e
shed. Placing their lanterns on the ground, they wrapped themselves in
blankets, and, leaving one of their number seated on a stool, threw
themselves down to sleep.

"I'm in a nasty hole," thought Jack, "a very awkward fix indeed. If it
had not been for Oom Schalk those brutes would certainly have shot me;
and I'm not at all sure that they won't do so after all, for there is no
one to prove that I am telling the truth. Even if they don't harm me,
they are bound to get rid of me, for they can never allow me to remain
in the Transvaal after this. Well, I must get away somehow."

For half an hour he sat quietly thinking, with his eyes fixed upon the
lanterns and upon the figure sitting close to them. The Boer had lit
his pipe, but it constantly went out, and he as constantly lifted a
lantern to get a light again. Then he put it on the ground, folded his
arms, and stared about him. Soon his head drooped, and nodded gently,
then his chin went down on his chest with a jerk, and he sat upright
again, shrugged his burly shoulders, yawned, and looked about him. Jack
watched him with deep interest, and soon saw that he had fallen asleep.

Now was his time, and noiselessly bringing his heels close beneath him,
he gave his body a jerk forward by pressing against the truck with the
back of his head, and in another moment was standing on his feet.

He was still helpless, for he was firmly bound, with his hands behind
his back. But he had not been racking his brains all this time for
nothing. He remembered that at Durban he had noticed that the corners
of the iron trucks were not turned over, but bolted to angle-irons
inside, leaving a more or less rough surface at the edge. It was a
small matter, but he had noticed it just as one does take note of
trivial points, and he now determined to put it to a good purpose. Inch
by inch he shuffled along till he reached the corner of the truck
against which he had been placed, then he leant against it, and
commenced to rub the cords which bound his wrists up and down the
roughened edge.

It was difficult work, but he clenched his teeth and put all his
strength into it. After more than half an hour's nibbing the cord was
cut through and his hands were free. To release his legs was now a
simple matter, and in a few minutes he was standing close to the truck,
with his boots off, and slung across his shoulders by the laces. Then
he undid his secret pocket, pressed the spring,