Hoof Beats 



troop still fighting bravely, but it had lost twenty 

 men and as many more were wounded. The 

 horses too had suffered, and one poor thing near 

 Brutus dropped down with a moan, shot through 

 the head. The troop too was losing heart and 

 replied to the constant firing almost listlessly. 

 Toward afternoon the attack ceased and the dusk 

 came on in peace, but all knew, horses and men, 

 that the Boers were only resting and would begin 

 again at nightfall. 



It was silent now, and the deadly stillness was 

 almost worse than the noise. Then Brutus heard 

 voices near him. Two men were standing only 

 a few feet away. One of them was Livingston 

 and the other was the ranking oflScer of the troop. 

 Brutus pushed his way toward them and reached 

 his hot nose to Livingston's hand. 



"There's only one way," the latter was saying; 

 "that's for some one to cut through their lines 

 to-night to our main division." 



"We could do it," Brutus thought, and edged a 

 step nearer. 



"It can't be done," the officer replied; "they'd 

 down you a hundred yards from camp." 



"I can try; it's only fifty miles, and the pony 

 could do it in five hours. These others," Living- 

 ston said, waving his hand toward the listening 



140 



