"Would you mind having them bridled and saddled, sir ?" The order was given, and, after a good deal of trouble and narrowly escaping being kicked, the Kaffirs brought the pair selected up to where the despatch-riders were standing with the director.
Ingleborough smiled, and then bade the two Kaffirs to stand on the far side of the ponies, which began to resent the Kaffirs' flank movements by sidling up towards the two young men.
"Ready ?" said Ingleborough, in a low, sharp tone.
"Yes." "Mount!" They both sprang into their saddles, to the intense astonishment of the ponies, one of which made a bound and dashed off round the enclosure at full speed, while the other, upon which West was mounted, reared straight up, and, preserving its balance upon its hind legs, kept on snorting, while it sparred out with its fore hoofs as if striking at some imaginary enemy, till the rider brought his hand down heavily upon the restive beast's neck.

The blow acted like magic, for the pony dropped on all-fours directly, gave itself a shake as if to rid itself of saddle and rider, and then uttered a loud neigh which brought its galloping companion alongside.
"Humph!" ejaculated their new friend; "I needn't trouble myself about your being able to manage your horses, my lads.

Will these do ?" "Splendidly, sir," cried West.
"There they are, then, at your service!" And, after a few directions to the Kaffirs about having them ready when wanted, the party left the enclosure and separated with a few friendly words, the despatch-bearers making once more for the Commandant's quarters to report what they had done so far, and to obtain a pass which would ensure them a ready passage through the lines and by the outposts.
They were soon ushered into the Commandant's presence, and he nodded his satisfaction with the report of their proceedings before taking up a pen and writing a few lines upon an official sheet of paper.
"That will clear you both going and returning," said he, folding and handing the permit.

"Now then, when do you start ?" "Directly, sir," said Ingleborough, who was the one addressed.
"No," said the Commandant.

"You must wait a few hours.