the direction of his own home, and in that of Ratels Hoek.
Well, he would soon be at the latter place now, and then--and then--Ah,
how that other evening came back!

This stage of his meditations received a shock, being, in fact,
disturbed by a loud, harsh voice calling upon him in Dutch, and very
peremptorily, to halt. It proceeded from in front and above. Looking
up, Colvin became alive to the startling discovery that some twenty
rifles were levelled straight at him, at a distance of about that number
of yards. There was no disputing such a summons.

"Dismount!" repeated the voice.

Again there was no alternative but to comply, and, as he did so, several
Boers, still keeping him covered, arose from their concealment, and came
towards him. Some two or three were men from the surrounding district,
whom he knew by sight, but most of them were strangers.

"Who are you?" asked the leader crisply, in Dutch. "And where are you
from?"

Colvin told him. The news that he had come straight from Cronje's force
in the field, and had witnessed several engagements, impressed them
somewhat. They began to look at him with considerable interest and
increased respect.

"_Daag_, Gideon," he exclaimed, suddenly becoming aware of the presence
of Gideon Roux among the party. The Boer came forward and greeted him
as though nothing had happened. They chatted a minute or two together
as to the local news and so forth. Then Colvin said:

"Well now, friends, I must bid you good-night. I am going on to
Stephanus De la Rey's."

"You cannot go on to Stephanus De la Rey's to-night," rejoined the
leader promptly.

"Why not?"

"Because you have to go with us--to Commandant Schoeman's camp at Krantz
Kop."

This was a terrible facer, but Colvin was forced to accept the situation
with what grace he could. At first he tried expostulation, urging every
reason he could think of for being suffered to pursue his way. In vain.
Even the magic name of The Patriot seemed to fail in its power here.
The burghers got their concealed horses from behind the rocks and they
started.

It was quite dark when they reached the camp, which had been pitched
around Gideon Roux' farmstead. How well Colvin remembered the last time
he had visited this place--the discovery of the concealed arms, the
squalid household and his doubtful reception, Hans Vermaak's warning and
its ample justification. Now, as he saw the place again, under
circumstances su