diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/68999-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/68999-0.txt | 5148 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 5148 deletions
diff --git a/old/68999-0.txt b/old/68999-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 855b0ee..0000000 --- a/old/68999-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5148 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The kopje farm, by William Johnston - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The kopje farm - -Author: William Johnston - -Release Date: September 16, 2022 [eBook #68999] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Al Haines - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KOPJE FARM *** - - - - - - - -[Illustration: Cover art] - - - -[Frontispiece: "Sir! you are ambushed!"] - - - -THE KOPJE FARM - -By William Johnston - -Author of "Tom Graham, V.C.," "With the Rhodesian Horse," etc. - - - -With - -Coloured Illustrations - -by - -Lancelot Speed - - - -COLLINS' CLEAR-TYPE PRESS - -LONDON, GLASGOW, AND NEW YORK - - - - - CONTENTS - - CHAP. - - I. JACK LOVAT - II. A BOER LAAGER - III. FRINGED WITH FIRE - IV. MR. LOVAT'S ADVENTURE - V. DIAMOND VALLEY - VI. A CAPE REBEL - VII. A WEIRD ADVENTURE - VIII. THE AMBUSH - IX. THE RESCUE - X. THE FARM RECAPTURED - XI. DIAMONDS GALORE - - - - -THE KOPJE FARM - - - -CHAPTER I - -JACK LOVAT - -Those stirring times are days of the past, and the unsheathed sword -has given place to the ploughshare, but weird pictures of bloodshed -among man and beast are indelibly impressed on Jack Lovat's brain, -and his dreams of to-day are often linked with the scenes enacted -during the "White Men's War" beneath the glittering Southern Cross. - -Jack Lovat was not a Colonial bred and born, for his boyhood had been -passed amid the peaceful surroundings of a Highland sheep farm in -dear old Scotland. Mr. Lovat, Jack's father, had been a laird of -substantial means, and was descended from a line of ancestors in -whose veins coursed a strain of royal blood; but bad times came, and -Jack, instead of proceeding to Loretto, took passage as a member of -the Lovat family, in a Castle liner bound for Cape Town. - -Jack was seventeen at the time our story opens. Rather above the -middle height, he was broad, and his bronzed features testified to -his three years' sojourn on the South African veldt. - -The Kaffirs on his father's ostrich farm, near Orangefontein, had -dubbed him "The Strong-armed Baas," only a month later than his -advent to the holding locally known as "The Kopje Farm." - -Pete, the Kaffir who acted as native foreman to Mr. Lovat, declared -that "Baas Jack" could fell the biggest ox ever inspanned in a Cape -waggon, which of course was an exaggeration of a very bad type, but -to which statement Pete and the other "boys" employed on the estate -pinned implicit faith. - -The dogs of war had been let loose in South Africa, but Orangefontein -had not been troubled as yet. Ladysmith, Kimberley, and gallant -little tin-roofed Mafeking had been besieged and relieved, but round -the homes of the settlers near Ookiep and Orangefontein tranquillity -reigned. - -On the outbreak of hostilities, Jack Lovat had begged his father to -allow him to join a Colonial mounted corps, but Mr. Lovat withheld -his permission. - -"No, boy," said the ostrich farmer; "we will defend our home to the -last, and I can't spare you; so say no more about it. It will be -quite time for us to take up arms when the Boers come round here." -So Jack, with a somewhat bad grace, had to rest content, and busy -himself with attending to the ostriches and the big fruit farm on the -bank of the Zak River. - -One afternoon during the African winter, Jack and Pete were engaged -in rounding up the ostriches. Mr. Lovat had left early in the -morning for Springbokfontein. He had driven over to the town in a -light Cape cart, in whose shafts was Bessie--a favourite mare, foaled -on the farm, and belonging to Mary Lovat, Jack's sister. - -Bessie was known to be the fastest roadster in the district, and was -as playful as a kitten, and never was a horse better loved than was -Bessie by Mary Lovat. - -The ostrich farmer had promised Mrs. Lovat that he would be home soon -after midday, and it was now four hours past that time; so Jack was -naturally anxious. - -In a cowhide portmanteau Mr. Lovat had taken five hundred sovereigns, -intended for deposit in Springbokfontein Bank. The town guard in -Springbokfontein was exceptionally strong, and Mr. Lovat, after much -discussion with his wife and Jack, had decided to deposit the gold -for safe keeping in the bank, instead of, as Mrs. Lovat at first -suggested, hiding it in some carefully marked spot on the kopje, in -case of the advent of the Boers. - -The ostriches having been penned up in Cromarty Kraal--so called from -his mother's maiden name--Jack turned to Pete and said, "My father is -late. I hope he is all right." - -"De baas will come in his own good time," observed Pete; "he will be -able to take good care ob himself. Dere be no Boers about here." - -"I should like to see some of them come," said Jack, with a laugh. -"I think we could give a good account of them. Let me see," and the -young settler began to count on his fingers; "there's you, Pete, and -Saul, Moses, Jethro, Simon, Zacchary, Daniel, Obadiah, and I must not -forget Pat, besides my father and self. That makes eleven, doesn't -it? With the rifles and ammunition we got from Port Nolloth, and -inside our strong walls, we could keep a commando at bay." - -Jack's enthusiasm began to rise, and he went on: "I hope some of the -beggars do come down upon us. I want to try my rifle upon something -better than springbok and hartebeeste. What say you, Pete?" - -A broad grin spread over the Kaffir's face, as he replied, "I dunno, -Baas Jack. I no want a Mauser bullet through my skin. All de same, -baas, if de time eber comes, Pete will be found ready to lay down his -life for de baas, missis, little missie, an' you." - -"Bravo, Pete! spoken like a man!" cried Jack, who nearly so far -forgot himself as to shake hands with the Kaffir. "And now, Pete, -let us go round and see what the boys are doing." - -Kopje Farm well deserved its appellation, for it stood on the middle -spur of a high, flat-topped range of hills. The building had been -erected many years before by a Dutch settler, when trouble was rife -with the Bantus, and its thick stone walls, loopholed here and there, -gave it the appearance of a fort. Around the dwelling-house ran a -wall of stone, some six feet in height and correspondingly thick, -which had continuations to the ostrich kraal, where the birds were -penned at night. - -Jack found that the "boys" had finished their task of fastening up -the ostriches committed to their charge, and were standing in a -group, chattering in their guttural Kaffir tongue. A few yards away -was Pat O'Neill, an Irishman hailing from the wilds of Connaught, who -had followed the fortunes of the Lovat family as general factotum -from the day the Scotch laird had landed in the colony. - -Jack's quick eye glanced at the Kaffirs, after which he strode -towards the place where Pat was standing contemplatively smoking a -short black duddeen. Pat on seeing his young master approach, came -instantly to the salute; for the Connemara man, twenty years before, -had formed one of the glorious defenders of Rorke's Drift. - -"Where is Saul?" inquired Jack of the Irishman. - -"He has gone on an errand for the mistress, sorr," answered Pat. -"One of Master Butler's children down the valley is laid up wid -fever, an' the mistress, who is good to every one, has sent some -cooling medicine for the poor thing, which will do it good, please -God. Has the master returned from Springbokfontein?" - -"He has not arrived yet, Pat," answered Jack. - -"Then I shall be mighty glad when I see him," observed the Irishman. - -"Things are all right, Pat," said Jack, forcing a laugh. - -"They may be, and may not be, sorr," remarked Pat. "Zacchary has -just told me that a commando of Boers under the daring leader, -Christian Uys, is trekking this way. The last time the Boers were -heard of they were in the Upper Zak River district. How in the world -these niggers get news, sorr, is more than Pat O'Neill, late corporal -in the ould 24th Regiment, can understand. Shall I saddle up and go -to meet the master, sorr?" - -"Not a bad idea, Pat. Just wait a moment until I see mother;" and -Jack went inside the farmhouse, where he found Mrs. Lovat peering -through a window at the long winding road leading down the valley -towards Springbokfontein. - -Hearing footsteps, Mrs. Lovat turned round, and seeing Jack, said, -"I'm dreadfully anxious about your father, Jack. I cannot understand -why he has not returned. It is so unlike him to disappoint me." - -"He'll be all right, mother," observed Jack cheerfully. "Very -probably he has met some one he has not seen for a time. He is sure -to be here before nightfall. Did he take any lamps? I was busy -branding an ostrich when he went away." - -"Yes, he trimmed the lamps and put them on before he set out," -answered Mrs. Lovat. "I was rather surprised, as I thought he would -not need them." - -"These South African roads are not good, and people are delayed -sometimes," said Jack. "Pat is going down the road to meet him, so -cheer up, mother. Where is Mary?" - -"She has a bad headache, Jack, and is lying down on the couch in the -dining-room," replied Mrs. Lovat. "I do wish this time of dreadful -uncertainty was over. It seems to be wearing my life out." - -"I should like to take part in the war, mother," said Jack. "I -sometimes get tired of the humdrum life we lead. Why didn't dad -allow me to join the Scouts Mr. Driscoll raised when the war broke -out? I can fight as well as any man, and I know I can shoot -straight." - -"Jack!" - -"I did not mean to hurt your feelings, mother; but if any Boers come -here to harm you or Mary, they will have a bad time of it, so long as -I can stand on my feet or hold a rifle." - -Tears came into gentle Mrs. Lovat's eyes, as she replied, "The war -spirit is a dreadful thing, Jack. It seems a crime in this twentieth -century for men to be so anxious to imbrue their hands in their -fellow-creatures' blood. I am always saying, 'Lord! how long?'" - -"Well, all I can say, mother, is that if any Boers try to take Kopje -Farm, while I can handle my rifle, they will stand a chance of being -winged for their pains," observed Jack. "No Boers come here unless I -am disabled and can't stop them. I am going now to tell Pat to -saddle up and give a look-out for dad;" and saying this, he strode -out of the apartment and walked to where Pat was still standing -staring at the road leading to Springbokfontein. - -"Pat!" - -"Yes, sorr," answered the Irishman, coming to attention; "I'm at your -service, sorr." - -"Put the saddle on Cawdor and gallop down the road. If you should -happen to meet father, you need not say that I sent you. You -understand?" - -"I know your meaning perfectly well, sorr," replied Pat; and the -honest fellow walked to the stables, where he saddled Cawdor, a -beautiful Arab, which Mr. Lovat had purchased at Worcester a year -before, while on his ostrich-selling peregrinations. - -Jack looked attentively at Pat's preparations. The Irishman spent -some time in examining the saddlery, paying special attention to the -girths, and being apparently satisfied with his inspection, he -mounted. - -"You have forgotten your rifle," said Jack. "You had better take it -with you." - -"I've got a barker, sorr," observed Pat, with a laugh, tapping his -hip-pocket. "An officer of the ould corps gave it me many years ago, -an' we've not parted company yet." - -"Wait here till I return," said Jack authoritatively; and the -settler's son went back to the house. - -Jack proceeded straight to a storeroom where Mr. Lovat was in the -habit of keeping his rifles and ammunition. He selected a weapon of -the Lee-Enfield pattern, and took down a bandolier which was hanging -on a peg. The bandolier was empty, but Jack broke open an ammunition -box and filled the pockets of the belt with cartridges, after which -he returned to Pat. - -"Here, take these, Pat," said Jack, handing up the rifle and -bandolier, which the Irishman took. The latter slung the belt over -his shoulder, and, at Jack's suggestion, filled the magazine of the -rifle. - -"Well, good-bye, sorr," said Pat, and the next moment Cawdor was -proceeding at a canter down the mountain road. - -An hour passed, still no signs of Mr. Lovat or Pat, and Jack's -anxiety increased. The ostrich farmer was a man of his word, and -Jack began to fear that something was wrong, but he kept a cheerful -face in front of his mother and Mary. - -They were sitting in the dining-room, partaking of tea, when a tap -was heard on the half-open door. Jack instantly rose to his feet and -went outside. In the hall stood Pete. The Kaffir did not speak, but -beckoned with his forefinger, and then passed through a door leading -to a back yard. - -Jack followed, and when outside, said, "Well, Pete, what is it?" - -"Baas Jack," exclaimed Pete, "I dunno, but something is wrong. -Come!" and the native walked rapidly round to the front of the house, -Jack following in wonderment. - -"Look, baas," said the Kaffir, "what does that mean?" and he pointed -to what appeared to be a moving spot on the veldt. - -Jack gazed long and earnestly. "Why, it is a horse without a rider!" -he exclaimed at last. - -Kaffirs are noted for their keenness of vision, and shading his eyes -with his right hand, Pete observed, "The horse is coming dis way, -Baas Jack." - -Pete was right. Nearer and nearer came the flying quadruped, until -at last the stirrups from an empty saddle could be seen swaying -backwards and forwards. - -Jack's breath came thick and fast. The horse in a mad gallop was -approaching them. - -"Baas Jack," cried Pete, "it is Bessie!" - -And so it proved. A few moments later, Mary's pet, the beautiful -creature Mr. Lovat had driven to Springbokfontein that morning in the -Cape cart, galloped up, covered with foam and blood! - -Bessie was trembling in every limb, but she whinnied gently as Jack -patted her neck. On Bessie's back was a Boer saddle. A sudden fear -descended on Jack Lovat, and mentally he asked the question, "What -has happened to father?" - -The mare was bleeding from a wound in the right shoulder, evidently -caused by a bullet. - -"Take her round to the stables, Pete," said Jack. "I will join you -presently." Saying this, he went into the house. He met Mrs. Lovat -coming out of the dining-room, and she at once accosted him. - -"What is the matter, Jack? I heard the noise of hoofs just now. Is -it your father who has returned?" - -"No, he has not come yet, mother," answered Jack. "You must finish -your tea. Pete wants me round at the stables. I shall be back -presently;" and he went out again, but Mrs. Lovat followed him. - -Pete was busily engaged in rubbing down the mare, and when Mrs. Lovat -caught a glimpse of the blood on the poor creature's hide, she cried -out, "Why, Jack, it is Bessie! Where is your father?" and the -settler's wife burst into a flood of tears. - -"You are in the way just now, mother," said Jack gently. "Go inside, -until I have seen to Bessie. Something, I am afraid, has happened. -The poor thing is in great pain, and I must do what I can to relieve -it. Do go inside, please, mother. I will come to you presently."' - -Mrs. Lovat, whose vivid imagination had conjured up all kinds of -evils, obeyed Jack, and returned to the house. - -Now Jack Lovat's sterling qualities of coolness and resource began to -be displayed. With the skill of an experienced veterinary surgeon, -he examined Bessie's wound, and then carefully washed away the -coagulated blood. A gaping orifice an inch in diameter in the -animal's shoulder told Jack that it was a gunshot wound and that it -had been caused by a Mauser expanding bullet. - -The "boys" had gathered round, all anxious to help; but Jack would -allow no other hands than those of himself and Pete to touch the -mare, so the Kaffirs drew back, and stood whispering among themselves. - -Suddenly a clattering noise was heard, and before the "boys" could -get out of the way, Pat O'Neill, mounted on Cawdor, whose chest and -flanks were foam-flecked, was on the top of them, sending Zacchary -and Moses tumbling to the ground. - -The Irishman was bareheaded, and the arteries in his temples stood -out like whipcord. He pulled Cawdor up, and dismounted. Jack, with -wildly dilated eyes, queried, "What is the matter, Pat? Have you -seen father?" - -"No, sorr," gasped the faithful Irishman, "I haven't seen the master; -but a Boer commando--bad luck to them!--is making straight for us. -And I'm afraid, sorr, it will be a bad job for all of us. Their -scouts are close at hand even now. You'll fight, sorr?" - -"Yes, we will all fight, Pat," answered Jack proudly. "Boys, all at -once to the storeroom. Pete, take Bessie into the stable and give -her some water and a feed of corn. I'm sorry for mother and Mary, -but it can't be helped. No surrender to the Boers!" - -And Jack Lovat, although only a lad, and suffering under dire -apprehension, began his preparations for the defence of the Kopje -Farm. - -His worthy henchman, Pat O'Neill, had often detailed to him the story -of the glorious defence of Rorke's Drift, where a few Britishers, -many of whom were sick and wounded, for hours, amid flames and -death-dealing bullets, had held at bay the flower of savage -Tshingwayo's command. - -"Master Jack," said Pat, as Mr. Lovat's son stopped for a moment in -his work, "we will hould the place for the sake of the missis an' -Miss Mary, an' please the Almighty, I hope wid the same results as we -had at the Drift on the Buffalo River, when eight Victoria Crosses -were won in one night." - -"We will hold it to the last, Pat," responded Jack quietly. "My -father has had to work hard for all he has, and the Boers shan't take -it from him while my finger can pull a trigger;" and Jack Lovat meant -every word he said. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -A BOER LAAGER - -Eleven miles north-west of Orangefontein, and an almost equal -distance from Springbokfontein, a party of Boers were laagered. They -were Free Staters, with a sprinkling of Hollanders and renegade -Britons--the latter, few in number, having at one time served with -the English colours, and owing to their misdeeds, had deserted or -been drummed out of the British army. - -Nearly all were in rags, for that ubiquitous cavalry leader, General -French, had not allowed them a minute's rest, but had hurried and -harried them hither and thither, until the majority of the burghers -had grown sick and tired of the guerilla warfare, and wished for the -end to come. - -Their portable possessions--and indeed the latter could not be -otherwise than portable--were stowed away in a few light Cape carts. - -Ammunition was scarce, and had to be husbanded with the greatest -care, while food could only be procured with much difficulty from the -scattered farmsteads among the mountains of the Langeberg Range. - -A Boer of immense stature, holding in his right hand a formidable -sjambok, was leaning against the wheel of one of the carts. He was a -magnificent specimen of physical manhood, and the privations that for -two long years he had uncomplainingly endured had only served to -increase his tremendous muscular strength. - -His bronzed and deeply marked features showed a strength of will and -determination rare even in that race of obstinate men, the Boers of -South Africa. - -An immense beard swept his breast, the hair composing it being -streaked with gray. When Christian Uys first shouldered his rifle on -the outbreak of hostilities he was, comparatively speaking, a young -man, but under the sombre folds of the flag of war he had grown -prematurely aged and gray. - -A young burgher passing with a led horse, with a limping gait, -arrested his attention, and awoke him from the train of gloomy -reveries he was indulging in. - -"Ah, Van Donnop," said the commandant, "I wish to speak to you. What -is the matter with your horse?" - -The burgher whom he addressed was a sprightly young fellow of -nineteen, strongly made, and as agile as the springbok he had hunted -from youth upwards. - -"It is lame, Commandant," answered the youth. "One of its pasterns -is split. I do not think it will be able to travel farther. And my -favourite horse, too. I am very sorry, for it has been mine since it -was a foal." - -"I too am sorry, Piet," said the officer in a sympathising tone of -voice. "We are greatly in need of horses." - -The commandant stooped down and examined the horse's hoofs, after -which he looked up and remarked in a grave tone of voice, "A bad -case, Piet. The poor brute must be killed." - -A crimson flush surged up into the face of the young burgher, and he -exclaimed excitedly, "Do not ask me to kill her, Commandant! She was -my mother's gift to me when I was sixteen. I am hoping to leave her -at my father's farm and obtain another mount in her place." - -A look of pity crept into the commandant's face as he gazed at the -boy. - -"Ah, I forgot, Van Donnop," said the Boer leader; "you are now in -your native parts. How long have you served in my commando?" - -The young burgher thought for a moment, and then answered, "From -three months before we beat the rooineks at Koorn Spruit, near the -Waterworks. Let me see, that is now going on for two years. You -will allow me to keep the mare, Commandant?" Van Donnop asked -beseechingly. - -"But how will you travel?" asked Uys. - -"I am fleet of foot, and do not mind the hardship," pleaded the lad. -"If I may only keep my horse, I shall be happy. She is part of -myself;" and Piet's voice faltered as he went on, "She who gave me -the mare is dead." - -Piet stroked the finely arched neck of the mare, and the gentle -creature rubbed its tawny muzzle against the young burgher's cheek. - -"We shall see," said the commandant at last. "By the way, you and -your brother Jan know this countryside well. If we are to reach Port -Nolloth, we must have more mounts. Do you know any likely place -where we can replenish our stock of horses?" - -"There is one farm where many horses are kept--at least there used to -be, when I was at home." - -"And where is that?" asked the commandant. "To whom does the farm -belong?" - -"To a settler named Lovat," answered Piet. - -"One of our race?" interrogated the commandant. - -"He is opposed to us," replied Piet; "his name is a foreign one. He -is a Scotch settler who breeds many horses and ostriches." - -"Has he helped the rooineks?" queried Uys, and a frown passed over -his face. - -"He does not sympathise with us, Commandant," answered Piet, "but I -do not think he has favoured one side or the other. I believe he is -entirely taken up with looking after his ostriches." - -"And you can guide us to this farm?" asked the commandant. "Possibly -he may have some spare nags." - -Piet Van Donnop evidently did not like the suggested commission, and -the commandant, noting this, went on: "We must have some mounts, -Piet, or the rooineks will catch us. If that happens, I'm afraid our -fate will be a sorry one. A regiment of Lancers--the men who cut up -the Transvaalers at Elandslaagte--as well as several troops of New -Zealanders are on our track, and without fresh horses we shall stand -an almost sure chance of capture." - -"You will not harm Mr. Lovat or his family?" asked Piet. - -A smile played for a moment on the commandant's stern features, then -he said, "Not at all, Piet. Why should we? I'm afraid your heart is -concerned in the matter. But of course we must have what we require, -and very few questions asked into the bargain." - -"I will guide you, then," said the young burgher. "I may keep my -horse, Commandant?" - -"We shall see in the morning, boy," was the only reply vouchsafed by -the Boer leader; and Piet moved on, leading his lame horse. - -Taking out an immense pipe from one of his pockets, Christian Uys -filled it with leaf tobacco, lit up, and began to smoke. - -The commandant was evidently in a tender mood, for his thoughts were -in distant Winburg, where his wife and the children left to him were -being sheltered in a concentration camp, created by his arch-enemies, -the British. - -His was a strange compound of human nature. At times generous and -kind, at others he was fierce, implacable, and relentless. Like his -famous leader, General Joubert, at the outset he had realised that -the struggle in which his country had engaged was a hopeless one, but -with the obstinacy characteristic of his race, when once his hand was -put to the plough, there was no turning back. - -Christian Uys had already lost three sons in the war. His youngest, -a boy of fifteen, and the flower of the commandant's family, had been -shot in the stomach at Senekal. The brave boy hid his wound and -continued on the march, although a trail of blood marked the path -along which he rode, until he fell exhausted from his saddle, and -with his dying breath, and a look of intense love in his eyes, said, -"Father, I can fight no more, I am done." These were the brave lad's -last words, and like others on both sides, yielded up his spirit for -the cause in which he thought he was righteously fighting. - -An older brother had been with the fierce Cronje in the honeycombed -banks of the Modder, amidst the brown sulphurous smoke of bursting -lyddite shells, and while bringing water for a wounded comrade from -the polluted stream, had been struck squarely in the chest by a -Lee-Enfield bullet, and had fallen on his face, never to rise again. - -The last to die was the oldest boy of the family. A delicate youth -at the best, he had gone on commando with his father when the -vierkeleur was first hoisted in the field. For several months he had -fought and roughed it with the rest, until foul enteric seized him, -and the ranks of the Boer army knew him no more. He found a last -resting-place in a shallow grave on the veldt, not many miles from -his birthplace. - -Christian Uys woke up from his reverie and took a stroll round the -laager. Here was Jan Steen, once a well-to-do jeweller of Winburg, -who before war broke out was always immaculately dressed, with ample -starched shirt front and bejewelled fingers; there Van Sterck, the -learned medico of the same town. Neither had had a change of raiment -for months, and both looked correspondingly miserable. Yonder stood -Louis Bredon, the dandy of Harrismith, now a veritable scarecrow in -trousers made of sacking on which the address of a large milling -concern in Johannesburg was branded in staring black letters. -Bredon, like the rest of the commando, was weary of the daily -trekking, discomfort, and misery incidental to warfare, and his mind -was wandering back to the time when he used to walk down the shady -side of Harrismith's main street, the cynosure of the belles of the -Free State town. - -"You look discontented, Bredon," said Uys. "I am afraid you are like -most of my burghers. We cannot give in now, after we have endured so -much. There has not been sufficient fighting of late to keep up your -martial spirit. We want horses, Bredon, and they must be obtained, -if we are to reach Port Nolloth. Otherwise we had better surrender." - -"I have no objection, Commandant," replied Bredon somewhat brusquely. -"I've had enough of the war. We ought never to have been drawn into -it." - -"You speak like a patriot," observed Uys sarcastically. "I undergo -the same hardships as other burghers. You have suffered nothing as -yet. In what respect have you endured more than the rest of us?" - -Bredon hung down his head in a sheepish manner and remained silent. - -"I am finding a cure for your melancholy and dissatisfaction, Bredon. -I am detaching a portion of the commando for the duty of securing a -fresh supply of horses. Van Donnop is acting as guide to the -farmstead of a settler named Lovat. You will form one of the -commandeering party;" and Uys passed on. - -"To think," muttered the commandant, "fellows such as Bredon were the -most eager at the outset, and now they begin to whine when a little -hardship has to be borne! My poor Christian, Louis, and Wilhelm were -formed of different stuff." - -Christian Uys came up to a man who was busily engaged in cleaning his -Mauser. The burgher laid down his rifle as the commandant approached. - -"Eloff," began Uys, "I want you to pick a dozen good men of the -commando. Before morning I must have half a score of horses. Piet -Van Donnop knows a farm where they can be obtained, and will guide -you to it." - -Paul Eloff was a man built in the same herculean mould as his leader, -Christian Uys, and he looked at the commandant keenly. - -"We shall want more, Commandant," said Eloff; "a dozen will scarcely -suffice. Let me see," and the Boer began counting rapidly on his -fingers, after which he added, "Yes, quite a dozen, Commandant. The -spare led horses were taken as mounts yesterday. We must reach Port -Nolloth, or we shall be cut off by the rooineks." - -"You will muster the burghers, then, Eloff," said Uys. "Bring them -round to the commissariat waggon within half an hour, and do not -forget Van Donnop. Although a boy, his heart is good." - -"I will not fail, Commandant," replied Eloff, picking up his rifle -and recommencing the cleansing process. - -In less than the stipulated time, Eloff with his picked burghers -stood before the commandant, each man at his horse's head. - -Christian Uys called Eloff aside and whispered, "Do you think you are -sufficiently strong for the purpose in hand?" - -"I should make the patrol fifty strong, Commandant," answered Eloff. -"You are remaining in laager, I suppose, until we return?" - -"That is my intention, Eloff," answered Uys. "Van Donnop informed me -that the Kopje Farm--this Scotch settler's residence--is some eight -miles from here. You will keep a sharp look-out for the rooineks, -Eloff, and not be caught napping?" - -A smile spread over Eloff's face as he answered, "When I am found -asleep, Commandant, I shall not return to tell the tale. We have got -to the end of our tether, and I am longing to have one more go at the -rooineks. After that, well--oblivion." - -"It is a bad cause we have started on, Eloff," said Uys. "It is as -General Joubert foretold at the beginning, we are fighting in a lost -cause. How can we hope to stand against a mighty Power like England, -which has millions of gold and men without number? Bah! we were a -race of fools to be led by the nose. President Kruger, who commenced -the war, basely deserted us. But I must not speak of this. It is -horses we want, and horses we must have." - -Paul Eloff quickly mustered the additional burghers required, and in -sections of fours the motley cavalcade trekked towards the Kopje Farm. - -Eloff and Van Donnop rode at the head of the slender force, and the -former turning to the young Dutchman, said, "This is a rough country, -Van Donnop. You spent most of your life here?" - -"Until I went on commando," answered Piet. "I shall be glad when I -can get back to my father's farm. Those were happy days, Eloff." - -"You know the farmstead whither we are bound," inquired Eloff, "and -the people as well, I suppose?" - -"Perfectly," answered Piet. - -"And what about the owner? Is he a fighting man? Shall we have much -trouble?" - -"Mr. Lovat is quiet enough," replied Piet. "He has a son named Jack, -a dare-devil sort of boy, who will show fight, I think, but possibly -he may be on commando with the rooineks." - -"Any Kaffirs kept on the farm?" queried Eloff. - -"There used to be many," answered Van Donnop. "I do not wish any -harshness to be used towards Mr. Lovat. He used to be very kind to -me before I went on commando. The horses will be paid for, I -suppose?" - -Eloff laughed outright as he replied, "Van Donnop, I don't think a -single gold piece can be found in the pockets of the whole commando. -My instructions are to take what we require--as civilly, of course, -as possible. The account will be paid when the vierkeleur flies not -over the Transvaal and Orange Free State only, but over the whole of -the Cape. A receipt for the horses, of course, will be given." - -The Boers, who had been travelling through a series of dongas, now -debouched into a fairly open country. - -Eloff halted his men, and after looking ahead, turned to Van Donnop. - -"You have a pair of field glasses, Van Donnop, allow me to look -through them." - -Piet handed the glasses to Eloff, who placed them to his eyes. - -"There is a farmhouse, Van Donnop, on a kopje some four miles ahead," -said Eloff; "is it the home of this Mr. Lovat?" - -"That is where Mr. Lovat used to live," replied Piet; "things have -changed much lately." - -"A big place for a farmstead," observed Eloff. "This Mr. Lovat must -be rich." - -"He is said to be fairly wealthy," answered Piet. "He was a nobleman -in his own country, so I have heard it said." - -"And the house lower down the valley, to whom does that belong?" -queried Eloff. "Take the glasses, Van Donnop, then you will see what -I mean. Over there;" and the Boer pointed with his index finger in a -certain direction. - -"That is Jagger's Farm," said Piet, after a glance through the -glasses. "No horses can be obtained there. The farm has not been -occupied for years." - -"We will march straight on the place, Van Donnop, rest a while, and -then move on to--what is the name of the place, Piet?" - -"The Kopje Farm," replied the young Dutchman. "Someone is driving a -Cape cart towards Jagger's Farm, Eloff." - -"Right you are, Van Donnop. Give me the glasses again," said Eloff. - -Eloff peered through the instrument for a moment, after which he -ordered half a dozen burghers to gallop rapidly towards Jagger's -Farm, in order to intercept the solitary passenger in the Cape cart, -while he and his remaining fellow-countrymen dismounted and awaited -events. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -FRINGED WITH FIRE - -Kopje was singularly well situated for defence. From the rising -ground behind the house, no attack could be made by mounted men, as -it was strewn with big boulders of rock, and interlaced with dongas, -which though not deep, presented insuperable difficulties to an enemy -manoeuvring on horseback. - -The ostrich kraals--which were in reality one long rambling -building--commanded the country from which the only attack by mounted -men could be made, and the ground in front was open. - -On receipt of Pat's intelligence, Jack went to his mother and told -her the news brought by the Irishman. He insisted upon her as well -as Mary remaining inside the house, and would not listen to her -suggestion that if the Boers were really advancing upon the -farmstead, they should be allowed to take whatever they pleased, on -condition they harmed none of its inmates. - -"No, mother," said Jack firmly; "I have always been obedient, but any -Boer who dares to enter Kopje Farm without an invitation from me will -have a bullet from my rifle through him before he can say 'Jack -Robinson'! Please say no more, mother. Father is not here, and may -be dead, but if he is all right I could never look him in the face -again if I did not show fight. Stay inside with Mary, and do not -venture out until I come for you. I must go to the 'boys' now, as -time is precious;" and saying this, Jack went across to the ostrich -kraal, where the Kaffir servants were assembled. - -The sun was within half an hour of setting, and the light was good -enough to enable our hero--for such Jack Lovat will prove to be -before we bid him adieu--to distinguish a body of horsemen moving in -an oblique direction across the veldt. Pat had stabled Cawdor, and -stood awaiting orders from Jack. - -"We must have the rifles and ammunition from the storeroom, Pat," -said Jack, "and quick must be the word. Kindly look after the boys, -Pat. Zacchary, Pete, and the lot of you, go and bring the rifles; -and don't forget, Pete, to bring a hammer. One moment, Pat; a couple -of lanterns will be needed, as well as some matches." - -Strange it is that fighting blood is transmitted from generation to -generation, but so it proved in Jack Lovat's case. An ancestor of -his had suffered death on Culloden field for what he considered his -duty towards the unfortunate race of Stuarts, and Jack was prepared -to lay down his life in the defence of the Kopje Farm. - -In the excitement of the moment he forgot about his father's possible -peril. His thoughts were concentrated on the question, "Can I strike -a blow for the honour of the old country?" Jack had not gone through -a course of metaphysics or logic. He was simply a lad, made a man -before his time perhaps, and yearning for an outlet through which a -vast flood of pent-up patriotism could be poured. - -Pat and the "boys," in almost less time than it takes to relate, -transferred the arms to the ostrich kraal. The weapons were in -splendid order. Jack Lovat had seen to that. Many hours he had -spent in cleaning the rifles, always hoping, boylike, that some day -they would come in handy, when the Boers put in an appearance. - -The ungainly-looking ostriches, penned in spaces of rectangular form, -craned their far-stretching necks, all the while uttering the grunt -peculiar to the birds, dubbed by naturalists _Struthio Camelus_. - -A passage, four feet in width, ran between the inner walls of the -kraal and the high hurdles forming the temporary home of the -ostriches. Four feet above the flagged floor of the kraal were -loopholes, and these presently had the barrels of rifles protruding -from them. - -A couple of thousand rounds of ammunition, in boxes holding one -hundred each, were placed in handy positions, and Pete with much -dexterity knocked off the lids of the boxes, thus exposing the little -nickel-plated messengers of death. - -Each "boy" was given a rifle, and by the way the magazines were -charged it was evident that the weapons had been handled before. - -Pat, who was peering through a loophole, cried out, "The beggars are -coming, sorr, an' they're more than fifty strong." - -Jack, who was engaged in inspecting the "boys'" rifles, at once went -up to Pat. - -"How far off do you make them now, Pat?" he asked. - -"Bedad! they seem to be only five hundred yards away," answered the -Irishman. But Pat was wrong in his conjecture, and Pete at once -corrected him. - -"Dey be quite a mile from de farm, Baas Jack," said the Kaffir. "De -eyes ob white men do not see right--at least not in dis country." - -A peep through a loophole told Jack that Pete's estimate was a -correct one. The South African atmosphere is so clear that distance -seems annihilated on the veldt. - -Jack addressed a few words to the defenders of the farm. "Boys," he -began, "before long we may be in a tight hole. I am going to run the -show for what it is worth. It shall never be said that Christian Uys -and his men took Kopje Farm without a shot being fired. You boys, of -course, know what it will mean if any of you are captured with arms -in your hands. A sjambokking first, and possibly after that a Mauser -bullet through the head. We must have no white-flag business here. -If any of you boys don't care to fight, there is time for you to get -away over the kopje. Pat and I mean to stay here till the last." - -"We stay with the baas as well," said Pete emphatically; and in -Kaffir fashion the whole of the "boys" held up their right hands, -extending the index finger in a significant manner. - -"Thanks," returned Jack. "And now to business!" - -The eyes of the Kaffirs were fixed on something behind Jack, and the -latter noting this, turned quickly round. To his great surprise, his -eyes fell upon the figures of his mother and Mary. - -"This is no place for you, mother," said Jack. "You must return to -the house. It is quite safe there." - -"But what does this mean, Jack?" asked Mrs. Lovat, pointing to the -ammunition boxes and rifles. "This will be death to someone. My -dear boy, pray do be careful." - -"All right, mother," said Jack, with a laugh. "I'll be more than -careful. But you must go back to the house. You will only be in the -way here." - -"I am almost distracted, Jack. Your father may be dead;" and Mrs. -Lovat broke into a paroxysm of tears. "This cruel war is killing me. -Why cannot things be settled without recourse to bloodshed?" - -Had Mrs. Lovat passed through the same experiences as many settlers' -wives in Natal and the northern parts of Cape Colony, the exclamation -might have been a justifiable one. As it was, the black wings of -Azrael, the Angel of Death, were beginning to flap over the Kopje -Farm, and the ostrich farmer's wife, whose nature was a curious -compound of kindness, fear, credulity, and misgiving, began to show -signs of fainting. - -Not so Mary Lovat. Although only a girl in her early teens, she -possessed a large share of her brother Jack's mental and moral -courage, and she came up and whispered in Jack's ear, "Mother will go -back to the house with me, but I should so much like to stay here." - -Pat O'Neill ended Mary's whispering somewhat abruptly, but quietly. -He had been patrolling the rough ground outside the Kopje Farm, and -coming inside the walled enclosure, walked swiftly up to Jack. - -"The Boers are near at hand, sorr," he whispered. "What is the -missis doing here? This is no place for ladies. Shall I take them -across to the house?" - -The next moment, Mrs. Lovat and Mary, escorted by Pat and Moses, were -passing under the shelter of the dry stone wall to the farmhouse, and -Moses, who had his rifle and a supply of ammunition with him, was -told to stay with the "missis" until he was sent for. - -Having seen the two ladies seated in the dining-room, with Moses -acting as their guard, Pat returned at breakneck speed to the kraal, -where he found Jack examining the approaching horsemen attentively -through a pair of field glasses. - -The twilight of South Africa is of short duration, but the light was -still good. - -"They are Boers," said Jack, handing the glasses to his faithful -henchman. "Just give a look, Pat, and tell me, if you can, how many -there are, and what distance they are now from the farm." - -Pat placed the binocular to his optics and gazed for a moment down -the valley, after which he spoke. - -"Right you are, sorr; they're Boers sure enough, and well within half -a mile av us. About fifty or more, I should say, sorr, an' a big -fellow in front is houlding a white flag. You saw the chap, sorr, -the man on the gray horse. Now they have halted, and, bedad, the man -is coming forrard. See for yourself, sorr;" and the worthy Irishman -handed back the glasses to his young master. - -It took but a moment to convince Jack that Pat was right, and that a -Boer was approaching under a flag of truce. - -"Inside at once, Pat!" our hero cried; and the pair entered the kraal. - -"Man the loopholes, boys!" said Jack; and the Kaffirs, whose rifle -magazines were charged, stood to their posts. Nine murderous-looking -small-bore rifles were instantly pointed down the valley. - -The man on the gray horse had halted a couple of hundred paces in -front of the party of horsemen, as though undecided what to do. - -"I'll interview him, sorr," said Pat, whose place was next to Jack -Lovat. "I'll go and see what the rascal wants." - -"I was thinking about the same thing myself," observed Jack. "Maybe -it will be the best thing that can be done. No, you must not take -your rifle; and put that bandolier off, Pat." - -"All right, sorr. I'm anyhow for an aisy life. An' conscience," -replied the brave Irishman, "I've got the barker, sorr, if things -come to the worst. Then I can go, Master Jack?" - -"Certainly, Pat; just slip down and see what the thieving rascals -want. But remember, we have no remounts at Kopje Farm for them." - -"I understand, sorr," said Pat; and the ex-soldier walked boldly out -of the kraal to the spot where the individual on the gray horse had -halted. - -Pat, whose stride was none of the shortest, made rapid tracks towards -the solitary horseman, whose left hand grasped a short stick to the -end of which was attached a white handkerchief, while the right -supported the barrel of a Mauser rifle, the butt end of which rested -on his thigh. - -"Halt!" cried the horseman in perfect English, as Pat came up. "Who -and what are you?" - -"That is my business," answered Pat. "I will put a more pertinent -question to you. Long-whiskers! who an' what are you, an' what do -you mane by disturbing honest folk in these lonely parts?" - -"Have you any horses at the farmstead just ahead?" asked the -stranger. "This is a part of Christian Uys's commando, and we want a -few Boer ponies badly." - -"You said Boer ponies?" said Pat interrogatively. - -"I spoke plainly enough, I think," answered the Boer. "We are in -need of a few horses, which the British Government will pay for. We -will give a receipt for them." - -"The master has some grand nags," said Pat, "but av course he will -want payment for them. Can you pay on the nail?" - -The Boer, who was not by any means a bad-looking man of about fifty, -laughed outright at Pat's _insouciance_. - -The Irishman went on: "Will the paper hould good if the master lets -you have them?" - -"When the vierkeleur flies over the whole of South Africa, your -master will be paid in good gold, and that will be before many months -are over," replied the Boer. - -"And if the master does not care to part with the animals?" inquired -Pat. - -"We'll take them, of course," replied the Boer. "We are tired of -bloodshed, but we have won the day; the rooineks can't deny that -fact. You see the burghers behind me? Well, we are some of the -fellows who cut up your crack regiments at Sanna's Post." - -"Then I may return an' tell the master that you'll pay for the nags?" -asked Pat. - -"Certainly, but don't be long about it," replied the Boer; "and tell -your employer's son--for the master of the house is not at home, and -won't be to-night--that any attempt at double-dealing will be harshly -dealt with. Within ten minutes from now we will advance upon the -farm, and if necessary, take by force all we require." - -Pat needed no further telling, but strolled back to the farmstead, -wondering all the time whether a Boer bullet would lay him flat on -the veldt or not. - -The orange tints glimmering above the mountains were beginning to -fade into a light purplish gray as Pat walked into the ostrich kraal. - -Jack, naturally enough, was awaiting his return with some anxiety. - -"They are Boers, Pat?" queried Jack. - -"Boers, sure enough," responded Pat, "an' they've come to commandeer -the horses. The chap wid the white flag says they will pay for them -when the Boer flag waves over this heathen part av the world." - -"That is enough for me," said Jack, after he had listened to Pat's -brief narration. "We will wait until we see them on the move towards -us. After that, they can look to themselves." - -The minutes seemed long, but at last, through the dim twilight, the -Boer on the gray horse was seen waving his flag, as though beckoning -his fellow-burghers to advance. - -On seeing this, Jack Lovat elevated his rifle, pulled the trigger, -and the bullet went whistling high over the heads of the Boers. - -The commando instantly halted, and the advanced Boer rode quickly -back to his comrades. - -The burghers opened out in wide formation, and dismounting, poured in -a volley. The majority of the bullets splashed against the rough -stones forming the wall of the ostrich kraal. - -"Now, boys," cried Jack, "that is just what I wanted. Take a -careful, steady aim. Don't fire too wildly, and let every one select -his man. There is yet enough light to see them by. Take the word -from me." - -Instantly the muzzles of nine rifles peeped through as many -loopholes, and Jack gave the word, "Fire!" - -The reports rang out as one, and the defenders of the farm could see -that some of their shots had taken effect, for a couple of Boer -horses broke loose, and with clattering hoofs came galloping towards -the ostrich kraal. A desultory fire came from the Boers, but as yet -no bullets had entered the loopholes. - -"Empty your magazines," cried Jack, "but wait for my orders. Now, -boys, one, two, three," and at each successive number a tiny -horizontal sheet of flame shot from the loopholes. - -Yells of rage could be heard from the Boers, mingled with groans, -after which the sounds of galloping hoofs were borne on the night -air, followed by complete silence. - -It was now quite dark, and after waiting, it must be said somewhat -anxiously for several minutes for a renewal of the attack, Jack -ordered Pat to light the lanterns, and the Irishman instantly obeyed, -and showed himself an adept at the work. - -Carefully shading the lighted match, so that no stray rays of light -could creep through the loopholes, Pat lit the lanterns, when the -whinnying of horses outside attracted Jack's attention. - -"Remain here, Pat," said Jack. "I'm going across to the house, to -give a look to my mother and sister. Keep a sharp look-out while I -am gone, in case the beggars come back." - -Saying this, Jack walked out into the darkness, and the next moment -stumbled against a horse. He, however, walked swiftly towards the -house, and found Moses, rifle in hand, guarding the hall. Jack had -taken the precaution of shouting out as he approached, for he by no -means relished the idea of a bullet being planted between his ribs. - -Mrs. Lovat and Mary were still in the dining-room, and as Jack -entered, the former exclaimed, "What is the meaning of all this -firing, Jack?" - -"It means, mother, that if there had been no firing, the Boers would -before now have emptied our stables. We have beaten them off, I -think." - -"Has anyone been hurt?" inquired Mrs. Lovat nervously. - -"Not on our side, mother," replied Jack, with a laugh; "as far as the -Boers are concerned, I do not know. If any harm has happened to -father, then I hope we have killed the lot of them. Moses is still -on guard, mother; you need have no fear. I shall be back presently;" -and he walked out of the room. - -Moses, whose white teeth gleamed as Jack passed him, said, "Dings are -all right, Baas Jack. I will see dat no Boers come in here to -frighten de missis an' de little missie." - -"Quite right, Moses," observed Jack cheerfully. "Give the beggars -beans if they come." - -"I'll do dat, baas," replied the grinning Kaffir. - -An hour later the moon, which was on the wane, would creep over the -kopje, and give the defenders of the farm a chance to locate their -now unseen assailants. - -A deep silence hung over the place, and Jack groped his way along the -wall leading to the ostrich kraal. Pat evidently knew his work, for -the place was in darkness. - -Suddenly a challenge rang out: "Is that you, sorr?" - -The speaker was Pat, whom Jack found outside the kraal, holding a -couple of horses. - -"All right, Pat," answered Jack. "The Boers seem to have departed." - -"Then I'll take these nags inside, sorr, an' have a look at them. -The poor things are trembling all over their bodies down to their -fetlocks." - -Jack entered the kraal, followed by Pat, dragging the dumb brutes -behind him. - -"A light here, Pete," said Jack; and the Kaffir foreman brought a -shielded lantern. Jack turned on the light, and by its aid examined -the horses. - -By the saddlery on the animals, he came to the conclusion that the -horses had a couple of hours before formed part of the equipment of -Christian Uys's commando, and a patch of clotted blood on the saddle -and off stirrup of one of the horses told its own tale. - -"Bring the light a little closer, Pat. I want to see the----" - -Jack Lovat never finished the sentence, for a fierce fusillade was -directed at the kraal from the immediate outside, and Zacchary, who -was standing leaning on the butt of his rifle with his head on a -level with a porthole, tumbled over--never to rise again, for a -Mauser bullet had found its billet in the unfortunate Kaffir's head. - -"To the loopholes, boys!" cried Jack; and the defenders replied with -a will to the fire of the unseen enemy. For half an hour a constant -fusillade was kept up, but without further loss to the defenders of -the kraal, after which the Boer fire ceased. - -Their attempt to storm the kraal had failed. Very tenderly Jack -Lovat and Pat carried the stricken Zacchary to a corner of the kraal, -and covered the dead body with some empty mealie sacks, after which -Jack paid another visit to the house, where he found his mother and -Mary quite safe. - -A couple of hours were spent by Jack and Pat in reconnoitring, but -all traces of the Boers had vanished, with the exception of a dead -horse, which evidently had been wounded and managed to crawl towards -the farm, where it had dropped down and died. - -About two o'clock in the morning a sheet of flame, accompanied by the -reports of many rifles, was seen far down the valley. - -"They have come up with some Britishers, Pat," said Jack. - -"By the powers!" observed the Irishman, "they seem to be hard at -work. I would give something to be there." - -For some minutes the firing lasted, then ceased, and shortly -afterwards the sound of horses' hoofs could be heard coming up the -valley. - -Jack and his followers instantly manned the loopholes, but the -strangers came steadily on. - -"Shall I challenge them, sorr?" asked Pat; and without waiting for a -reply, the brave Irishman passed out of the kraal, and with a -stentorian voice called out, "Halt! who comes there?" at the same -time levelling his rifle at the approaching figures. - -"It is I, Pat!" shouted the master of the Kopje Farm; and the next -moment Mr. Lovat had Jack in his arms, exclaiming, "It was a near -shave, Jack, but I am glad I am able to see you all once more." - -Mrs. Lovat and Mary were delighted beyond measure at Mr. Lovat's -return, and with much trembling listened to the account of his -adventures since he left the Kopje Farm on the previous morning. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -MR. LOVAT'S ADVENTURE - -Little did Mr. Lovat dream of the adventures he would pass through -that morning as he drove away from Kopje Farm in the direction of -Springbokfontein. Bessie was in good condition, and trotted swiftly -between the shafts of the Cape cart, and the crisp air exhilarated -man and beast. - -When a couple of miles from home, he met an acquaintance riding a -Cape pony, and pulled up to pass the time of day. - -"Well, Mr. Bassett," said the ostrich farmer, "any news of the Boers?" - -Mr. Bassett--a sturdy, thick-set man of middle age, who during his -lifetime had tried his hand at nearly every kind of occupation, and -now combined the office of land valuer with that of gold -prospector--replied, "I've just come from Springbokfontein, Mr. -Lovat, and rumours are flying thick and fast about Christian Uys -being in the neighbourhood with a commando. This Uys is a very -daring fellow, and has proved himself to be a most capable leader. -Their stock of horses, I suppose, is getting low, and naturally -enough the Boers want to replenish their store." - -"Certainly," observed Mr. Lovat. "I suppose the town guard at -Springbokfontein are on the alert?" - -"Not half of them are to be trusted," replied Mr. Bassett grimly, -"for I am afraid several of them are rebels at heart. You have left -things all right up at the Kopje Farm, I hope?" - -"Any Boers calling there will get a warm reception, I can assure -you," replied Mr. Lovat, with a laugh. "I think that my son and the -'boys' will be able to give a good account of themselves, if they are -interfered with. But I must be getting along, as I wish to be back -by noon. Good-morning, Mr. Bassett;" and the ostrich farmer flicked -Bessie with his whip. - -The mare darted forward with a quick motion, and in a short time Mr. -Lovat came to Jagger's Farm, the ruined building half way between the -Kopje Farm and Springbokfontein. - -The country was wild in the extreme. The road ran between a range of -kopjes, at the bases of which were watercourses, dry in summer, but -at times during the winter months raging torrents. - -Jagger's Farm had an unenviable notoriety, several white men having -been murdered in its vicinity. The building was surrounded by a -roughly-built stone wall, which in many places was in a state of ruin. - -The roadway was strewn with boulders of rock, and Mr. Lovat had to -descend from his perch in the cart for the purpose of leading Bessie -along the stony roadway. - -The ostrich farmer was holding Bessie's head, for the mare made a -stumble, when a harsh voice called out in Dutch, "Halt!" - -To Mr. Lovat's dismay, he perceived six unkempt and fierce-looking -men with heads and shoulders appearing above the farm wall, and the -more ominous sight of a row of rifles pointed at him. - -A couple of the Boers, for such they were, leaped over the wall and -ran towards Mr. Lovat. The latter halted. The nature of the road -and the murderous-looking Mausers dispelled any idea of escape, so -grasping Bessie's reins tightly with his left hand, he faced the -strangers, and said, "What do you want?" - -"Your mare," answered one of the Boers in English. - -"I won't sell her," said Mr. Lovat decisively. "She is not to be -bought at any price. Allow me to pass, please." - -A loud laugh burst from the Boers, the remaining three having joined -their fellows in the roadway. - -"Commandant Christian Uys requires the service of your horse. You -will receive payment for it when the war is over," was the response -Mr. Lovat received. - -A couple of Boers sprang to the mare's head, evidently with the -intention of unharnessing Bessie. - -Grasping the handle of his whip, Mr. Lovat brought the butt end down -with force upon the head of the Boer who had just spoken, and the -Dutchman stumbled and fell in the roadway. - -The next moment the ostrich farmer was lying senseless on the ground, -having been knocked down by a blow from a clubbed rifle. - -First came a vision of many-coloured stars, then oblivion; and the -world for the time being was a blank to Mr. Lovat. - -When he came to his senses, he found himself lying in the farmyard. -His arms and wrists had been securely fastened behind his back, while -his ankles were also tied. The Cape cart was standing close to where -he lay, but the mare was gone. - -Then his thoughts turned to the bag of gold, and though dazed and -suffering from a violent headache, a remembrance of his encounter -with the Boers flashed through his mind, and he gave vent to a heavy -groan. - -The farmyard was covered with rough veldt grass, which made his couch -a less painful one than it would have otherwise been. A bundle of -dirty, discarded Boer clothing lay beside him, and in the vehicle was -a roughly made hamper, which was not there when he left home. - -He thought about his wife, Mary, and Jack, and imagined their anxiety -at his non-return. He tried to move, but was unable to do so, while -the pain in his head was almost insufferable. - -The sun climbed higher in the heavens, and its fierce rays beat upon -his bare head. His physical pain grew greater, but the acuteness of -his mind-suffering lessened, and at last he again relapsed into -unconsciousness. - -Then Mr. Lovat was brought to himself by some one shaking him. - -The ostrich farmer looked up in a dazed sort of way, and the sight of -a bronzed and stalwart Colonial trooper clad in khaki, and wearing a -couple of bandoliers, met his gaze. - -"What is the meaning of this?" asked the trooper. "Ah! I see you -are wounded. You are a Britisher, of course?" - -In a few words, Mr. Lovat told the story of his capture, and the -Colonial drawing out a clasp knife, cut the cords with which Mr. -Lovat's arms and ankles were bound, after which the Irregular helped -the farmer to his feet. - -A little pool of semi-coagulated blood lay where his head had rested, -and the trooper noticing the settler's pallid face, drew out a small -flask containing brandy, and insisted on his taking a drink. The -spirit revived Mr. Lovat, and he made a search for the bag containing -the gold, but, alas! it too was gone. - -While he was engaged in ruefully surveying the cart, the trooper was -joined by half a dozen comrades, who had been busy searching the farm -premises. - -"Hullo, Morton!" said one of the troopers, addressing the Irregular -who had released Mr. Lovat. "What is the matter?" - -"This gentleman has evidently been held up by a party of Boers -belonging to Christian Uys's commando," replied Morton. "The rascals -have looted him of a bag containing five hundred sovereigns." - -"Great Scot! that is what I call a haul," exclaimed a young trooper. -"I didn't think there was so much money to be found in this blessed -country. Give me New Zealand in preference to this wilderness." - -"We're Auckland Rangers," explained Trooper Morton to Mr. Lovat, "and -are on the track of Christian Uys, one of the best leaders the Boers -possess. He is on the look-out for horses and stores, I think, and -although we have been dogging his commando for some days we have not -been able to come up with them. Ah! here come our other fellows." - -A party of horsemen in files of four came clattering along the stony -road, and presently halted at the entrance to the farmyard. The -troopers were about thirty in number--hardy, stalwart young -Maorilanders--commanded by Major Salkeld, a Colonial who had done -splendid service during the siege of Wepener. - -The troop had several spare horses with them, and after Morton had -explained the situation to his officer, Mr. Lovat was offered a -mount, which he gladly accepted. - -The horses were given a feed, and the troopers snatched a hasty meal -of bully beef and biscuit. During the repast Mr. Lovat detailed a -few facts concerning his farm and the surrounding country to Major -Salkeld, and it was settled that the party should proceed in the -direction of the Kopje Farm. Possibly they might come across the -marauders and be able to restore Mr. Lovat's lost property to him. - -The harness belonging to the Cape cart had been wantonly hacked, so -that the idea of the vehicle's removal had to be abandoned. - -Kopje Farm lay a good distance up the valley, and before the little -force had proceeded a mile, Major Salkeld called a halt. - -Trooper Morton's quick eye had detected a body of horsemen defiling -through a donga about a mile away on the New Zealander's left flank. -Morton, who was acting as scout, at once returned and reported the -fact to his officer, who instantly placed his field glass to his -eyes. The major looked long and earnestly, then handing his -binocular to Morton, said, "Just give a glance through these, and -tell me what you make of them." - -The scout applied the glasses, after which he handed them back to the -major, saying, "They are Boers, sir, without doubt." - -"And how many do you make of them?" inquired the officer. - -"About forty, I should say, sir," answered the trooper. "They have a -couple of led horses with them as well." - -Major Salkeld turned to Mr. Lovat, who had been riding by his side, -and pointing to the donga, asked, "Where does the bridle-path leading -to the donga terminate, Mr. Lovat?" - -"It runs up to a settler's farm, some seven or eight miles from -here," replied Mr. Lovat. "The settler is a Dutchman named Van -Donnop, and it is said that his three sons are on commando with the -rebels." - -"Ah!" muttered the major, "just so; and these fellows doubtless are -making tracks for this farm to re-equip and get a fresh supply of -ammunition and stores. I am sorry that we cannot see you home, but -duty is always duty, and the exigencies of the service demand that -when we get on the track of the Boers we must follow them up." - -"I am going with you, if I may," said Mr. Lovat. "Possibly these -fellows have my five hundred pounds, and I can hardly afford to lose -that." - -"I am afraid, my dear sir, that you have said good-bye to your gold," -said the major. "However, if you care to accompany us, you can do -so. You are looking better now than when I saw you first. I suppose -you can shoot?" - -"There are not many settlers who can't," answered Mr. Lovat, with a -touch of dignity in the tones of his voice. - -"I mean no offence," said the major. "Do you feel strong enough to -go with us?" - -"I'm all right now," replied the settler. "My head is somewhat sore, -and the muscles of my neck a little stiff, but I would rather go on -with you, sir." - -"Very good, you shall," said the officer. Turning to Morton, he -continued, "We have a spare rifle?" - -"Half a dozen, sir," answered the trooper. "I have an extra one with -me, which Mr. Lovat can have, if he understands the mechanism." - -"Then kindly hand it over," said the major. - -Turning again to the settler, the officer continued, "Luckily you -have not been much troubled in these parts, but I'm afraid you soon -will be. The Boers are getting short of ammunition, and these roving -bands of burghers are merely the advanced guard of a bigger force of -Boers. The supply of ammunition has been stopped through Lorenzo -Marquess, and the burghers are making their way to Port Nolloth, and -other places on the west coast, where contraband stuff in the shape -of rifles and cartridges are to be had in plenty. I suppose the -majority of the settlers about here are loyal?" - -"I'm afraid I can't answer that question entirely in the affirmative. -I know that I am, and all living in the Kopje Farm are loyal subjects -of the King. Many young men have disappeared from the district, and -I saw signs of the coming storm long before it burst." - -"What! even in this remote part?" asked the Colonial officer. - -"A couple of years before the war broke out, Boer emissaries went -about from place to place, ostensibly as pedlars, but I am certain -they were secret agents of the Transvaal Republic," answered Mr. -Lovat. - -The major addressed a few words to his men. They were brief and to -the point:-- - -"Boys," he began, "I have no doubt that we are on the track of -Christian Uys, and I sincerely trust we shall be able to lay him by -the heels. Perhaps this is part of his commando in front of us. Be -careful with your ammunition, for we have none to spare. Don't waste -it. I hope to be in Springbokfontein to-morrow when the regiment -arrives; but in the evening we must harry the enemy, who I am pleased -to say have on the whole proved honourable men. The day after -to-morrow I promise you a couple of days' rest. Then we move on to -Port Nolloth. Now, boys, a fairly good pace, but don't blow your -horses." - -The road, however, was so difficult that there was no prospect of the -latter occurrence happening. The troopers could only proceed in -double file, and the men were compelled to assume an oblong -formation, which would have formed a splendid target for an enemy -armed with Mausers or light field guns. - -Morton, the most daring man in the Auckland Rangers, was well in -front when a "Phit!" "Phit!" followed by a fusillade, caused him to -halt. - -The New Zealanders had been discovered by the enemy, who by this time -had passed out of view. The bullets went whistling over the heads of -the Colonials, who, on the order of Major Salkeld, retired to the -shelter of a small donga, some two hundred yards in their rear. - -Every fourth man was detailed to lead his own and three comrades' -horses to a watercourse naturally protected by immense boulders of -quartz. - -Ten dismounted troopers were next ordered by the major to creep -forward to the position they had just left, while the rest of the -unencumbered advanced one hundred yards and flung themselves on the -ground. - -Mr. Lovat, savage at the loss of his gold, begged the officer to -allow him to form one of the advanced party, and the major readily -acceded to his request. - -The ostrich farmer declared that he was all right,--the pain in his -head had left him,--and Morton having glanced approval, Major Salkeld -consented, and the eleven Imperialists crept forward on hands and -knees towards the spot they had just vacated. - -The sun was on the point of dropping below the western horizon, and -in half an hour's time darkness would cover the veldt, so there was -no time to be lost if the Boers were to be captured. - -The long, low buildings which constituted Van Donnop's farmstead -could be plainly seen, but the Boers had disappeared within a donga. -Their approach to the farm, however, would be covered by the -troopers' fire, and Morton and his fellow-Colonials waited -impatiently for the enemy to emerge from the donga. - -Presently a couple of Boers dashed across the space intervening -between the donga and the farm. - -Two shots rang out, and thin wreaths of bluish-tinted vapour hung -round the muzzles of the rifles wielded by Mr. Lovat and Trooper -Morton. - -"Got him!" ejaculated the latter, as one of the Boers threw up his -arms and fell from the horse. The animal, relieved of its burden, -galloped wildly towards the farmstead. - -The second Boer, on seeing his fellow-burgher fall, wheeled his horse -quickly round and dashed furiously for the shelter of the donga. - -A dozen leaden messengers of death whistled around him, but he and -his steed passed through them unharmed. - -With the exception of a solitary shot, no fire came in reply to the -troopers' fusillade, and Morton waved to the remainder of the troop -to come up, which the latter did. - -A consultation was held between Major Salkeld and Morton, and it was -eventually decided to await the darkness which would descend on the -veldt. Under its cover an advance would be made on the farm. - -Just as the last streaks of yellow light were fading into a mass of -purplish gray, Morton begged his major to allow him to creep forward -in the direction of the farm for the purpose of reconnoitring, and -the officer assented. - -Slinging his rifle behind his back, the scout slowly edged his way to -where the stricken Boer lay on the veldt. The Free Stater was dead, -for a couple of bullets had pierced his brain. - -He was a rough-looking man with unkempt hair and beard, and the -daring trooper, still prostrate, turned him over and coolly began to -search his pockets. - -Morton abstracted several documents, which he thrust into an inner -pocket of his khaki tunic, after which he retraced his way to his -comrades, still crawling on his hands and knees. - -He handed the papers to Major Salkeld, who determined to advance at -once on Van Donnop's farmstead. In answer to an interrogation from -his superior, Morton explained that he had not seen any Boers except -the dead one, and that the Dutch settler's farm betrayed no sign of -life. - -Ten minutes later, the New Zealanders were drawn up in front of the -farm buildings, and Morton, always the first to volunteer for any -hazardous duty, went straight to the front door of the house and -began hammering with the butt of his rifle upon its stout panels. - -Footsteps could be heard in the passage, and a voice called out in -Dutch, "Who is there?" - -"Open the door instantly," commanded Morton brusquely, "or I'll blow -it in." - -The door was unfastened by a man of immense girth of chest. His -physiognomy showed his Dutch extraction. - -"What do you want?" demanded the farmer gruffly. This time he spoke -in English. - -Morton in reply gave a shrill whistle, and the next moment a dozen -troopers crowded into the wide passage, Major Salkeld being at their -head. - -"Now, then, Mynheer--whatever your name is, we want to have a look at -the stores you have concealed in this building," began the major. "I -shall also be glad to learn something about the whereabouts of -Christian Uys and his commando." - -"I know nothing about them," answered Van Donnop, for such he was. - -"You can tell some other person that tale," observed Major Salkeld, -with a laugh. "You have some food in the house, I suppose?" - -Van Donnop looked at the speaker with a surly expression on his face. - -"Oh, we shall pay for everything we consume," continued the officer. -"Look sharp, my man;" and Van Donnop with bad grace led the way to a -large kitchen, in which half a dozen Kaffirs, evidently farm hands, -were seated round a log fire. - -Food was supplied to the troopers, as well as forage for their -horses, after which the premises were thoroughly searched for -concealed arms; but the hunt proved fruitless. After paying for the -supplies, the major and his troopers rested for a couple of hours. - -Sounds of rifle-firing away to the west were heard, and soon after -midnight the New Zealanders, accompanied by Mr. Lovat, set out for -the Kopje Farm, and all earnestly hoped they would come across their -brave and stubborn enemy. - -And so they did; but with the exception of a few desultory shots -fired at an uncertain range, and without any casualties on their -side, Major Salkeld and his troopers, as related in the last chapter, -arrived on the scene where Jack Lovat and his handful of Kaffirs had -so bravely defended his father's farmstead. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -DIAMOND VALLEY - -Jack Lovat was warmly congratulated by the New Zealanders on their -arrival at the Kopje Farm, and the ostrich farmer naturally felt -proud of his son. - -The return of Bessie was described by Jack, and Trooper Morton said -he had no doubt whatever that the animal which had bolted when its -Boer rider was shot by Trooper Morton and Mr. Lovat was none other -than the gallant little mare. - -As soon as daylight broke, the Colonials, headed by Mr. Lovat, Jack, -and Pete, examined the country in front of the ostrich kraal to a -distance of a thousand paces. - -Three dead Boers and two horses were found stretched on the veldt, -and Jack Lovat had no difficulty in identifying the body of Jan Van -Donnop, one of the sons of the Dutch settler of that name. - -Jan and his brothers, Piet and Stephanus, had mysteriously -disappeared from the neighbourhood soon after the outbreak of -hostilities, and their father had given it out that the lads had gone -to reside at East London with a relative in order to learn the trade -of milling. - -Mr. Lovat made a more important discovery. Attached to the saddle of -a dead horse was the cowhide bag which the previous morning had -contained his five hundred sovereigns, but which, alas! was now empty. - -The pockets of the dead Boers revealed no traces of the lost gold, -and Morton remarked, "I'm afraid, Mr. Lovat, you have said good-bye -to the coin. None of these men are leaders." - -Mr. Lovat was examining the features of one of the dead men, and -without heeding the Colonial's remark, he said, "This fellow is the -man who commandeered Bessie." - -With the aid of pickaxes and spades, a trench was made by the New -Zealanders, and the stricken Boers and their horses were decently -interred, Jack Lovat taking charge of several mementos belonging to -Jan Van Donnop. - -Jack was possessed of a humane nature, and being far from illiterate -and possessing a cosmopolitan turn of mind, he had not the racial -prejudices so largely predominant during the awful struggle in South -Africa which commenced at the end of the nineteenth century. - -Morton had taken intuitively to Jack, and after the interment he -whispered in the lad's ear, "Why don't you join us? The war is not -half over yet, and there is sure to be a lot of fighting. Ask your -father to allow you to come with us." - -"I'm afraid he won't," answered Jack. "I wanted to join Driscoll's -Scouts, but he refused, and I believe I have learned the first duty -of a soldier." - -"And pray, what is that?" queried the trooper. - -"Why, obedience," replied Jack. "I owe that duty to my father, who -is most kind to me. Besides, I hardly think it would be right for me -to leave mother and Mary just now. Mary is my sister. You saw her -when your fellows came here." - -"Well, all I can say, youngster, is that you are a brick and no -mistake," said the trooper enthusiastically. "What did you feel like -when the Boers came up? Timid?" - -"Hardly," remarked Jack laconically. "I was only sorry that they -didn't try to storm in broad daylight. I mean about noon, say." - -The trooper laughed outright at Jack's bold statement, and said, -"Well, I thought we New Zealanders were a cool set of fellows, but -you ostrich people take the cake." - -The pair were approaching the Kopje Farm, bringing up the rear-guard, -when Jack turned and asked, "You have been a soldier all your life, -haven't you?" - -The trooper laughed as he replied, "Oh dear no; I'm a working -jeweller by trade, and when at home am engaged by a large firm in -Auckland. When the mother country called for men, I volunteered for -service in South Africa. Why do you ask the question, my lad?" - -"I thought you had always been a soldier, for you look so like one," -answered Jack; and Morton felt a trifle elated, for what man or boy -exists who does not inwardly relish a small modicum of flattery? - -"You have nothing in the shape of diamonds, I suppose, in this part -of the country?" queried the trooper. "I have examined the clay in -several dongas as we came along, and from what I know of mineralogy, -I should say that diamonds are to be found in this district." - -"Crystals are common enough about here," answered Jack. "I have a -collection which I will show you when we reach the farm. Among the -pebbles are several fine garnets and amethysts. One of our 'boys,' -Pete by name, picked up a stone, which he found embedded in a sort of -bluish clay only a fortnight ago. It is too dull, however, for a -diamond." - -During the few minutes occupied in the return to the farm, Morton -thought deeply about what Jack had told him. He was a thorough -patriot, but since he had been in South Africa his mind had dwelt -largely on diamonds, for exaggerated accounts of the mineral -resources of the veldt had reached New Zealand. - -Mr. Lovat was a thoughtful man, and since the beginning of the war -had laid up big supplies of eatables in the shape of hams, bacon, -preserved meats, and tins of jam and marmalade. - -It seemed as though the Kopje Farm had been designedly prepared for a -siege, for in the big storeroom at the back of the house were -provisions calculated by Mr. Lovat to last at least twelve months, -and these were being added to. - -The major determined to allow his men a few hours' rest, and the -horses were off-saddled and given a good feed of corn, Jack Lovat -paying particular attention to Morton's mare, which was a magnificent -creature nearly seventeen hands high, and noted for its swiftness and -sureness of foot. - -Jack conducted his newly-made friend round the ostrich kraal, and -explained the various operations connected with the hatching of eggs -and the plucking of the birds' plumage, and the trooper evinced great -interest in the young settler's narration. - -The remains of poor Zacchary, the "boy" who was shot at the loophole, -had been reverently interred, and Jack and his friend were standing -alone beside the mound of freshly turned earth, when the latter -observed, "Oh, by the way, Jack, I would very much like to have a -look at that stone you spoke to me about." - -"You mean the pebble Pete gave to me?" asked Jack. - -"Yes, I think that is the nigger's name," replied Morton. - -To the trooper's great surprise, Jack instantly fired up. "No, that -won't do; we don't call our 'boys' niggers. They are our 'boys,' and -faithful ones they are, too." - -The New Zealander smiled at Jack's impetuosity, and remarked, "A very -good trait in your character. Only we have seen so many Kaffirs -since we have been in the country that all nice distinctions are -washed out, and we call the blacks generally 'niggers,'--not a very -gentlemanly expression, I admit." - -"Our 'boys' maybe are above the general run," said Jack, "but they -are tried and trusty ones. I shall never forget how they volunteered -to a man to defend this place, when they might have slunk away. -Their fate, too, if captured, they well knew, for they would have -been brutally sjambokked and then shot. The boys stood up as good as -the best of white men, and I admire them. Poor old Zacchary! Oh, -you spoke about the stone my father's native foreman gave me; I will -bring it;" and Jack walked across to the house, the New Zealander all -the while admiring the stalwart figure of the ostrich farmer's son. - -Jack presently returned, and handed the stone to Morton, who -carefully examined it with the eye of an expert. - -The pebble was about the size of a large hazel nut, with a -straw-coloured tint, and Morton twirled it between his finger and -thumb for quite a minute before speaking. - -[Illustration: "The Colonial cut the cords."] - -"Do you know what this pebble really is?" he asked. An unusual -brightness shone in his eyes as he spoke, and he glanced keenly at -Jack. - -"A pebble, of course," answered our hero. "Pete said he saw several -others of the same kind where he found this one." - -"And where did Pete find the stone?" queried the trooper. - -"In a donga about a couple of miles from here, just over the kopje," -answered Jack. - -"I'll tell you something later on," said Morton,--"a thing that will -probably astonish you." - -Jack Lovat's eyes opened rather wider than usual as he asked, "Is the -pebble a diamond?" - -"A genuine stone, my lad, and just as good in quality as the -Kohinoor. If you can lay your fingers on a dozen more such stones, -you can give up ostrich farming and go back to the old country." - -"If you are staying here any length of time, perhaps you will go with -me to the donga. Pete knows the spot to a nicety," said Jack. - -"We'll see," remarked the trooper. "I must look up the major and -learn his plans. I should like nothing better than to pay a visit to -this wonderful donga. You will excuse me now;" and he strode off -towards his troopers, who were engaged in rubbing down their horses. - -A hardier lot of warriors than the men of C Troop Auckland Rangers, -it would be difficult to find or even imagine. Their ages ranged -from twenty to forty, every man of them standing six feet and over. -Maoriland indeed had sent its best sons to do battle for the empire, -the centre of which is the little sea-girt isle whose ensign is the -Union Jack. - -The New Zealanders were right royally treated by the owner of the -Kopje Farm, and Major Salkeld determined to remain until evening, -when the horses would be up-saddled and preparations made for the -march to Springbokfontein. - -This was just what Morton desired, and at noon, guided by Jack Lovat -and Pete, the New Zealander set out for the donga where the Kaffir -had found the crystal. - -Each of the trio carried a rifle, with a supply of ammunition. The -ascent of the kopje was made with considerable difficulty; for path -there was none, and treacherous holes were abundant. - -"Be careful," said Jack, turning round to the Colonial. "A broken -leg, or maybe two, won't be very nice." - -"All right, my lad; I'm on the look-out for possible squalls," -answered the trooper. "I wonder if we shall come across any Boers." - -"That is hardly likely," observed Jack. "There are no roads beyond -the top of the kopje, and no farms for a dozen miles." - -The summit of the kopje was reached, when a grand panorama spread out -in front of Jack Lovat and his two companions. Rheni Kop, a rugged -kopje with a part of its summit shaped like the tower of a castle, -loomed some half-dozen miles away. Leading to the kopje were two -deep dongas, and it was to the one on the right that the trio were -bound. For many years the donga had been known as Diamond Valley. - -"Tell the 'boy' to lie down," said Morton, as soon as they arrived at -the top of the kopje; "and you as well, Jack," he went on. "I want -to have a peep round the country with my glasses. People don't look -well sometimes on the skyline." - -Jack and Pete at once obeyed instructions; and Morton, taking out his -glasses, for a few moments peered through them. - -"All's correct," he said, after replacing the glasses in their -leather case. "I don't think any doppers are about here. And now, -Jack, kindly instruct your 'boy' to show us the place where he found -the pebble." - -Jack said something to Pete in a low tone of voice, to which the -Kaffir replied, "All right, Baas Jack. Come along;" and leading the -way, Pete with careful steps made tracks towards the donga on the -right. - -Progress was necessarily slow, for boulders of rock, and little -gullies are not conducive to rapid locomotion. - -Onward the three tramped for a distance of half a mile, when Pete -halted at a part of the donga where its side rose almost -perpendicularly to a height of ten or twelve feet. - -The rock was composed of gneiss, along which bands of bluish-coloured -clay ran in horizontal layers. - -"Dis was de place where I found de glass pebble, Baas Jack," said the -Kaffir, pointing to a ledge of rock through which a small stream of -water trickled. - -Morton by this time had pulled out a large clasp knife and was -engaged in chipping off portions of the blue clay, which yielded -readily to the impact of the knife. - -The weapon struck something hard, and withdrawing the knife, Morton -cut away the clay surrounding it. After all, the object might only -be a fragment of rock, but the New Zealander's heart began to beat -faster than was its wont. - -"By heavens," he muttered, "if this turns out to be a klip (diamond)!" - -Presently the stone was in his hand, and he anxiously pared off the -fragments of blue clay adhering to it. - -"A crystallised stone, at any rate," he ejaculated, placing the find -in the breast pocket of his tunic. He again proceeded to excavate -more clay, when he was arrested by a cry from the Kaffir. "Look, -Baas Jack," exclaimed Pete. "De Boers! de Boers!" - -Morton's knife dropped out of his hand, and hastily picking up his -rifle, he queried, "Where are they, Pete?" - -"Down dere, baas," answered the Kaffir. "I saw de heads ob two Boers -peep ober, about five hundred yards away. I am sure dey must----" - -Pete's answer was prematurely finished, for the "pip-pop" of half a -dozen Mausers rang out, and the next moment Jack Lovat, with blanched -face, was lying on the ground, and a stream of blood trickled down -the left sleeve of his jacket. Jack's rifle slipped from his grasp, -and but for the safety catch, a bullet would probably have whizzed -near Morton; for the barrel rested on a fragment of rock, and the New -Zealander was directly in the line of fire. - -The latter bent over Jack, who was writhing with pain. It was only -the work of a moment for Morton to pick up his clasp knife and rip -open a seam of the garment. - -Jack, although a brave lad, winced, while the trooper examined the -wound. - -"Only a flesh hurt," said Morton; "lucky, though!" and swiftly -applying the field dressing, he bound up the injured limb. - -Another peculiar whistle heralded the approach of a shower of bullets -fired by unseen marksmen. - -"I guess we are in a tight hole now," soliloquised Morton. "We'll -have to get a place of shelter somehow. Can you manage to walk, my -lad?" addressing Jack. But our hero was already on his feet. - -"I'm all right now," answered Jack, although he looked far from being -in that desirable state. - -"We must get down to the donga as quickly as possible; there will be -more shelter. I'll carry you, Jack." - -"No, no!" said Jack. "I can manage to walk. You might take my -rifle, please, for my arm seems paralysed." - -With some difficulty, Jack Lovat and his two companions made tracks -for the kopje overlooking his father's farm, but long before the -summit over which they meant to pass on their hands and knees was -reached, Morton was bowled over by a bullet, and but for the friendly -protection of a shoulder-strap buckle, would undoubtedly have been -killed. As it was, the missile, after being deflected by the buckle, -lodged in the muscles of his upper right arm, and rendered that -member useless. - -Although in great pain, with blood trickling from the unstanched -wound, the New Zealander, forming the rear-guard, turned his face in -the direction of the Kopje Farm, and with tightened lips moved -forward towards the summit. - -They had not proceeded more than a hundred paces when the scout -stumbled and fell. - -The hardy frame of the New Zealander, stricken as he was, could not -stand the strain, and he tumbled over in a dead faint. - -"This is a predicament, Pete," said Jack, as he bent over the -prostrate figure. "We must, however, get to some place of shelter;" -and the brave lad looked around him. - -A natural cave opened its yawning mouth about fifty yards away, and -towards its friendly shelter Pete and Jack managed to drag their -still unconscious ally. - -The firing had ceased, but Jack had the conviction they were still -being watched by the enemy. - -The cave was the mouth of a depression such as is commonly seen among -the kopjes of South Africa, and with some difficulty, for Jack's arm -was powerless, the wounded trooper was carried inside. Morton soon -regained consciousness, but his mind was clouded, and he talked -somewhat incoherently. - -"Keep the beggars off, my lad," he said to Jack. "This confounded -wound has disabled me." - -Our hero asked for the loan of Morton's glasses, and creeping to the -mouth of the cave, glanced along the donga. - -He thought he saw objects above the rocks at a distance of some five -hundred paces, and came to the conclusion that what he saw were -slouch-hats worn by invading Boers. - -The slouch-hats seemed to advance. He glanced again, but boulders of -rock only met his gaze. Soon the hats grew larger in size and -number, and a mist spread before Jack's vision. Rheni Kop with its -castellated tower became a blurred image, even through the clear -atmosphere of the veldt. - -"Pete!" - -"Yes, Baas Jack," answered the Kaffir. - -"Come here, and tell me what you make of these things." - -The Kaffir crept to Jack's side, but refused the glasses which Jack -had handed to him. - -"My eyes are good, baas. I can see well widout dese," said Pete. -"We are done for, Baas Jack. More dan fifty ob de rascals are -coming. Shall I fire, baas?" - -"No, certainly not, Pete," replied Jack, whose wound had infused in -the lad's mind a certain amount of wholesome discretion. - -"Dey have de white flag up, baas," said Pete. "Dere be five comin' -dis way. Shall I fire?" and the eyes of the Kaffir sparkled. Pete -went on: "De foremost one is Piet Van Donnop, de brute who once -sjambokked me for nuthing. May I fire, baas? I can bring him down -like an aasvogel (vulture)." - -"Nothing of the sort, Pete," replied Jack. "We are powerless. Let -them come on." - -"All right, baas," said Pete. "If you say dat, they might as well -see me;" and the Kaffir slipped outside the cave, carrying his rifle -with him. - -"Come back, you fool!" cried Jack; but he was powerless to prevent -his father's native foreman from disobeying his command. - -Pete gazed with an air of nonchalance at the approaching figures, who -were now only three hundred yards away. The Kaffir stood leaning on -his rifle. His brows were knitted, and all the wild savagery of his -nature was aroused. - -The Boers halted, and presently two of their number, one of them -carrying a white handkerchief affixed to the barrel of his rifle, -advanced towards Pete. - -The latter glanced at the breech of his rifle, opened it, after which -his eyes enlarged in wonderment. The breech and magazine were empty. -Jack Lovat, who was peering over the edge of the cave, cried, "Drop -your rifle, Pete!" but the command was not obeyed. - -"Dey shall see no hands ob mine go up," muttered the Kaffir; "an' if -de Boer is Piet Van Donnop, he can look out." - -The strangers advanced, and the next moment Jack Lovat heard the cry, -"Hands up, 'boy,' or we'll fire!" - -Pete clutched his rifle, and advancing a few paces, delivered a -stroke with the butt of his weapon on the head of the foremost Boer, -and the latter tumbled over. - -A moment later, brave Pete, the Kaffir "boy," fell, pierced through -the brain by a bullet. He expired almost instantly, leaving his -young master and the wounded New Zealander helpless in the hands of -the Boers. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -A CAPE REBEL - -The Dutchman whom the unfortunate Pete had floored was Piet Van -Donnop, a son of the farmer of that name. Although stunned by the -blow administered by the Kaffir, he soon regained consciousness. - -A number of infuriated Boers stood around the mouth of the cave, -gesticulating wildly in the guttural Taal tongue. - -Jack and Morton could both be plainly seen. The ostrich farmer's son -had risen to his feet, and gazing steadily at a Boer who had covered -him with his rifle, cried, "Shoot, you coward!" - -The next moment would have been Jack's last, had not a powerful arm -struck up the rifle barrel. Piet Van Donnop saved our hero's life. - -"Oh, it is you, Lovat," said Piet, whose head was covered with a -bloodstained bandage. "What are you doing here, and who is your -companion? Ah! one of the rooibaatjes, I see." - -Morton struggled to his feet and faced the Boers. - -"I'm not a rooibaatje," said Morton, "but I am fighting in their -cause. You can do your worst. I'm not a hands-upper, or a -white-flagger either," he continued scornfully. - -The Boers withdrew a few paces, but not before securing the two -rifles and the bandoliers worn by Jack and Morton. - -A consultation took place among the burghers, and Jack's quick ears -detected among other sentences the words, "Shoot the dogs." Their -fate was evidently trembling in the balance, and Jack's thoughts -wandered to the Kopje Farm, his father, mother, and Mary. - -Then a bearded man of immense stature stepped into the cave and -approached Morton, who with a pallid face was leaning against a -boulder of rock. - -The Boer addressed Morton in good English. "To what regiment do you -belong, rooinek?" he demanded. - -"That is my business," answered the scout haughtily. "I decline to -answer." - -"Where are your fellows?" asked the Boer, without displaying any sign -of temper. - -"I decline to give you any information whatever," replied Morton. - -"A sjambok may elicit what I desire to know," said the Boer grimly. -"You are speaking now to Christian Uys. You have heard of me, I -suppose?" - -"Oh yes, I have," answered the scout. "We have been trying for some -time to locate you." - -"Pray be careful in what you say," said Uys. "You are not an -Englishman?" - -"I am not," said Morton, "but I fight under the British flag." - -"You belong to the New Zealand corps called Rangers," said Uys in a -peculiar tone of voice. "You see we burghers can beat your boasted -Intelligence Department. Bah! the British Government with their -hundreds of thousands of rooibaatjes cannot beat a few simple -farmers;" and Uys gave vent to a loud laugh. - -The Boer went on: "We want to catch a man of your regiment. Morton -is his name. You know him, I suppose?" - -"I decline to answer any of your questions," replied the trooper -firmly. - -"Well, when you reach your corps, you might tell this Morton, that if -we catch him, a sjambokking awaits him, followed by a dose of lead. -He has already killed five of my best men." - -Jack Lovat was listening with bated breath to the conversation, and -he wondered at the cool courage displayed by the New Zealander. - -Piet Van Donnop came forward in answer to something put to him by the -Boer leader. - -"How is your father, Jack?" asked Piet; "and I must not forget your -mother and little Mary. I suppose she is quite a woman by now." - -"They are all right," replied Jack. "I never thought you would have -joined the rebels, Piet." - -"And why not, Jack?" asked Piet. "They are my own flesh and blood, -and I am only fighting for my own. The commandant wishes me to ask -you how many troopers are quartered at the Kopje Farm? I ought to -have been there now, but I am acting as despatch rider for the -commando." - -The question was put in Dutch, a language Morton was not conversant -with. - -"The commandant had better find out for himself. You will get a warm -reception if you go to the Kopje Farm," replied Jack testily. - -"That is just what we are going to do," said Van Donnop. "I have my -brother Jan's death to avenge. I have heard he is dead." - -"But not on my father, Piet?" queried Jack. "His only fault is that -of being a loyalist. You had better tell the commandant to leave the -Kopje Farm severely alone, if his men don't want to receive a shock -from which they will not soon recover." - -Piet laughed at this, after which he said, "All right, Jack, you have -to come with us. Your friend will remain where he is until we come -back for him." - -"No, I won't leave him," cried Jack. Turning to Morton, he went on: -"They want me to go along with them and leave you here, but Jack -Lovat is hardly built that way." - -The trooper stared, and there was a world of meaning in the glance he -bestowed on Jack. The glance said quite plainly, "Go," and the look -was accentuated by a slight nod. - -[Illustration: "Pete delivered a stroke with his weapon."] - -"We must trouble you for those boots," said the commandant. "No, we -want nothing else. I see the spurs are pretty well worn. It won't -be policy on your part to offer any resistance. Hans Erasmus," -calling to one of his men, "you are badly in need of a pair of boots. -Take these," and he pointed to Morton's boots. The Boer, an unkempt -fellow, whose clothes were almost in rags, certainly was in need of -foot-gear, for the soles had left the uppers, and his toes protruded -from beneath the untanned leather. To Jack's surprise, Morton made -no resistance, but allowed the Boer to annex the boots. - -The latter soon transferred them to his own feet, and expressed his -satisfaction at the exchange by uttering a guttural "Ach!" - -"You are wounded?" said Uys, addressing Morton. - -"I would not be here talking to you if I had not been," replied the -trooper. "It is a mere scratch, though. You don't use expanding -bullets, or explosive ones, for that matter. It is very good of you, -I'm sure." - -"Don't be sarcastic, my good man. You are quite sure you can make -yourself comfortable till we come back?" - -"I shall be all right," replied Morton. "The sooner you leave me the -better I shall like it." - -Commandant Uys smiled. "You are rather a humorous sort of fellow. -May I ask you one question?" - -"As you please," answered Morton gruffly. - -"How long will it take for you to reach the Kopje Farm? Don't stare, -my man. We are pretty well informed as to all movements made by the -rooibaatjes. I should ask you to unstrip your tunic, but that would -be a waste of energy, because you Colonials who act as scouts carry -no identity cards. I am afraid we must inconvenience you for a -little time. You shall not, however, go hungry. Stephanus, a piece -of biltong for the rooinek. You will like it, for it is good fare -while serving on the veldt." - -Saying this, Commandant Uys strode out of the cave to where his -burghers were standing near their horses. - -A minute later, Morton, whether against his wish or not, found his -ankles firmly secured by a piece of hide rope. His hands had been -left unbound, but without a knife it was an impossibility to set -himself free, and that instrument had been taken from him. - -Jack Lovat was compelled to mount one of the spare horses belonging -to the sections of the commando, and to his infinite satisfaction -found that the horses' heads were turned in the direction of Rheni -Kop, instead of the Kopje Farm. A bullet between his ribs from the -rifle of a Britisher was too unpleasant a possibility to contemplate, -so he felt devoutly thankful when he found himself proceeding in an -opposite direction. - -Glances full of meaning had passed between Jack and Morton, and the -latter knew that his boy-friend would leave no stone unturned to -assist him from his unenviable position. - -After leaving the cave, the Boers rode straight on Rheni Kop, Piet -Donnop being alongside our friend Jack. - -"What brings you here, Lovat?" asked Piet in English, and speaking in -a whisper. "Diamond Valley seems to have an attraction for you." - -"And for you as well, I should say," retorted Jack. - -"Looking after gold, or what?" queried Piet. - -"I was not aware that gold is to be found in these parts," answered -Jack. "What do you mean by roaming about the country, robbing and -molesting peaceable inhabitants? Do you know anything about the five -hundred sovereigns my father lost only yesterday?" - -A flush spread over the Dutchman's swarthy face as he answered, "I -have had none of Mr. Lovat's sovereigns." - -"Then you know about the way my father has been treated?" Jack asked. - -Piet evaded the question, and merely said, "I am sorry we came up -with you to-day, Lovat. I, at least, bear you no ill-will; but I -would strongly advise you to keep your tongue still and ask no ugly -questions. It is unfortunate that we met you. Does your wound pain -you?" - -"Only a slight stiffness and soreness inconveniences me--that is -all," answered Jack. "By the way, where are we bound for?" - -"Number one, ugly question," replied Piet. "I may as well tell you -that you won't see Kopje Farm to-night, and most probably not -to-morrow." - -"And what about my friend whom you have tied up in the cave? You -will surely never leave him to starve?" queried Jack. - -"By no means," answered Piet, with a laugh. "He will be released in -good time--that is, when the commandant thinks fit. Christian Uys -has something up his sleeve." The last sentence was uttered in a -whisper. - -"And what is that, Van Donnop?" - -"Ugly question, number two," was the Dutchman's response. "You know -what you Britishers say, 'The third time is catching-time.' I am -right, I suppose?" - -After that, Jack Lovat held his peace, but did not forget to use his -eyes. Life on the veldt had taught him many lessons. Like the Red -Indians of the western prairies, Jack had studied rocks, flowers, the -sun, moon, and stars in their various phases, and in veldt-craft was -becoming a past-master. - -For an hour the commando rode ahead, and when halted by order of -Christian Uys, had passed round Rheni Kop, which now stood four or -five miles on their left flank. - -The Boers debouched on a grassy plain, very limited in extent, and -surrounded by little flat-topped kopjes. - -To Jack's immense surprise, he saw forty or fifty waggons and Cape -carts on the plain. Several hundred horses and many head of oxen -were grazing on the veldt, and at least two hundred additional -burghers were in the laager. - -These formed the major portion of the formidable Christian Uys's -commando, and Jack Lovat as he passed into the laager thought he had -never seen such a motley crew. - -Many of the burghers glanced at Jack from beneath their bushy -eyebrows, bestowing ominous scowls on the young Britisher, which he -answered with a haughty stare. - -The burghers off-saddled, and after giving their horses a feed of -mealies, began to refresh themselves with a repast of biltong, -biscuits, and jam. - -Jack was placed under a guard, one of whom he was glad to find was -Piet Van Donnop. Under his protection our hero knew that he would -receive no ill-treatment. - -Van Donnop insisted upon Jack receiving medical treatment from a -burgher who had walked a Berlin hospital, but whose indiscretions had -caused him to be expelled before he took his degree. - -Dirck Hartmann, for such was the medico's name, proved a very -agreeable sort of young fellow, and showed great kindness to Jack. -He examined the boy's wound, and found that a bullet had passed -through the fleshy inner portion of the arm, luckily without touching -an artery. As Jack said, it was a scratch--an ugly one it must be -said; but the prompt application of the field dressing by Morton had -minimised the loss of blood. The limb felt stiff and sore--that was -all. - -"You will see that this young fellow has good treatment," said -Hartmann to Piet Van Donnop, as he left Jack. - -"Certainly, doctor," was Piet's reply. "He is in safe hands with -me;" for which Jack thanked him. - -As the sun was on the point of dropping below the horizon, the Boer -sentries were planted on the kopjes surrounding the plateau, and Jack -was ordered to crawl into a waggon, on the floor of which were spread -several layers of empty mealie bags. - -Before he went to roost, Jack's observant eyes had been busy. He -noticed with keen interest the picketing of the horses in the -immediate vicinity, and deep satisfaction sprang up in his breast as -he thought of a sharp bowie knife which he carried in the leg of one -of his high boots. - -He had made a strong resolve to get away from the laager before -morning broke, and he determined that nothing short of utter -disablement would prevent him from accomplishing his purpose. - -The resolve was strengthened by a conversation he overheard between -two burghers, soon after darkness fell. Jack's thoughts were passing -between the bowie knife, secreted in his boot, and the picketed -horses. Among the latter was a beautiful roan, evidently the -property of a field-cornet or other officer. - -His mind also wandered to the Kopje Farm. He wondered what they were -doing, and if Major Salkeld and his men had departed for -Springbokfontein. Then he thought of Morton lying bound in the cave -in Diamond Valley. - -Jack had stretched himself on the mealie sacks when he heard his -family name mentioned, and his ears were all attention in a moment. - -"Hans," said a voice in a low whisper, "the rooineks will have no -chance at all. Johann Klaasen has just come in, and reports that -thirty of them are leaving the Kopje Farm for Springbokfontein in the -early dawn to-morrow. That is good news, for every man of them will -be shot down before they have proceeded two miles on their journey. -Half of the commando--one hundred and fifty strong--have left for -Langeman's Nek, where there is abundant shelter for our men. These -New Zealanders boast about never requiring quarter. They will get -none;" and a low chuckle followed. - -Jack Lovat's breath came thick and fast. He knew Langeman's Nek very -well, and as the speaker hinted, he knew it formed an admirable place -of ambush. - -The minutes seemed to pass on leaden wings to the British youth so -strangely confined in the camp of a savage enemy. Jack's mind was -made up. He would use his utmost endeavour to escape from the -laager, and if he could not secure the roan mare, make his way on -foot to the Kopje Farm, provided no other mount came in his way. - -At last complete silence reigned in the laager, and Jack cautiously -raised himself on his elbow and peered over the side of the waggon. -His sense of hearing was overstrained by his peculiar and dangerous -position. He thought he heard the flap of a rifle-strap as if it -struck the barrel of a Mauser rifle, and lay quietly down again. - -A few minutes later, he again pulled himself up, and without noise -clambered over the side of the waggon, then dropped on the ground. -His wounded arm caused him much pain, but he set his teeth and bore -it bravely. The night was a black one, but his keen eyesight -informed him that the picketed horses had been removed from the -vicinity of the waggon. - -Jack fell on his hands and knees, and crawled forward, cautiously -winding his way between the wheels of several waggons. - -At last he was clear of the laager, and the ring of pickets only had -to be passed. Still on his hands and knees he crept, his heart -beating violently, and sharp pains darting through his temples. If -only he could get safely through, he would trust to Providence to -guide him safely to the Kopje Farm. - -A gaunt figure, standing by a horse, attracted his attention, and a -voice called out in Dutch, "Who goes there?" The question was -followed by an ominous clicking sound. Jack still crawled forward, -his right hand now gripping the bowie knife. His strength was almost -exhausted, and the pain in his arm increased in severity. - -With rare courage and determination, Jack sprang to his feet, plunged -the bowie knife into the chest of the bewildered sentry, who -immediately fell, at the same time relaxing his grasp of the horse's -reins. It took but a moment for Jack to mount, and digging his -spurless boots into the sides of the commandeered property, he darted -across the veldt. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -A WEIRD ADVENTURE - -For a couple of miles Jack rode hard across the veldt--not without -risk, for several rifle shots rang out, and bullets whizzed -perilously near his ears. His escape had evidently been discovered. - -When he pulled up his panting steed, he had completely lost his -bearings. All that he could do was to wait for the rising of the -moon, when he trusted to his knowledge of veldtcraft to guide him to -the Kopje Farm. - -The horse which he rode was flecked with foam, and the poor brute -trembled in every limb. - -"Well, I reckon I'm in a fine pickle now," muttered Jack, as he -dismounted. Slipping his arm into the horse's bridle, he led the -animal towards a small kopje, whose summit was indistinctly lined -against the dark sky. - -He had an idea that he had seen the kopje before, but was not sure. -He would wait a little longer. - -The base of the kopje was fringed with a growth of various kinds of -bushes, and the fear of tumbling into unseen depressions on the -veldt, and prospective chances of broken limbs, made him very -cautious. - -The welcome light of the moon soon spread over the veldt, and Jack -examined the saddlery on the back of his newly acquired steed. - -To his great joy, he found a holster-case attached to the saddle, and -inside the case was a revolver loaded in every chamber. He was now -provided with a means of defence, if attacked by man or beast. - -Once or twice, he had heard what seemed to be low rumblings of -thunder; but the sky was clear, and the wonderful stars glittered -with a brightness only seen in Southern latitudes. - -He tried to locate his position, but had to dolefully confess to -himself that he was lost, and that he could not recognise any spot on -the landscape. - -The horse was still trembling in every limb, as though some unknown -terror were creeping over it. He tried to drag the beast forward, -but it refused to budge, and a strange fear crept through Jack's mind. - -He had had a little experience of the king of beasts, and he came to -the conclusion that the horse had scented danger in the shape of -lions. - -His fears were soon realised, for a loud roar burst upon his ears, -and two pairs of shining yellow eyes peered at him from beneath a big -mimosa bush. - -His heart sank as it were into his boots, and he dragged his horse's -head round. His first thought was to mount and make all haste from -the spot, but his limbs seemed temporarily paralysed. - -The growling increased, beginning with a blood-curdling wail that -ended in a terrific roar. - -The ground seemed to tremble beneath Jack's feet, and he gave himself -up for lost. The opposition of armed men had no terrors for Jack -Lovat, but he could not contemplate with equanimity the probability -of being devoured piecemeal by infuriated lions. - -He retreated slowly, still leading the horse, but keeping his eyes -fixed on the globes of fire which seemed to advance. - -Two long tawny forms began a crouching march towards the ostrich -farmer's son, and Jack clutched the revolver with a nervous grip, his -forefinger pressing lightly on the trigger. If the horse should -happen to break away, all would be up. - -The tawny forms were but a few paces away, crouching low down, as -though about to make a spring, so grasping the pommel of the saddle, -with an energy born of despair, Jack vaulted into the seat, and set -forth at a rapid gallop. - -His spirits rose as he sped onwards, and he was congratulating -himself upon his very narrow escape, when his horse stumbled and fell -on the veldt, with a terrible crash, throwing Jack over its head. - -Our hero thought that every bone in his body had been broken, but he -managed to stumble to his feet. - -To his horror, he found that his horse's right fore-leg was broken, -and the poor beast unable to stand. - -The two hideous forms were following, and even now were only a few -yards distant. - -Jack prayed fervently for deliverance, and before he could realise -what was happening, the fierce brutes had sprung upon the horse, -which was screaming in agony. - -He could hear a terrible crunching sound as the lions began munching -their yet alive prey. - -He dared not expend a shot, and deeming prudence to be the better -part of valour, he left the unfortunate horse to the cruel mercies of -the lions, and ran as fast as he could across the veldt, trusting -that the savage beasts would satiate their hunger upon the horse's -carcass, and refrain from pursuing him. - -He felt sick and weary. His wound had induced a fever, which made -him somewhat light-headed. He stopped running, and trudged doggedly -along, in what direction he knew not. - -How long he wandered he never knew, but he halted when he came to a -donga; for a fire, burning brightly, pulled him up. - -He saw the glare of the fire when some distance from it, and -conjectured that a party of Boers or British Irregulars on trek had -encamped for the night in the donga. - -The figures of several men, evidently asleep, were seated round the -fire, while some distance away from the latter, a number of horses -were picketed, and grazing upon the sparse grass. - -Jack's eyesight was good, despite the rough experience he had -recently gone through, and lying flat on his stomach, he watched the -strange spectacle. - -An uncouth-looking figure emerged from the gloom, and going towards -the sleepers, awakened two of them. - -"Changing sentries," soliloquised Jack. "They are not our -fellows--Boers, without a doubt." - -And Boers they were. Jack had stumbled across a patrol of the enemy, -and a fear of again falling into their hands crept across his mind. - -Fear soon gave way to certainty, for one of the lately aroused -Boers--a thick-set, unwieldy man--came stalking towards the place -where Jack was lying. - -A Mauser rifle reposed in the hollow of the Boer's left arm, and -gleams of light played on the barrel. - -The Dutchman nearly stepped upon Jack, before he saw our hero; then -bringing his rifle to the present, the Boer cried, "Who goes there? -Speak, or I'll fire!" This was said in deep guttural Dutch, and the -next moment Jack found himself again a prisoner. - -Our hero felt thankful that he had not fallen into the hands of -Transvaalers, who, justly or unjustly, bore a shady reputation for -cruelty. - -"Who and what are you?" demanded the Boer. "A rooinek?" The tones -of the Free Stater were not unkind. - -"Are there any more of you?" the sentry continued, glancing warily -around. - -"I am alone," replied Jack, who when he saw the Boer advancing -towards him, threw his revolver away. - -"Alone?" said the Boer. "And why are you prowling about here at this -time of the night? You speak our language well. Are you one of us, -or what?" - -Jack made no reply, and the Boer commanded him to move towards the -camp-fire, bringing up the rear. - -Here the Boer roused up a man, dressed in somewhat superior clothing -to his fellows, and whom he addressed as Veldt-cornet. - -"A prisoner, Veldt-cornet," said the Boer. - -The officer rubbed his eyes and said somewhat sleepily, "A rooinek, -Maartens?" - -"He is an Englishman, I think, Veldt-cornet," answered the Boer; but -no amount of questioning could elicit from Jack his proper name and -place of residence. If this were part of Christian Uys's commando, -his identity would soon be discovered, and then good-bye to life -itself. - -"Keep an eye on him, Maartens," said the veldt-cornet, with a yawn; -and the officer rolling himself up in his blanket, sank back on the -veldt, and was soon wrapped in a profound slumber. - -The fire was now burning low--a lucky circumstance for Jack Lovat, or -his wounded condition would have been seen, and unwelcome inquiries -made. - -"Lie down and rest, youngster," said the Boer sentry; and Jack obeyed. - -Our hero's mind was now running on horses, but that another chance of -escape would present itself seemed impossible. - -Dawn would soon break, and he knew that if the other portion of -Christian Uys's commando should come up, all would be over, and a -Mauser bullet would end his cares and sufferings. - -Several of the Boers were awake and glancing at Jack with looks of -wonderment. Their curiosity, however, had evidently been appeased by -Maartens, and seated round the smouldering embers of the fire, they -began to converse in low whispers, and Jack overheard such words as -"drift," "kloof," and "schantze"; and when the words "New Zealanders" -were pronounced he knew that the patrol were on the look-out for the -Auckland Rangers. - -The cold was intense, and Jack began to shiver violently. One of the -Boers seeing this, kindly handed our hero a blanket and told him to -make himself comfortable. - -An hour before dawn the whole party were astir, and the grateful -aroma of freshly made coffee filled Jack's nostrils. - -Additional fires had been lighted, and over these several Boers were -busily engaged in grilling strips of biltong. - -Jack's appetite for the moment had left him, and he turned away from -the roughly cooked beef which was offered him. The odour was -nauseating to Jack's hypersensitive olfactory nerves. - -He did not, however, refuse the coffee, which imparted a welcome -warmth to his chilled frame. - -The veldt-cornet was wide enough awake now, and after the hastily -prepared meal had been discussed, he turned to Jack, whom he -cross-examined very closely. - -"You come from this neighbourhood?" queried the veldt-cornet. - -Jack shook his head; and the Boer officer went on-- - -"Have you been serving against us in the field?" - -"I am not a soldier," answered Jack. "I am a settler's son. All -that we desire is peace; we want nothing more." - -The veldt-cornet laughed as he said, "There will soon be peace, boy, -when all the rooineks have been kicked into the sea. You are -wounded, I see. Where did you receive your wound? In a fight?" - -"It is nothing--a mere scratch I managed to get in an accident," -replied Jack, assuming a cheerful air. - -"Then you will join us, youngster?" queried the Boer leader. - -"I would rather be excused," answered Jack. "I want to get to -Springbokfontein." - -"You will reach there in good time," said the veldt-cornet. "In the -interval you might do worse than see a little service under the -vierkeleur. What say you? We can give you a mount and a rifle. -Maartens, how are we off for horses?" - -Maartens shrugged his shoulders as he replied, "We have a couple of -led horses, Veldt-cornet, the roan mare, and the young horse." - -"Then let him take the roan," observed the officer. - -"By the way, youngster," he continued, "have you seen anything of a -troop of rooineks--New Zealanders--in the district?" - -"I understand that some are in this part of the country," answered -Jack. - -"Well, if you will go along with us, you shall see them before long," -said the veldt-cornet. "We want to catch a fellow named Morton. The -commandant will give a thousand pounds for the fellow, dead or alive." - -Jack laughed to himself as he thought of the New Zealander's narrow -escape, and wondered what the latter was doing, and whether he had -made good his escape from the Diamond Valley or not. - -"You know Springbokfontein, I suppose?" asked the Boer officer, after -a pause. - -"I have been there several times," was Jack's reply. - -"Is the place strongly guarded?" queried the veldt-cornet, who was a -namesake and relative of President Steyn. - -"You ask me a question that I cannot answer," replied Jack. "There -is certainly a town guard, but whether they are any good or not is -more than I can say. However, you had better try your luck against -the town." - -"That is just what we are going to do, after we get hold of these New -Zealanders. You know the Bank at Springbokfontein?" queried Steyn. - -"I know very little about banks," answered Jack somewhat brusquely; -and then he nearly made an ass of himself by blurting out the fact -that his father had been robbed of five hundred pounds intended for -deposit in the bank under discussion. - -"It is said that a hundred thousand sovereigns are reposing in the -Bank," said the veldt-cornet, with a laugh, "mostly belonging to the -people who asked us to come to their help and then showed the white -feather." - -"White flag, did you say?" asked Jack grimly. "I thought only Boers -were addicted to that practice." - -"Have a care, youngster," said Steyn warningly, as he tapped the butt -end of his rifle with a meaning glance in his eyes. "It is the -rooineks, not Free Staters or Transvaalers." - -Jack felt that metaphorically speaking he was putting his foot in it, -and intimated he was only having a joke. - -"A delicate subject to joke about, youngster," observed Steyn. "You -know the countryside?" he added. - -"Not this immediate neighbourhood," replied Jack. - -"And what takes you so far from home?" queried the veldt-cornet. - -"We settlers hunt sometimes," suggested Jack. - -"But not without weapons. Where is your rifle?" demanded Steyn. - -"The country is under martial law," replied Jack. - -"The rooineks' law," sneered Steyn. - -"As you say," observed Jack diplomatically. - -"You mean that you have lost or mislaid your rifle?" queried Steyn. - -"I had an adventure with lions," said Jack. "I----" Our hero -hesitated, and then added, "I will join you." - -"Spoken like a man!" cried the veldt-cornet. "Maartens, the roan -mare and a Mauser for the youngster, before he changes his mind." - -"The mare is quiet, I trust?" asked Jack. - -"You shall try her. See, it is nearing daybreak. At sunrise you -shall satisfy yourself as to your mount." - -The sounds of clattering hoofs arrested the officer's attention, and -a Boer presently rode up. - -"The veldt-cornet?" inquired the new-comer. - -"I am here," said Steyn. "You have ridden over from the commandant, -Du Plessis?" - -"I have ridden on the spur, Veldt-cornet," answered the Boer. "Du -Boisson was stabbed last night by a young rooinek whom we caught -yesterday, just as you marched out of camp. The rooinek has escaped, -and----" - -"He is here," said Steyn, and he looked round for Jack; but the -ostrich farmer's son was already on the roan mare's back and scudding -like the wind down the donga. - -"The devil!" cried Steyn. "No, don't shoot; it might bring a -hornet's nest around our ears. He has gone in an opposite direction -to that from which we expect the New Zealanders. Maartens, you were -too premature in bringing the mare;" and Maartens had the good sense -to look abashed. - -"He is the rooinek who killed Du Boisson," said Du Plessis. "Van -Donnop knows him well. He is the son of an ostrich farmer named -Lovat." - -"The man from whom the five hundred sovereigns were taken?" exclaimed -Steyn excitedly. - -"The same, Veldt-cornet," replied the Boer scout. - -"And it was at this brat's father's farm where some of our men were -repulsed only two nights ago," said Steyn, with growing excitement. -"I wish Maartens had shot him as he lay on the veldt." - -"I had rather he belonged to us, Veldt-cornet," observed Maartens. -"He is a slim youth, and, if his heart had been in the right place, -would have been of great service to the cause." - -"Yes, maybe, Maartens," growled the officer. "Now that he has got -away, he will alarm the whole country." - -"Van Donnop says that the New Zealanders will come this way," said -Maartens, pointing to the upper end of the donga. "The rooinek must -move on his left flank, as the country is very broken and cut up. -However, you will see. We shall catch them in a trap, and then march -straight for Springbokfontein and Port Nolloth. I am quite right." - -"You always had good sense, Maartens; but if we catch this young -Lovat, a bullet will be too good for him; a piece of stout rope and a -tree--the aasvogel shall do the rest. The men have all breakfasted?" - -"All have had coffee and biltong, Veldt-cornet," answered Maartens, -who was acting as second in command of the patrol, which as things -went, might have been termed a reconnaissance in force. - -Let us follow the fortunes of Jack Lovat, the daring boy-fighter of -the Kopje Farm. - -While the veldt-cornet was talking to Burgher Du Plessis, Maartens -brought up the roan mare, and acting on the spur of the moment, Jack, -while pretending to examine the horse's head-gear, sprang on its -back, and as narrated, sped like the wind to the other end of the -donga. - -His breath came hard and fast, and every moment he expected being -struck by a bullet. He wondered what the sensation would be like if -a missile hit him, but luckily he was spared the experience. - -No sooner did he reach the entrance to the donga than something -seemed to whisper to him, "You must keep to the left, for there lie -home and safety." - -The mare was a gallant one, and full of mettle, for with long strides -she rushed gamely forward, widening the gap between Jack and her late -owner. - -The ostrich farmer's son never drew rein until a couple of miles -distant from the Boer laager, when he eased up, and after glancing -round, dismounted--taking care to retain a firm grasp on the reins. - -"Thank Heaven, I am free once more," said Jack to himself. "And now -for the Kopje Farm!" - -Several landmarks seemed familiar to him. One of the kopjes he -remembered as being a spot much favoured by baboons, ugly grinning -apes that lived in the caves with which the kopje abounded. - -The Kopje Farm he knew lay some few miles to the south of the hill, -so he moved forward towards a donga which skirted the right base of -the kopje. - -His attention was arrested by a sight which sent the blood rushing to -his heart, causing a choking sensation that almost stifled him. - -About a mile distant he discerned a troop of mounted men advancing in -his direction. - -"They are Boers!" ejaculated Jack aloud. "I've escaped from one fire -only to fall into another." - -He was in the middle of the donga when he first caught sight of the -strangers who were advancing over the open veldt. - -Jack watched the progress of the horsemen, who suddenly halted. - -Evidently a fresh order had been given, for presently they wheeled to -the right and moved on in an oblique direction. - -"They are going straight towards Langeman's Nek," thought Jack; but -his quick eyes detected something he had not seen before. - -"They are our fellows!" cried he,--"the Auckland Rangers. I know -them by the feathers in their slouch-hats;" and without more ado he -rode forward, and clearing the donga, galloped forward at full speed -in the direction of the horsemen. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -THE AMBUSH - -When Jack and his two companions did not return to the Kopje Farm, -much speculation was indulged in as to their fate by the men of the -Auckland Rangers. It had been the intention of Major Salkeld to -saddle up in the afternoon, but the non-appearance of Morton altered -his plans, and a couple of hours were spent in reconnoitring by his -scouts, but without success. - -One of the Kaffirs asserted that he had heard shots fired in the -Diamond Valley about noontide, but this statement led to no -elucidation of the mystery connected with the disappearance of -Trooper Morton and Jack. - -Mr. Lovat, too, was uneasy. He knew that his son possessed an -adventurous nature, for Jack during his hunting expeditions had been -several times absent from home for a couple of days at a time, but it -had always been with his father's permission. - -Accommodation for the troopers was provided in various parts of the -farm buildings, while Major Salkeld partook of Mr. Lovat's -hospitality in the farmer's private apartments. - -Sentries were posted at various points around the farm, and with -anxious hearts the ostrich farmer and his wife retired to rest, but -not to sleep. Mr. Lovat's fear was that the three missing ones had -fallen into the hands of the Boers. - -Dawn at last broke on the veldt. The night had passed without any -alarms, and the quietness and solitude seemed oppressive. - -Mr. Lovat and the major were early astir, the former directing the -"boys" in the serving out of corn to the troopers' horses, while the -latter looked after his men. - -The little force were able to replenish their bandoliers from the -ample stores which Mr. Lovat had in stock, so that each man now -carried two hundred rounds of cartridges. - -Soon after dawn, the troopers moved off, after taking a hearty -farewell of their host and hostess, not forgetting Mary, with whom -the Irregulars left many little mementos in the shape of gold coins -of the realm, and which they insisted on her accepting--although -against her father's wish. - -Their route would be by Langeman's Nek, a defile to the west of Rheni -Kop, and Major Salkeld had promised his men some fighting before they -joined the bulk of the regiment. - -The road was very difficult, and progress consequently was slow. -Scouts were thrown forward in front and on the flanks, but for a few -miles nothing unusual occurred. - -The advance guard was suddenly seen to halt and dismount. - -Shortly afterwards, one of the scouts signalled, "Halt! remain where -you are. We are falling back." - -Major Salkeld instantly halted his men, and ordered them to see to -the magazines of their rifles. - -The four scouts in advance presently came riding in, and the leader -at once made his report to the major. - -"Sir," began the trooper, "I fancy we shall see some fighting before -long. The country in front is admirably suited for an ambush, and a -horseman is rapidly approaching. Look, here he comes!" - -Round the bend of a kopje, some seven hundred yards away, a horseman -was seen galloping at full speed towards them. - -The major at once placed his glasses to his eyes and gazed earnestly -through them, after which he rode a little ahead. - -"He is quite a youngster," exclaimed the major. "Why, it is the son -of our worthy friend, the ostrich farmer, up at the Kopje Farm;" and -the next moment Jack Lovat pulled up, mounted on a beautiful mare, -which was flecked with foam. - -"Sir!" gasped Jack, for he was almost breathless, "you are ambushed. -Nearly two hundred Boers are waiting in Langeman's Nek for you. Go -back at once, sir." - -Jack's shirt and jacket were stained with blood, and Major Salkeld -with some anxiety asked, "But you are wounded, my boy. What does -this mean, and where do you come from?" - -"Excuse me, sir," said Jack, "but we must retire into the donga. The -Boers will soon be covering me with their rifles. If you had gone -much farther, all of you would have been killed!" - -The major wheeled round, and followed by Jack Lovat, returned -leisurely to where his men, mounted on their horses, were awaiting -him. - -"Right about!" shouted the officer; "by fours retire to the donga;" -and the troopers obeyed. - -The retirement was effected in perfect order, without a shot being -fired by the unseen enemy. Then the troop was halted, and Jack Lovat -told his story in a few simple words. - -The major opened his eyes in amazement as Jack narrated his -adventures during the previous day and the past night. - -"And you say that Morton is shut up in a cave in the Diamond Valley?" -asked the officer. - -"He was there yesterday afternoon, sir," replied Jack, "and I'm going -to him as soon as I can. The Boers bound his ankles with wet hide. -He may have been able to get out and crawl a little way, but I'm -afraid not." - -"And this commando of Boers, where is it?" demanded the major. - -"The main body was about half a dozen miles from here last night, and -a lot of burghers are holding Langeman's Nek, waiting for you now. -I'm awfully hungry. Can you give me anything to eat?' - -"Certainly, my lad," cried the major cheerily; and he took from his -own haversack some sandwiches Mrs. Lovat had made specially for him, -and handed them to Jack, who ate them with great relish. - -For a few moments the major was undecided what to do; but after a -little deliberation, he ordered his men to dismount. That done, he -despatched a couple of scouts to the mouth of the donga. - -The donga in which the troopers were now posted was about half a mile -in length, and admirably situated for defence, if held by a fairly -strong party. In the centre the ground, mostly of a rocky nature, -was much broken, affording shelter for twice the number of men now -under Major Salkeld's command, and it was towards this part that the -officer determined to retreat. Jack's first inquiries naturally were -about the inmates of the Kopje Farm, and he felt relieved when the -major assured him that everything was right at the old homestead. - -"One of the Kaffirs is missing, though," said the officer. "I forget -his name. Symonds," turning to an officer, "what is the name of the -nigger who went off soon after sunset last night, and had not turned -up this morning when we left?" - -"Moses, I think it is, sir," answered the trooper. - -Jack Lovat stared somewhat rudely at the Irregular and said, "I -thought as much! We had him from Van Donnop's. The beggar deserves -shooting." - -Moses was the only shady character in Mr. Lovat's establishment. -Before the outbreak of the war, Moses, a Kaffir of immense strength -and stature, had been a most exemplary character; but until news of -the small disaster to the British in the armoured-train incident at -Kraipan reached the remote district of Orangefontein, Moses on -various occasions had asked permission to visit Van Donnop's farm, -ostensibly for the purpose of seeing a negress employed by the Dutch -farmer, and--Mrs. Lovat possessing as she did a sentimental -nature--his requests were always acceded to. - -"And so Moses has left the Kopje Farm, sir?" queried Jack. "It looks -somewhat fishy. Upon my word, it seems as though Moses had some hand -in the disappearance of my father's money." - -The New Zealanders reached the broken ground and dismounted, and -Major Salkeld awaited the appearance of his scouts, who were now -hidden by a bend in the donga. - -Presently the 'pip-pop' of Mauser fire was heard in the direction of -Langeman's Nek, and the scouts bending low in their saddles, came at -a rattling pace towards the place where their comrades were grimly -and silently awaiting events. - -One of the scouts, Burnand by name, had a ghastly expression on his -face, and it was evident that he had been severely wounded, when he -dismounted from his horse, as he tottered and fell on the ground. - -"A little water, sir, if you please," he gasped, looking at his -riding-breeches, which were drenched with blood. "I've been hit. -Take my bandolier, for I'm----" - -The trooper never finished the sentence, for when a water-bottle was -being held to his lips, he gave a sigh, and died. He had been hit by -a bullet in the stomach. - -"Your report, Fielding, quick," said the major, addressing the other -scout. - -"The enemy are closing in on the mouth of the donga, sir," said the -trooper. "If a dozen men are at once hurried forward, they may be -able to check them." - -"Now, men," cried the major, "I want no volunteers; there is no time -for that. Sergeant Oliphant, pick twenty men quickly. The rest will -remain here." - -"All right, sir," replied the sergeant, a quiet-looking man of -thirty; and in a few seconds the non-commissioned officer, much in -the same way as schoolboys pick a team of cricketers, selected twenty -New Zealanders, who, headed by Major Salkeld and the sergeant, moved -forward at a gallop towards the mouth of the donga overlooking -Langeman's Nek. - -"No; stay where you are," said the officer in answer to Jack Lovat's -appeal. Major Salkeld's command to our hero was so peremptory that -Jack was obliged to obey. - -"Get your horses into shelter," were the major's last words to a -corporal. "Possibly we may have to retire to this spot." - -At breakneck speed Major Salkeld and his men hurried to the mouth of -the donga. A volley of bullets, which luckily emptied no saddles, -was the welcome they received. - -On each side of the donga stretched low ranges of kopjes, diminutive -in size, but offering good shelter from fire which might be directed -from the donga. - -The major at once dismounted his men, and four troopers led back the -horses to a distance of some two hundred paces, on the instructions -of the officer. - -The remaining troopers fell prone on the ground, after which they -crawled forward, sheltering themselves behind big stones and mimosa -scrub. - -"We cannot afford to lose a cartridge, men," cried the major. "Every -bullet must find its mark, or we are done for." - -"All right, sir," muttered more than one man; "we'll see to that;" -and with strained vision they glanced along the kopjes, from which -little spurts of flame occasionally issued--heralds of the coming -storm. - -"These beggars know how to fight," muttered the major. "No wonder -our men were shot down in such numbers at Magersfontein." - -The Boers blazed away at the tiny handful of men belonging to the -Rangers, with scarcely any reply on the latter's part. The -Irregulars were well up in the art of fire discipline, and did not -mean to waste a cartridge. Occasionally a slouch-hat peeped from its -hiding-place on a kopje, and the report of a Lee-Enfield testified to -the quickness of eyesight possessed by the men from Maoriland. - -The second casualty among the New Zealanders happened to a trooper -named Jordan, a miner, possessed of an adventurous spirit, who, -spotting an excellent target in the shape of a Boer whose head and -shoulders were exposed, raised himself on his elbows in order to get -a better sight, and as he fired, received a couple of bullets in his -brain. Without an exclamation, the unfortunate New Zealander rolled -over on his side--a dead man. - -The spurts of flame from the kopjes came nearer, until at last a -terrible cross fire was poured on the isolated position held by the -few Irregulars. - -"We can do no good here," said Major Salkeld in a voice loud enough -to be heard by all his men; "we must fall back on the others. What -say you, Sergeant Oliphant?" - -A braver man than the sergeant never put on putties, and he answered, -"Quite right, sir; we must get back to the other fellows;" and the -order was given by the major to retire beyond the bend, where the -horses were being held. - -Luckily the long veldt grass concealed their movements, or the New -Zealanders would have suffered more heavily than they did. As it -was, during the short retirement, three men were hit--one killed -outright, and the others dangerously wounded. - -"We cannot leave these men here," said Major Salkeld; so the stricken -troopers were picked up and carried to where the odd men were -standing with the horses. The rifles which the wounded and dead had -dropped when they fell were not forgotten. - -The Irregulars were now out of the line of the enemy's fire, and no -time was lost in retreating to where Jack Lovat and the remainder of -the Irregulars were posted. - -One of the wounded men succumbed shortly after reaching the place of -shelter, so that the morning's fatalities up to the present totalled -three out of a very slender force. - -The horses, none of which had been hit, were picketed in a little -ravine, and three men told off as guard, after which Major Salkeld -saw to the defence. - -An unpleasant thought flashed through his mind, and the brain message -resolved itself into the question, "Are we in a death-trap?" - -The sides of the donga were precipitous, and clad here and there with -geraniums and heath of various species. Quartz rock of almost snowy -whiteness peeped out, forming a striking contrast to the vivid red of -the geraniums and the brown mottled surface of the heaths. - -"Oliphant," said the major, addressing his sergeant, "do you think it -politic for us to retire straight through the donga by the way we -came, and retrace our steps to the Kopje Farm?" - -A grim look was on the sergeant's face as he replied, "It would be, -sir, if we could manage to do it." - -"What do you mean, Oliphant?" queried the officer. "There will not -be the slightest difficulty in the way, only I don't quite like the -idea of falling back. It is against our traditions, you know." - -"I thoroughly understand what you mean, sir," answered the sergeant; -"but I am very much mistaken if even now both ends of the donga are -not closed against us. I believe we are in a death-trap, sir." - -"It doesn't say much for our scouting," muttered Major Salkeld; after -which he added aloud, "Get the men ready to start, Oliphant. Poor -Mason must be left for a time at least." - -Two wounded troopers were in a bad plight. One had been shot through -the lungs, but still lived, while the other, more fortunate, was -suffering from a broken arm. - -Jack Lovat when he realised the true state of affairs at once -volunteered to remain behind with the trooper who was lying at -death's door, but the gallant lad's offer was firmly refused by Major -Salkeld. - -The latter was in a terrible dilemma. If he and his little force -left their present place of shelter, and a section of the Boers had -crept round to the other end of the donga, it would mean almost -certain death, or at the best surrender, and the men riding in the -ranks of the Auckland Rangers had made a solemn vow when they landed -in the country never to be taken alive. - -The major made up his mind. He would remain; so he set his men to -work to intrench themselves, after which he despatched scouts to each -end of the donga. - -Jack Lovat this time would not be denied, and along with Sergeant -Oliphant made his way to the mouth of the donga leading to the Kopje -Farm. - -Two hundred yards from the entrance they dismounted and picketed -their horses. Then on hands and knees they began crawling towards -the mouth of the donga. - -"I hope you have the safety catch of your rifle on," whispered -Oliphant. "We must have no accidents." - -"It is all right, Sergeant," replied Jack. - -This part of the donga was covered with long veldt grass, nearly a -foot high, and although it somewhat impeded their movements, it -screened them fairly well from observation. - -No signs of Boers could be seen, although Jack and his companion -carefully scrutinised the ridges on both sides of the donga. - -At length a peculiar noise was heard. It was something between a -whistle and a cry. The two scouts fell prone and lay still. -Presently Jack whispered, "See, Sergeant, on your right front. The -place is swarming with Boers." - -Scarcely had he finished speaking when the report of a volley rang -through the donga. The bullets whistled harmlessly over the heads of -the Colonial and his young friend. Involuntarily Jack turned his -head. The two horses lately ridden by himself and his companion were -lying stretched on the ground. - -For a few minutes both lay still, not daring to move a limb, until a -fierce fusillade broke out at the other end of the donga. This -decided the sergeant, and he whispered, "We must get back, boy. We -are hemmed in, but I think it best to fight it out together." - -And so thought Jack. Although only a few hundred yards from their -friends, it took the pair nearly half an hour to regain the -intrenchment. They crawled on their hands, knees, and stomachs, -wriggling like serpents in the long grass, and although both had -several near escapes from being hit, they did not receive a scratch. - -Things looked very black at the intrenchment. Three men were already -lying in a last long sleep, while more than a dozen had been wounded. - -The little band of New Zealanders was suffering from a heavy frontal -fire, to which at any time might be added a terrible flank one. - -Several horses had been killed, and the moans of the wounded men and -their cries for water were heartrending. Major Salkeld, with a white -face streaked with blood from a wound in the head, looked as grim and -determined as ever. - -His men had not wasted a cartridge, for they knew that the exhaustion -of their bandoliers meant death or surrender. - -One young trooper, Coke by name, who through love of adventure and -fighting had thrown up a splendid appointment in the Bank of -Australasia, received a mortal wound in the stomach as he slightly -rose to twist round his bandolier. - -With a blanched face, he turned to Major Salkeld and gasped, "I'm -done for, sir! Take these;" and with great difficulty and increased -agony he wrenched off his bandolier and handed it to the officer. - -"One drop of water, before I die!" muttered the poor lad; but water -there was none within fifty yards, and the open must be crossed -before that could be obtained. - -"I'm going for some water," said Jack Lovat, laying down his rifle, -and heedless of the officer's remonstrance, Jack coolly collected -half a dozen water-bottles, and leaving the shelter of the -intrenchment, ran forward in search of the precious fluid. Thoughts -of danger possibly entered his mind, but the desire to alleviate the -sufferings of his wounded comrades was paramount. - -The peculiar 'phit-phit' of Mauser bullets whisked round his head, -but he ran steadily on, untouched by the nickel messengers of death. -Then the fire suddenly ceased, and Jack filled the water-bottles and -returned to the intrenchment. - -"My lad," cried Major Salkeld, "you deserve a hundred Victoria -Crosses. I will see, if we get safely out of this, that you shall -not go unrewarded." - -A white flag fluttered in the breeze not three hundred yards away, -and a couple of Boers holding the signal of truce, advanced. - -"Shall I go and meet them, sir?" asked Oliphant. - -"Yes, do," replied Major Salkeld; "see what they want. But no -surrender. That is our motto. They must not see our weakness." - -The sergeant stepped forward and met the Boers half-way. He had -heard plenty of tales concerning white-flag treachery, but he knew -that if anything happened to him, his fall would be speedily avenged, -for a dozen deadly levelled rifles in the intrenchment would speak -with fatal effect. - -"We demand your surrender," said one of the Boers to Oliphant, a -heavily-bearded man, with a by no means unpleasant cast of -countenance. "There has been enough bloodshed, and you have proved -yourselves brave men. You have no chance, and will surely all be -shot down. Veldt-cornet Steyn wishes me to express his admiration of -your fighting qualities. Are you the officer in charge of this -detachment?" - -"I am only a subordinate," answered Oliphant. "I cannot make or even -discuss terms." - -"Then return to your commanding officer, and tell him that if his -force does not surrender within ten minutes, firing will be resumed, -and then God help you." - -Oliphant bowed, and returned to the intrenchment. - -Major Salkeld on hearing the sergeant's narration of the brief -interview with the Boers, exclaimed, "We do not surrender. Not an -Aucklander yet has been captured by the enemy. We will fight to a -finish." - -A few minutes later, the Boers again opened fire upon the brave New -Zealanders, now sadly diminished in number. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE RESCUE - -We must now return to Trooper Morton, whom we left bound in a cave in -Diamond Valley. His wound was a painful one, and having lost a -quantity of blood, he naturally felt somewhat weak. - -The Boers had taken good care to secure his ankles. The hide with -which they were bound was tied and knotted while wet, and, quickly -drying, caused great pain by its contraction. - -He raised himself into a sitting posture and began fumbling with the -hide rope. He might as well have tried to snap bands of wrought -iron. He was hungry as well, so he turned to the strip of biltong -which the Boers had thrown to him when they departed. - -"I suppose they take me for a cannibal," he muttered, looking at the -dried ox-flesh. "However, I'll see what it is made of. I daresay I -shall need all the strength I can muster before I reach my troop--if -ever I do. I really don't want to make another acquaintance, while -alone, with these beggars." - -The biltong proved palatable, and Morton, possessing a healthy -digestion and not being fastidious, made a satisfying meal of the -unaccustomed food. - -His next action was to crawl out of the cave, and with some -difficulty he made his way to a little rivulet that ran along the -base of one of the sides of the donga. In the bed of the stream were -pebbles of various sizes, and after assuaging his thirst, he began to -search for a sharp-edged stone. - -For some minutes he was unsuccessful, but at last perseverance -brought its reward, and he discovered a triangular-shaped piece of -quartz. With this he began sawing at the rope, but he found the hide -tougher than he had bargained for. - -He hacked at his fetters until darkness set in, and by that time had -only succeeded in severing a single strand. Two more must be cut -before he could regain his freedom. - -He resolved to snatch a few hours' sleep, so he crawled to a -depression, a couple of hundred yards distant from the cave, and lay -down. The night was bitterly cold, and the Southern Cross gleamed -brightly above him. At last he fell asleep, and when he awoke -streaks of yellow light were shooting upwards into the sky from the -eastern horizon. - -He again set to work on the hide rope, and before the sun had reached -the point midway between the zenith and horizon was a free man. His -ankles were sore and swollen, and taking off his stockings, he bathed -his feet in the clear water of the stream, after which he felt better. - -Then his mind turned to the pebble hidden within the recesses of his -breast pocket. He took it out and examined it with interest and more -than ordinary care. - -"A few more like this," he muttered, "and I shall be able to open the -finest shop in Auckland." - -His knowledge of precious stones, and more especially diamonds, told -him that he had secured a magnificent specimen of crystallised -carbon. He retraced his steps to the place where he had found the -diamond, passing on his way the dead body of poor Pete, and although -his only implement was the three-edged piece of quartz, he was -fortunate enough to find four additional stones, not so large as his -first discovery, but still of great value. - -Sounds of distant rifle-firing fell upon his ears, desultory at -first, then in volleys. Like Jack Lovat, Morton had a pair of keen -eyes and ears, and was well able to find his way about, so he soon -located the scene of fighting. - -He knew that the firing proceeded from an opposite direction to that -of the Kopje Farm, and came to the conclusion that warfare was going -on in that particular quarter. He would make the best of his way to -Mr. Lovat's farmstead, where, if his comrades had departed, he could -obtain a mount, and possibly a pair of boots. After that, he would -try to rejoin his troop. - -Quick locomotion was out of the question, for his feet were already -blistered and bleeding, from contact with camel-thorns and pieces of -jagged rock. - -He was making for the summit of the kopje overlooking the farm, when -a couple of Kaffirs suddenly appeared, and came running towards him. -The natives halted, but Morton beckoned to them, and after some -display of hesitancy, they came up. - -The trooper was instantly recognised by the Kaffirs. They proved to -be two of Mr. Lovat's "boys," Simon and Daniel. - -Simon, who was a little fellow of singularly grotesque appearance, -called out, "Baas, don't go to de Kopje Farm. It is in de hands ob -bad Boers. Dey hab killed all de oder 'boys' 'cept Dan'l an' myself." - -"What!" exclaimed Morton, "have our men left the farm?" - -"Dey went dis mornin', baas," answered Simon. "Dere be hundreds ob -de Boers. Dan'l ah' me got away through de bush, or we would hab -been murdered as well. If only Baas Jack had been at home, dis would -not hab happened; but de old baas no show fight, and de Boers are now -up at de Kopje, eatin' an' drinkin' eberyding in the place." - -"Hold hard, my dear fellow! Not quite so fast," said Morton; "you -talk too quickly. I want you to tell me what has happened." - -"Well, baas," replied the Kaffir, "Moses an' Pete and Baas Jack hab -been missin' sin' yesterday, an' the missis and little missis hab -been crying all de night an' day too. I know your face, baas. I saw -you yesterday before Baas Jack an' Pete went away, an' den Moses -sneaked away; an' oh, baas, dings are in a bad way at de Kopje Farm. -De Boers hab taken Bessie, an' Juno, an' Jess, an'----" - -"Look here, Simon Peter, or whatever your name is, you are spinning -too long a yarn for me. Just answer me one or two questions. First, -when did the Boers arrive at Mr. Lovat's?" - -With the peculiarity habitual to Kaffirs, Simon began counting his -fingers in a rapid manner, after which he replied, "Dey came two -hours after de captain an' his men saddled up an' went away." - -"How many Boers are at the Kopje Farm?" queried Morton. "Try and -tell me exactly." - -Again the native's fingers began the counting process. - -"Well?" demanded Morton. - -"I should say one hundred an' half dat number, all men wid some led -horses. Dey killed all de 'boys' 'cept Pete, Moses, Dan'l, an' -myself. It was horrible; but de baas would not fight, an' we got -away. But where are your boots, baas? Your feet dey are bleedin', -too, an' you look bad. Wounded?" - -"Yes, a trifle, 'boy'--not much," replied Morton. "Have you any arms -with you--knives or anything of that kind?" - -Daniel, who was a forbidding-looking Kaffir considerably over six -feet in height, pulled out a revolver from his trousers' pocket, and -handing it to the New Zealander, said, "Dis belongs to Baas Jack, but -I spec he is dead." - -Morton took the weapon in his hand and examined it carefully. The -pistol was branded with the mark of the British Small Arms Company, -and was new and of heavy calibre. - -"Any cartridges?" queried Morton. - -"Plenty ob dem, baas," answered Daniel, producing a box which the -trooper found contained fifty rounds. The Kaffir took the cartridges -from a shooting coat that had evidently belonged to Mr. Lovat. - -"You keep dat, baas," said Daniel, "if you will let us go wid you. -We dare not go back to de Kopje Farm. I will now make you a pair ob -boots dat will be all right." - -Before Morton could say a word, the Kaffir plucked a number of large -leaves from a shrub of the plantain species, and within a very short -time, with the aid of a little string, had manufactured a pair of -presentable sandals--if somewhat unshapely, at least comfortable. - -"Now, baas," said Daniel, after he had fitted on the foot-gear, "do -de boots suit? Dey will not last long, but better dan nothin'." - -The New Zealander burst into a loud laugh, despite the seriousness of -his position, and assured the Kaffir that he was delighted with the -boots. - -"Will you 'boys' go with me to the Kopje Farm?" asked he, as he rose -to his feet. - -The eyes of both Kaffirs rolled in their sockets, showing an unusual -proportion of white, and Simon, the loquacious one, said with a -splutter, "No, baas, a thousand times, no. Dan'l an' me likes a good -fight, but a sjambokking first, and shootin' de next minute, don't -suit dese two boys at all." - -The strangely assorted trio, after Morton had rested a few minutes, -set off in the direction of Orangefontein; Daniel, who knew the -country well, leading the way, while the trooper and Simon followed -in the rear. - -Again Morton tackled his Kaffir companion about the commando of Boers -who had so unexpectedly arrived at the Kopje Farm soon after the -departure of the New Zealanders. - -"Do you mean to say there was not the slightest attempt to show fight -when the Boers arrived, Moses?" - -"Dat is not my name, baas," replied the Kaffir, with some heat. "My -name Simon. Moses no good at all--always up at Van Donnop's over de -veldt; worse dan a Boer." - -"Never mind what your name is, my good fellow," observed the trooper. -"The Boers could not come from the Kopje?" - -"No, baas; no road dat way. Dere be three paths up to de farm--one -straight from de valley, an' de oders on what you call de right an' -left flanks. De Boers came up on de left flank, while your boys went -away by de right. We first saw de Boers when dey were a long way -off." - -"But you said that the 'boys' with the exception of yourselves had -been killed. What makes you think that, Simon?" - -"I dink nothin' at all about it, baas; I am sure." Here the Kaffir's -eyes dilated widely. "From our hiding-place in de bush, Dan'l an' me -saw one ob de 'boys' run into de ostrich kraal. A Boer ran after him -an' shot him down. Den several oder shots were fired, and we knows -what dat means. Den we see de missis and de little missie wiping -dere eyes wid aprons. Dis is a bad mornin' for us, baas." - -"All right, 'boys,'" said Morton; "you go along with me. Have you -any knives?" - -Daniel produced an ugly-looking bowie knife from a sheath which he -had concealed inside his somewhat scanty shirt, and held it up for -the white man's inspection. - -"That will do," said the New Zealander. "And now heigho! for -Orangefontein and my comrades of the Auckland Rangers!" - -"Baas, can you tell me where young Baas Jack is?" asked Daniel. - -"He is a prisoner in the hands of the Boers, my lad," answered -Morton; "but I trust that before long we shall come across him. I -think I----" - -The New Zealander halted, for the sound of heavy rifle-fire could -again be heard proceeding from some place a few miles distant in the -right front. - -"Fighting is going on," muttered Morton. "Hang my ill-luck! I am -always out of the show,"--a statement which was by no means a correct -one, seeing that Major Salkeld's favourite scout had been in more -skirmishes probably than any other Irregular in the army. - -Morton directed the two Kaffirs to look in the direction whence the -reports came; but the keen vision of Simon and Daniel could detect no -flashes of flame, and in these days of smokeless powder no haze hangs -over scenes of fight. - -The country was wild in the extreme--granite-peaked kopjes interlaced -with innumerable little dongas met the vision, gaze where you would. -The kopjes, whose sides and bases were clad with geraniums and heath -of various kinds, formed a glorious mosaic against the steel-tinted -blue of the African sky. Everything in Nature was sublime, and stood -out in relief against the awful passions of men, who were striving -might and main to imbrue their hands in their fellow-creatures' -blood. War has its romance, its temporary glitter, but also its -awful, black shadows in the shape of untold physical and mental -suffering, endured by those who are compelled to serve under its -sombre flag. - -The firing continued, and Trooper Morton, irresistibly impelled by -the sheer love of fighting innate within him, veered out of the track -which Simon vehemently declared led to Orangefontein. - -The New Zealander's temporary foot-gear had given way, and the two -Kaffirs, while the Irregular rested, went in search of fresh leaves, -taken from a bush of the plantain species, in order to patch up the -old or manufacture a new pair of shoes. - -The Kaffirs as a race are endowed with an extraordinary range and -quickness of vision, and before Simon and Daniel had completed their -self-imposed task, the latter's keen eye noted something on the -horizon away to the right, which for the moment disturbed his peace -of mind. - -"Aasvogel, baas; dead people somewhere near!" said the -unsophisticated Kaffir, as he advanced towards Morton, who was -examining his still swollen ankles. - -The vulture of South Africa, like the steed mentioned in Holy Writ, -can smell the battle from afar, and little did Morton imagine that -the hideous birds of prey were even now hovering above the bodies of -his late comrades, proved friends in many a fight. - -Farther away to the right still edged Morton. His adventurous spirit -was yearning to be in the middle of the fray, but his Kaffir -companions were not imbued with the same enthusiasm. - -Presently the trio struck the Orangefontein road leading from Land -Drift, and Morton called a halt. The biltong had given out, and the -Kaffirs were empty-handed. Daniel, however, was equal to the -emergency. His keen eyes detected some white flowers growing on the -veldt, and his bowie knife was out in an instant. - -"Somethin' good to eat, baas," he said, as he knelt down and began -digging the ground round the flower roots. Presently he unearthed -what appeared to be ground nuts. These he handed to Morton, saying, -"You try dese, baas; dey are not bad eatin', an' you neber get tired -after you hab made a meal ob dem." - -The trooper responded to Daniel's invitation, and although the roots -possessed a stronger pungent odour than he liked, he assuaged his -hunger with them, and felt decidedly better after his meal. - -Simon and Daniel squatted themselves down a few paces distant, for a -Kaffir never partakes of food with a white man, and Morton threw -himself on the veldt, on which at this part heath grew very -plentifully, and stretched himself out. - -Like the long continued rolling of thunder, rifle-firing had been -heard by the three refugees, but all at once there was a fierce -crackle, followed by a few intermittent shots--then silence. - -"Baas!" cried Simon, running towards Morton, "some horsemen are -comin' dis way. Dey be five." The Kaffir held up his hand, and -continued, "Dey belong to you, baas. Kaffirs can see a long way." - -Morton's heart seemed to leap into his mouth as he listened to Simon. -The news seemed too good to be true. - -"I can see nothing, Simon," said the trooper, shading his eyes and -looking down the valley, in the direction pointed out by the Kaffir. - -"Dere, baas, dere!" exclaimed Simon excitedly. "Dey be comin' -straight for us;" and at last the New Zealander was able to -distinguish five moving figures, advancing at a rapid trot towards -them. - -Morton was not exactly a religious man, but he felt devoutly thankful -when five minutes later he found himself shaking hands with men -belonging to his regiment whom he had not seen for a week. - -They were scouts belonging to the B Troop of the Rangers. Rumours of -a disaster to Major Salkeld's troop had reached headquarters, and -instead of proceeding to Springbokfontein, Colonel Malcolmson, the -commandant of the Rangers, with two Maxim guns and four hundred men, -was even now in search of the missing troop. - -Luckily the scouts had with them two led horses, so that Morton was -enabled to obtain a mount. Simon and Daniel declined the offer made -to them by Morton and backed up by the scouts. They would take their -chance on the veldt. Morton knew that the blacks could fight well -when in laager, but they had very little stomach for warfare when -waged in the open field. - -Before parting with the Kaffirs, the horsemen gave the two "boys" a -supply of biscuit, after which they left them. - -The six New Zealanders proceeded towards the spot where the firing -had been heard. Everything was now quiet, and as they proceeded -Morton detailed in a few words his experiences since Major Salkeld -had left the main body. - -"We are encamped in a valley about two miles from here," said the -sergeant of the scouts, in answer to an interrogation by Morton. -"Everything is in light order, and we got word an hour ago that Major -Salkeld is in a tight corner, so we have been sent round here to find -out what we can, and report at once. I never in all my life saw such -country for manoeuvring in. A fight may be taking place not half a -mile away, and you can see nothing. After what you have told us, I'm -afraid the major has not only lost the number of his mess, but also -that of his troop. Hullo! here comes a fellow. What does it mean?" - -A few seconds later, a New Zealander, whose horse was foam-flecked -and panting with exertion, rode up. - -"Retire at once!" cried the new-comer. "Ah, Morton! is it really -you? Glad to see you, I'm sure." - -The speaker was a young lieutenant temporarily attached to the New -Zealanders from the South African Light Horse. - -"We have located the enemy, Sergeant," said the officer. "Now, right -about!" and omitting the red tape, "trot! canter!" the seven -Britishers rode hard for the Colonials' camp. - -Morton, handicapped though he was with his plantain-leaf slipper--for -by this time he had only one left--was not the last man to reach the -camp of the New Zealanders. - -The baggage and Maxims were left behind under a strong guard, and -Morton, who had no difficulty in securing a pair of boots many sizes -too large for him, which of course was a necessity, and a Lee-Enfield -with its accompanying complement in a fully loaded bandolier, found -himself once more on the warpath. - -The scouts, who undiscovered, had located the Boers, led the way, and -the force, nearly three hundred strong, approached the valley where -Major Salkeld and his little band of heroes for hours had fought -against an infuriated and stubborn foe. - -An ominous silence reigned, but ahead on the several kopjes, isolated -bodies of horsemen, few in number, could be seen retreating westward. - -"Is this to be a repetition of the Gordon case?" asked Colonel -Malcolmson of Captain Bryan, a young Irish soldier of fortune, who -had served in Ladysmith during the early stages of the war. "Are we -always to be too late? I pray that we may not be so now. Major -Salkeld and his men are worth a king's ransom." - -"I hope the present tense will hold good, sir," said the Irishman -grimly. "The enemy have evacuated their positions, which looks bad." - -Things did look dark, for when the colonel and his men arrived at the -mouth of the donga where Major Salkeld had been trapped, thousands of -empty cartridge-cases were found strewing the ground. The cases took -the form of five-chambered Mauser clips. - -In the middle of the donga, the relieving force found the remnant of -Major Salkeld's troop, and tears came into the eyes of the bronzed -warriors as they gazed upon the inanimate forms of the gallant lads -from Maoriland, stretched behind the little breastworks formed by -nature. - -Some of the men still clutched their rifles, fingers on triggers, -with foreheads wrinkled and savage-set lips. These lay on their -stomachs, and had been hit while in the act of taking aim. - -Others had rolled over in their last dying agony, and in their hands -were clutched pieces of veldt grass and gravel. - -Were there any survivors? Yes! A boyish form struggled to its feet -and saluted the colonel, as he stood gazing in awe and wonderment at -the little field of carnage. The form belonged to Jack Lovat, who -merely said, "I'm pleased you have come, sir. We have done the best -we could." - -With the exception of the solitary wound he had received on the -previous day, Jack Lovat amidst the continuous whistling storms of -bullets, had not received a scratch. Major Salkeld was not killed, -but had received a severe wound in the leg which floored him. -Sergeant Oliphant had succumbed to a bullet through the brain not -long after the commencement of the fight. - -Nineteen troopers had been slain outright, four wounded mortally, -while six more had been incapacitated. Jack Lovat was the only -fighting survivor of the so-called little affair at Langeman's Drift. - -The wounds of the living were at once attended to, and the dead -reverently buried, Colonel Malcolmson officiating as chaplain and -chief mourner. - -In a consultation with Major Salkeld, the colonel said, "And you -think, Major, that this commando will concentrate at the Kopje Farm?" - -"I have no doubt about it, sir. I believe that even now the farm may -be occupied by rebels," answered the major. "You have a splendid -guide in young Lovut, the son of the owner. He is a young hero, and -deserves a thousand Victoria Crosses. Take him with you, sir, and -attack at once." - -"Your advice is good, Major," said Colonel Malcolmson. "I am so -sorry you can't come with us." - -That was a physical impossibility, and no one felt more chagrined -than the gallant Major Salkeld. - -In our next chapter we shall describe the attack on Kopje Farm, and -its results. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -THE FARM RECAPTURED - -When the Boers advanced on the Kopje Farm, Mr. Lovat deemed the -policy of non-resistance to be the wisest course to pursue. Against -the overwhelming numbers of the Boers there would not have been the -slightest chance of a successful defence, although Pat O'Neill -counselled holding the place at all costs. Perhaps it was as well -that Jack Lovat was an absentee, as he certainly would have backed up -Pat's suggestion. - -But Mr. Lovat, weakened in mind and body by his wound, yielded to his -wife's entreaties to allow the Boers to take what they pleased, -hoping that by so doing he would get rid of them the sooner. - -The section of Christian Uys's commando, now split into several -parts, which had unceremoniously thrust itself upon the master of the -Kopje Farm, was under the command of a veldt-farmer named Maestral, -whose hatred against the British was of a very pronounced type. - -He had entered the precincts of the Kopje Farm without encountering -the slightest resistance. - -Simon and Daniel, as related before, had fortunately escaped. - -Mr. Lovat's stores were ransacked, and articles of food and clothing -wantonly destroyed. The ostrich farmer had a plentiful supply of -spirits, mostly in the shape of Scotch whisky, and the marauders -helped themselves with willing hands, and before long, discipline -became hopelessly lost. - -Maestral, the field-cornet, although possessing a cruel and -vindictive temperament, was an abstemious man, and argued, but in -vain, with his intemperate burghers. - -"We shall have to pay dearly for this," he said, addressing a -rough-looking burgher named Wessels, who was one of the ringleaders -in the acts of destruction. - -"Very likely," said Wesseis, with a brutal leer. "We have had a -rough time of it lately, so I for one mean to enjoy myself, whenever -the opportunity offers. The chance may not occur again." - -Pat O'Neill could not conceal his anger and chagrin as he witnessed -the looting that went on, but a hint from a gray-whiskered Boer, that -flesh and bone are not proof against bullets, induced the Irishman to -keep a still tongue in his head. So all that Pat could do was to set -his teeth and bear it. - -Several of the younger members of the commando had turned the -ostriches loose, but Field-cornet Maestral's threat of using his -sjambok had a salutary effect, and the birds were re-penned after -several exciting chases. - -The rifles and ammunition found in the storehouse were confiscated by -the Boers, and the latter were on the point of resuming their wild -orgies when a couple of burghers dashed up on horseback and inquired -for the field-cornet. The bloodstains on their horses' flanks showed -that they had ridden hard. - -"Well?" demanded Maestral. "You bring good news, Emil Behrens?" - -The Boer thus spoken to dismounted from his panting steed, and -exclaimed, "We have finished off a lot of the rooineks, but"--this -was added in a whisper--"a big force of them is advancing on this -place. The commandant has ordered the other section of the commando -to scatter, and afterwards concentrate near Doom Spruit. Commandant -Uys has told us to acquaint you with the news, and also to ask you -not to hold the farm, as the Rangers will attempt to retake it, even -if it costs them many men." - -Field-cornet Maestral was a man endowed with a large bump of -cautiousness, and after listening to the scout's statement, he with -some difficulty assembled his section of the commando and addressed a -few words to them. His quick eye noticed that the potent spirit -imbibed by nearly all his burghers had taken effect and that their -gait was unsteady. - -The Boer officer told the burghers the news he had just received from -the scout Emil Behrens, who stood by his side, and informed them that -it was his intention to evacuate the farm. Loud cries of dissent -arose, and as Maestral did not possess the personality of a De Wet, -he naturally felt, and was, powerless in the hands of his burghers. - -Meanwhile a strange action was being performed by Pat O'Neill. The -Dutch settler who built the Kopje Farm had during its erection -constructed several large cellars, the ramifications of which -extended under many of the rooms as well as the ostrich kraal. - -The element of fear had no place in Pat's mental constitution, and -while the field-cornet was addressing his men, the Irishman -disappeared. Through a secret trap-door in a corner of the storeroom -floor, he descended into the enormous cellar. From his pocket he -took out a small lantern in which was a piece of tallow candle. He -carefully lighted the candle, and placed the lantern within a niche -in the wall. - -Three large barrels stood in a corner of the cellar, and the barrel -lids were removed by Pat without any difficulty, for the simple -reason that the worthy Irishman had seen to a little necessary -"prising" process soon after Major Salkeld's men had left in the -morning. - -With a large scoop, Pat began to bale out a black substance on the -floor. The substance was gunpowder! Quite coolly the Rorke's Drift -man laid a train leading from the barrels to the foot of the ladder, -and with grim satisfaction viewed his work in the dim light. - -"Bedad!" he muttered, "this will give the spalpeens a shock worse -than King James av ancient memory might av got." Then taking out a -long piece of gutta-percha fuse, he inserted one end in the train of -powder, and ascended the ladder steps carrying the other end of the -fuse with him. This end he fixed between the interstice formed by -the floor and the trap-door. - -Pat was just in time to see a little of the fun going on between the -field-cornet and his burghers, and chuckled gleefully to himself. - -Several gray-haired doppers were backing up their leader's proposal -that the farm should be evacuated, but the fumes of the whisky were -seething in the noddles of the majority of the Boers, and their only -longing was to get more of the potent spirit, regardless of -consequences. - -If Commandant Uys had been present, things might have happened -differently; but discipline had altogether fled, and the only answer -to the field-cornet's command was the demolition of several -additional bottles of the fiery fluid. After this, the burghers got -completely out of hand. - -Pat O'Neill made his way to the dining-room, where he found his -master, Mrs. Lovat, and Mary. - -"This is a bad day for us all, sorr," said Pat respectfully. "These -heathens are clearing out all we have on the place. They are -drinkin' harder now, sorr, than anything I've ever seen in the dear -ould counthry across the sea. I've got the ould barker wid me, sorr, -an' if they insult Pat O'Neill, they'll have to look out. You are -not well, sorr; remain here until I return, for you can do no good -among the murtherin' rascals. Oh, yes, sorr, I will take due care av -myself." - -Pat, like the majority of his versatile countrymen, was eloquent in -speech, and he added, "The first man, sorr, who dares to lay his -dirthy fingers on you or the missis or Miss Mary, I'll----" - -Pat's sentence was left unfinished, for the sharp crackle from rifles -broke out seemingly in all directions, followed by loud yells and -shouts in the Dutch tongue. - -"Begorra!" ejaculated honest Pat, "it's our bhoys, sorr. Maybe -Master Jack, the darlint av my eye, is wid them. No, sorr, you must -not move from here. You are not well enough. The saints be praised! -afther all, Pat O'Neill is about to see a good fight once more before -he shuffles off this mortal coil, as the poet says." - -Saying this, Pat walked to the door of the dining-room, took out the -key, and after closing the door, locked it, making temporary -prisoners of Mr. Lovat and his little family. The ostrich farmer was -a captive in his own house. - -Wild confusion now reigned in the farmyard. Bullets were whistling -all around, and a dozen Boers lay stretched on the ground, dead or -mortally wounded. - -In a wild stampede, the Boers climbed over the walls, only to receive -a heavy fire which dropped several more burghers. Several of the -Boers were hopelessly intoxicated, and made no show of resistance. - -[Illustration: "The Boers climbed over the walls."] - -"Hands up, you scoundrels!" yelled a stentorian voice. "At them, -boys! Down with the rascals! Hurrah!" - -The speaker was Trooper Morton, who carrying his rifle in his left -hand, dashed forward in pursuit of the flying burghers. Close behind -him was Jack Lovat, full of courage, and several troopers of the -corps of Rangers, all eager to engage the enemy in a hand-to-hand -conflict. - -The Boers showed little fight, and the excellent disposition of his -men by Colonel Malcolmson, which was largely due to information given -by Jack Lovat, led to the surrender of several burghers, without a -single casualty on the British side. - -Among the captured was Piet Van Donnop, who along with Emil Behrens -had been sent by Christian Uys to warn Field-cornet Maestral. - -Pat O'Neill was almost beside himself with delight at again meeting -his young master. Jack's first salutation was, "Where are my father, -mother, and Mary, Pat? I trust they are all right?" - -"I saw to that, Master Jack," answered Pat. "I locked them for -safety in the dining-room;" and the Irishman conducted Jack to the -apartment. - -The meeting between our hero and his parents was an affecting one, -for the latter believed that their son was dead. - -The captured Boers were at once disarmed by Colonel Malcolmson's -troopers, and the Free Staters placed under a strong guard. - -Jack had an interview with Piet Donnop. The young Dutchman told our -hero that much of Commandant Uys's information had been derived from -Moses, who had met his just deserts. The renegade Kaffir had been -shot, with several others in the service of the Boers, during the -attack on Major Salkeld's men in the donga. - -After the dead had been buried, Morton and Jack took a stroll through -the storeroom, and Pat O'Neill came up to them. - -Respectfully saluting, the Irishman said, "Sorr, you see that," -pointing to a thin black tube protruding from the trap-door. "Do you -know what that manes?" - -The two friends glanced at the fuse, and Pat seeing that the New -Zealander was smoking, added, "Plase put out your pipe, sorr. It is -rather dangerous." - -Wondering greatly what the ex-soldier meant, Morton obeyed; and Pat -raising the trap-door, said, "If things had gone wrong at the Kopje -Farm, I would have blown the place to smithereens, an' meself into -the bargain. By the Rock av Cashel, not one av the spalpeens would -have escaped! Now, most likely, we shall have peace." - -"You're a good fellow, Pat," observed Jack, with a smile. "I think, -however, the sooner you get things squared up, the better it will be -for all of us." - -"I know what ye mane, Masther Jack. I'll put the stuff all right;" -and shouldering a spade, the Irishman began to ladle the -deadly-looking powder into the barrel. - -"That is better," said Jack, as after having finished his task, Pat -replaced the trap-door. - -A few minutes later, Colonel Malcolmson held a hurried council of war -in Mrs. Lovat's drawing-room, and the gallant colonel invited the -intrepid Morton and our friend Jack to be present and take part in -the proceedings. - -It was determined to go in pursuit of the scattered remnants of -Christian Uys's commando; but before this was done, Piet Van Donnop -was brought before the colonel for examination. - -Piet had a somewhat crestfallen air, as he surveyed the group of -Britishers. - -"You are a burgher of the Free State, I presume?" interrogated the -colonel. - -Van Donnop glanced at Jack Lovat, and a red glow suffused his bronzed -features. - -"I am waiting for your reply, burgher," said Colonel Malcolmson -brusquely. "I trust that my Dutch is good enough for you to -understand?" - -"I am a Cape Colonist, sir," answered Piet sheepishly. - -"A Cape rebel, you mean," observed the colonel sternly. "How comes -it that you are caught in the act of bearing arms against His -Majesty's Government?" - -"I am fighting for my own side, sir," answered Piet boldly. "I took -up arms because I was asked, and thought I was doing what was right." - -"And you know what may be your fate--yes, your possible or rather -probable fate?" was the next interrogation. - -"I do not," replied Van Donnop, "and I care very little." - -"I scarcely wonder at that," said the colonel. "You certainly seem -to have been undergoing a bad time of it lately. Have you been here -before? I mean before the war commenced." - -"I know him well, sir," put in Jack Lovat, anticipating Piet's reply. -"He was kind to me when I was captured by the Boers. You will be -lenient with him, sir?" - -Invited by Colonel Malcolmson to say what he knew about the prisoner, -Jack told the officers of the friendship that had existed between the -two families before hostilities began, and begged the colonel to be -lenient with Piet. He urged that the young Dutchman, like many other -settlers in Cape Colony, had been led astray by Boer emissaries. - -Before being dismissed by the council, Piet felt that his life would -be safe. He knew that by the rules of civilised warfare, he, as a -rebel, had no claim to clemency, and noted with gratitude Jack -Lovat's appeal on his behalf. - -The Boer prisoners had been temporarily imprisoned in the largest -ostrich kraal, and a guard of twenty troopers with loaded rifles -placed over them. Several of the burghers were sleeping off the -effects of their late carouse, so that the task of guarding them was -a comparatively easy one. - -Pat O'Neill now assumed full authority as foreman of the Kopje Farm, -and with more swagger than was perhaps absolutely necessary, chaffed -the Boers about their inability to hold a little ostrich farm. Nor -were his eyes and hands idle. - -"The dirthy beggars!" muttered Pat. "They're fond av loot, an' why -should not Pat O'Neill, late av the ould 24th, not follow suit?" And -to Pat's credit be it said, he proved a competent detective. - -Towards evening, Colonel Malcolmson set off in pursuit of Commandant -Uys's scattered commando, and to his great satisfaction, our friend -Morton, now a full-blown sergeant--a rank conferred by Colonel -Malcolmson on the field--was left in command of the guard, entrusted -with the defence of the Kopje Farm, and the due supervision of the -Boer prisoners recently captured. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -DIAMONDS GALORE - -The troopers left in charge of the Kopje Farm, after the rest of the -Rangers departed, had many reasons why they should congratulate -themselves on their admirable temporary quarters. The New Zealanders -for months had lived "hard," as it is termed in soldier language. -Now they were, as a trooper expressed it, "in clover." - -Most of the men serving in the ranks of the Rangers were gentlemen by -birth, and many had had a university education. Sheer love of -adventure had drawn them from the Antipodes to South Africa, and -certainly during the whole of the unfortunate campaign no corps -serving under the Union Jack did more yeoman service than the lads -from Maoriland. - -True, they had their failings. Never expecting quarter themselves, -in the hot rush of fight, their warlike instincts caused a few, but -very few, regrettable incidents. The conflict over, they were the -most generous of opponents, treating the wounded and captured Boers -with the utmost kindness. - -Peace reigned at the Kopje Farm. All outward traces of the late -conflict had been removed before sunset, and Mrs. Lovat had so far -recovered her spirits that she ventured to walk across to the kraal -where the captives were confined. - -To the wounded Boers, Mary Lovat was the model of kindness. With her -deft fingers she applied linen bandages to their wounds, brought them -beef-tea made by her own hands, and was most assiduous and tender in -her attentions. - -War is an awful thing. The colours that depict it must always be of -a sombre, if not ebon hue, and Mary Lovat that night earned the -gratitude, often audibly expressed, of the burghers, smitten, though -not mortally, by the fire from the rifles of the Auckland Rangers. - -Pat O'Neill, war-seasoned old veteran that he was, acted as Mary's -trusted adjutant. He was here, there, and everywhere; at one moment -giving a wounded Boer a drink of lemon water, at another listening to -the whisperings of a delirious burgher uttered in strange tongue, -about his late home on the Modder River. - -All that was possible under the circumstances was done. Colonel -Malcolmson, with generous forethought and self-denial, left his -assistant surgeon at the Kopje Farm. His principal medico, Dr. -Rennie, had elected to remain behind with the few surviving wounded -at Langeman's Nek. - -As the sun was setting, Jack Lovat and his friend Sergeant Morton -took a stroll round the farm, and their conversation turned to the -subject uppermost in the New Zealander's mind--diamonds. - -"The place you call Diamond Valley is teeming with stones, I am -positive," said Morton decisively. "I'm going to explore the place -to-morrow, if nothing turns up to prevent me." - -"With not the same results as before, I hope," observed Jack, with a -laugh. - -"I shall take my chance," said Morton, smiling as he spoke. "I'm -convinced from what I saw that a valuable diamondiferous reef is in -existence in the valley. I would wager my bottom sovereign--only -unfortunately I haven't got one to stake--to next to nothing that a -fortune awaits the man who exploits the place. It is worth a try, at -any rate, and I'm going to make the venture in the morning, and -chance another capture." - -"We'll go together, then, Sergeant," said Jack; "and if luck comes in -our way, we'll share and share alike. Most of the valley belongs to -my father, and if anything turns up, I know he will be awfully glad -to get back to the old country." - -"Nothing to prevent it, I can assure you, my lad," observed Morton. -"Who knows what is lying hid in this wonderful valley of yours? -Perhaps it may contain more diamonds than are in the Kimberley -district." - -Sergeant Morton was optimistic. He had already in his possession -stones which he estimated bore a face value of two thousand pounds. - -"We'll go and have a chat now with father and mother," said Jack; and -the two friends made an adjournment to the room where Mr. and Mrs. -Lovat were seated, discussing the strange drama that had been enacted -at the Kopje Farm during the past few days. - -The night passed without alarms. Sergeant Morton and Jack never -slept, but spent their time in visiting the sentries judiciously -placed around the farm by the former. During the night a couple of -wounded Boers succumbed to their injuries, and were buried in the -little paddock behind the house, now a miniature cemetery. - -"Bedad, sorr," said Pat O'Neill to Jack after the burial, "this -brings back ould times--when I was twenty years younger than I am -to-day. Do you know, sorr, that I thought my blood was gettin' a bit -thin, but by the powers, I'm spoilin' for another fight. Maybe, -though, it won't come off. By the way, sorr, did the masther get -back those five hundred sovereigns the dirthy curs robbed him of at -Jagger's Farm?" - -"I'm afraid father won't see them again, Pat," replied Jack. "The -poor beggars are welcome to keep them. They have had a stiffish time -of it lately. I hardly think they will make an attack on the Kopje -Farm again. What is it, Pat? Why are you fumbling in your -waistcoat?" - -"I've got a bit av loot, Masther Jack," answered Pat. "No, sorr, not -your father's sovereigns;" and the Irishman drew out a dirty -chamois-leather bag. - -Dipping his hand into the bag, Pat withdrew ten Kruger sovereigns and -showed them to Jack. - -"Been looting, I see, Pat," said Jack laughingly. - -"Well, sorr, they took the masther's gold," observed Pat, with a -grin, "an' thinks I, as the ould sayin' goes, fair exchange is no -robbery. Av course, sorr, I've been on the look-out for a bit av -loot. You will take the coins, Masther Jack?" - -"No, no, my dear fellow; keep them yourself, if your conscience will -allow you." - -"I'm not a thafe, sorr," said Pat. "I only thought that all was fair -in love an' war--although, the saints be praised, Pat O'Neill has -never been such a fool as to fall in love wid any woman yet." - -"I meant no harm, Pat," observed Jack. "You get more fiery as you -get older." - -"All right, Masther Jack; I'll stick to the money until your father -gets back his five hundred pounds. But I got something else from the -burgher I took these from." - -"And pray what is that?" inquired Jack. - -"Only a few glass stones, sorr," replied the Irishman; and he -stretched out his palm, on which reposed a dozen or more little -"glass stones." - -"I think they're diamonds, sorr," said Pat, "but I'm no hand at -knowing jewellery." - -Sergeant Morton was passing on his way to the ostrich kraal, and Jack -called to him. - -"Hullo, Lovat! What is it?" inquired the Colonial. "Anything the -matter?" - -"Kindly look at these glass stones, as Pat calls them," said Jack; -and Morton glanced at the pebbles, after which he looked -significantly at our hero. - -"You might point out the burgher from whom you got these, Pat," said -Jack. "I should very much like to see the fellow who is fond of -carrying pieces of glass about with him." - -"Then they are only glass, sorr?" inquired the Irishman, a shade of -disappointment creeping over his face. - -"I can hardly say they are glass, at the present time, Pat," replied -Jack. "However, I want to see the burgher from whom you took the -crystals." - -"All right, sorr," observed Pat, with alacrity. "Come wid me, an' -I'll show you the burgher. He's a rough-looking customer, and big -enough to eat the three av us up." - -Saying this, Pat led the way to the ostrich kraal. The imprisoned -Boers looked very dejected, and anything but the fierce fighters -recently serving in Christian Uys's commando. - -Pat walked up straight to a Free Stater of immense size and stature. -The Boer possessed a most forbidding countenance, and scowled as Pat -approached. - -"This is the man, sorr, I took the coins an' crystals from," said Pat. - -"Then hand the coins back to him. They belong to him," observed Jack. - -Pat at once handed over the Kruger sovereigns to the big burgher, -whose face instantly assumed a suaver expression. - -"We British try to be just," said Jack in Dutch. "I am sorry that my -father's servant took the money from you. Do you mind telling me -where you obtained these?" Saying this, Jack showed the crystals to -the burgher. - -"I picked them up in a sluit not far from here. I thought they would -make a necklace for my daughter." - -"And you know what they are?" inquired Jack. - -"Crystals," answered the Boer. "They are very plentiful in my -country, but have not the same yellow colour as these." - -"Will you sell them to me?" asked Jack. - -"No, I will not take anything," answered the burgher; "I will give -them to you. You have restored my money, and I am content." - -Jack Lovat was honest, and as he turned away with Sergeant Morton, -said to the Boer, "I will see you again." - -Jack and his New Zealand friend returned to the house, and for an -hour were shut up in the former's room. - -Morton examined the crystals very carefully, while Jack awaited his -verdict with considerable anxiety. At last the New Zealander spoke. - -"They are diamonds, Jack, sure enough, but not of the same quality as -the stones I possess, or the one Kaffir Pete gave you. You see these -have a yellow tint distributed unevenly throughout their substance. -If the tint had been deeper and of a uniform nature throughout, the -pebbles would represent a value of three thousand pounds at least. -The majority of them are fractured, too. I should hand them back to -the Boer. After you have done that, we'll make tracks for Diamond -Valley. I don't suppose we shall meet with the same adventure as we -did before. The place seems quiet enough now." - -Jack acted on Sergeant Morton's suggestion, and offered to restore -the stones to the Boer from whom they were taken; but the latter, to -our hero's surprise, refused to accept them, saying, "Keep them; I -can get more when I return to my own country. I thank you all the -same for your kindness." - -An hour later, after a consultation with his father and mother, Jack -stood under the verandah of the farmhouse, waiting for Sergeant -Morton, who was making an inspection of the sentries and guards. It -was a beautiful day, and the sky was without a cloud. Brilliant -sunshine flooded the scene, and down in the valley the heat hung -quiveringly above the veldt. - -Only a few hours had passed since a scene of bloodshed and violence -was being enacted at the Kopje Farm. Now all is peaceful and still, -while the silence is almost oppressive. - -Leisurely Sergeant Morton sauntered up to where Jack was standing, -and in his rear stalked Mr. Lovat's faithful henchman, Pat. - -"All is serene, Jack," said the New Zealander, as he came up. "I -don't think we shall see or hear anything of our fellows until -evening. So come along. I've told Pat to be on the alert, and to -bring us word instantly should any change in the situation take -place." - -"You understand, Pat," said Jack to the Irishman, who was standing at -attention, "if any one turns up, you will at once come over the kopje -to us. Here are my glasses, and be sure you keep a sharp look-out." - -"All right, sorr," answered Pat; "I understand. But mind you, don't -go and get captured again, sorr." - -Jack laughed, and linking his arm within the New Zealander's, the two -friends began climbing the kopje in the direction of Diamond Valley. - -Both were well armed, Jack having a Lee-Enfield rifle, while Morton -carried a Mauser, with the use of which he was well acquainted. The -Mauser formed part of the spoil taken in the previous day's fight. - -"If we can find poor Pete's body, we'll bury him decently," said -Jack. "He was a good and faithful servant of my father's." - -"I'm afraid there will scarcely be any necessity for that," observed -Morton. "The aasvogels, I am afraid, will have been at work." - -The summit of the kopje was soon reached, and presently Jack and his -companion were overlooking the immense depression known as the -Diamond Valley. - -Jack led the way straight to where the Kaffir Pete had been killed, -and to his great satisfaction found that the poor black's body had -been left untouched by the loathsome birds of prey, although several -of them could be seen hovering in the air at some distance away. - -Our hero insisted upon Pete having a decent temporary interment, and -a hollow was soon found, in which the "boy" was placed, and covered -with stones and earth. - -"Now, Jack, my boy, we must make tracks for the diamonds," said -Morton, after the burying operations were completed. "Hullo!" he -added. "Look out, Jack!" - -The New Zealander, one of the coolest Irregulars serving in the -campaign, was speaking in an excited tone of voice. - -Jack Lovat turned his head in surprise. Not more than a yard from -him, a huge black snake, with uplifted head and ominous-looking -poison fangs, was preparing to hurl itself on the young settler. - -In a moment Jack took in the situation, and sprang aside. A rifle -report rang out, and the loathsome reptile fell at Jack's feet, an -inert mass of dead matter. A bullet from Sergeant Morton's rifle had -shattered the snake's head. - -"A near squeak that, Jack," said Morton, with a laugh. "They tell me -that a bite from one of these snakes means almost instant death." - -"I'm jolly glad, Sergeant, you warned me, and better still, hit the -brute. I'm awfully obliged to you." - -"Don't mention it, Jack. And now for that little blue reef!" -responded the sergeant. "I trust we shall be able to find it." - -"I think I can locate it," said Jack; "it is somewhere down here." - -"Right you are, Jack," observed Morton. "The side of the donga rose -almost perpendicularly, I remember. A band of blue clay runs -horizontally along the gneiss. Why, here we are. This is the very -place where the nigger said he found the pebble you showed me. I've -come prepared this time, Jack;" and the sergeant drew a -formidable-looking bill-hook from his belt. - -"I've gone one better than that," said Jack, with a smile, as he took -a small pickaxe from his pocket and placed it in a shaft which he had -brought from the farm. - -"The very thing, Jack!" cried Morton. "Why, you're a trump!" - -"Living on the veldt makes you sharp," said Jack drily. - -Morton took the pickaxe and began hewing at the band of blue clay. - -"No, leave it alone, Jack," said the sergeant, as Jack stooped to -pick up the clay. "I may hit you, and that would be a very bad -ending to what I consider a promising career." - -"All right, Sergeant," responded Jack cheerfully. "Then I'll stand -by and see you do the hard work, while I share the profits." - -For a few moments, Sergeant Morton applied the pickaxe vigorously, -then a ringing sound followed the blows. - -"A selvage pocket!" muttered the New Zealander, as he scooped out the -remnants of clay. "Hard luck, Jack, the worst of bad luck. The -pocket has given out. It can't be helped. And now let us examine -our spoil." - -With trembling fingers, it must be confessed, Sergeant Morton -proceeded to examine the blue clay he had dislodged, while Jack with -a big clasp knife followed suit. - -An exclamation burst from the New Zealander. - -"Jack!" he cried excitedly, "we are both made men!" and he showed to -our hero a substance rather larger than a walnut. - -"This is a klip, Jack; one of the finest South Africa has yet -produced. I must rest a while; I'm too excited to do any more;" and -the cool-headed New Zealander, the man who had been in a hundred -fights without showing the slightest trace of fear, sat down, and -with great difficulty restrained himself from shedding tears. - -Poverty and its attendant struggles would be a thing of the past, -and, in his Antipodean home, the war-worn Ranger would be able to -share in the luxuries and happiness which wealth, if judiciously -used, can bestow on its fortunate recipients. - -Several additional diamonds of large size were found by Morton and -Jack in the blue clay dislodged from the selvage pocket. These were -carefully gathered, and the two friends were on the point of -returning to the Kopje Farm, when they saw a figure silhouetted -against the skyline. - -"I fancy it is Pat," said Jack. "I wonder what news he brings. I -trust Colonel Malcolmson has captured the commando." - -"I hope such may be the case," observed the New Zealander. "However, -let us move forward as rapidly as we can, and ascertain what is the -matter." - -The new-comer proved to be Pat, and the worthy Irishman seemed to be -somewhat flurried. - -"I've come as ye tould me, sorr," said Pat, as the two friends came -up. - -"Any news?" inquired Jack. - -"The best av news, sorr," answered Pat. "It would take more than -half a dozen commandos to take the Kopje Farm now." - -"What do you mean, Pat? I don't quite understand." - -"I mane that a rigimint av English Lancers is now at the farmstead, -and some av the Rangers are expected soon. There has been a big -fight close to Springbokfontein, and the Boers have been badly licked -by our men, and the burgher they call Uys has been captured wid all -his baggage. You are going home now, sorr, I suppose?" - -"That is so, Pat," answered Jack; and we may rest assured that the -distance between the summit of the kopje and the farm was covered in -record time. - -Pat's information proved correct; for three squadrons of British -Lancers were temporarily resting at Mr. Lovat's ostrich farm. - -Jack was greatly impressed by the appearance of the Lancers. Most of -the soldiers were young men, but all looked fit and hardy. Theirs -had been a rough life for many months, trekking up and down the -colony in search of rebel bands. - -Major Lambton, who commanded the Lancers, proved an affable -gentleman, and received Jack with the greatest courtesy. Sergeant -Morton half expected a wigging for being absent from his post, but -escaped the infliction. - -A couple of despatch riders had ridden over from Springbokfontein, -conveying the news of the Boers' defeat, and also a command that the -prisoners captured at the Kopje Farm should be hurried down to the -town at the earliest moment. Half a dozen troopers were to be left -at the farm, if Mr. Lovat so desired. - -Major Lambton decided to leave a half troop of his Lancers with the -ostrich farmer, while with the remainder of his command he intended -to join Colonel Malcolmson. - -Jack obtained permission from his father, although it was not readily -accorded, to proceed with Sergeant Morton to Springbokfontein. Our -hero felt sorry for Piet Van Donnop and his comrades, who appeared -very dejected. The journey, too, had to be performed on foot over a -rough country. - -The wounded Boers were left in the ostrich kraal, until arrangements -for them to be conveyed to Springbokfontein could be completed. - -It was late in the afternoon when Jack and Morton arrived at the -town. A big fight had taken place in the early morning between the -Rangers and the now concentrated commando of the redoubtable -Christian Uys. - -It had proved a stubborn encounter; but the Rangers, under the -brilliant leadership of Colonel Malcolmson, forced the fighting, and -after much slaughter on both sides, the Boers ran up the white flag, -and the action ceased. - -Christian Uys, Veldt-cornet Steyn, and several officers were taken -prisoners, and lodged in the Town Hall at Springbokfontein. It was -evident that the Boers had sympathisers in the town, for many -scowling looks were bestowed on the Lancers and the Rangers, -escorting the prisoners captured at the Kopje Farm. - -To Jack's great delight, he found that the British wounded had -arrived from Langeman's Nek, and although Major Salkeld was severely -wounded, the doctor had great hopes of his complete recovery. - -Jack Lovat had an object in visiting Springbokfontein, and soon after -his arrival he sought and obtained an interview with Colonel -Malcolmson. - -Jack was accompanied by Sergeant Morton, and in an open though -respectful manner he made known his errand to the colonel. - -"I have come to make inquiries about my father's money, sir," began -Jack. "He was robbed of five hundred pounds a few days ago, by some -Boers belonging to the commando you have captured." - -"Oh, yes, I see, my boy; you are Mr. Lovat's son," said the colonel. -"I must congratulate you on the splendid spirit you have shown during -this very trying time. You have a perfect right to make every -inquiry. I know, of course, about the robbery, for such it was, I am -shortly having an interview with Commandant Uys and his veldt-cornet. -If you wish, you can go with me, and you as well, Sergeant Morton. I -believe the back of the rebellion is broken in this part of the -colony." - -Jack thanked the colonel for his courtesy, and said that he should be -pleased if he could have an opportunity of speaking to the -commandant. A few minutes later, Jack stood before the redoubtable -Boer leader. - -Uys was confined, along with several of his officers, in a large room -in the Town Hall. Several of the Boer officers with him had been -wounded, but there was a haughty look on all their faces. Although -captured, their spirits were not broken. - -The commandant opened his eyes in astonishment as he beheld Jack, who -returned the gaze with interest. - -"I have come to ask about my father's money, Commandant," said Jack. - -"What money?" demanded Uys. - -"The money of which he was robbed by your brigands," answered Jack -boldly in Dutch. - -"You are the young rooinek who escaped from my laager?" inquired the -commandant. - -"I am," replied Jack stolidly. - -"After killing one of my best burghers," said the Boer leader in a -stern tone of voice. - -"You say so," said Jack. "It is a time of war, and many men are -being killed daily. I have come to ask about my father's money, of -which he was robbed at Jagger's Farm. He was not, and is not even -now, at war with your race." - -"I have not your father's money," observed Uys. "If I had, I would -restore it to you. I cannot always restrain my burghers." - -"But you are responsible for their actions, Commandant," said Jack -boldly. "Your men also without provocation attacked my father's -farm, but our Kaffirs and I repelled their assault." - -"One question, youngster. I have given you an honest answer to a -straight question. Who was your companion when we captured you in -the donga?" asked Uys. - -"He is here to answer for himself, Commandant. His name is Morton;" -and Jack stepped to one side, saying as he did so, "Allow me, -Commandant, to introduce Sergeant Morton of the Auckland Rangers to -you." - -The Boer leader frowned, and muttered, "I thought so! He is a lucky -fellow." - -Finding that he could derive no satisfaction from the answers given -to his inquiries respecting his father's money, Jack bowed to the -commandant and retired. - -A couple of hours later, our hero found himself at the Kopje Farm, -relating to his parents the adventures of the day, and when he flung -himself on his bed, he felt that peace once more had come to dwell -around his father's farmstead. - -* * * * * * - -Two years have passed away since the incidents recorded in this -little book happened. - -Under the silken folds of the Union Jack, Dutch and British alike -enjoy the same liberties and privileges; but it is not of the land -under the brilliant Southern Cross that we now write. - -The purple heather is blooming on the moors and hillsides of bonnie -Scotland, and in the glens shots are heard. Grouse-shooting has -commenced in the Highlands, and a party of four are stalking through -the heather, on sport intent. - -One is a young lady, just blossoming into glorious womanhood. She is -a keen sportswoman, and can handle a gun as well as the best of them. -Her name is Miss Lovat, and she is the sister of the Laird of -Airdtullish. Her face is darker than those of the majority of her -fair countrywomen, but veldt breezes and scorching sunshine have the -knack of tanning faces belonging to those of European birth. - -Her companion is a gentleman of soldierly appearance, with a decided -limp in his gait. The hair shading his temples is tinged with gray, -although he is not yet forty. The quiet, soldierly man is our friend -Major Salkeld, whose gallant defence against big odds in the donga -over against Diamond Valley is recorded in the annals of the Auckland -Rangers. - -Since the grouse-shooting began, he has been Miss Lovat's devoted -companion. - -Let us glance at the remaining couple. Both are men, -broad-shouldered and clean-flanked. We have met them before; for the -younger man is our old friend Jack Lovat, and his companion Charlie -Morton, head partner in the big diamond-broking firm of Morton & -Company, Hatton Garden. - -Jack's father is dead, and lies in the little cemetery at -Orangefontein. The blow received from the clubbed rifle at Jagger's -Farm inflicted a more severe wound than was at first imagined, and he -gradually sickened and died. - -Mrs. Lovat is still in the land of the living, but remains in -delicate health. She is lovingly watched over by Mary and Jack, who -are doing their best to smooth the dark passage leading to the life -beyond. - -There is another character who acts the _rôle_ of butler at -Airdtullish Castle whom we must present to our readers. He is our -honest friend Pat O'Neill, formerly the faithful henchman of Mr. -Lovat, and now of his son. His tongue is as voluble as ever, and -nothing delights him more than to recount the deeds of the young -laird of Airdtullish to the servants at the Castle. - -Morton and Jack are engaged in conversation. - -"I often think about those five hundred sovereigns, Jack, which the -Boers sneaked from your father. You never saw them again, I suppose?" - -Jack laughed as he replied, "Well, perhaps I never did rest my optics -upon the identical coins; but Colonel Malcolmson saw that my father -had their value in horses, before he took Maestral's commando to -Springbokfontein. My father certainly lost nothing by the bargain. -It was rather fortunate in one sense that the Boers robbed him." - -"What do you mean?" inquired the diamond merchant. - -"Why, you would never have seen the Diamond Valley and Airdtullish. -Our paternal home would never have been mine. I deeply grieve, -however, for my father." - -The pair relapsed into silence, and stood for a few moments gazing at -the purple-clad mountains in the west. Here we must leave them, and -say "Au revoir!" to the quartette, and to our boy readers who have -followed the fortunes of the inmates of the Kopje Farm. - - - -THE END - - - -WILLIAM COLLINS, SONS, AND CO. LTD., LONDON AND GLASGOW - - - - - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KOPJE FARM *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |