ave the required information and volunteered to show
them the way.

Before they retired for the night Naude took Mrs. van Warmelo's hand,
and, looking earnestly into her face, said:

"Do you know what it means to harbour me? There is a heavy price on my
head, and in the event of an attack I do not mean to be taken alive.
There will be a fight under your roof. I am well armed"--he tapped his
revolvers significantly; "it means confiscation of your property and
imprisonment for you and your daughter. Are you prepared for this? If
not, say the word; it is not yet too late for us to seek refuge
elsewhere."

"You are heartily welcome here," she replied, "and if it comes to
fighting----"

"We have arms too," Hansie broke in, "a revolver and a pocket-pistol.
It will not be the first time that Boer women have fought side by side
with their men----" She stopped in some confusion, suddenly
remembering General Maxwell and the permits he had given her.

"I fervently hope there will be no fighting," she continued. "I am
sure there will not be. There are too many troops lying around
Harmony, we shall never be suspected of harbouring spies; but if we
should be surprised in the night, don't begin shooting at once. We
have a hiding-place for you."

Mrs. van Warmelo led the way to her bedroom, where the men were to
sleep, and, removing a rug from the floor beside the bed, she lifted
two boards and disclosed an opening large enough for the body of a man
to pass through.

"Put all your belongings in here and creep in at the first alarm," she
said. "We will cover you up securely. Leave the matter in our hands."

"By the way," said the Captain suddenly, "who is Flippie?"

She gave him a brief outline of Flippie's history and how he came to
be at Harmony.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, I should like to cultivate Flippie's acquaintance. I must find
out what he thinks of how _we_ come to be with you."

"Oh, Flippie is all right," she declared. "You can trust him with
anything. But perhaps it will be safer for you to remain in hiding
while you are with us, not to be seen even by the servants."

"We can arrange all that to-morrow," Captain Naude answered. "I am
sure you must be tired now, and perhaps you will not get much rest.
There are many things to do and to discuss to-morrow. I must see
several people and give you the reports for the President."

"Will you let me be your secretary?" Hansie asked. "I am secretary to
the new Comm