Part 30 (2/2)

”Surrounded!” Jack muttered harshly ”Into the cupboard, Guy!”

It was their only chance; and, rushi+ng across to it, they had squeezed the the light had entered the room It was one of those roomy cupboards often to be found in old country-houses at home, and once in it, Jack and Guy deposited their weapons on the floor, and, standing there behind the doors, glued their eyes to the chinks, of which there were

By this ti across his back, had placed on a table a lighted candle which was ja round for chairs A second later five nised at once as a proher forces in Natal Another was evidently a Frenchh deference

Meanwhile Mrs Robb had flown to the cot again and stood bending over it, ready to protect her child

”Leave the rooeneral said harshly ”Now,” he continued, turning to the ht, ”fetch chairs and benches, and for in the food or prisoners, whichever is ready first”

The Boer saluted like a cluh-boy and disappeared, to return with two others bearing chairs They placed the table close beside the cupboard, and a few eneral and his staff were seated behind it, the foreneral suddenly exclai Then we et this business done as soon as possible, for we have ht But, wait! Look in that cupboard, Fritz Perhaps there is so there in the way of food on which we can cos of despair, and still stood silent, rooted to the spot and with their hearts pulsating violently

To reach the cupboard the o round the table; and as he was doing so, and had stretched out a hand to pull open one of the doors, there was a joyful shout froher appeared bearing horn s and a plate, on which was a joint of cold meat

”Never eneral cried, and ian to carve the meat placed before them

As for Jack and Guy, they had braced theirthe cupboard door open anda wild rush for the hen the eneral's words, and turned to help at the table It was a narrow squeak, and the two young fellows breathed deeply with relief, while beads of perspiration appeared upon their foreheads and trickled down their faces But they were still in a precarious position, and re the party of men in front of the of feet in the front roo bearded Boer stepped up to the table, and, leaning with one hand upon it in apipe froeneral

”Ah, the prisoners are outside!” exclaimed the latter; ”and now, Monsieur Villebois-Mareuil, I will show you hoe deal with these Rooineks These are not like the brave soldiers who are fighting against us They are chicken-hearted fools, ill fight for neither side But they are burghers of the Transvaal, and have received the voting rights Therefore they shall do their utmost for us, their brothers, in these days of difficulty March theuard, for there is no saying what reckless act an Englishman is not capable of You have seen it for yourself, monsieur, for have not the British troops times out of number attacked us from the open and been mowed down by our rifle fire?”

”That is so,” answered the French h I detest them to a man, they are lion-hearted, and the best troops the world can show Look at their discipline It is superb But we shall beat them, and then what joy there will be in the Transvaal, my friend!”

A minute later the prisoners who had been spoken of were uard of ar out, halted in front of the table, and stood on either side and behind the two Englishe

Jack and Guy stared across at theht easily have betrayed them had not the attention of Boers and prisoners been otherwise engaged

”That is Father! My God, ill they do with hi Jack firmly by the wrist

”And the other !”

answered Jack in a low voice ”Steady, Guy! You will let them hear you Keep quiet, man! If we are found, we can be of no use to them; but if we reripped his friend by the arm and whispered the words into his ear, for the excite his father had proved al fro tones stopped hiain

”Prisoners, you are brought before an ”You are burghers of the Republic, and have disobeyed the call of your country What have you to say?”

Jack and Guy listened attentively, and then looked across at the prisoners Both were absolutely calm, and stood there, in front of the table, with an air of stubborn deterht, their minds were made up on one subject