Part 28 (2/2)
On the platform there was an ilance told Jack the reason of their presence The carriages were allred cross, and it was evident that this was an ambulance train, of which the Boers had many, perfectly fitted up All the doors were open, and a to carry out the wounded
A sorry, forlorn set of soldiers they looked, but not s were different now from what they had been a month before The Boer forces had notsuccess which at first seemed to be in store for them
They had invaded the British colonies so far, and there they had been checked, and there they re till the tide turned, and the British troops, whohtly of, rolled their ranks back towards the frontier And then--ould happen?
They had never paused to think of that before They had cheered their ht well for their country But noas a different matter A few names only of killed and wounded had been returned, but rumour said that hundreds of others had been suppressed
No wonder, then, that these poor women flocked with tear-stained faces to the station, and clamoured for news of their husbands and sons
It was a piteous sight, and Jack felt sorry for theet that in Cape Colony and Natal and away in Old England there were thousands iven their lives for queen and country
The Boer now put his horse indriven half a mile outside the town, drew up at a pleasant little farmhouse
Jack descended and entered He was met by a field-cornet and a detachment of five armed men, and was at once placed in a s
Left to himself, he looked round for a means of escape, and noted with much satisfaction that there was a small hich would suit his purpose
”I'll lie down and pretend I am tired by the drive,” he et through that onder whether they will bringhimself on a bed placed in one corner, Jack re over his plans Then the door was flung open, and aof water and some bread and meat
”There you are, rooinek,” he said surlily ”That is all you will get to-night If I had my way you would be sent to keep your countrymen company at the race-course How Oom Otto could wish to have you here ison his side, closed his eyes as if he eary and took no notice of the food Afrom the bed, he stole noiselessly across the floor and carefully inspected the door It had a large key-hole, and this he plugged with bread
Then he sat down on the cot again and ate some of the food
”Now I ah food here to last et some ing his haversack over his shoulder, and carefully feeling beneath his coat to make sure that his Mauser was still there,--for by a wonderful chance it had escaped notice when his wound was first dressed,--he crept across to theand opened it noiselessly It was placed high up in the wall, so that Jack put a wooden stool beneath it, and,himself up, when, to his horror and dis a candle in his hand
A second later he had grasped Jack firht in his face
It was a terrible misfortune, and Jack could almost have cried But, for the moment, his attention was otherwise occupied, for as the rays fronised, with a curious feeling of pleasure and hope, that it was the very , after wounding hinition was mutual, and the Boer, who afor assistance, shut his lips and stared at Jack as though he were too hter and dragged Jack to the bed
To resist was useless, and like a wise lishth exclaioodbye! Surely we have not treated you so badly”
”I have had the kindest attention,” answered Jack, ”but, remember, liberty is dear to every ht, and that is e fight,” the Boer answered solemnly Then he remained silent for several minutes and looked earnestly at Jack ”Why did you not throw ood your escape?” he asked, with the suspicion of a save me, and for that reason am in hospital here You could have beaten out ht have done that,” Jack answered thoughtfully, ”but it would not have helped uard outside would have been roused, and I should have been taken Well, it is rough luck, and to-morrow I suppose I shall be sent off to the race-course”
”Perhaps, Englishman, perhaps!” the Boer answered slowly, and then lapsed into silence again, and becaht
Suddenly he roused hilishet that once you helped me ounded You ran the risk of i in the bush It is hard that I should repay you in this way It would have been better had I entered this rooratitude at all costs Escape now, before I changethis I too shall risk my life
Escape! Leave e the roo, they will think that you have attacked lishman; you deserve a reward for your noble act!”
Jack was simply astounded, and could scarcely believe his ears ”Was it true that he was free to escape after all?” he wondered vaguely, ”or was this merely some sly ruse?”