"Yes; but we can't eat and drink now."
"No," I replied. "I feel as if food would choke me."
Denham nodded, and sat gazing out at the bright sunshine.
"Think it would give us a little Dutch courage if we had some
breakfast?"
"I don't want any," I said desperately. "I want them to put us out of
our misery before that wretch Moriarty comes back."
"But we want to face them like men," said Denham suddenly. "We're so
weak and faint now that we shall be ready to drop. Let's eat and drink,
and we will show the Boers that English soldiers are ready to lace
anything."
"I can't," I replied desperately.
"You must," cried Denham. "Como on." He took up his pannikin, raised
it to his lips, and took a long deep draught before setting the vessel
down and taking up the cake.
"Come, Val," he said firmly, "if you leave yours the Boers will think
you are too much frightened to eat."
"So I am," I said gravely, "It is very awful to face death like this."
"Yes; but it would be more awful if we stood before the enemy trembling
and ready to drop."
I nodded now. Then catching up the tin in desperation, I raised it to
my lips and held it there till it was half-empty. Setting the pannikin
down, I took up the cake, broke a piece off, and began to eat. The
animal faculties act independently of the mental, I suppose; so, as I
sat there thinking of our home and our approaching fate, I went on
eating slowly, without once glancing at my companion, till the big cake
was finished; then I raised and drained the pannikin.
It was while I was swallowing the last mouthful or two that Denham spoke
in a low tone. Looking in his direction, I noticed that he had also
finished the rough breakfast.
"They're watching us, Val," he said softly.
I glanced round to back and front, and saw that the big Boer and four
others were looking in, the sight making the blood flush to my face.
Directly after the big fellow climbed in, to stand by us with a grim
smile.
"Have some more?" he asked.
"No, thank you," I replied.
"Hungry--weren't you?" was his next question.