s
stand fast. The Boer promises aren't worth the breath that's wasted on
them, and that fellow Elof Visser has his own ends in view."

"Then we'll face it out," exclaimed Jack, "and after all, things are not
so very desperate. Last night was our worst time, and if we could beat
them back then we ought to be able to do the same during daylight.
We've lots of ammunition, food, and water. The only thing I don't like
the thought of is the shell which will soon be thrown at us, but the
Boer gunners are not such good marksmen as to be able to strike us every
time, and when the shell do strike, if they are like those used in Natal
and do not burst, they will go clean through these walls and do no
further damage. When they fire we shall have to take to the cellar, and
it seems to me that the sooner we make it bomb-proof the better. It
won't be difficult. The kitchen is paved with big slabs of stone, and
by forcing them up and placing them here on the floor, and half over the
trap, we shall have a secure place to hide in. The ponies must take
their chance, though I expect most of the poor beasts will be killed as
soon as the bombardment commences."

"George! The very thing!" cried Frank Russel, smacking Jack on the
back. "Now all hands to the job! There are plenty of tools to work
with in the kitchen, and I fancy a good strong poker will be the best to
use."

All at once went into the kitchen and set to work as only men can whose
lives depend upon their exertions. Once the first slab was raised the
rest was easy, and while Eileen kept watch the others laboured at the
work, Frank Russel levering up the stones, while Jack and Wilfred
carried them into the room and laid them over the cellar.

"One will be sufficient to keep watch above, so the others had better go
below," cried Jack, as soon as the flooring was completed. "There is no
saying when a shell may pitch into the house. Light the lamp and make
all comfortable. Perhaps it will be a good plan to pass a few buckets
of water down also, in case they make it too hot for us to come up and
fetch it."

This was quickly done, and Eileen and her father climbed down the ladder
into the cellar, while Jack and Wilfred remained on top to watch for the
next attack by the enemy. The half-hour had already passed, and indeed
double that period had gone by, but still there was no movement. Then
Wilfred cried out that he saw a force of Boers approaching, and looking
thro