ay. We said we would
go through the Orange Free State to Harrismith, and so into Natal; but I
begin to think that our best route will be by way of Johnny's Burg and
on through Laing's Nek. But there is no saying. We must do whatever
seems best, but get out of this we must at all costs."

About half an hour later the speed of the train slackened, and, climbing
out on to the footboard, Jack and Guy jumped off in turn, alighting on
the soft grassy veldt without hurting themselves. Then they turned to
the right and tramped on steadily all night.

When morning dawned they were well on the way to Johannesburg, and by
the following night had struck the railway some miles below that town.
That same night they boarded a goods train bound for Natal, and hid
themselves beneath a sheet of coarse canvas which was thrown over an
immense Creuzot gun being taken south to add its fire to the bombardment
of Ladysmith.

It was a long and tedious run, but no one disturbed them, and two days
later they ran through the tunnel at Laing's Nek, and on through
Newcastle without stopping.

When nearing Ladysmith Jack and Guy left the truck which had proved such
a friendly shelter to them, and striking away from the line hid
themselves close to the summit of a solitary hill. And here, behind a
breastwork of boulders, they threw themselves on the ground and slept
till the sun came up.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

AN ALARMING PREDICAMENT.

When Jack Somerton and his friend Guy Richardson awoke on the morning
following their escape into Natal, and looked out cautiously between the
rough boulders which surrounded and hid them from sight, a scene at once
picturesque and awe-inspiring met their eyes. They were on the top of
an immense and precipitous hill, situated some three miles from the
railway, and almost encircled by a wide plain of lovely grass land,
looking beautifully cool and green beneath the rays of the morning sun.
Away in the distance, and jutting forward on to the grassy plain, were
hills and short mountain ranges innumerable, their summits for the most
part brilliantly lit up, and flashing back the light from the white
faces of thousands of boulders, while the valleys between were still
hidden in deep shadows and mist. Here and there, nestling in among the
hills or out on the open veldt, were groves of waving trees, while away
in the distance the sparkle of an immense cascade of water could be
distinctly seen.

It was a peac