But the weeks and then the months went by without anything
whatever being heard of them, so they were officially recorded as
deserters. Nevertheless none of their comrades really believed that
these men had deserted; each one felt there was something mysterious
about the circumstances of their disappearance. They had applied for
leave for the alleged purpose of visiting Pietermaritzburg. They started
on foot, stating their intention of walking to Estcourt, hiring horses
from natives there, and proceeding on horseback. They had evidently
never reached Estcourt, as nothing could be heard of them at that
village. They were both young men--colonists by birth. Dollond had an
especially youthful appearance. Franks was older. He had joined the
force later in life. He and Dollond, who had only very recently before
his disappearance been promoted, were chums.
Some months later in the same year, when Troopers George Langley and
Hiram Whitson also applied for ten days' leave of absence,--likewise to
proceed to Pietermaritzburg,--the leave was granted; but the officer in
charge of the detachment laughingly remarked that he hoped they were not
going to follow Dollond and Franks.
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