and took the note the man proffered: Menheer, I expect the arrival of
my Hotchkiss gun at any moment.
Your position is not safe. I suggest you lay down your guns to prevent
further killing.
J. P. Leroux, Vecht, General, Wynberg commando.
It was written on an irregular scrap of brown wrapping paper in High
Dutch.
'My greetings to the General, Menheer, but we will hold out here a
little longer. ' 'As you wish,' the Boer acquiesced, 'but first you
must see if any of these, , be pointed at the khaki figures that were
scattered among the dead mules and horses, , you must see if any of
them are still alive. And you must destroy the wounded animals. ' 'It
is kind of you, Menheer.'
'You will, of course, make no attempt to pick up weapons or
ammunition.'
'Of course.'
The Boer stayed with them while Eccles and half a dozen men searched
the field, destroying the maimed animals and examining the fallen
troopers. They found one man still alive. The air hissed softly from
his severed windpipe and a froth of blood bubbles writhed about the
hole. On a blanket they carried him down to the river, bed.
Eleven dead, sir, ' Eccles reported to Sean.
'Eccles, as soon as the truce ends we are going to recover another
Maxim and the two cases of ammunition.
They stood beside the scotch cart and Sean inclined his head to
indicate the bulky, blue, metal led weapon that showed from beneath the
tarpaulin.
'Very good, sir.
'I want four men ready below the lip of the bank. Make sure each man
has a knife to cut the pack ropes. ' 'Yes, sir. ' Eccles grinned like
a playful walrus and drifted back towards the river, and Sean strolled
across to the mounted Boer.
'We have finished, Menheer.
'Good. As soon as I cross the skyline up there, then we'll start
again. ' 'I agree.' Sean walked back to the river, picking his way
through the dead. Already the flies were there, swarming green and
metallic, rising like a migrating hive of bees as he passed, then
settling again.
Sean reached the bank and below him Saul crouched at the head of a
bunch of unarmed men. Behind them stood a very disgruntled Eccles, his
moustache drooping in disappointment.
Instantly Sean saw what had happened, Saul had used his superior rank
to take over command of the volunteers. 'What the hell do you think
you're doing?' Sean demanded, and Saul answered him with an obstinate
stare.
' You'll stay where you are. That's an order!' He turned to Eccles.
'Take over, Sergeant, Major,' and Eccles grinned.
This was no time to argue. Already the Boer horseman was half way up
the ridge. Sean raised his voice and shouted at the long line of men
below the bank.
