nding near at hand, and as Cronje
finished speaking, two of them nodded sagely and ejaculated: "Ja, Ja! we
shall take the English soldiers. They are not wise."

The third, however, who was a Free State burgher, differed.

"These English are not such fools as you think," he said shortly. "I
tell you, there is a big force advancing on our flank, and unless we do
something, and at once, we shall ourselves be captured."

"Nonsense, nonsense, you are too timid!" exclaimed Cronje fiercely,
turning on him and scowling angrily at him.

The Free State commandant was on the point of answering back, and
commencing a quarrel with his superior, when two more horsemen galloped
up and reported news of the gravest importance. General French,
accompanied by a column of some 10,000 mounted men and guns, was pushing
straight forward for Kimberley, and the British foot were following, and
already threatened the road to Bloemfontein.

Instantly all was confusion in the Boer camp. Valuables were hastily
thrown into wagons, and within a very short time Gronje and his forces
were in full retreat, a long column streaming across the veldt on the
way to Bloemfontein, while a second and smaller one went north. Behind
them they left all their stores, and even their dinners, which in the
hour of departure they were unable to eat.

Jack was marched between two ruffianly-looking Boers with the first
column, and watched with secret satisfaction the confusion that reigned
everywhere, and the downcast looks of the men who had boasted only a few
hours before that the British were in their hands.

At the head of the column, sullen and dejected, rode Cronje, and on
either flank and far behind were Boer skirmishers ready to guard the
long line of wagons.

All day they pushed forward, resting frequently to allow the tired oxen
and mules to lie down. At night a laager was formed, but by daylight
the long column had taken the road again, and was pressing forward in
feverish haste towards Bloemfontein. Then came rifle shots in the
distance, and with his glasses, which had fortunately not been taken
from him, Jack made out men in khaki marching across the veldt some
miles away.

They were the plucky soldiers of General Kelly-Kenny's division, and
now, having come up with the enemy after forced marches, they showed
that they were determined that he should not slip through their fingers.

On the following morning Cronje and his forces were complet