armed by Jack's shout, which seemed to show
that there were many there besides himself, the Boers started to their
feet and rushed through the door. A minute later they were flying away
across the veldt, leaving four of their number lying dead upon the floor
of the farmhouse.

Jack and Wilfred at once ran round to the door, which stood wide open,
and stepped in.

"Don't be frightened, Eileen," said the former soothingly. "Those
cowards have bolted, and you are safe for a time at least. What has
happened to your father?"

"Ah! is that you, Jack Somerton?" the poor girl asked in a dreamy way,
as if she were not quite certain that her eyes had told her
correctly--"Jack Somerton, the young Englishman who used to come here
with our old friend Tom Salter?"

"Yes, it's Jack all right, Eileen," he replied. "Now tell me how those
villains happened to find you here alone."

Eileen Russel stepped forward from her corner, and, grasping Jack by the
hand, gazed searchingly into his face, as though she was still uncertain
of his identity. Then she suddenly sat down in a chair, and, hiding her
face in her hands, sobbed as if her heart would break. But it was
merely the reaction after the terrible hour of torment she had suffered,
and, cheered by a gentle pat on the back from Jack's strong hand, she
soon regained her composure and dried her eyes.

"Father is here, Jack," she exclaimed eagerly. "He is down below in the
cellar, where Tim and I hid him. He is wounded--badly, I fear. Those
Boer cowards rode up here just before daylight, and ordered Father to
come out and be taken before their leader. Father asked what they
wanted with him, and they shouted back that this part of English
territory had been annexed by the Boers, and that as an old inhabitant
he was bound to fight for them now that he was no longer a subject of
the queen."

"`Get away from here at once,' Father shouted back, as soon as he had
heard what they had to say. `I am a British subject, and shall be to
the end. None of your republics or presidents for me! Clear off, all
of you; and if one of you dares to attempt to come in I will shoot!'

"The Boers laughed at his threat, and attempted to beat in the door, but
Father was as good as his word, and shot one of them at once. The
others poured a volley into the house, and one of the bullets passed
through the wall and wounded Father in the shoulder. Then the Boers
made a rush, and began to force the