"Game all right. Have got the old humbug Kruger under my eye, and have
a plan how to make him my prisoner when the time comes. Friends here
ready for emergencies. If you can come up and help, do so."
That same afternoon Fred arrived, and the two took the night train to
Pretoria, having forwarded a wire for "Clara" to meet them.
Once more our heroes entered the abode of Kruger, ushered this time by a
back entrance under the guidance of the friendly footman Johann.
They spent the night together and studied their plans. When Clarence
revealed his scheme they admitted that it might be done. If he could
capture Kruger, it would be a big feather in his cap.
"Oom Paul is not the man to be taken by force alone," said Clarence.
"He is game enough to put a pistol to his own head rather than yield.
Now that Fred is here, my plan is that one of us shall offer to change
clothes with him when he is hemmed in, and take him unawares somehow.
We'll trust to chance for the how, when the time comes."
Then it was all duly arranged, and they prepared themselves for the
morrow.
It was a hot day in Pretoria, and the town was crammed with visitors.
Church Square was blocked with people, and every other street was filled
almost to suffocation.
At the hour appointed the president and his wife drove up, surrounded by
a close line of guards. He took his place on the platform that had been
raised above the crowd outside the Government buildings. He was greeted
by thunders of applause and a salvo from the forts; then, as he rose,
breathless silence succeeded the noise.
He began by reading over the resolutions and decrees of the Volksraad
with respect to the Uitlanders. The reforms were granted even more
completely than the Uitlanders had hoped. There were clauses, however,
to each of these generous concessions which, to those who knew what the
termination would be, crippled and nullified the most important. But
the general audience was not in a critical mood. It roared itself
hoarse with wild applause.
While this shouting was going on, the burly president stood grinning
upon the crowd like an amiable gorilla. Then, when silence was once
more restored, his expression suddenly altered. His cheeks became
puffed, and his eyes sunk back beneath his heavy brows, while his big
ears stood out. Then with a thunderous growl, like an angry beast, he
read the declaration of independence first, and the defiance to England,
and finished his oration in his harshest accent.
"To your tents, and consider whether you will be with us or against us
in this holy struggle for independence. My ultimatum is already on its
way to this verdomde government, that would deprive us of our rights.
In twenty hours from this, every subject of England will be our enemy,
be imprisoned, and shot if we think fit, or expelled from our country
and their property confiscated. To your tents and consider, for your
fate is in your own hands."
These words the grim president thundered out to the dismayed Uitlanders;
then he turned abruptly and left the scene as he had come, protected by
his armed guard.
For a moment stupefaction held the crowd silent, then a deep growl went
up from the masses who were being dispersed by the Zarps.
At this instant Ned Romer felt a touch on his arm, and, looking round,
he saw Philip Martin at his side.
"This ultimatum has changed our plans," he whispered, as he drew the
three friends out of the crowd. "The English Government will now decide
the question, and we must do nothing inside the Transvaal to disturb
their plans. Our orders are now to clear out before this ultimatum
expires, and give Oom Paul no excuse for his next step."
Philip Martin was gloomy, and the faces of our heroes also fell
considerably.
"And are we to do nothing, Philip, after all our preparations?" asked
Ned, in a disappointed tone.
"Nothing inside the Transvaal. Our work will be outside, and there will
be lots to do there, you take my word. We must follow the example of
the Jews, and skedaddle if we can, before the lines are closed.
Johannesburg must be left for the present, until we can come back with
the British army. Tomorrow Natal and Cape Colony will be invaded, and
then England can no longer hold back. I am off to join Baden-Powell, at
Mafeking. Dr Jim has gone to Ladysmith, and you three fellows are to
proceed to Kimberley, where you will find Mr Cecil Rhodes. It is a bit
disappointing, I will allow; but this is going to be a bigger and a more
complete affair than we could have accomplished, therefore we must be
content to leave it to the proper hands to clear the board."
Philip Martin shook hands with them, and walked quickly away to warn
others of his own party, while our heroes prepared for their exodus.