of skirmishing and fighting, closely invested
Ladysmith, and then marched on as far as Colenso and the River Tugela.

Then for days and days little was heard of the besieged garrison, save
that they were continually bombarded by heavy guns, fired some five
miles away, and to which the naval twelve-pounders and 4.7-inch guns
replied, the latter having arrived with a naval brigade 500 strong just
in the nick of time.

Once the Boers attempted an assault, during which they lost heavily.
They were repulsed, and from that date, for many long weeks, they kept
up a desultory bombardment, but never returned to the assault. And
inside the camp the troops played football and polo, now and again
varying the monotony of the siege by a gallant sortie, in which they
destroyed more than one of the enemy's guns. And thus we will leave
them for a time, boldly holding their own, while we return to Jack
Somerton.

CHAPTER NINE.

A DASH FOR KIMBERLEY.

"Well, Jack, what do you think of doing now?" asked Mrs Hunter, as soon
as the incidents of Talana Hill and Elandslaagte had been narrated. "Do
you intend to do as you had arranged, or will you stay here? I have
already put my name down as a nurse, and Wilfred is longing to accompany
you to Kimberley, or wherever you decide to go. A letter reached us
yesterday from Mr Hunter, in which he says he is to be allowed to
remain for the present at Johannesburg, but for how long he cannot tell.
Wilfred is to do as he likes, he writes, and since every loyal man in
the colony is needed, I will not attempt to dissuade him from joining
the troops. England is fighting for freedom and peace, but also for the
Uitlander population, and in my opinion every one of those capable of
bearing arms should help in the good work."

"I am going straight up to Kimberley, Mrs Hunter," Jack replied, "and
have already taken a passage to Port Elizabeth, whence I shall go by
train as far as De Aar, if that is possible. Once I reach that place I
shall ride during the night, and endeavour to slip into the town. Of
course the Boers are all round it by now, but others I have no doubt
will be able to slip in and out, and I mean to do the same, and once
there I shall volunteer as a despatch-rider. It will be exciting work,
and suited to my tastes, and the fact that I know the country well all
round, and between Kimberley and Mafeking, will help me considerably.
If Wilfred likes to come, we will make the attem