The Kopje Garrison Part 53

"I hope so, Mr d.i.c.kenson; I hope so," he said. "There, cheer up," he added. "We shall soon see."

Chapter Twenty Six.

"A Coward!-a Cur!"

It was about an hour later, when the wounded had been seen to by the surgeon-who reported very favourably on the men, whose injuries were for the most part the result of blows from rifle-b.u.t.ts received in the struggle on the kopje-that two of the scouts who had been left to watch the Boers came in with a sufferer dangerously injured by a rifle-bullet.

d.i.c.kenson's heart gave a throb as he saw the men, and being off duty, he hurried to meet them, in the hope and belief that they had found Lennox. But it was one of their companions.

The men's report was that the Boers had come steadily on as the British force retreated, and had then been busily engaged collecting their dead and wounded, paying no heed to the little outpost watching them till their task was done, when, as the last of their wagons moved off, they began firing again, till one of the outposts fell, and the others remained too well covered, staying till the firing had ceased, and then hurrying back.

"Poor old Lennox!" said d.i.c.kenson to himself. Then, seeing that Sergeant James was watching him, he shook his head.

"I was hoping that they were bringing in Mr Lennox, sir," said the sergeant gloomily. "Of course, seeing the temper the enemy is in after their defeat, it would be like getting some of our fellows murdered if the colonel gave me leave to go out with a white flag."

"I'm afraid so too," said d.i.c.kenson.

"But what about as soon as it's dark, sir? Think the colonel would let us go to make a better search? He must be near the Boers' laager where we missed him."

"I was thinking something of the sort," said d.i.c.kenson. "Will you go with me, James?"

"Will I go with you, sir?" cried the sergeant. "Wouldn't I go through anything to try and get him back? You'll ask the colonel to name me, sir?"

"If he gives consent," said d.i.c.kenson warmly. "He'll tell me to take two or three men, and of course I shall pick you for one."

"Thankye, sir; and don't you be down-hearted. You're f.a.gged now, sir, with all we've done since we started, and that explosion gave you a horrid shaking up. You go to your quarters, sir, as soon as the colonel has given leave, and lie down-flat on your back, sir-and sleep till it's time for starting. I'll have the others ready, and I'll rouse you up, sir."

"Very well, sergeant," said the young officer. "I must own to being a bit down."

As soon as the sergeant had left him, the young officer went to the colonel's quarters and asked to see him.

"Come in, d.i.c.kenson," said the chief, and he held out his hand. "Thank you, my lad," he said. "I've heard all about what you've done. Very good indeed. I sha'n't forget it in my despatch, but when it will get to headquarters is more than I can tell. I'm glad you have come. What can I do for you?"

d.i.c.kenson stated his wishes, and the colonel looked grave.

"I don't know what to say, d.i.c.kenson," he replied. "It would be a very risky task. I have scouts out, but I doubt whether they'll be able to tell whether the enemy is still holding the kopje. If he is, you will run a terrible risk. I've just lost one of my most promising young officers; I can't spare another."

"I was afraid you would say so, sir. But Drew Lennox and I have always been regular churns together, and it seems horrible to settle down quietly here in safety and do nothing to try and find him."

"It does, my dear sir; but we soldiers have to make sacrifices in the cause of duty."

"Yes, sir; but we've had a splendid bit of luck since last night. Can't you strain a point?"

The colonel smiled.

"Well, it's hardly fair to call it luck, d.i.c.kenson," he said. "I think some of it's due to good management. Eh?"

"Yes, sir; you are quite right."

"Well there, then, if you'll promise me to run no risks with the lads, and return if you find the enemy still at the kopje, I'll give you leave to take a sergeant and a couple of men and go."

d.i.c.kenson looked pleased and yet disappointed.

"We might find him somewhere near, sir, even if the Boers are there," he said.

"In the darkness of a moonless night, with men on the qui vive ready to fire at the slightest sound?"

"We got well into the laager last night, sir, with a hundred and fifty men," said d.i.c.kenson in tones of protest.

"But you wouldn't get in to-night with one, and such an enterprise against either of the other laagers would now be impossible. There, I can make no further concessions, for all your sakes, so be content."

"You are right, sir, and I am wrong," replied d.i.c.kenson quietly.

"You will retire, then, directly you find the place occupied?"

"Yes, sir."

"Go, then, as soon as it is dark. You can pick two men who can ride, take three of the captured Bechuana ponies, and one can hold them while the others search."

"Thank you, sir."

"But I have no hope of your finding him, d.i.c.kenson. This is solely from a desire that we may feel we have done all we can do in such a case. Now I am busy. You have been up all night, and nearly been killed. Go and lie down for a few hours' sleep."

The young officer left the colonel's presence, and had no trouble in finding the sergeant, for he was watching for his return, and heard with eagerness the result.

"Ride? Capital, sir; make us fresher for our work. We shall find him. I don't believe he's dead. Now you'll take a rest, sir. I'll have the ponies ready, and the men."

d.i.c.kenson gave him the names of the two men he would like to take, but had to give up one.

"Can't sit a horse, sir; hangs on its back like a stuffed image. Now Jeffson, sir, was a gentleman's groom. Ride anything. I wonder he isn't in the cavalry."

"Very well, then; warn Jeffson. There, I am done up, sergeant. I trust you to rouse me as soon as it's dark."

"Right, sir. But one word, sir."

"What is it?"

"Captain Roby, sir. Keeps off his head, sir. Going on awfully. Doctor Emden says it's due to the bullet striking his skull."

"Dangerous?" said d.i.c.kenson anxiously.

"Oh no, sir; but he keeps on saying things that it's bad for the men to hear; and that Corporal May, he's nearly as bad. He thinks he's worse. He's within hearing, and every time the captain says anything, Master Corporal May begins wagging his head and crying, and tells the chaps about him that it's all right."

"Poor fellow! There, I'll go and see them before I lie down."

"No, sir; please, don't," said the sergeant earnestly. "You've done quite enough for one day."