of weeks behind
them, and refusing to listen to the entreaties of their presidents, who
were also compelled to join in an ignominious flight.

Pressing forward, Lord Roberts again attacked the enemy at Driefontein
and dispersed them, killing 102. Driven from post to post, the Boer
forces melted away from the neighbourhood of Bloemfontein, the capital
of the Orange Free State, and on March 13th the town was occupied by the
British without further opposition.

Then came suggestions of peace from President Kruger, demanding
independence for both republics; and in reply the English Government
refused to assure that independence, and declared its readiness to fight
to a finish.

When Jack was at last well enough to be moved, and was taken down
country and placed on board a ship, the Orange Free State burghers were
throwing down their arms in all directions, a column was marching to the
relief of gallant Mafeking, and our armies, the one in Natal and the
other at Bloemfontein, were preparing for another crushing stroke.

Eileen and Frank Russel accompanied Jack, and on the same ship were
Wilfred and his father and mother.

And how was the news of their coming received at Frampton Grange?

Almost every month had brought news of Jack, news of his daring and of
his pluck People who knew Mrs Somerton wrote to congratulate her, while
the neighbours for miles around made a point of calling to express their
admiration of her stepson. And at length, from cordially disliking
Jack, the two inhabitants of the old Grange had caught the general
infection, and were as loud as any in his praises. He was weak and ill,
and moreover he had much to blame them for, for neither had shown him
much kindness after his father's death; but they determined to make all
that good to him, and when at last our hero did arrive at his old home,
and, stepping from the carriage somewhat weakly, assisted the beautiful
and blushing Eileen to the ground, both Mrs Somerton and Frank were
there to greet them with a hearty welcome, while Frank Russel, who was
also one of the party, had no cause to complain of his reception.

A minute later a dapper little man, with clean-shaven face, jumped from
a trap which had just driven up, and Dr Hanly rushed forward to shake
Jack by the hand.

"My dear old boy," he cried excitedly, roused for once out of his usual
placidness, "how glad I am to meet you! What a monster you have grown,
and what a name you have made