ou had better join some of the
Natal volunteers. If not, I advise you to get away as quickly as you
can. Well, good-night, Somerton! I'm glad you showed your metal and
brought O'Farnel out."

"Good-night!" answered Jack, and then walked across to the tent, and
having tethered his pony and brought him some water, snatched a meagre
repast and lay down to sleep. Early next morning he went to see how
O'Farnel was getting on.

As he reached the tent the surgeon in charge of the hospital emerged,
and, recognising him, shook him cordially by the hand.

"My dear fellow," he said enthusiastically, "O'Farnel has told us all
about your gallant action. Let me congratulate you. It was splendid,
and you have shown our enemies what one plucky youngster can do against
a crowd of them. Your friend is doing nicely, and I fancy is longing to
see you. He's at the end. Take care not to lean upon the stretcher or
you may disturb the splints."

Jack thanked the surgeon for his congratulations, modestly disclaiming
any praise for what he had done. Then he lifted the flap of the tent
and entered.

"Hallo, Jack!" Farney sang out cheerfully from the farther end; "come
here, my preserver, and let me thank you."

"Oh, never mind that, Farney!" Jack replied shortly. "Tell me how you
feel."

"But I do mind, old chap!" persisted O'Farnel earnestly. "Jack, you are
a real plucky fellow, and if you did not exactly save my life, you
certainly kept me from becoming a Boer prisoner. It was fine the way
you kept all those fellows away from our fort, and it was noble of you
to stick by me. There, I know you don't like my saying anything about
it. Shake hands, old boy; but you'll not forget that Farney is deeply
in your debt, and will not be happy till he has repaid you.

"Now, I hear our fellows are about to retire. That means we shall be
left here under the red-cross flag. What will you do? Go with them, I
suppose?"

"Yes; I think I shall slip away now," replied Jack. "They tell me all
the troops are likely to be shut up in Ladysmith, and as I promised to
go to Kimberley, I shall set out at once. Good-bye, Farney! You'll get
on well, I hope, and soon be about again."

The two bade one another farewell, and, issuing from the tent, Jack
returned to his own quarters and saddled up his ponies. Late that
evening he arrived once more at Ladysmith, and took up his quarters at
the hotel. Here he learnt that another big battle ha