you are might well accept."

"Thank you," replied Jack courteously. "I will discuss your terms with
my comrades. Draw off as far as the railing and wait till I call you."

"Now, what shall we do?" he asked, jumping from the table. "Whatever
happens, I think Eileen had better trust herself to these men. The Boer
outside looks an honest sort, and I am sure he will do exactly as he
promised."

"I refuse to leave you!" exclaimed Eileen indignantly. "If you are not
going to surrender, I shall certainly not say `good-bye' now. My rifle
has proved of some help to you, and will be wanted badly later on. You
can settle the point as to surrender or not, Jack, but I am mistress of
my own actions, and shall throw in my lot with you."

"George! then I expect there's only one answer to be made!" cried Frank.
"We've shown them that this is a precious tough nut to crack, and we're
no worse off now than we were early this morning. Let us stick to it, I
say, and trust to the boys from Kimberley reaching us by nightfall."

"And I think the same," exclaimed Wilfred excitedly. "We've got the
cellar to hide in, and since it has already stood a long bombardment, it
will serve our purpose for a few hours longer. We've plenty of
ammunition and food and water. Yes, I quite agree. `Stick to it!' is
our motto."

"Very well, then," said Jack, with a grim chuckle, "I'll let this fellow
know."

Jumping up on the table he called to the Boer, and as soon as he bad
approached near enough told him the decision of the little garrison.

"We are much obliged for your kindness and for the terms you offer," he
called out, "and are only sorry we cannot accept them. We are willing
to retire from this house to Kimberley, if you will promise to let us go
unmolested, but we will not surrender. Miss Russel, too, refuses to
leave us. Now let me advise you again to leave us alone. We have
already shown you that we are determined not to be taken, and we mean it
more now than we did before. Grant us a free and safe passage into
Kimberley and end the matter. If you refuse, then you must take the
consequences, for my men are fully prepared to fight till they are
killed."

"How many of you are there?" asked the Boer craftily.

"Ah!" replied Jack with a knowing smile, "there are just as many here as
there were last night. Promise us a safe pass into the town and I will
give you our numbers."

"It is impossible," was the curt answer. "I have