We were
forced into it, and accepted the inevitable with a sigh. But had we
known all that was in store for us, had we as a nation realised that
this was no tribal war, such as we were accustomed to, but a stern
struggle against a race of born soldiers armed to the teeth, and
favoured by a rough country suited to their tactics, that sigh would
have been replaced by a start and by an anxious foreboding which would
have led us to throw all our available forces into Africa without a
moment's delay.

But to return to Jack Somerton.

Early in October he and Tom Salter found themselves back in Kimberley
again discussing the news, and on the 9th of the month, the very date
upon which President Kruger despatched his ultimatum, a letter reached
Jack from Mr Hunter, earnestly begging him to come to his help, and aid
Wilfred in escorting Mrs Hunter to the frontier.

_I know it is asking a lot of you_, he wrote, _for it would be awkward
if you were found in the Transvaal after the warning you have had.
But I know you and Tom have often been prospecting in this country
during the past few weeks, and really, my boy, I should be grateful if
you could come. Wilfred is a good lad, but scarcely capable of the
work which will be required, for I can tell you the refugees are
likely to meet with trying times_.

Jack naturally determined to go at once, and communicated his intentions
to Tom. "I'll risk it," he said. "An old tweed suit and a slouch hat
ought to disguise me, and if I carry a rifle all the better. I shall
ride through on Vic and Prince. It would take longer by rail, and all
the stations are certain to be watched. I know the way, and ought to
get through in about three days."

Accordingly he saddled up his ponies, jumped into the old suit in which
he had left Mr Hunter's house, and with a hearty shake of the hand from
Tom and his wife, set out towards the north, carrying sufficient water
and provisions with him to last for a week.

"Good-bye, old boy!" Tom shouted after him. "We shall expect to see
you here in a week or so, but we shall be closely shut up, and you will
have to find a way in. Ta, ta! you'll manage it, I'm sure."

Jack waved his hand, shouted back that they might expect him in about a
fortnight, and, shaking up his ponies, cantered away out of sight.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

REFUGEES.

It was shortly after noon when Jack set out from Kimberley on his long
ride to Johannesburg, and