t
but to go."

"I sha'n't mind so much if only they will give us some food," replied
John philosophically. "I am half starved."

"And I am half dead," said Jess with a little laugh. "I wish they would
shoot us and have done with it."

"Come, cheer up, Jess," he answered; "perhaps the luck is going to
change."

She shook her head with the air of one who expects the worst, and then
some gay young spirits among the Boers came up and made things pleasant
by an exhibition of their polished wit, which they chiefly exercised at
the expense of poor Jess, whose appearance, as may well be imagined, was
exceedingly wretched and forlorn; so much so that it would have moved
the pity of most people. But these specimens of the golden youth of
a simple pastoral folk found in it a rich mine of opportunities. They
asked her if she would not like to ride straddle-legged, and if she had
bought her dress from an old Hottentot who had done with it, and if she
had been rolling about tipsy in the veldt to get all the mud on it; and
generally availed themselves of this unparalleled occasion to be witty
at the expense of an English lady in sore distress. Indeed, one gay
young dog called Jacobus was proceeding from jokes linguistic to jokes
practical. Perceiving that Jess only kept her seat on the man's saddle
by the exercise of a faculty of balance, it occurred to him that it
would be a fine thing to upset it and make her fall upon her face.
Accordingly, with a sudden twist of the rein he brought his horse
sharply against her wearied animal, nearly throwing it down; but she was
too quick for him, and saved herself by catching at the mane. Jess said
nothing; indeed, she made no answer to her tormentors, and fortunately
John understood little of what they were saying. Presently, however,
the young Boer made another attempt, putting out his hand to give her
a slight push. As it happened John saw this, and the sight of the
indignity caused the blood to boil in his veins. Before he could reflect
on what he was doing he was alongside of the man, and, catching him by
the throat, had hurled him backwards over his crupper with all the force
he could command. Jacobus fell heavily upon his shoulders, and instantly
there was a great hubbub. John drew his revolver, and the other Boers
raised their rifles, so that Jess thought there was an end of it, and
put her hand before her face, having first thanked John for avenging the
insult with a swift flash of