des has, as is well-known, a strong desire to see a United
South Africa under the British flag; and if I make no mistake, Kruger
and his underlings are scheming to trample that spotless banner under
foot and replace it with the vierkleur. In my opinion they are capable
of anything, and I feel positive that a United South Africa under the
Boers, with Kruger president of all, and with a population solely
composed of Dutch, is aimed at. To oust the British is what they have
in view, and for that purpose they are hatching a gigantic conspiracy,
the result of which will be a terrible war."

"But surely, Mr Hunter, they would not dare to attack the English,"
Jack interposed. "We are the strongest nation on the face of the earth;
so strong, indeed, that no other European race would declare war upon us
if an honourable settlement were possible."

"Ah, Jack! you have learnt a deal since you came to Johnny's Burg, but
not enough yet of Boer ambitions and Boer cunning to be able to say
exactly what they would be capable of. For my own part, I believe what
I have said. England is face to face with a vast and dangerous
conspiracy, and these hardy and resolute Boers will yet prove a thorn in
her side. But to return to your adventure. You have certainly escaped
from a difficult position, and I congratulate you, my lad, on the pluck
and coolness you evidently showed. Had they put you against a wall and
shot you immediately you were discovered it would have been only what
might have been expected, for you undoubtedly possess a secret of theirs
which they have been jealously guarding. Supposing my theory of a war
with England is correct, that huge accumulation of war material close to
the border would enable them to despatch a force of Boers by train, and
post them and the guns on the passes, and upon the mountains which
separate us from Natal, within a few hours of the declaration of
hostilities. We could not possibly be ready, and instead of our manning
every rock and stone, and so preventing their passage into the country,
they would pour through the passes in their thousands, and the colony of
Natal would be invaded and in the hands of the enemy before our
countrymen had had time to recover from the surprise.

"Yes, it is a most important secret, and I fear you will be a marked
man. You have already made an enemy of Piet Maartens, and Hans Schloss
bears no better reputation than he. And you have wounded him, a fact
whic