Part 42 (2/2)

Instantly all was confusion in the Boer caons, and within a very short ti colu across the veldt on the way to Bloemfontein, while a second and smaller one went north Behind them they left all their stores, and even their dinners, which in the hour of departure they were unable to eat

Jack wasBoers with the first column, and watched with secret satisfaction the confusion that reigned everywhere, and the downcast looks of the men who had boasted only a few hours before that the British were in their hands

At the head of the column, sullen and dejected, rode Cronje, and on either flank and far behind were Boer skirons

All day they pushed forward, resting frequently to allow the tired oxen and ht the long colu forward in feverish haste towards Bloemfontein Then calasses, which had fortunately not been taken fro across the veldt some miles away

They were the plucky soldiers of General Kelly-Kenny's division, and now, having come up with the enemy after forced marches, they showed that they were deterers

On the followingCronje and his forces were completely surrounded and heed fiercely, and had coer in the dry bed of the Modder river and stop his progress towards Bloemfontein Then foot by foot they had crept round hi, when Jack looked out, men in khaki were all round, and he knew that Cronje and his force of some 6000 Boers were doolish prisoners, including Riley, and these at once set to ith spade and pickaxe, and, copying the round and then tunnelled beneath it, fore bomb-proof chambers And in these for four awful days they lived, never daring to eht And all the tier, which was spread over an area of some twoons But no one has ever equalled the Boers at trench-digging In a marvellous manner they constructed bomb-proof chambers, and sat there for the most part safe from the British fire But others of thest these death was soon busy

On the 27th of February, celebrated all over the Boer dominions as Majuba Day, Cronje and his forces capitulated unconditionally, and, throwing down their arms, marched as prisoners into the British camp

With them were ersfontein expressly to celebrate Majuba Day

It was a glorious success, our first real one And added to it all was the news that General French and his mounted men had relieved the invested and sorely-straitened town of Kimberley on the 15th

When Jack entered Lord Roberts's caerly questioned as to his experiences Then he was conducted to the general's tent, and gave the verbal es entrusted to him by B-P

”Now, Riley,” he said, as soon as he was at liberty onceto Ki particular to take you down to Cape Town you had better coood in the world, for you are still far fros”

”There is no reason for o anywhere in particular, old chap,”

Riley answered ”I have no friends down this way, andis open again Yes, if you have business in Ki with you”

”Well,” said Jack rather shamefacedly, ”I cannot say that it is exactly business that takes ed to Miss Eileen Russel, and am anxious to find out how she is”

”What, Eileen Russel, daughter of the colonist whose house was bombarded at the commencement of the war!” cried Riley in astonish

”By Jove, then, youJack by the hand; ”and now I understand why I could not , and I remember you left us, to ride north Good heavens, ether all these days and you have neveryou fellows gave the Boers close to Kiain, old man, and e reach Ki lady and telling her what a brick you are”

Two days later Jack and his friend left the English cah the lines of the Canadian troops, who had distinguished then, and especially in the attack upon the Boer laager, they trotted across the open veldt to Kimberley

Tom Salter was the first to meet them, and at once conducted Jack to the house in which the Russels had now taken up their quarters

”There you are, lad,” he said kindly, patting Jack on his broad back; ”the girl's in there, just crying her eyes out for you, and fancying you've been hurt The news caer, and as nothing was said as to your being dead or alive, she has naturally been in a state of anxiety ever since You go in, old boy, and I'll take care of Riley We'll co in half an hour and have a yarn”

There is no need to tell of the joy of thebetween stalwart Jack and his future bride Of this be sure, the half-hour flew by so quickly that it seeain

”What do you think of the to?” asked the for Jack quizzically ”I can tell you, my lad, it's a tremendous relief to be free froain I shall never forget that day when General French ht ere a lot of babies The street was cra men, who had lived for weeks on less than half the accustomed amount, and I know that many a one was too feeble to choke back his sobs And the women and the kids--God bless them!--just held up their arirl But it's all over now, and we're beginning to live like decent folks again, up in the air and daylight”

”Yes,” Jack agreed, ”you have had a terrible experience, and have come out of it wonderfully Noill be our turn to advance upon the Boer towns and retaliate”