ongside of the Hunters, for
they are likely to want every man they can lay hands on soon."

"Yes, I've heard that," Jack answered, "but unfortunately I have got
into hot water in Johnny's Burg, and have consequently come here for the
good of my health."

"Ha, ha! That's queer, my lad," laughed Tom Salter, a typical,
red-faced, and robust-looking colonist. "You've been punching that
fellow's head again, I suppose? What's his name? Piet Maartens, or
something of that sort, isn't it? Ah, it's you quiet, harmless-looking
lads who are always getting into a warm corner!"

"Well, no, it's not quite that," Jack replied, with a smile. "Piet
Maartens, though, had a hand in it all the same. I'll tell you all
about it if you like. Mr Hunter told me to come here, and said you
would be able to give me something to do."

"Of course I will, Jack," said Tom Salter heartily. "And you will take
up your quarters with me. There's plenty of room in the house, and the
wife will be glad to see you. Now tell me the yarn."

"That was a close shave, old boy," he said, when he had heard Jack's
adventures. "Phew! You were within an ace of being shot by those
fellows in the magazine. Ah, they are rough customers, and we're going
to have an ugly trouble with them! That's why we here and our boys up
at Mafeking are getting ready. Special-service officers have come to us
from England, and though you'd scarcely think it, ammunition and stores
are quietly pouring in. Ah! we've one of them here as slim as old Oom
Paul himself, and another lad up at Mafeking, by name Baden-Powell, who
would even give that old crafty schemer a start, and lick him easily.
Well, we shall see, but if there is to be a row I'm going to be in it."

"Everything seems to point to war; at least so I have gathered from Mr
Hunter," remarked Jack, "and I, too, mean to take a share in it."

"Well done! You're the right sort of lad!" exclaimed Tom Salter,
slapping him on the back. "And mind you, if you want to be in the thick
of it, you must stay over here. Kimberley and Mafeking will be
besieged, and there will be stirring times. There will be work, too,
for everyone. Every lad here will give a hand; all the civilians will
join in with our soldiers, and will show our friends the Boers that we
mean business."

"If there is trouble, and the Uitlanders have to leave the Transvaal, I
shall return to Johnny's Burg, Tom. I arranged it all with Wilfred
before I