ome for them, and on no account must anyone be armed. We will
give you an hour to do the work. After that we shall fire on anyone who
approaches."

The Boer courteously expressed his thanks, and at once rode away.

Five minutes later a wagon was driven up to the railings, and the party
who had come to pick up the dead and wounded entered the garden.

Those inside the house sat down at their loopholes and kept a close
watch, for they had heard before of Boer treachery and slimness, and
more than one incident of the abuse of the white flag had been clearly
exposed during the opening days in Natal. As they watched they hastily
ate a meal, and having finished looked to their rifles.

All this while the unhappy men who had been wounded were being gently
conveyed to the wagons, and Jack and his friends pitied them, and
admired them for their fortitude. Scarcely a groan did they utter.
They bore their sufferings patiently and in silence, and won the
unstinted sympathy and praise of those who, by the fortune of war, had
been the cause of their trouble.

At last all were removed, the search-party retired, and the young Boer
who had at first replied to the white flag trotted up to the window and
once more expressed his thanks. Then he turned his horse and galloped
away, leaving the four inmates of the farmhouse to resume the desperate
and one-sided struggle.

CHAPTER TEN.

DESPERATE ODDS.

The sun had climbed some way into the heavens, and the day had already
advanced three hours on its course before Jack and his staunch little
following saw a horseman galloping across the veldt towards the
farmhouse.

He was a big, handsome man, well-dressed for a Boer, and wore a long
tawny beard. Attached to a stick which he held in his hand was a white
flag, and having ridden to within two hundred yards of the house he
waved it vigorously, and shouted to attract the attention of those
within. A moment later a handkerchief was fluttering from the window,
and Jack was waiting there in readiness to hold a parley.

"Good morning!" said the Boer in excellent English as he pulled up
alongside the window. "It's a grand day, and far too fine to be spoilt
by fighting. I've come from the commandant to offer you terms--liberal
terms. We believe Frank Russel is with you after all, and if so, as a
rebel he shall be shot. For the others, honourable captivity is
offered, and the girl shall be in my special charge. I have known he