pon those who had injured her.

She stopped abruptly, and, catching sight of Jack looking at her through
the window, rushed to the cot, and, turning to face him like a hunted
animal, exclaimed: "What do you want? You have taken my husband; do you
now want my child? Come a step nearer, and I will kill the boy rather
than let him fall into your hands!"

"We are friends, and English like yourself," Jack answered soothingly.
"We are escaping from the Boers, and on our way to Ladysmith passed
close by and heard you. Tell me what has happened."

For a minute or more the lady stared at him as though her senses had
gone, then she stepped forward and clasped him by the hand.

"Then help me," she urged eagerly. "If you are Englishmen help one of
your countrywomen who is in deep distress. My name is Robb, and my
husband and I took this farm five years ago. Now the Boers say they
have annexed this part to the Transvaal, and have dragged my husband off
to work in the trenches for them. It is awful. Help me to reach
Ladysmith with my child, and God will bless you!"

"There, there!" said Jack soothingly. "We will take you with us, never
fear, and before long you and the child shall be amongst friends. How
long will it take you to get ready?"

"Half an hour," Mrs Robb answered; "and while I am preparing you can
have a meal. Open the cupboard at the end. There is some meat and
bread on the top shelf."

Jack and Guy willingly accepted the invitation, for they had not had too
much to eat on their journey from Pretoria. Accordingly, opening the
cupboard, they sat down on the floor with their backs to the wall, and
tackled the welcome meal provided, while Mrs Robb left them and went
into the front of the house to collect the things she required to take
away with her.

A few minutes later she returned hurriedly, banged the door, and put out
the light. "Quick!" she said. "About fifty Boers have ridden up, and
are entering. Fly for your lives!"

Next second the door was again burst open, and a light shone through
from the front room.

Jack and Guy were crossing the floor at the moment, hoping to escape
from the window, but voices which they suddenly heard outside showed
them that their flight was cut off in that direction.

"Surrounded!" Jack muttered harshly. "Into the cupboard, Guy!"

It was their only chance; and, rushing across to it, they had squeezed
themselves and their rifles into it before the man beari