women-folk would soon make us ashamed of
ourselves. No. This town's kept out the Boers for a goodish time.
They haven't the pluck to take us, and we haven't the numbers or the
strength to beat them off. Starvation and disease are our biggest
enemies, and we're going to face them. Seems to me that we're like
Ladysmith; we're in a precious tight fix. But we'll get out of it, both
of us, and I don't mind betting a pipe of baccy--which, considering
we've scarcely an ounce left, is a biggish bet--that B.-P. will stick to
Mafeking too till that town is relieved. But, to return to you, my lad.
You have indeed seen as much of this terrible war as anyone, and, as
your old friend, I am proud of you. Now tell us what you intend doing
with yourself. If you decide to stay here, I need not say how glad we
shall all be."

"Thanks, Tom," Jack answered, "but I leave Kimberley to-morrow for
Mafeking. Perhaps by the time I return you will have been relieved, but
if not, you may be sure shall join you with the relieving force."

Jack had indeed much work before him. He had been entrusted with a
message to the garrison of Kimberley, telling them that the British
forces lying on the banks of the Modder river would advance to their aid
in one month's time, and meanwhile, having delivered the message, he was
to push north to Colonel Baden-Powell, and inform him that, once
Kimberley was free, a strong column would march to the help of gallant
Mafeking. The news of coming relief, distant though it might be, would
be of the greatest service. It would help to hearten a garrison still
far from dispirited, and above all it would show them how much longer
they would be compelled to rely upon themselves, and therefore induce
them to husband their scanty provisions and ammunition.

On the following day Jack was taken to a sand-bag fort, and shown with
much pride a long cannon manufactured in the besieged town. It was the
work of the engineers of the great De Beers Company, and it had filled a
most important post, for its range being very great, it was able to
successfully dominate and keep down the fire of the big Creuzot guns
which had for so long been throwing shell into the town. As Jack was
taken up to it a Kimberley-made shell, bearing the inscription "With
Cecil Rhodes's compliments" was placed in the breech and backed by a
charge of explosive. The gun was carefully sighted, there was a
thunderous roar, and a minute later a flash