anlike
a proceeding, for on his right, travelling before the wind at a
tremendous rate, was a perfect hurricane of fire. By some means the
Boers on the other side had set light to the thick dry grass and bushes,
and to his horror Mr Rogers saw that unless he could get back to where
he had left his horse and gallop off, he would be overtaken by the
flames.

What was worse, he found that the fiery tempest might overtake his sons
unawares, for the probabilities were that the horses would not stand.

Signing to the Zulu to run to the horse, he set off himself, with the
air becoming thick and murky with smoke, so that he feared that he had
lost his way. But, to his intense delight, upon turning the corner of a
clump of bushes there stood the faithful bay where he had left it, and
with the Zulu at its head holding the reins.

Mr Rogers leaped into the saddle, the General caught hold of the mane,
and away they went at a rapid trot in the direction in which the boys
were believed to be. But the fire gained upon them so fast that the
rider insisted upon the Zulu mounting behind him, in spite of his
remonstrances.

"Quick!" he cried angrily.

On this the General leaped up behind, and they went at full gallop,
tearing over the ground, the bay straining its sinews to the utmost,
while, as he saw the fire gaining upon him fast, Mr Rogers' heart sank
within him, for he could see no sign of either Dick or Jack, and yet he
was obliged to dash on, for the fire was wrapping round from his left as
if to cut him off.

"Where are the boys?" he groaned as he reached the top of a small
eminence, and drew rein to look around.

"There!" cried the Zulu, pointing.

To his great relief Mr Rogers saw the boys galloping towards him,
evidently coming to his aid.

Waving his hand to them to go back, he galloped down, and before long
had overtaken them, and they rode on side by side, each with a Zulu
behind his saddle, for the fire seemed to come on now with lightning
speed.

"The waggon stands just in the way of the fire, boys," groaned Mr
Rogers, "and we shall never save it unless the oxen are already
in-spanned."

It seemed to be only too true, and they urged on the horses to their
fullest speed.

It was a race for life, and they could hear the flames roaring hungrily
behind them as they tore along, the horses needing neither whip nor spur
to send them at their best pace over the crackling grass.

"Hurrah!" cried Jack. "I see