left; in fact, weeks ago. You see, Mr Hunter means to stay on
and look after his property, so someone will be wanted to take Mrs
Hunter down to the frontier, for, by all accounts, once the Boers are
let loose there are likely to be unpleasant times for the refugees.
After that I shall come over here and lend a hand if I can, though I
don't know about staying for good. There will be little fun if the
siege lasts for months, as seems likely by the amount of stores which
you say are coming in."

"Ah, I never thought of that, Jack! My property and money are here, and
naturally I shall stick by it and defend it as long as I can; but for
you it is a different matter. But there will be lots of despatches to
be carried south, for our telegraph wires and communications are certain
to be cut. You could volunteer after a little while as a messenger. It
would be rough and dangerous work, but I dare say all the more to your
taste, and after the few weeks you will work here with me you will have
the advantage of knowing the country. You have arrived just in time to
join me in a prospecting tour. Mr Hunter and I, with two others, have
been in partnership for many years, and just now we have agents
travelling from place to place searching for possible gold reefs. They
report their finds to me, and I ride or drive over and inspect. Then,
if it is likely to prove of any value, we buy the property and secure
the mining rights.

"I intend starting north to-morrow, and expect to be away for a month.
You may come if you care, and I need not say I shall be glad to have
you."

Jack gladly jumped at the offer, and next morning, after a visit to a
local store, where he purchased some clothing, he set out with Tom
Salter, looking every inch a young colonist, dressed in riding-breeches
and gaiters and a dark-blue shirt. On his head he wore a slouch hat,
and over his shoulder was a bandolier filled with cartridges which
fitted the Lee-Metford rifle which Tom had lent him. At his hip he
carried his Mauser pistol, now no longer concealed, and thus equipped he
and Tom rode out, and turning north-west, made for a country which was
noted for its wildness.

More than six weeks passed, and during that time he and Tom Salter made
many expeditions, sometimes to the west into an almost unknown country,
and at other times into the Orange Free State or the Transvaal. After
each one they would return to Kimberley, and Tom would write reports on