"No, I am afraid this is no good," Wolfe was saying as they came up, speaking of the drift close to the bridge; "there must be a good six foot of water over it now. You'd better doss down here for the night-these floods go down as quickly as they rise, and if it stops raining away up in Basutoland, you will be able to cross to-morrow." Wolfe turned to the white-gestive of a stage Guardsman. chinned Orle. "I'll go out and He was on his way northwards meet them and see who they vid Grampian's Pont, conveying are." With that he strolled stores up to regimental headacross the trestles and out over quarters. the veldt, and the garrison resumed its interrupted ablutions. The loss, in the hasty assembly, of some of their few priceless pieces of soap considerably increased the general annoyance. There was no reticence about its expression, which was quite audible and not comforting to the aggrieved watcher now again alone on high. He had got all the blame, but after all it was the Non-Com. who had sounded the alarm. Besides, it had been a big cloud-a very big cloud much more than a waggon or two could make. 'Twas in vain that he puzzled over the inexplicable change. How was he to tell that a large bush had suddenly dropped from underneath a vehicle of the approaching force? "Thanks, awfully good of you, but I must reach the Pont as early as possible. Isn't there some other ford-I mean drift-anywhere within a reasonable distance?" "Oh yes, there's Valk Drift about four miles away. It's a toss up whether that will be passable either; but the spruit is broader there, and I daresay it may be. If you think it's worth chancing, have a bite with us, and I'll ride out with you afterwards. We can pick up a Dutch farmer on the way who will guide us across the drift. I don't know it well, and it's crooked and not properly marked." It was not long before Wolfe returned with the strange party. It consisted of one subaltern and four men of the "A.E.S.R.," or "All England Seaside Rifles," with two waggons. The men were on the waggons; the officer was riding. He was a nice-looking Simkin was profuse in youngster, by name Stanley thanks. The mules were outSimkin, but was not at all the spanned, and officer and men type usually associated with came across to enjoy the hosthe real-business-and-no-dam- pitality of the irregulars for swagger-and-that-sort-of-rot lunch. During this simple volunteer soldier. He was meal, at which the last tin of beautifully dressed and wonderfully equipped, all his gear being as fresh as himself, and his pink complexion, smooth hair, and eyeglass were sug asparagus was broached in his honour, the guest's rather stiff manner thawed, and he gave his hosts a great deal of interesting information about his regiment, relating how the various corporate bodies of the watering places of England had competed to fit it out with every conceivable and inconceivable luxury. Perhaps he was a bit full of "Ours," but it was natural, and not a bad trait in a young officer. In their jealousy Wolfe and Orle seriously discussed the advisability of resigning their appointments in their own rough and ready corps and travelling home to join the "All Englands." They also gave Simkin many "facts about South Africa, its climate, customs, flora and fauna, and especially about the ways of Brother Boer. Though British born, they had been in the country for many years,- quite long enough to teach the brandnew, open-eyed Simkin a thing or two, and his arrival only afforded pleasant and healthy exercise for the imaginative powers. He did not make a hearty meal, the "bully" and the flies were too much for him as yet; and after smoking some of his excellent cigars the little party set off to the west, taking the farm of one Koos Van der Merwe-a worthy and now painfully loyal Dutchman-on the way, in order to obtain his services as guide. Simkin quite expanded under the genial influence of the swashbuckler; and it was in cheery conversation that the tedium of the road was enlivened, for Wolfe was a light-hearted fellow, and made the most of all chances of enjoyment. The volunteer asked many questions about the enemy, and seemed to be extremely pugnacious. They found the farmer at home and quite willing to guide, and it was not long before they were standing on the north side of the swollen river. Here they halted a minute, in order to give the dripping mules a rest and to have a last word. "So long! When the spruit is full already, it is not easy, Captain. Maar alles zal recht kom, eh?" said the bearded guide, turning to Simkin. "No, by Jove! You guided us top hole." The expression somewhat puzzled Koos, but coming of a race not easily abashed, he was in no way put off his stroke. "You have some coffee, perhaps, eh? My wife, she tell me to ask the Captain." The volunteer was now puzzled : not knowing of the dearth of coffee in many farms in the north of Cape Colony at that time, he imagined that this was a well-meant but somewhat belated invitation on the part of Mrs Van der Merwe. "So sorry; 'fraid I can'tmust be gettin' on. Please thank your wife, though: it's awf'lly good of her." The cadging and once more mystified Dutchman grinned idiotically and scratched his ear. Wolfe, who was greatly enjoying all this-what he would have called Blind Man's Buff-was about to explain Van der Merwe's meaning when Simkin broke in tentatively, as if fearful of giving offence: "I say, don't you think we might celebrate the occasion-crossing of the Rubi con and all that sort of thing, good eh what?" "Most appropriate, appropriate," said Wolfe promptly. "I'm sure old man Koosie looks as if he could lap down something and agrees with the Governor of North Carolina, and who am I -to say nay? You know how a detachment mess is always treated." This service platitude was indeed a coup de Jarnac, for though the irregular's knowledge only extended to one detachment mess, the volunteer had no knowledge, and the imputation of experience was pleasing. "Rather," he said, and went up to a waggon. After fumbling under the tarpaulin he produced a straw case, and in a matter-of-fact way drew out from it a champagne bottle. Wolfe's heart leaped; but he had so often drunk whisky poured from champagne bottles, pickle bottles-once even from a blacking bottle that the palpitation was only temporary. When, however, he saw the unbroken gold foil and read on the visible half of the label VEUVE CLICQUOT—— he coughed and rubbed his eyes. Meanwhile his host had produced three mugs, and was calmly manipulating the wire. When he had handed round the wine he removed his eyeglass, polished it with a silk handkerchief, and smiled. "It's all right, I think-perhaps a trifle dry, but quite a brand eh what?" There was no answer. Both his listeners were too astonished for words. He went on, "Your health! I am extremely obliged to both of you," and bowed in courtly fashion to his two guides. stammered “ Ch - cheero!” Wolfe, when he had recovered himself, with that indescribable twist of the head which indicates a desire for another man's prosperity. "Gezondheit ! Alles beste!" said the Dutchman. ten "Would you care to take a bottle to Orle, and you one to your wife?" was the next thing that shook the still dazed Wolfe. "Eh?" he replied. "Wouldn't you like a bottle for your mess?" "Take one with me? Yes!" Wonders did not cease: some more fumbling and Simkin calmly produced two more straw cases, which he handed over. Quite forgetting to thank him, Wolfe simply stared at the waggon. "I say," he remarked at length gravely. "Yes." "Have you got a waggonful of Bubbly there?" "Well, not quite full. It's a present to the regiment from the mayors and corporations of the watering-places of England." The irregular smiled. He was badly shaken, and the smile was a veneer which did not hide the wistful regret underneath. "Yes," drawled Simkin, lighting a cigarette, "and I've had to wait to bring it up. Awful noosance stopping behind for this, don't cherknow, when all the other fellows are at the Front."" He pronounced the last words as printed in inverted commas just as he had seen it below hundreds of portraits in picture papers-A Hero "At the Front," The Wife of a "H. a. t. F.," The Little Son of a "H. a. t. F.," The Boots of a "H. a. t. F.," and so forth. ', "Yaas, of course," said Wolfe. "It must be." He had had plenty of the fly-blown front for some time. "It's awfully jolly up there. Why not go up by mail train yourself, old man? You may be cut out of some big thing by hanging round here with these rotten stores. You go up. Leave the stuff with me and I'll send it along in a truck after you. The R.S.O. at Grampians is a pal of mine, and I can get a truck very quickly." Wolfe could not tell whether Simkin's expression was one of pure fatuity or cunning as he said, "Thanks awfully, but I've got orders to bring it up by road myself and not to lose sight of it. Must obey orders, you know-what?" "Of course, of course, if that's the case," said Wolfe. "Nothing more doing here yet," was his thought as he rose. "Good-bye and good luck. It's not a very difficult track to Grampians, but it winds about a good bit and is overgrown now. Koos and he carefully picked up their prizes. As the pair slowly reforded the river, Sim kin gave the word to trek, and with many shouts from the Kaffir drivers the convoy moved northwards. On his way back Wolfe was assailed by temptation. He thought of making Van der Merwe stand and deliver his ill-gained loot. What did a Dutch farmer know even of gooseberry? And this was Veuve Cliquot of a special year. It would be wasted on him and his ample vrou: they would far prefer coffee. But the soldier's better instincts prevailed, and a feeling of noblesse oblige, which he himself would have called "cricket," prevented the dastardly act contemplated. They rode on in silence, both marvelling at the lunacy of a man who not only wandered about the veldt with a waggon-load of liquor, but let people know of it. At the parting of their ways the Dutchman turned off towards his farm, and Wolfe galloped back to camp cursing the fate which had allowed him to assist in getting that waggon across the river before he knew what was in it. Arrived in camp, he walked straight up to the stuffy mess tent, outside which Orle was sitting. "Hullo! Why this hurrah face? Struck an outcrop?" was the latter's greeting. Keeping one hand behind his back, Wolfe stalked slowly up to the plank on two barrels which formed the mess table before he replied. "Aha! So long-already! You vait one meenit!" He took his hat off and spun it round on his finger. Had Orle not known his senior's light-hearted ways, he might have been perturbed. Wolfe continued: "Vait one leetle meenit: you vatch dis hathein? Vot you like? I pull for you a life rhabbit or some echte golddfisch-I call 'im Minnie-I call 'im CharrlieBoom!" While his puzzled audience blankly stared at the spinning hat, Wolfe quickly placed his burden on the table, and, whipping off the straw cover, struck the true conjuring attitude. "See vot I gif you! Vot you tink? Hein? Der is no decebtion, ladies and shentlemens! Rah, Rah!" Orle watched, silent. "You, my well-beloved and trusty lootenant, go out for. aging and bring back a brace of koorhahn or a measly sprenghaas. I produce a bottle of Bubbly, allwoolla, top-hole brand too, and none of your cheap lines!" Now the secret was out. out. There was no question, no unnecessary curiosity. Orle fetched a tin-opener and two mugs, and silently opened the bottle. In half a minute the two "Thrusters" were regarding each other over the brims of their mugs and wagging their heads with the usual formula. "Here's to our guest! Bless him," added Wolfe. “Now," said Orle, wiping his moustache, "tell us all about it. Who've you been robbing? Not our petted Percy?" "Jack," replied the other with a sigh of content, "that fellow of the All Englands "Yes. The little brute, if you please, has a waggon full up to the gunwale of itHe was interrupted by an exclamation from Orle, but continued. "I know what you are thinking. I've been kicking myself all the way home, too. If we had only known—! But there it is-he's across now. It'll take him some time to reach the Pont though, and he's not out of reach yet if Grafter and Davey drop in this afternoon, as they said they would. We must fix up something with them. It would be a crime to let him go past our fellows with all this stuff. He's dying to chuck it away, and will only waste it on those greedy brutes further on. They'll be round him like flies. Whatever happens, you bet his mess will never see much of it." "But tell us all about it." "Well, we picked up old man Koos all right. He was at home and only too keen to oblige. When we got across, of course the slim old verneuker starts his usual song and tries to cadge coffee for the missus,— thought he'd a soft thing on; but he was properly scored off, |