The Kopje Garrison: A Story of the Boer War. Fenn George Manville

briefly explained, and the colonel stood frowning.

      “I don’t see all this very clearly,” said the colonel. “Somebody stealing the corn, and you were tracing the thieves and came upon a train laid up to my quarters. There was a sentry there; what was he about?”

      “No, sir: no sentry there,” said Lennox.

      “Nonsense! I gave orders for a man to be posted there, and it was done.”

      “I beg pardon, sir,” said Lennox. “No one was there to challenge us.”

      “Indeed!” said the colonel. – “Who’s that? Oh, Mr Dickenson, examine the place as soon as it is light. There was a man there, for I saw him myself. But now then, I cannot understand how the enemy can have stolen through the lines and carried the powder where it was found. What do you say, Lennox?”

      “Nothing, sir. My head is so confused that I can hardly recall how it all happened.”

      “Of course. Well, you, sergeant. You said that you scattered the powder-bags.”

      “Yes, sir. Threw ’em about as far as we could.”