"My word! it's a fine thing to have been born clever.

How did you do it ?" "Pulled it out," replied West, smiling.
"Of course; but _I_ couldn't! It took me all my time to get it unlaced and to draw out my foot.

Stuck, for it was so wet!" In another five minutes, while the cracking of the rifle-fire was growing more distant, the boot was replaced, the dangerous descent continued, with several slips and slides, each saving his friend in turn from a bad fall, and the pair reached the water only minus a little skin, to be welcomed by their ponies, who came up to them at once, ready to be led cautiously to the entrance of the gully.
But there was no need for the extra care, inspection proving that no Boers were left behind, and that they were too far distant now to distinguish what went on at the resting-place they had left.
"Think they'll make the lancers prisoners ?" said West, after they had stood scanning the level veldt for some minutes.
"Not unless they can surround them, and I should give our cavalry credit for being too cautious to let them do that!" said Ingleborough.

"Now then, what do you say for another try Mafeking-ward ?" "Forward!" was the reply, and after a glance at the compass to lay down their course, the friends mounted and, refreshed, though not much rested, they cantered off, making a bee-line almost due north, with the intention of cautiously approaching some farm on their way to purchase food..