Had he been the bearer of the most eagerly-looked-for news, Jack could
not have received a more enthusiastic welcome than he obtained from the
gallant little garrison of Mafeking. As he staggered into the town,
hot, dusty, and dishevelled, and worn out with his long tramp, a horn
was sounded, and hosts of men flocked towards him, and, gathering in a
circle round him, listened while Colonel Baden-Powell--affectionately
known as B.-P. by his men--questioned him.
A stiff glass of brandy made him feel quite fresh again, and, sitting
down on a box at the colonel's invitation, Jack detailed his news and
delivered his despatch. That done, he was hurried off by a number of
the town volunteers to an underground cell built close behind a parapet
of sand-bags, and there given a couple of blankets to lie on. He was
tired out by his long march, and in a few moments was asleep.
When he woke again the afternoon was far advanced. Rising from his bed,
he crawled out of the cell and found a young fellow busily tending some
pans suspended over a blazing fire.
"Oh, there you are at last!" the latter exclaimed cheerfully. "We've
been dying to hear all your news, but have had to wait patiently for you
to wake up. Can I do anything for you?"
"Yes, if you could tell me where I can obtain a bucket of water and a
makeshift for a towel I should be obliged," answered Jack cheerfully.
"I haven't had a wash for three days."
"Oh, that's nothing!" the other answered, with a gay laugh. "It's
nearly three weeks since I had a shave, and when I got a look at myself
in a bit of glass yesterday I nearly had a fit. Such a fright I look
with this beard! But we're all the same, that's one comfort. But you
want some water! You'll find some behind that house over there. Keep
your eyes open as you go, and if you hear the horn sound make a bolt for
this bomb-proof cell. We always keep a fellow on watch, and as soon as
he sees the smoke from the Boers' guns he sounds his horn and we all run
for shelter. It generally gives us plenty of time to get under cover.
But sometimes some poor chap is caught."
Jack thanked the volunteer for his information, and strolled across to
the house. There was a pump and trough behind it, and, stripping off
his coat and shirt, he enjoyed a thorough rinse. He had already
borrowed a towel, and on returning he obtained a small piece of comb and
the corner of a splintered looking-glass, and made his hair tidy. Then
he stood outside the cell and chatted with the volunteer who had first
spoken to him, and asked him to tell him what had occurred at Mafeking.
"Oh, we've had pretty lively times, I can tell you, Somerton!" the young
fellow exclaimed jovially. "Of course you know that B.-P. turned up
here some weeks ago, and started at once to enlist a colonial mounted
corps. There wasn't much difficulty about it either, for we knew
something about him, and rushed to put in our names. Then old Kruger
despatched his ultimatum, and we sent most of our women and children
south with Nesbit, who, as I dare say you have already heard, was
captured on the return journey. By October 14th we were surrounded, but
B.-P. didn't let the grass grow much before he was at them. For
instance, on the 13th he sent out a couple of trucks of dynamite, which
were a positive danger to us in the town. They were attached to an
engine, and backed a mile or more up the line. The Boers spotted them,
and galloped forward when they saw the engine uncouple and steam back
without them. I suppose they thought they were armoured trucks filled
with men, and when they were within close range blazed away at them.
There was a terrific explosion, and it is reported that a hundred were
killed. Then on the 14th we made a sortie and drew our friends into an
ambush, in which they suffered still more heavily.
"Since that time there has not been much doing, though I expect we shall
beat them again soon. A few days ago they started bombarding us at a
range of two and a half miles with three Krupp guns, but now they have
got some heavier metal about five miles away, and the shells are by no
means pleasant. Still, we have come off well up to this. Now,
Somerton, the fellows will not be back for half an hour, so give me some
of the outside news."
Jack told him all he knew about Glencoe and the campaign in Natal, and
wound up with his ride to Kimberley and on to Mafeking.
"'Pon my word, I believe you have seen more of the war than anyone!"
exclaimed his friend enviously. "But I suppose I ought not to grumble.
Here we are, volunteers, and a detachment of the Munster Fusiliers, and
townsmen, about 1200 all told, and if things turn out as is expected we
shall have precious tough work to hold the place against the enemy."
"From what you have told me of B.-P. I have no doubt you will see plenty
of fighting before the siege is over," answered Jack. "For my part,
this despatch work is more fascinating than any. It gives one a
splendid outdoor life, with plenty of adventure, and the dangers are not
really more than those you incur here. You never know when these shells
may drop on your head, so that, however carefully you keep below the
sand-bag parapet, you may be struck down at any moment."
A few minutes later ten men came hurrying along the street, and joined
Jack and the volunteer. They had just been relieved of picket duty, and
tackled the meal which had been preparing for them with the greatest
gusto. A stalwart, sunburnt set of young Englishmen they were. Dressed
in the usual riding kit and shirt, with sleeves rolled up to the elbow
and slouch hat upon their heads, they looked capable of the toughest
fighting. Nearly every one of these young fellows was the younger son
of gentlefolks in England. Restless young spirits, full of pluck and
go, who had failed in their examinations at home, or could not settle
down to the humdrum life of an office in London. One could easily
imagine that only a few years before every one of them was the pride and
joy of some particular public school in old England--the kind of boy who
captained the football or cricket teams, and with the roar of his
schoolfellows' cheers behind him carried the leather to the back of the
goal-posts of some opposing team; or perhaps the calm, big-limbed, young
hero, dressed in white flannels and shirt, who stood fast at the wickets
and saved the day for his comrades, sending the strongest balls
delivered to him away to the boundary. That is the kind of lad that
most of these had been, and now, under vastly altered circumstances,
they showed the same sort of spirit. Throwing themselves upon the
ground in the shade, they ate their meals with a good appetite. Then,
pulling out their pipes, they made a circle, and listened eagerly to
Jack's news.
In the middle of a glowing description of Glencoe and the storming of
the heights of Talana Hill a horn sounded in the distance, and instantly
all scuttled into the bomb-proof shelter. They were not a moment too
soon. Less than five seconds later a huge shell shrieked just above
their heads, and, striking the house opposite, exploded with a terrific
flash and roar, shattering the walls to pieces.
"That's bad luck!" one of the volunteers snouted; "it has smashed up our
sleeping quarters, and has set them on fire. Tumble up, you fellows,
and set to work to put the flames out!"
Jack joined the others, and helped to fling water on the flaring
timbers. The fire was soon put out, and they returned once more to
continue the yarn.
"Well, you've seen a good deal of service already, Somerton," said one
of the young fellows, "but if you have nothing to do to-morrow, and care
for a new experience, I will take you out to snipe the enemy. It's a
slow game, but has its excitements. We shall have to crawl out in the
dark about three o'clock, take up our quarters outside, and wait there
till the following night. Perhaps we shall not get a shot all day. But
on the other hand we may bag a few of the Boers who show themselves.
Will you come?"
Jack willingly assented, and next morning, when it was still dark,
followed the young volunteer outside the defences. Each carried a rifle
and plenty of ammunition, field-glasses, water and food sufficient to
last the day.
"Now the thing is to get hold of a spot where there is some shade to be
had," said the young volunteer, whose name was Francis. "I know a
splendid place, where we shall be able to get out of the rays of the
sun. We can lie there together and chat. It is much better than being
by one's self."
Picking their way carefully amongst the boulders, Jack and Francis soon
reached a mass of rock which had been specially prepared for sniping.
It was really a gigantic boulder, which had at some time split, the two
portions rolling a few feet apart. In the gap between, a little wall of
boulders and sand-bags had been made. Francis stretched a blanket from
one piece of the rock to the other, and kept it in position by means of
stones.
"That's all right," he said, with satisfaction. "However hot the sun is
we shall be sheltered from it. Now we'll get our rifles ready, and have
a snooze till the dawn breaks."
Placing their weapons against the wall in front, they rolled themselves
in their blankets and soon dozed off. An hour later the sun was up, and
both prepared for action.
"You've been under fire before, at Glencoe, Somerton," said Francis,
"but I fancy you will find this rather different. The Boers hate us
fellows who come out here to take potshots at them worse than all the
rest. It makes it impossible for them to show themselves for long.
Every shot we fire will be answered by a dozen rifles or more, and
sometimes they will let off a shell at us. It gets pretty warm work at
times. But I dare say you'll get used to it."
"I fancy I have had a share of it already," replied Jack coolly. "You
see, before I got out of Glencoe I had some experience of it, and just
outside Kimberley a force of Boers bombarded the house in which some
friends and I had sheltered, and riddled it with bullets."
"By Jove! Really!" Francis exclaimed in surprise; for, had the truth
been known, he was almost wishing he had not brought this young
despatch-rider out with him on such a trying expedition till he had
learnt how he conducted himself under fire. "Really!" he repeated,
lifting his eyebrows with astonishment. "You did not tell us anything
about it last night when all the fellows were asking you for news. Let
me know all about it at once, there's a good chap! It will help to pass
the time, and we can keep a sharp look-out all the same."
"Oh, it was only a small matter, and of little interest!" said Jack in
reply; "but if you would really care to hear it I will start right
away."
Accordingly, lying prone behind the breastwork of boulders, Jack
commenced his yarn, and modestly told his companion how he had saved a
comrade at Talana Hill, and how some days later he had rescued Eileen
Russel from the hands of the Boers.
Meanwhile they had kept their eyes open, and had broken off the
narrative to fire a couple of shots apiece, one of which evidently found
its mark. In response a storm of Mauser bullets was hurled at them on
each occasion, and once a shell tore through the air above their heads,
and swept the blanket away. In an instant Jack was on his feet, and,
running across to the spot to which the blanket had been carried, picked
it up, and with the utmost coolness and nonchalance replaced it over
their sniping ground.
It was a bold if somewhat foolhardy act, for bullets swished past him
all the while, and even threw up the dust between his feet without
striking him. But it was just one of those daring deeds for which our
countrymen are noted, not performed in the hope of obtaining praise, but
merely out of cool bravado, and to show the enemy that pluck is still a
feature of the race.
When Jack threw himself down again behind the shelter and commenced to
fill his pipe, the remarkable calmness, not to say absolute carelessness
of danger, of this new comrade filled the garrison, who happened to be
looking on, with wild enthusiasm, and they cheered loudly.
As for Francis, himself by no means a coward, he was quite upset.
"Well, I'm jiggered!" he exclaimed, shaking Jack warmly by the hand.
"Here are you walking about under fire as cool as an icicle, and only an
hour ago I was wondering whether, after all, I had been wise to ask you
to come out here, and whether you would funk a bit when the bullets
began to fly. I can tell you this is one of the warmest jobs to be
found, as you can see for yourself, and I've known fellows who were good
at a sortie, and always did their fair share in a fight, who couldn't
stand this kind of work. It's too cold-blooded for them. Let them get
their monkey up and they are fit for any job; but to lie down here in
the open, and never know when a shell may knock you to pieces, is too
trying for them. Somerton, you're a perfect wonder. Just fancy your
arriving in time to save that girl! She was an old friend of yours,
wasn't she? Dear me, can I congratulate you, old chap? Any
engagement?"
"Oh, humbug; of course not!" Jack exclaimed warmly, flushing up to the
roots of his hair. "Both Eileen Russel and I are far too young to be
thinking of marriage; besides, I've only met her a few times. What rot
you talk, Francis! Look out, there's a Boer showing up over there!"
Jack got quite wrathful, and, taking up his rifle, fired at the man who
had just appeared, and had the satisfaction of seeing him go limping
away.
That appeased him, and he once more chatted in a friendly manner with
Francis. But in spite of himself, Eileen's pretty face would appear
before him in fancy as he lay there puffing at his pipe, and he could
not help wondering with some anxiety how she was, and whether a safe
place had been found for her in Kimberley, where she would be out of
harm's way.
That night, when they slipped back within the defences, they received
quite an ovation, and Jack was compelled to repeat the story of his
adventures. In return for doing so he was offered the very last bottle
of beer to be obtained in the town.
"You're a plucky young beggar," exclaimed one of the garrison, "and as a
mark of our appreciation we offer you this. Take it at once and drink
it, or else the others will repent and want it back. We've run clean
out of beer, worse luck, for in this hot weather something else besides
water is wanted. And a fellow begins to long for a change, too,
especially when he's been used to taking it. Why, only two days ago one
of the officers who was at school with me happened to pass, and I
offered him one of our precious bottles. He nearly fainted, it was such
a treat, for the poor beggars are worse off than ourselves in that
respect."
Jack laughed heartily at the anecdote, and, pouring out the beer, drank
to the health of all present. Then someone started a song, and for two
hours the party kept the town awake. Then they wrapped themselves in
their blankets and all became quiet, and nothing disturbed the silence
save an occasional challenge from a picket as the officer made his
rounds.
The next day was Sunday, and by mutual agreement a day of peace for
Boers and British alike. In the enemy's camp solemn services were held
in the open air, while in solitary little Mafeking all who could flocked
to the church. In the afternoon everyone gathered in the market square
where the band played, and before they parted for the night stood
stiffly at attention, hat in hand, or at the salute, while the National
Anthem was played.
And outside, lying in their cheerless trenches, the Boers heard it, and
forgot to jeer as formerly; for this little town, far away from all
help, with its indomitable commander and plucky garrison, had already
taught them in the space of less than a month more respect for the
British than they had learnt in their whole lives before. They listened
to the strains in silence, and a chill went through many of their
frames, for it was beginning now to dawn upon them that England's day
was still to come; and in their heart of hearts the majority of these
sturdy peasants believed that that day was getting close at hand, and
that when it came they too would acknowledge England as their ruler just
as their forefathers had done years before. It was a bitter thought to
these misguided men, to whom independence was so dear, and damped their
spirits so effectually that they preserved a sullen silence and listened
to the distant strains of the band despondently.
On the following day Jack received a message from one of the officers
who acted for Colonel Baden-Powell, and on entering the bomb-proof fort
in which the latter lived, was asked if he was willing to ride out of
the town again.
"We are naturally anxious to know how Colonel Plumer and the Rhodesian
forces are doing at Tuli," the officer said, "and also whether we can
receive relief from them. Will you undertake to find out, and return
with whatever information you can get? We can supply you with a good
horse, and I have also a map and a compass which will help you on the
way."
Jack jumped at the offer, for it was just the kind of adventurous work
that suited him.
"I will do my best," he answered, "and I think I stand a good chance of
getting through, for I have already prospected up some way north of
this, though not so far as Tuli. I shall be ready to start to-night,
and with luck shall be back here in three weeks' time."
A few minutes sufficed to make all arrangements, and that night, after a
farewell supper with Francis and his friends, Jack shook hands cordially
with them all and said good-bye. Then, mounting the animal which had
been sent down for him, he shook the reins and trotted off into the
darkness. Turning to the left, he was soon out in the open veldt, and
in half an hour was well away from the beleaguered town and the
investing forces without having been challenged by anyone.
Riding by night at first, and then during the day, he had covered a
considerable number of miles at the end of three days. On the third
evening he rode into a deserted native kraal, and having knee-haltered
his pony, stretched his blankets on the floor of one of the huts and was
soon asleep. Some hours later he was awakened by the creak of wagon
wheels, and, springing to his feet and peering out through the doorway,
found that a force of some thirty Boers had laagered within the walls of
the kraal. It was still night, but the moon was up, and in its light
Jack watched the figures flitting about in the open space amongst the
huts. The wagon had been left in one corner and the oxen outspanned,
and a Kafir servant was in the act of setting all the wearied beasts
free to graze outside, when there was a bellowing roar, which seemed to
shake the huts, and a huge animal landed in the centre of the kraal and
stood crouching there, one forepaw poised in the air, while his tail
lashed angrily from side to side.
It was an immense African lion, rendered bold and reckless by hunger; a
terrifying sight as it stood there roaring loudly, and crouching lower,
ready to spring upon the nearest object.
As the beast landed in the kraal the Boers were on the point of making a
fire and cooking a meal. Now they turned and bolted at headlong speed,
but not so rapidly as to escape the dreaded lion. With a deafening roar
it leapt high in the air, and landing on the shoulders of one of the
burghers, beat in his skull like an egg-shell. Then it stood defiantly
over the body and growled ominously.
But it was not to carry off the body without interference, for one of
the Boers had gallantly remained behind, and, stepping forward and
lifting his rifle to his shoulder, he fired point-blank at the lion's
head.
Jack watched for the result with breathless excitement, and the next
moment ran out of the hut towards the scene of the struggle; for, stung
to madness by the bullet, the fierce animal had left its first victim,
and with a spring which carried it at least six feet in the air, dashed
the plucky burgher to the ground. Jack slipped his thumb on to the
magazine catch and opened it; then, taking a steady aim, he pulled the
trigger, and sent a bullet crashing through the lion's body. It failed
to touch a vital spot, and once more sighting for the angry beast's
head, Jack discharged his weapon. But again the small bullet failed to
kill, and, roused to madness by his wounds, the lion roared savagely and
sprang at him.
To lift his rifle and fire at the flying mass was the work of a moment.
Next second Jack was struck senseless to the ground, and lay there
motionless, almost smothered by the huge limp animal lying stone-dead
upon him.
When Jack recovered consciousness again, two bearded men were bending
over him, and were gently dressing a large wound in his shoulder. With
a dying effort the huge African lion had struck him on the shoulder, and
had torn a deep gash in his chest and arm, and this the Boers were now
tending. Finding that their patient was sensible again, they smiled
kindly at him, and soon afterwards applied dressings.
It was an extremely painful operation, but Jack bore it all without a
murmur. Then he was given some weak brandy and water.
"How do you feel now?" asked one of the Boers. "Better, I hope? It was
a close shave for you, but your last bullet went through the lion's
heart and killed the animal."
"Oh, I'm all right again now!" replied Jack, endeavouring to sit up, but
falling back with a groan. "That beast has knocked all the strength out
of me," he continued. "But tell me, who are you, and was the other man
killed?"
"His arm was broken," the Boer answered, "and he has to thank you for
his life. It was a brave act to come forward and fight the lion alone,
and your life was in God's hands. It was doubly noble of you,
Englishman, for by attacking that lion you fell into our hands and are a
prisoner. But do not let that worry you. You shall be well treated,
and in Pretoria you will be far safer than out here as a
despatch-rider."
"A prisoner!" exclaimed Jack indignantly. "Surely you will not take me
to Pretoria. After all I might have stood quietly in the hut, and let
the lion carry off your comrade without moving a finger to help him.
You say it was brave of me, then why not let me go on that account!"
"My friend, that would be impossible," the Boer replied kindly. "You
are too weak to stand now, and believe me, you will be much the same for
a week or more. If we left you you would certainly die, for I have seen
enough of wounds, especially of this class, to know that if not
carefully attended to they prove dangerous. We are returning to
Pretoria, and you must accompany us. After all, it will be some
consolation to you to know that the young burgher you saved is an
Englishman by birth. He was commandeered to fight for us, but we all
know that his heart is with his countrymen. Cheer up! He will be a
comrade for you."
Jack remained silent for some time after the Boer doctor had left him,
and was at first inclined to grumble at his luck. Then, as he began to
realise how weak he really was, he saw that to be taken prisoner was
really the best thing that could happen to him.
"After all," he thought, "I shall have a chance of escaping, and I am
sure if I were given my liberty I should die out here in the bush like a
dog. I'm as weak as a rat now, but by the time we reach Pretoria I
ought to be strong again. Then, if I do manage to get away, and I shall
certainly have a try, I ought to be able to carry valuable information
with me. Yes, after all, I am not so badly off, and will make the best
of matters."
About half an hour later the Boer doctor returned, and with the help of
three other men, who treated Jack with the utmost kindness, lifted him
gently and carried him towards the wagon. Day had already dawned, so
that Jack was able to see that another figure lay on a rough bed of rugs
beneath the huge canvas tent which covered the cumbersome vehicle. It
was the young English burgher who had first attacked the lion, and as
they approached the wagon he sat up with a jerk and looked eagerly at
Jack.
He was a broad-shouldered young fellow, with a pleasant, open face, now
somewhat pale from the effects of the injury he had received and from
the pain he suffered. His right arm was suspended in a sling, and there
was a deep scratch across his forehead.
No sooner was Jack laid beside him than his comrade in misfortune leant
across, and, taking up his hand, pressed it warmly and endeavoured to
speak. But he was evidently too much overcome by emotion, and his lips
trembled so much that he looked as though he were on the point of
bursting into tears. With a visible effort he steadied himself, and,
still pressing Jack's hand, began to talk to him.
"We're strangers," he exclaimed excitedly, "but for all that we are
brothers! My God, how I have longed for the sight of an honest
Englishman! and last night, if I had thought that by being carried away
by that lion I should have met one, I almost think I should have been
glad if the beast had picked me up and walked off with me. And they
tell me I have to thank you for my life, and that you tackled the lion
alone, and so fell into their hands. I'm sorry that you should be a
prisoner, but I can't tell you how glad I am to have a comrade."
"Yes; it's an awful sell to find myself a prisoner when I had covered so
much of the journey," Jack answered; "but I suppose it's for the best.
I should have died if I had been left here alone. But tell me about
yourself. The Boer doctor said you had been commandeered against your
will."
"That is true. My name is Guy Richardson, and I've lived all my life in
the Transvaal. But for all that, Father and I are British to the
backbone, and would sooner shoot ourselves than fight against our
countrymen. But I'll tell you all about it if you like, and if you feel
strong enough to listen."
"Just push something under my head, so that I can look at you without
straining my neck," said Jack. "That's it, thank you! Now, fire away;
I shall be delighted to hear the tale. But first of all let me tell you
that my name is Jack Somerton, and that you've nothing to thank me for.
You forget that you were the only one of all the Boers who stood your
ground when the lion sprang into the kraal."
"That's true, Somerton," Guy Richardson agreed; "but for all that I know
that I owe my life to you. But now that you are comfortable, I'll go
ahead with the yarn. To begin with, I must explain that Father came to
the Transvaal five years before the annexation by Sir Theophilus
Shepstone, and as soon as the Boer trouble was over, and the Transvaal
had become a republic, he became a naturalised burgher, for he found it
was a necessity if he wished to prosper in business. I was born quite
close to Johnny's Burg, and can speak the Boer tongue as well as our
own. We got on pretty well with our neighbours, but our sympathies have
been with the Uitlanders, and when matters got to such a pass that war
seemed probable, it became a question as to whether we should follow
Mother down to Durban. But to take that step would mean absolute ruin,
for all our property would be confiscated by the Transvaal Government;
so, after a long discussion, Father and I decided to stay, on the
distinct understanding that we were not to bear arms against the
British. For a week after the ultimatum we were employed as town guards
in Johnny's Burg. Then we were commandeered for service, for every
available man was wanted to make good the losses the Boers had suffered.
For another week we were kept in laager near Pretoria, and then we were
separated, Father being dragged down south, while I was compelled to
accompany this commando. We were in desperate straits, but we swore we
would never fire a shot against the English.
"What has happened to Father I do not know. For myself I should have
escaped long ago, but each one of these Boers has instructions to shoot
me on suspicion of such an attempt, and they watch me constantly. It is
awful, Somerton! If we meet the British troops these fiends will stand
behind me and shoot me if I refuse to fight."
"Good heavens, you don't say so!" Jack exclaimed indignantly. "To
force a man to fight against his own flesh and blood is simply
monstrous!"
"It's true all the same," replied Guy Richardson dejectedly. "There are
hosts more like myself. Good Englishmen, who know that this war has
been wilfully forced on the empire by the Boers, and who are determined
to escape from their adopted Republic and fight for the queen. But we
are all carefully watched, and I fear that more than one of the poor
fellows have lost their lives. Only a few days ago I heard that they
have been forced to fight in the most exposed positions, and these men
here have threatened that I shall have such a post. If a bullet finds
me out when I am fighting for England I shall not grumble, but if I am
to be struck down by my own people, would rather shoot myself. It is
awful, but I have sworn never to fire a gun for these brutes, and I will
stick to that determination."
"Tell me where you have been," said Jack. "From the fact of this being
such a small commando, I imagine there are none of our troops near at
hand. I was riding up to meet Plumer's force."
"We have been on a visit to the natives, Somerton," Guy Richardson
replied, "and although I have not been told the motive, it is easy to
guess that the Boers wish to stir them up so as to increase our
difficulties. We are now returning to Pretoria. I am thankful that I
have broken my arm, for now they will not be able to send me to the
front. I wish, though, I could find out what has happened to Father."
"I suppose they will put us in hospital when we reach the end of our
journey, Richardson," Jack said thoughtfully. "If so, and you are ready
to come with me, we will make an attempt at escape. I have been in
difficulties in the Transvaal once before, and got out safely."
"I'll stand by you and make the attempt at any time," exclaimed
Richardson impulsively. "Anything to get out of the hands of these
Boers!"
"Then we'll take it as settled that we will have a try to get away at
the first opportunity," Jack replied. "We shall have lots of time to
talk the matter over, but one thing has occurred to me. We must make
believe that we are worse than we really are. That will make any guards
placed over us less watchful, and will give us a better chance."
That evening Jack's wound was dressed again with the greatest tenderness
by the Boer doctor, and on the following morning the oxen were
inspanned, and the small commando set off for Pretoria, carrying with
them as a trophy the skin of the African lion.
A week later they reached the seat of the Boer Government, and, much to
Jack's pleasure, he was placed in hospital side by side with Guy
Richardson, with whom he had already struck up a firm friendship. He
had quite expected to be placed amongst the English prisoners, of whom
there were unfortunately a large number already; and though he would
have been glad to be with them, his plans for escape would have become
all the more difficult. As it was, he was surrounded by Boers, and
still under the care of the same doctor, who seemed to have taken quite
a fancy to him.
Two weeks later he was about, with his arm in a sling, and was able to
see what Pretoria was like during these days of struggle. Once, too,
the President passed close to him when making a visit to the hospital,
and though it might have been merely imagination, Jack fancied that his
heavy face bore traces of ever-growing sorrow, and that the broad,
stooping shoulders were bowed a little more than usual under a load of
anxious care, and under the bitter disappointment of an overwhelming
ambition which had been cherished and nurtured for a lifetime. Nor was
the President the only one who felt the anxiety of these times of war.
The Boer forces, though long prepared for their work, had not swooped
down and driven the hated British into the sea. The Dutch population of
South Africa had not risen as was expected, and joined their kith and
kin to shake off English rule. But instead, Joubert and his hordes of
burghers had invaded Natal only to a point a few miles south of Colenso,
while in Cape Colony the Free Staters had barely passed the borders, and
Mafeking and Kimberley still laughed at the invading forces. It was not
a brilliant prospect, when the Boers had hoped to crush the British in
three weeks.
They had now done all the invading they were ever likely to do, and
though successes might still fall to their arms, though in
carefully-prepared trenches and defences they might resist and bear back
for a time the relieving-forces now marching towards Ladysmith and
Kimberley, yet they knew that those reinforcements would eventually
invade the two republics and appear before Bloemfontein and Pretoria
just as surely as the earth would continue to revolve.
No wonder, then, that they looked downcast and harassed, while many of
them secretly longed for a peaceful termination of the struggle, and a
life of freedom under British rule.