CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
AT TANTE ANN'S.
It was growing dark before a suitable place presented itself, this being a typical Boer farm in a very desolate part of the veldt, the spot having been evidently chosen by its occupants on account of the tiny kopje and abundant supply of water welling out, besides being a perfect spot for the branch of farming the owner carried on, there being pen after pen of ostriches, the great foolish-looking large-eyed birds staring at the two horsemen wonderingly as they approached the door where the owner stood looking distant and glum, as he smoked his big pipe.
Yes, he said, he would sell them some provisions for themselves and corn for their horses if they had money to pay for what they wanted.
This was at once produced, and the farmer looked on after summoning a huge Kaffir to help with the horses and get out the corn; while his fat wife, after coming to the door to glare at the visitors, condescended to put on a kettle to prepare them tea, and see if there was a chicken that could be killed and broiled, and some eggs for frying.
There were several bits of consultation carried on by the husband and wife from time to time, and everything showed that the visitors were far from welcome.
"Never mind," said Ingleborough; "all we want is a good meal, and we shall be off in the morning as soon as it is light." "That shed with the iron roof is to be our bedroom, I suppose ?" said West.
"Yes, and we're lucky to get that and a few sacks." Just then the Boer came slowly sidling up, smoking hard the while, to know if they had seen anything of the war, and he seemed deeply interested on hearing that a skirmish had been going on not so many miles from his farm.
"Why are you two not fighting ?" he said suddenly.
"Because we don't want to," was West's smiling reply.
"But you are Englanders ?" said the Boer.
"Yes, but all Englanders don't want to fight," said West, while Ingleborough looked on, quite unmoved.
"Oh, don't tell, me!" said the Boer, shaking his head.

"They all want to fight and kill the Boers before robbing them of their homes and farms.

Don't tell me--I know!" He walked away to where the Kaffir was seeing to the horses, and West noticed that he took a good deal of notice of them, glanced two or three times in the direction of his visitors, and then ran his hands down their legs in a most professional way, narrowly escaping a kick from West's steed, before he walked thoughtfully back to his rough--looking house, into which he was careful not to allow his guests to enter.
"We're to share the stable with the nags," said Ingleborough; "but it doesn't matter.

Let's go and see how they are getting on," he continued, as the Boer disappeared indoors.

"We can't afford to have them fed on some of his lordship's refuse.