nd the De Beers Company had poured supplies and arms into the town, and
there was sufficient to last for many weeks. The water-supply had been
cut off, but there was plenty to be obtained in the town, and there was
therefore no fear on that point. Altogether the inhabitants were faring
better than might have been expected. All food was to be had at
standard prices, and they were protected by a force which, if not too
ample, at any rate made up for their lack of numbers by a dauntless
determination to hold the town.

No one was allowed to leave the neighbourhood of the defences or to
enter the town without a signed permit, and this was strongly adhered
to, for, as in Mafeking, and indeed in our camps in any part of South
Africa, spies swarmed everywhere.

But if the garrison were determined to hold the town, they were equally
prepared to make the time pass easily. Mr Cecil Rhodes, the
administrator of Rhodesia and at once a brilliantly clever and most
popular man, dispensed hospitality on every side. He gave dinners and
dances to enliven the people, and at one of them, which occurred on the
night after their arrival, Jack was present with the Russels, and
waltzed with Eileen to the strains of inspiriting music. Then they
slipped out, and, climbing on a mound near by, stared across the veldt
at the Boer laagers and then back at the defences of Kimberley, all
easily distinguishable under the rays of a glorious moon.

"How lovely it all looks in this light!" said Eileen gently. "What a
pity that there should be such a thing as war! But I can see it is
necessary, for if the English troops did not fight they would be driven
out of the country, and then none of us would be safe. I am sorry about
the old home too. I loved it and the flower-garden; but it was far
better to defend it as we did than give in to the Boers. Jack, do you
know I have never really thanked you for all you did, and for saving me
from that brutal man. Only last night Father said that we owed our
lives to you. I am proud of you, Jack! Shake hands!"

Jack was astonished. He stuttered, grew confused, and then dropped
Eileen's hand as though it were a hot coal, for he was a bashful lad,
and in a terrible fright all the time that Eileen would burst into tears
or throw herself in his arms in the excitement of the moment.

"Oh, never mind what I did, Eileen!" he blurted out. "I'd have done it
for anyone else; and Wilfred deserves your thanks a