ong round, and brought them back to the plantation; and now, wearied
out, they were making their way to their kennel at the back of the house
and sheds.

The night's labour seemed to have been all in vain; and Nic laid his
hand upon his companion's shoulder as he said, with a bitter sigh:

"Pete, Pete, it is hopeless. We shall never see the old home again."

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

NEVER SAY DIE.

"What zay?" cried Pete sharply. "Never zay die, lad. English lads are
never beat. Look at that!"

He pointed through the trees at where the streamlet widened into the
little creek where they had first landed, and Nic rubbed his eyes,
refusing to believe in what he saw.

But there it was plain enough in the dim, grey dawn--the boat lying tied
up to the post; and a great sob rose to the poor fellow's lips, while
for a few moments he could not stir.

Then a thrill of excitement ran through him as he looked round and saw
that the dogs had passed out of sight beyond the long, low shed which
had been their jail.

It came like a flash to him now what must have taken place--one of those
guesses at the truth which hit the mark. He knew that his enemies had
dashed off in pursuit of the men who had made for the boat.

They must have been overtaken during the night, brought back, and were
doubtless at that moment shut up in their old quarters.

Nic hurriedly told Pete his impression, and the latter slapped his leg.

"That's it," he said, "and zarve 'em right, zir. That's tumbling into
the hole you made for zomebody else, isn't it? That's why they've not
blown the old shell yet and didn't put the boat back. Been out all
night."

"Could we make sure by trying to see whether there is any one on guard
at the barrack-door?"

"Zoon do that, zir," said Pete; and, going down upon hands and knees, he
crawled away among the bushes, to be back in a few minutes.

"Old Zamson and Zerk both there at the door, zir, with guns."

"Then they have caught them," said Nic excitedly. "But the blacks are
both sitting down, fast asleep, zir."

"Worn out with their night's work, Pete; but the prisoners will be well
ironed and safe enough."

"Ay, zir, or they'd have had the boat by now."

"Now then, can we crawl to it under cover? We must be off at once."

"Couldn't on'y crawl half-way, zir, and then it's all open, and we might
be shot at if they zaw us from the house. Better make a dash for it at
once and chance it."

"Come