The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-10

followed the pillow; boys we're there III
the garb in which they herded the cattle
or guided the long OK trains. Their
yisage was grimly sOlemn-man and
boy. AS they retreated along the trek S
tanks, holding together in squads, I'M
disciplined save by the force engendered
by each mans love of land, each mans
determination to follow to the end a
common purpose, officers galloped among
them. Among these officers was old
Dom Jan, and for all his years, his
eye was as bright and his form as erect
in the saddle as those of his people of
30 years younger than he. He scanned,
as he rode, the faces of those sharp
shooters whom he passed, delivering a
deadly fire. upon the enemy and many
he knew and many he spoke to. But one
he knew, and yet knew not, for the face
puzzled him, until, finding Peter, his
son, eager-eyed and busy, he pointed
the stranger out and asked if Peter
knew who he was and from what dis
trict he came. Then, looking at his
boys face, he smiled and said:
He's not unlike you, my sol"
So Peter. finding AN opportunity, as
they moved position, drew close to the
stranger, and at once knew who it was,
although the yellow hair was closely cut
and the trim, cape made dress had given
place to the rude Boer farmer lads.
"Marthar' he cried.
She looked at him with smile
lis there amy other way or better way
in which | can prove | did not mean
treason?" she asked
He was bewildered.
Where did you get these clothes?'
Cousin Hofmeyr is sick and | went
to his farm and took them.
He said nothing more for awhile, then
asked:
do you know that Lieut.. Venable is
with them?"
HE is dead" she said
Martha" he said after long pause,
father and L were furious last night,
but-but-this makes things"
From in front come prolonged call
the Boer bugle call, and there was no
time to seek Dom Jan. A high hill was
at hand, and the Beers plan of battle
was nearing it's complete development
1t was Majuba hill. The Beers retired,
and their relentless sharpshooting slack
ened. The unfortunate English general
seized the chance to occupy the hill,
1t was vain move. The soldiers were
almost unprotected. The Beers swarm
ed about in force, and their firing be-
came more destructive than ever. In
desperate fashion the English charged
down the steep, rocky side. They drop
ped before they reached the foe. But
they held on with racial grlmness and
determination. The Beers gave vent at
last to shouts of triumph. They had
the enemy in a trap, such trap as Mar
tina had warned her lover was immi-
nent. The general died by his own
hand, fearful of disgrace. The little
boy was dead with his father, but the
awful torrent of bullets from these
soldier hunters poured in relentleSsly.
Now and again, as desperate English
men formed and charged in sort or
forlorn hope, they and the Beers came
face to face and hand 20 hand, and
more than once when this happened the
traitress was there, her gun and her re-
volver doing their work. Peter was
apart, too busy to think of her. Dom
Jan did not know she was there. In the
hurry and the scurry of the day nobody
but Peter had recognized her. AT last
there came down the hill, with cheer,
a company of Englishmen, led by d