"That clinches it, I fancy. Come, Mr Raybold, I'd rather have these
three youngsters in our ranks than a dozen of some fellows I know."
"I must yield, I suppose," answered Mr Raybold, with a regretful sigh.
"Only I wish I could have kept you out of this hornets' nest, Clarence.
Be careful, though, now that you are about to become conspirators, for
we have a very wily enemy to hoodwink."
He went over to where the cigars were and took one, which he cut and
lit, while he offered the box to Philip.
"I'll call the committee meeting for half-past ten. That will give you
time to look round the town, Philip."
"Yes; that will do nicely. Come, boys, if you are ready we'll start."
They found horses already saddled waiting for them at the front door,
and together they cantered down the avenue and out to the main road.
The moon was just rising as they started, and very soon it was shining
upon their faces and casting long black shadows behind them. The three
boys were filled with eagerness, not so much to see the town as to be
introduced to that mysterious club.
They had about four miles to ride before they reached the centre of the
city, and through most of this distance they were passing private villas
and gardens. The mines were situated on the other side of the city.
Under the silver lustre of the moon, with the dark mystery of shadow
which the shrubs and trees cast, these suburbs appeared to be centuries
old. From the window-blinds of the mansions shone the mellow
lamplights, while the sounds of singing and music all added to the charm
of that warm and radiant night.
Many people were out on the road, enjoying the beauty of the night--
parties on horseback, lovers, natives, and not a few children. They all
appeared happy and careless enough.
Soon they came to the more crowded parts, all brightly lighted up with
electric globes and gas-jets. Many of the shops were still open and
doing a thriving trade. The hotels and canteens were, as usual,
crowded, while the side paths were filled with pedestrians. All the
citizens of Johannesburg seemed to be on the streets at this time, and a
strange gathering of nationalities they were.
"We have some of the worst blackguards on the face of the globe here,"
observed Philip, as they rode slowly along Pritchard Street.
"And some of the greatest cowards also, I should say," replied Ned.
"You are right; blackguards are very seldom brave men, although, of
course, there are exceptions to every rule."
"I see Israel is to the fore here."
"Yes; that is one of the causes of our past failure. A Jew will never
risk his property nor person for any cause outside of business. We
don't admit Jews nor Germans into the club where we are going tonight,
nor, of course, Dutchmen either."
"I suppose we must not ask any questions about your club now?" asked
Ned, timidly.
"No; we shall dismount here, and leave our horses for the present. One
thing I must ask of you, and that is, whatever you may see on the
streets, do not interfere. This is a rough city, after dark
particularly, and swarming with the vilest of both sexes. Yet restrain
your generous instincts and do not pause either to remonstrate or
protest. You will see and hear much to raise your just indignation, but
keep your feelings under, or you will be of no use to the cause."
It was a timely warning, and the boys acted upon it, although their
chivalrous feelings were sorely tried during that night walk. Almost
from the moment they turned from the hotel, where they left their
horses, to the time they entered the club-house, their eyes and ears
were affronted by evidences of unbridled licence and brutal tyranny.
All the inhabitants appeared to be more or less under the influence of
drink, women as well as men. They were generally all well dressed, most
of them overdressed, while on shirt-fronts and bare necks blazed out
flashing diamonds.
"Are there no respectable people in Johannesburg?" asked the boys in
astonishment.
"The respectable people mostly stay at home on nights like this,"
replied Philip. "What you see are the scum of nations drawn here by the
scent of gold, as vultures are to a battlefield. These are the camp
followers of the great god Mammon, greater foes to freedom and progress
than are the Boers. They are nearly all either thieves, spies, or
reasonless beasts."
It was a gay sight and for ever changing. The women with their shining
dresses and flashing diamonds looked like fireflies as they flaunted
along under the electric lights from canteen to canteen. Tram-cars,
Cape carts, cabs, and horsemen filled up the centre of the streets,
while black men, and whites, showing prominent noses and smoking
enormous cigars, passed to and fro incessantly.
And amongst them swaggered shaggy-bearded and badly dressed Boers,
scowling or jeering coarsely at the crowd they pushed so rudely through.
They heard one drunken fellow begin to shout out, "Rule, Britannia," but
he was immediately seized by a couple of Zarps and dragged off to
prison. No one interfered on his behalf, nor did our heroes feel much
pity either; he had such an atrocious rasping voice that they were
almost grateful to the Boers for silencing it. At last they turned down
a quiet street, and soon reached a house where the front door stood wide
open, and where the first-flat windows were lighted up.
"This is our club," said Philip, as they entered.
There was an office in the hall where lay a visitors' book. In this he
entered their names, with his own. Then, with a nod to the silent
hall-keeper, he showed them upstairs.
"Our reading-room," Philip said, as he ushered them into a large room
comfortably furnished.
There were a good number of gentlemen assembled, reading papers and
magazines, or writing. Philip looked about him keenly, and, nodding to
several, took a chair and touched the electric bell. Almost immediately
a waiter entered from another room.
"The committee are waiting for you, sir," whispered the waiter to
Philip.
"All right. Excuse me for a few moments, boys. You will find all the
latest magazines here, and I'll not be long."
He went out of the room, and left them to amuse themselves as they best
could amongst the papers and magazines.