ore exasperating, and he finally became a veritable
ruler of the house, with the result that there were many changes in the
household. The first to leave was the old butler, who had been for
years in the service of the family, and then one by one the other
domestics quitted the house.

Kruger's ultimatum was delivered, hostilities commenced, and mother and
son scanned the newspapers and the long list of casualties with
expectant feelings. Judge of their disappointment, then, when, instead
of wounded, killed, or missing, Jack's name appeared in large type, and
beneath it a long article describing the adventures of a young
Englishman, by name Jack Somerton, of a good old family at home, who had
ridden from Kimberley to Johannesburg to aid the refugees, and had
afterwards brought news to the beleaguered town, after having
accomplished a gallant deed on the way.

No sooner had this appeared than another telegram announced his
successful dash for Mafeking, and his subsequent daring ride to the
north.

Then came silence. There was no news of him. Messages from Tuli and
Mafeking stated that nothing further had been heard of him, and it was
feared that he had been captured. But advices from Pretoria failed to
mention his name amongst the lists of prisoners, and the master and
mistress of Frampton Grange felt their hopes rise high.

But later, after more than a month of silence, the busy flash-light from
Ladysmith explained how Jack Somerton had come nobly to the fore again.

Dr Hanly was beside himself with pride and pleasure, and no sooner had
he read the news than he darted off to the Grange and congratulated Mrs
Somerton. He was an observant man, was this little doctor; given to
thinking charitably of everyone; but when he saw the little enthusiasm
his intelligence caused he was astounded and disgusted, and at once left
the house with the firm intention of never going there again till Jack
returned.

Dr Hanly was not the only neighbour who showed his appreciation of our
hero's services to his country. From far and near people called to
offer their congratulations, and letters poured in in shoals. So much
so, indeed, that Mrs Somerton and her son gradually began to look upon
the other side. They were not altogether bad or selfish, and in time
they too, feeling a kind of reflected glory, began to think more kindly
of the homeless lad they had treated so harshly. In this satisfactory
condition we will leave the