just as well
stay in Kimberley till the road to Mafeking is open again. Yes, if you
have business in Kimberley I will go along with you."

"Well," said Jack rather shamefacedly, "I cannot say that it is exactly
business that takes me to the town. The fact is I am engaged to Miss
Eileen Russel, and am anxious to find out how she is."

"What, Eileen Russel, daughter of the colonist whose house was bombarded
at the commencement of the war!" cried Riley in astonishment. "Yes, his
house was attacked," answered Jack, smiling.

"By Jove, then, you must be the fellow we all heard about!" shouted
Riley, seizing Jack by the hand; "and now I understand why I could not
make out where I met you before. Of course it was in Mafeking, and I
remember you left us, to ride north. Good heavens, man! to think that
we have been together all these days and you have never mentioned it!
Why, the fame of that beating you fellows gave the Boers close to
Kimberley has gone everywhere. Shake hands again, old man, and when we
reach Kimberley I shall make a point of seeing this young lady and
telling her what a brick you are."

Two days later Jack and his friend left the English camp, and, passing
through the lines of the Canadian troops, who had distinguished
themselves for their bravery during the whole campaign, and especially
in the attack upon the Boer laager, they trotted across the open veldt
to Kimberley.

Tom Salter was the first to meet them, and at once conducted Jack to the
house in which the Russels had now taken up their quarters.

"There you are, lad," he said kindly, patting Jack on his broad back;
"the girl's in there, just crying her eyes out for you, and fancying
you've been hurt. The news came over yesterday that you had been found
in Cronje's laager, and as nothing was said as to your being dead or
alive, she has naturally been in a state of anxiety ever since. You go
in, old boy, and I'll take care of Riley. We'll come along in half an
hour and have a yarn."

There is no need to tell of the joy of the meeting between stalwart Jack
and his future bride. Of this be sure, the half-hour flew by so quickly
that it seemed to be only a few minutes before Tom and Riley turned up
again.

"What do you think of the town now?" asked the former, eyeing Jack
quizzically. "I can tell you, my lad, it's a tremendous relief to be
free from those Boers and have plenty of good food and water again. I
shall never forget that da