CHAPTER THIRTY.
AT THE GOAL.
"It has more than paid for it all!" said West that night, when they lay down to rest after a wildly-exciting day.
"Yes," replied Ingleborough, laughing.

"I felt quite jealous!" "I don't believe you!" said West sharply.

"You couldn't; they all made as much fuss over you as they did over me, from the chief downward!" "Well, I suppose they did; but I began to have the horrors once!" "Horrors ?" "Yes; knowing as I did that they must be short of food, I began to think that they were welcoming us so warmly because we were something good to eat, and all the feasting was the beginning of fattening us up." "Of course you did!" said West drily.
"I say though," continued Ingleborough; "if it is not a state secret, what was it the chief said to you when he took you aside ?" "Oh, it's no secret from you!" replied West.
"Let's have it then!" "Well, first of all, it was a lot of flattery." "Flattery ?" "Yes, about being so brave, and bringing the Kimberley despatch through the Boer lines." "That was not flattery.

You did bring the despatch to its destination very bravely." "So did you!" said West sharply.
"Oh, very well, so did I then! It was _we_ if you like! Being buttered is not an unpleasant sensation when you can honestly believe that you deserve it; and, without being vain, I suppose we can feel that our consciences are at rest." "Never mind that!" said West hurriedly.

"I don't like being buttered, as you call it.