iculties. We are now returning to Pretoria. I am thankful that I
have broken my arm, for now they will not be able to send me to the
front. I wish, though, I could find out what has happened to Father."

"I suppose they will put us in hospital when we reach the end of our
journey, Richardson," Jack said thoughtfully. "If so, and you are ready
to come with me, we will make an attempt at escape. I have been in
difficulties in the Transvaal once before, and got out safely."

"I'll stand by you and make the attempt at any time," exclaimed
Richardson impulsively. "Anything to get out of the hands of these
Boers!"

"Then we'll take it as settled that we will have a try to get away at
the first opportunity," Jack replied. "We shall have lots of time to
talk the matter over, but one thing has occurred to me. We must make
believe that we are worse than we really are. That will make any guards
placed over us less watchful, and will give us a better chance."

That evening Jack's wound was dressed again with the greatest tenderness
by the Boer doctor, and on the following morning the oxen were
inspanned, and the small commando set off for Pretoria, carrying with
them as a trophy the skin of the African lion.

A week later they reached the seat of the Boer Government, and, much to
Jack's pleasure, he was placed in hospital side by side with Guy
Richardson, with whom he had already struck up a firm friendship. He
had quite expected to be placed amongst the English prisoners, of whom
there were unfortunately a large number already; and though he would
have been glad to be with them, his plans for escape would have become
all the more difficult. As it was, he was surrounded by Boers, and
still under the care of the same doctor, who seemed to have taken quite
a fancy to him.

Two weeks later he was about, with his arm in a sling, and was able to
see what Pretoria was like during these days of struggle. Once, too,
the President passed close to him when making a visit to the hospital,
and though it might have been merely imagination, Jack fancied that his
heavy face bore traces of ever-growing sorrow, and that the broad,
stooping shoulders were bowed a little more than usual under a load of
anxious care, and under the bitter disappointment of an overwhelming
ambition which had been cherished and nurtured for a lifetime. Nor was
the President the only one who felt the anxiety of these times of war.
The Boer forces, thoug