ce their magazines were empty, it took only a few moments to replenish
them, and again they poured a stream of bullets through the loopholes.

But the Boers had already had sufficient. With shouts and shrill cries
of fear they disappeared in the darkness, leaving many of their number
dead or wounded in the garden.

"That will make them more careful next time," muttered Jack. "I wonder
what their next move will be!"

He had not long to wait, for almost before he had finished speaking
there was a roar of musketry all round, and a hail of bullets flew
through the house, piercing the walls as if they were merely composed of
paper, and sending splinters flying in all directions. It was decidedly
unpleasant, but all escaped by the greatest luck, the only injury
sustained being a flesh wound by Jack. The bullet had passed through
the calf of his leg, but so unimportant was it that a handkerchief tied
round it was amply sufficient to staunch the blood which flowed, while
the pain was so little that he scarcely felt it then, though later on he
suffered considerably.

"Lie down, all of you!" shouted Frank at this moment. "They will be
giving us another volley."

All threw themselves on the ground close to their loopholes, through
which they stared out at the veldt, which was now becoming more visible
every moment.

A second later another storm of bullets tore through the house, while
others struck the iron roof above, giving rise to an alarming noise.
For five minutes the fusilade continued, and then suddenly ceased.

"To your posts!" cried Jack. "They will hope to have killed or wounded
all of us, and will make a rush."

Sure enough, a host of Boers now appeared in the growing light, running
towards the house, and into them all four rifles poured a stream of
lead, each shot of which, though hastily fired, was carefully aimed. At
such close quarters it proved disastrous, and though a few of the bolder
spirits amongst the enemy did manage to reach the house, the majority
were either struck down or retired precipitately. For those who were
attempting to kick in the door Jack's Mauser pistol still remained, and
he emptied it amongst them without pity.

At any other time the fact that he was taking human life, and sending
fellow-beings to a last and sudden account, would have shocked him and
filled him with lasting remorse. But now it was different. He had seen
a crew of powerful men injuring and threatening a hel