wagon was stolen, and
soon there were loud shouts, followed by the crack of rifles and the
whistling of bullets through the tent above his head.

"Sit as low as you can, Poynter!" Jack shouted, and his friend, who had
also heard the sound of the bullets, crouched down on the driving-board,
and, touching up his leaders with his whip, set the team of six mules
galloping towards the British camp at their fastest pace.

A second later Jack's rifle spoke out, and was followed by another
volley from the Boers, more than thirty of whom had now joined in the
chase, while others, hearing the shouts and firing, hurriedly threw
themselves into their saddles and came tearing after the lumbering
wagon, rising in their stirrups every now and again to discharge their
rifles at it.

From Colenso to Chieveley the road stretches across five miles of open
veldt, and long before Jack and his friend had driven across half of it
a large troop of Boers was pursuing them. But Jack's rifle was already
hard at work, and few of his shots went amiss; while in the distance two
sudden jets of smoke spurted up into the morning air, and a couple of
shrapnel shells hurtled over the roof of the flying wagon, and bursting
in their flight, scattered bullets amongst the horsemen. Once more the
smoke from the field-guns shot up, one of the missiles striking the tent
of the wagon and ripping it to pieces, while the other landed in the
middle of the pursuing Boers. Then a column of dust rose from the
far-off camp, and before Poynter could quite make out what was
happening, two squadrons of irregular horse came spurring towards them.

At the sight the Boers with one accord turned back, while Poynter pulled
in his panting steeds and walked them towards the British camp. Soon
they were surrounded by friends. There were hurried questions and
explanations, and as soon as it was known that two of the plucky
garrison of Ladysmith had escaped, actually bringing a prisoner with
them, cheer after cheer rent the air. Then a horseman was sent forward,
and when Jack and his friend drove calmly into General Buller's camp the
road on either side was lined by soldiers and blue-jackets all shouting
a welcome.

Some refreshment was provided, and afterwards Poynter hurried off to the
general's quarters, while Jack was offered a bed in an officer's tent,
and at once turned in, as he had been awake all night.

On the following morning they were the lions of the camp.