"Spin is it! Your only spin will be on your own axis.We are to act as escort for a convoy train of fifty wagons and ten times fifty mules.We shall make six miles a day, and our tongues will be wholly corrupted by the language of the mule-drivers.And, in the end, we shall get to--""A glorious fight, I trust," Weldon supplemented.
Gloomily Carew shook his head."No; merely to Winburg.We are going to provision Weppener and Ladybrand, and then make for the railroad again.We'll strike it at Winburg most likely.It is an unholy sort of hole, and I hear that the hotel serves watered ink and currant jelly under the name of claret.We shall sit there and sip it, until the train arrives, and then we shall entrain and come back again.
And this," he emphasized his words by plumping forward on his knees once more; "and this is war!""Yes; but it lets us out on a longer leash than I have had for some time," Weldon said serenely."Anyway, it is well for you that it is not likely to be a bloody campaign, for you'll be headed straight away from Johannesburg, and I misdoubt me if Winburg holds a hospital.""Judging from my past records, it will have to found one, then,"Carew answered composedly."If I have to go through two hundred miles of the enemy's country, they might as well open up, in readiness for my coming.But what is the letter, old man?""News.Yours had knocked it out of my mind, though.Mine comes off later.Captain Frazer has been transferred to the South African Light Horse, and will come up here as adjutant, on the first."Carew's face brightened.
"That's good hearing.He will be higher still, before De Wet is taken." "I hope so.Anyway, he is coming to us.Think of having him about again!""Much good will it do us! An adjutant doesn't mess with the trooper.""Frazer will stick to his friends."
"Mayhap.Still, better men than he have gone dizzy, as they went up the ladder, and dizziness makes people look at what's above them, rather than at what is below," Carew answered oracularly."Frazer's influence will be sound, and we shall feel it from one end of things to the other.Aside From that, we aren't likely to be much affected by his coming.Did Miss Dent tell any other news?""As it happens, Miss Dent didn't tell me this.""Who, then?"
"Captain Frazer, himself," Weldon answered, with a quiet relish of his own victory."He sends messages and all that to you." Then he added, "And who else do you think is coming?""With him?"
"Yes."
Carew shook his head.
"I've no idea, unless Lord Kitchener is about to pay us a visit.
There were rumors of it, a week or so ago.""Guess again.It's a mightier than Lord Kitchener, this time.""Can't be."
Weldon laughed."It is, for it is a man trained to two weapons, who has beaten his kettles into a helmet and his pepper-pot into a cartridge-box.""Paddy?"
"Yes, Paddy.The Captain writes that he is thirsting for gore and glory, and that he has learned to ride anything from a clotheshorse to a nightmare."Carew laughed.
"Paddy all over.He never could take things as they came.""Except Parrott's horse," Weldon suggested.
"How did he get out of that scrape?"
"Went out.There was talk of official vengeance; but Paddy vanished, that same night.A week later, he turned up at the Captain's room in Cape Town, with a bundle of clothes and a story that was as leaky as a sieve.The Captain sent him out to Maitland to be licked into shape, and this is the result.""No," Carew objected in a sudden burst of prophecy."Mind my words, Paddy has not resulted yet.That will come, later on in the game."
