Part 19 (2/2)
The sight which ive a start, while an exclaer escaped his lips, for Jack was a kind-hearted lad, and to see anyone wantonly inflicting pain upon a fellow-being, or indeed upon any dumb animal, was hateful to hiirl as being tormented
As he looked into the roo la, violin in hand, in the opposite corner, the very picture of terror, grief, and despair, playing an air which had been popular in Johannesburg a few months before; while, seated round a table, in all sorts of attitudes, were ten lish which grated on his ear
Jack watched thenised with another start that the s upon the table, was none other than the dapper English colonist who had questioned them so closely at De Aar
Satisfied with his inspection, he slipped back again, and a oing to stop here for a little while,” he said shortly
”There's a bit of bullying going on over there Bring the ponies round into the garden, and we'll tie thely at his friend, but recognising from the resolute tone that Jack meant every word he said, he sent the ponies ahead, and soon had them at the back of the farmhouse
”Look here, Wilfred,” said Jack brusquely, as soon as the animals were fastened to the rails, ”there's a scandalous piece of business going on in there That spy fellow fro Eileen Russel She and her father have shownto repay it There are ten of theether If you don't like the job you can slip outside and wait till I've done with thenantly ”Shut up, Jack! If there's a row on, of course I shall help you!”
”Then, coive the word”
Stealing across to the , they raised their heads and looked in, to find the Boers inthe contents of long tumblers of whisky and water, which ”Tim”, a faithful Zulu servant of the Russels, had just placed in front of the, and stood in her corner looking like a hunted animal, while tears trickled down her cheeks
”Here, you black animal! Go and fetch me some more drink,” shouted the Boer leader at this moment ”Do you hear? Get aith you! Now, Miss--what's your name, play 'God Save the Queen!' You'll not haveto the wall, and that old tune will soon be forgotten Now then, strike up, and let it be sharp and h, shouted once lass of spirit which ”Tim” placed close to his hand at that irl was loyal-hearted and true to her beloved queen and country Her head, which had drooped before this, was now held proudly erect in the air; she faced her tormentors steadily, and in a voice which scarcely quivered, refused to play any more for them
”No,” she said firmly, ”I will not play our national anthem for you
You would only jeer at it, like the cowards you are One of these days you and all your countrymen shall be proud to call yourselves subjects of our queen, and will sing in all earnestness that sacred song you now ask me to play!”
”None of your threats! Do as you're told!” snarled the Boer leader angrily ”It will be le one of us as a subject; but let me tell you, ly-looking thing does you a mischief, if you refuse to play 'God Save the Queen'!”
As he spoke the villain snatched a Mauser pistol from his belt and held it pointed at Eileen's head
Jack's teeth ground together, and, quickly slipping a cartridge into his rifle, he covered the Boer leader, and was on the point of pressing the trigger when Tie, rushed at the man and struck him from his chair He was seized at once, and held in front of the villain who had dared to threaten Eileen, who again lifted his Mauser, placed the ainst the poor fellow's head, and held it there a ony of fear, ere he pressed the trigger and sent Tim to his last account
That pause proved the latter's salvation, while to the Boer it meant a sudden death Jack, who had kept hilass and fired, dropping the villain in his tracks
Then shouting: ”Give it to theazine and poured a hail of shot into the house, taking care to miss Tim and Eileen Russel
Startled by the shot and alarmed by Jack's shout, which seemed to show that there were many there besides hih the door Afour of their nu dead upon the floor of the farmhouse
Jack and Wilfred at once ran round to the door, which stood wide open, and stepped in
”Don't be frightened, Eileen,” said the forly ”Those cowards have bolted, and you are safe for a time at least What has happened to your father?”
”Ah! is that you, Jack Soirl asked in a dreamy way, as if she were not quite certain that her eyes had told her correctly--”Jack Solishman who used to come here with our old friend Toht, Eileen,” he replied ”Now tell me how those villains happened to find you here alone”
Eileen Russel stepped forward froly into his face, as though she was still uncertain of his identity Then she suddenly sat down in a chair, and, hiding her face in her hands, sobbed as if her heart would break But it was merely the reaction after the terrible hour of torentle pat on the back froained her composure and dried her eyes
”Father is here, Jack,” she exclaierly ”He is down below in the cellar, where Tim and I hid him He is wounded--badly, I fear Those Boer cowards rode up here just before daylight, and ordered Father to come out and be taken before their leader Father asked what they wanted with hilish territory had been annexed by the Boers, and that as an old inhabitant he was bound to fight for theer a subject of the queen”