ho had an unbounded
faith in his friend's sagacity. "Let us hear what Jack has to say. I'm
like him, and don't mean to fall into the Boers' hands without a
struggle."

"Ah, well! what is it, Jack?" answered Frank. "But you'd best be quick
about it, for those fellows will be getting close to us by this."

"I've said I am going to make a fight for it," exclaimed Jack, "and I
mean to do so, for from what I have seen and heard, our enemies have the
greatest dislike to attacking in the open. It is too risky for them,
and is apt to lead to fatal consequences, as I have already been
compelled to show them. Now this house stands clear out on the veldt.
There is not even a boulder within half a mile of us, and therefore no
cover. It is true that at close quarters a Mauser bullet will pierce
these walls, but at long range it will not come through. Let us make a
stand here. But, first, have you plenty of cartridges, Frank?"

"Heaps, lad, heaps! 'Pon my word, I like this idea of yours! But where
is it going to end? We've a pump and water in the house, and plenty of
food and ammunition; but we cannot hope to keep them out for long, and
they are certain to rush us in the darkness."

"Yes, they will do that," Jack agreed, "but they have got to get inside
the house before they can hurt us, and we shall have something to say to
that. Now before talking about the means of defence, let us send Tim
off to Kimberley. He is the only one who could possibly get through.
That will be our only hope. We are in the direction of the railway, and
not too far from the town for a sortie to reach us. Now, Tim, will you
go?"

Tim at once signified his willingness.

"Then off you go!" exclaimed Jack. "Quick! There is not a moment to be
lost! When you get into the town ask for Tom Salter, and get him to
take you to the `Baas'. Tell him what trouble we are in, and ask for
help to be sent us."

The plucky Zulu boy at once stepped to a corner of the room, snatched up
an assagai with an enormous blade, and, shaking a farewell with it,
darted out through the doorway.

"Jack, you're one of the right sort!" exclaimed Frank Russel when Tim
had disappeared. "I've looked at this idea of yours from every side.
If they take us now or later on it won't make much odds to me, for they
will treat me as a rebel; while you two and Eileen will just be
prisoners. We've a chance of beating them off till help reaches us, and
so sure as I'm a true