d.

Towards evening the fire died away, and Tom and Dick joined Mr Harvey.

"What will they do next?"

"I don't know, Dick; the Boers are by no means fond of exposing
themselves to danger, as has been proved over and over again in their
fights with natives. They must have suffered already a great deal more
than they bargained for, and are no doubt heartily sick of the job.
They may try a rush at night, though I question whether they will do so.
I rather imagine that their tactics will be to besiege us until we are
driven to make a move, and then to attack us by the way. Fortunately
the stream is close at hand, and we can get water for our cattle.
Still, there must be an end of it at some time or other."

Blacking now crept under the waggon.

"Massa, what you say?--me think the best plan will be for me to crawl
out and run to chief Mangrope; his place twenty miles away; he always
hate the Dutch, and refuse to pay tribute; several times they have sent
parties against him, but he always beat them off. Blacking tell him
that de Boers attack English, and that if he come down and help drive
them off you give him one team of fine oxen,--he come."

"I think your plan is a very good one, Blacking; but do you think that
you can get through?"

"Get through those stupid Boers? Easily," Blacking said contemptuously.

"Very well, Blacking; then, as soon as it is dark, you had better
start."

Blacking nodded and withdrew, and an hour afterwards stole out from the
camp.

As soon as night fell the Boers opened fire again, this time aiming
entirely at the end of the waggons nearest the water, evidently with the
intention of rendering it difficult to procure water from the stream.

Mr Harvey and his companions answered by firing at the flashes. As
they hoped that rescue would arrive ere long, Mr Harvey did not permit
any one to go outside shelter to fetch water, as the animals had been
watered in the morning the first thing, and could, if necessary, hold
out until the following night.

Just as daylight was breaking a tremendous yell was heard, followed by a
hasty discharge of muskets; then there was the sound of horses' hoofs
galloping at full speed, and then, headed by Blacking, two to three
hundred natives came up to the camp. The chief himself was among them.
Mr Harvey had on several occasions traded with him, and now thanked him
warmly for the welcome aid he had brought him.

The Boers were already far away, each