which the horses were kept. Meeting at a certain
point, they turned abruptly and retraced their steps in the opposite
direction, until they reached the limit of their beat and turned
again.

Mr. Naude's plans were quickly made, and his commands given below his
breath.

There was to be no bloodshed, he said. The thing could easily be done
without, if his instructions were well carried out.

Two of the men were ordered to level their guns at one of the guard
when he had nearly reached the point farthest from his comrade, while
the others stormed the stables.

It was the work of a few moments.

The first thing the unfortunate guard knew was that he was looking
straight into the barrels of two guns.

Not a word was said on either side.

Those glittering rifles, held by unseen, steady hands, flashed the
unspoken challenge, "Give the alarm, and you are a dead man."

The guard stood still as if rooted to the spot.

Swiftly and silently Mr. Naude, with his few men, approached and
entered the stables, cut loose the halters of the animals, and
stampeded from the place.

And yet the guard stood still, transfixed by the unerring aim of those
two deadly implements.

A moment more and every man was provided with a steed, another moment
and they tore across the veld in mad, exultant flight, while behind
them the shots rang out and the bullets fell beside them in the grass.

Eleven horses in all! Noble thoroughbreds, well trained and sensitive
to voice and touch.

No fear of cruel treatment from your captors, beautiful steeds! The
life you are entering upon may be full of hardship for you, but it
will be free and wild, and you will be tended with all care and
gentleness. These men are brave and strong, and it is only the
cowardly and weak who would inflict on you one single unnecessary
pain.

Serve your new masters well.

Be swift and sure when Death is on their track.

God only knows what the future holds for them of suffering and woe.

* * * * *

Not on foot, but riding like lords, these men reached General Botha's
force, and the two men Naude and Coetzee, being among the only
burghers on commando familiar with the route through the British
lines, were thereafter employed by minor officers to travel backwards
and forwards to the capital. At first their work consisted only of
helping other burghers to escape, but as time went on their duties
became more complicated and hazardous