Part 31 (1/2)
”We are burghers of the Transvaal, it is true, general,” Mr Hunter answered in a firm voice, ”and we are ready to do our duty by that Republic at any tiuese, or even your own kith and kin, the ht, but when you tell us to bear arainst our own flesh and blood we refuse to obey you at all costs”
”Yes, and I'll go one further,” burst in Guy's father iard for the consequences; ”if we had been able ould have joined our coainst you”
”You are a bold, but a foolishdown his knife and fork hich he had been busy ”I will give you both another chance Will you go to the trenches and do your duty like men?”
”We have already refused,” Mr Hunter replied shortly ”Is that not enough?”
”Very well, then, you shall be put there by force,” the general exclaiuard over the prisoners, he said: ”Reun hill nearest to the English caun That shall be their punishment They will not fire on the Rooineks, but the Rooineks shall fire at the reward Perhaps, lad to change your minds Believe me, it is far pleasanter to lie behind a rock and pick off the foe than to be tied up in the open and exposed to the lyddite shells which your barbarous British gunners employ”
Meanwhile the prisoners listened caleneral had finished speaking
They were then hurried out of the room, and some ten minutes later the Boers followed the of stirrups and bits told Jack and Guy that the Boers were on the point of leaving, and were then having their horses brought round for them There was a hoarse co the house deserted save for the two young fellows and Mrs Robb and her infant child
”Pheant so the door open and stepping into the rooreed; ”but, Jack, our difficulties seeet caught as you clih theof the hospital, then Piet Maartens and his fat Gered to help this poor lady, whilehurried away to their death”
”Well, and what of it?” cried Jack ”Look here, Guy We are not going back on our word We will take Mrs Robb and her child safely into Ladyso there I shall rescue Mr Hunter and your father What is to prevent us? The hill ht-tio out in search of it It ht in front of this house, for that is certainly the nearest to the British camp”
”Nonsense! Stay here indeed!” Guy answered hotly ”If you are ready to risk your life for a friend, Jack, I am fully prepared to do the sareed, and also that we help this lady No is it all to be done?”
”It is alreadyto Mrs Robb he said, ”How far is it to this gun hill, Mrs Robb? You have heard that two prisoners were to be taken there?”
”Yes; I listened outside,” Mrs Robb replied ”Just fancy their thinking of such a brutal act! The hill they are being taken to is two miles or more away, and froround well, and could lead you”
”The difficulty is this,” continued Jack ”To go to the top of the gun hill, set the prisoners free, and return here would take such a tiet near Ladysht for the camp and leave you and the child there, it will be too late then to attempt a rescue, and to-morroill settle their fate”
”Then I can tell you what to do,” exclaimed Mrs Robb ”I will lead you to the hill where your friends are to be tied, and will accompany you nearly to the top Then you must help the prisoners, and as soon as they are free, ill all strike straight across for the cah the pickets”
”Good! That is the very ticket!” Guy cried excitedly ”We cannot find this hill without you, and as we are all bound for Ladysether”
”Yes, it's the best way,” Jack agreed ”Are you ready to start now, Mrs Robb?”
”Yes, perfectly,” the plucky English lady replied
”Then give me the child I will carry hi ar up a small bundle, blew out the candle, and led the way out of the house, followed by her two stalwart protectors
It was still intensely dark, so by a hurried arrangement Jack and Guy each linked an ar her over the rough ground, they pressed forward at their fastest pace, knoell that there was ed on, and then suddenly halted, and hastily concealed themselves in a small copse of trees They were barely in time, for ano sound on the grassy plain
”Those are the uns,” whispered Jack ”At least I expect that is who they are, and if so we are lucky oncein front is the Boer as in charge of the two prisoners,” Guy answered ”Coone on sufficiently far now”
”No, not yet We will not ruin everything for the sake of a few et well ahead and then ill move on How near are we to the hill now, Mrs Robb?”