as if making preparations for some excursion which they had in view.
"That looks well!" said Ingleborough.

"There's going to be some movement to-night.

All was so still half-an-hour ago that I began to think we should have to put off our attempt." "Oh, don't say that!" said West.

"We _must_ go!" Further conversation was checked by the coming of the sentry to look in upon them, scowling heavily before he slouched away.
Ten minutes or so later the darkness began to fall, increasing so fast that within half-an-hour the laager would have been quite black if it had not been for a lantern inside a wagon here and there; but, in spite of the darkness, the camp began to grow more animated, a buzz of conversation seeming to rise from the wagons like the busy hum of the insects outside.
All at once, as Ingleborough was going to draw his companion's attention to this fact, he felt a hand steal along his arm to grip his hand.