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Then in the distance I heard the sound of trotting horses coming along at right angles towards us; and as it occurred to me that the patrol would come into contact with us about the middle of our long line, I began to wonder whether Joeboy would be able to get the better of the Boer leader again.
I turned in my saddle and looked back, to find that the party there were closing in upon us; and for a moment I felt ready to turn Sandho and go at them at full gallop, so as to try and cut my way through. I saw, however, this would be a greater risk than going in the other direction. "It's of no use, Joeboy," I said hoarsely; "we're trapped."
The men drew rein on the instant, as I looked forward, expecting to see a puff of white smoke ahead, for Joeboy suddenly dropped down behind a block of stone high up in front, and from there began to make signals, just as if he were out in rough ground with me on the veldt and had sighted game. "He has seen the Boers," I said excitedly. "Look! He says there are hundreds of them."
"And what about your horse? That would be enough to betray you." "No take Sandho," said Joeboy, who had been listening attentively. "Of course not," I said. "We should walk right across to the Boer lines, getting off as soon as it was dark." "Why not go in disguise as a minstrel?" said Denham banteringly "like King Alfred did when he went to see about the Danes? Have you got a harp, old chap?"
"Um!" he said, in token of assent; and upon my calling Sandho to my side Joeboy helped me to mount, securing the satchel to my saddle in obedience to my orders; and, making for Echo Nek, we went steadily on, my intention being to get through the pass and some distance on the other side towards the Natal border before dark.
Take care too," replied the black; and just then an idea struck me, and I hastened to communicate it to my companion at once. "Why, Denham," I said, "we ought to send Joeboy right on in front, away in advance of the guard. He wouldn't be noticed in the dark, and would be able to get close to the outposts and let us know when it is time to charge." "Silence in the ranks there!" said a stern voice.
We now walked towards the well-barricaded gateway, gave the word, and Joeboy and I stepped out, with Denham and Briggs; but stopped to shake hands with Denham, who held mine tightly. "Good luck to you, Val, lad!" he said softly. "Don't take any notice of what I said before I mean of all that cold water I poured on your scheme. It's splendid.
Every shot struck high above our heads, and at the end of a few minutes, higher still; at which I wondered, till it suddenly occurred to me that Sandho was not climbing higher and higher up the pass, but descending. All this time Joeboy kept steadily on, apparently as unconcerned as if he were leading the horse home from grazing peacefully away upon the veldt.
"Because I've been thinking that I ought to do that job, and you ought to be on the lookout again, to come to my help if I succeed." "No," he said quickly; "it's a job for two. I'd go with you." "But I should take Joeboy." "Then it's a job for three, Val; we can take our time, and the slower we go perhaps the better.
"You are sure my father said you were to go with me, Joeboy?" I said after a few minutes' pause. "Um," he said, nodding his head fiercely. "Say, `Take care my boy, Joeboy. Joeboy take care Boss Val."
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