"I say, recruit--private--whatever you call yourself--why don't you blush ?" No more was said then, as orders were given for every man to make a good meal from his haversack; and as soon as the order was passed along, the men looked at one another and began to whisper.
"We're not going to stop here for to-night," said one.

"I had picked out my corner for a good snooze." "The Colonel was afraid the ruin would be too draughty for us, and didn't wish to see his boys getting up in the morning with stiff necks," said another; and plenty of laughing and banter went on amongst the men, who in all probability would be engaged in a deadly struggle before many hours had passed.
I thought of this for a time, and I ate my bread and cold salt pork slowly and without appetite, for the thoughts of the pleasant old farm came back; and I began to wonder how father and Bob were, and what Aunt Jenny would be thinking about.

Then, between the mouthfuls, a vision of Joeboy's black face and grinning white teeth seemed to rise up; and I fell to thinking how disappointed he would be when he returned from the foraging expedition to find that the corps had been suddenly called out.
"Poor old Joeboy!" I thought to myself; "it's a pity father didn't keep him at home.

It would be horrible if he were to be shot by the Boers." But I was eating again heartily soon, the conversation of the men taking up my attention, for they were discussing what was to be done that evening.
"It's only a reconnaissance," said one.

"We're going to give the Doppies a stir-up to show them we're `all alive, oh!'" "Nonsense," said another.