p's hand closed readily upon the image and superscription of Oom
Paul, and Kenneth Kershaw and his companion passed out of the station.

"Oh, you are so like Col--er--your cousin," was May's comment on the
above transaction. "That is exactly how he would have treated matters
under the circumstances. Now, Frank would have wanted to go for the man
at once, and then what a row there would have been! And I hate rows."

"So do I. But--who's Frank?"

"My brother. He is perfectly rabid ever since this trouble has begun.
He says he never can look at a Dutchman now without wanting to fight
him."

"So? Well, now is his opportunity. Is he up here?"

"Oh no. Down in the Colony. I am staying up here with some relatives.
I wanted to go back, but they wouldn't let me. They have interest with
the Government at Pretoria, and say that it is safer, if anything, here
than down in the Colony."

As they walked along, taking the road which runs parallel with the
railway line in the direction of Doornfontein, something of the state of
affairs was apparent in the utter stagnation that prevailed. A deserted
look was upon everything. The tram service had ceased, and there was
not a vehicle to be seen down the long vista of road. Houses shut up
and abandoned, their blinds down, and in many cases with broken windows,
spoke eloquently of the prevailing desolation, and save for a
subdued-looking native or two the street was deserted; while, dominating
all, the fort on Hospital Hill frowned down flat and threatening, ready
to let loose its thunders of ruin and of death.

Turning a corner suddenly, a troop of armed burghers debouched into the
road--hard, weather-beaten, bearded men, wearing wide hats and
bandoliers full of cartridges and with rifle on thigh. They were riding
in no particular order, and most of them were smoking pipes.

Many a head was turned, and shaggy brows were knit in sullen hatred, at
the sight of the tall Englishman and his very attractive companion, as
they rode by. For a moment their leader seemed disposed to halt and
call the pedestrians to account, then appeared to think better of it.
But that speculation was rife as to their identity was only too clear.

May Wenlock chatted brightly to her new acquaintance as they walked.
She was naturally of a communicative disposition, and it was not long
before she had put him into possession of the main facts and
circumstances and surroundings of her life. Withou