weeks. Then he followed Wilfred
and Tom out of the bomb chamber and along the trench towards the
Russels' quarters, feeling every yard he went more and more like a lamb
going to the slaughter.

Had he but known it, there was no reason for his fears. A minute later
all three had dived down into another subterranean chamber, and before
Jack had had time to notice that it was neatly carpeted, and provided
with chairs, and a table upon which a clean white cloth and glasses were
laid, there was a joyful shout, and Frank Russel had seized him by the
hand, while Eileen, looking pale, but more beautiful than ever, had
stepped towards him, hesitated, and then, with a radiant blush and a cry
which was half-laugh, half-sob, had thrown herself into his arms, and
had embraced him as if he were a long-lost brother.

Jack was a bashful lad, and at any other time would have been covered
with confusion. But now it was different. Eileen was truly glad to see
him, and he returned her kisses with an impetuosity which surprised
himself. A few seconds later he was himself again, and being eagerly
questioned.

"Tell us how it is you happened to come back to us," said Frank Russel.
"You said you would, but none of us believed it possible, save perhaps
Eileen, who always declared that you would return before the end of the
siege."

"Yes, Father, I felt sure that Jack would fulfil his promise," Eileen
cried.

"There, my lad, you see what a reputation you have," laughed Frank.
"But get ahead with the yarn, and let us know what has happened to you
since we parted."

Jack readily complied with the request, and then asked how the besiegers
had fared.

"Ah! it was all very well at first," Tom Salter exclaimed, "but these
last few weeks our trials have been awful. Water has not been too good,
though there's been plenty of it. But grub's the thing that has been
wanting. We've been on short rations for a long while, and if that
relief-column does not turn up pretty soon there will be none of us
left. We are eating horse and mule now. Vegetables are practically
exhausted, and what with that, the impure water, the heat, and living
here below-ground, death and disease have been very busy amongst us.
The women and the children--poor little souls!--have suffered terribly,
and the little ones have died like flies. But mark my words, Jack;
we're far from giving in. There's not a man of us who would listen to
surrender, and if we did, the