The Holly chieftain., 1900-05-25
ON TIE VELDT
a South Africoa Love Story

AOA SOn4 AA0A kA44 > 48Iu AN4A001V0U
parties OF Beers were about, and ex-
trerne caution was necessary. This
meant slow progress. and It was not
until the second evening that he reach
ed the homestead. Dismounting, he
raped on the door. but elected no
response. and 1t was soon evident that
John Martin was absent. Upon look
ing round. Hendrick discovered the
frightened face of q Kaflr boy, peep
ing at him over a fence.
"Halloa, Cabbage! Where is your
master?"
"Baasl him dun gorn way"
Where tor
"Baas Shiel i'm dun took i'm way"
"Shiel!"
"sarten. i'm ride up, big many.
took Baas Martin. tied um hands, an
dun gorn way.
Which way did they rlde?"
Cabbage um follow Baas-Glencoe
then um come back here an wait
TO Baas."
And then Hendrick realized that
the worst had come to pass, and John
Martin was prisoner in the hands
OF Commander ShieI.
Il will not return with such meagre
news" he said to himself. II. will
push on toward Glencoe and learn
more. even II have to penetrate in
their camp"
He accordingly made his way to-
wards Glencoe and found his progress
more difficult every mile. Time after
time he was stopped by bands of
Beers, but always got away by saying
that he was riding to join Shiel's COM
mando. AS he had taken the precau-
ton to wear his own clothes, this ex-
PLANTATION was accepted as satisfactory,
Nearing the heights of Glencoe,
Hendrick thought 1t prudent to re-
main In hiding until evening. Teth-
ering his horse in a small wood, he
concealed himself in some bushes and
endeavored to get some sleep. He was
awakened some hours later by the
sound Of voices. and peering from his
place Of concealment, he discerned
party Of Beers on horseback about
twelve yards away.
Do you think they will attack to-
night?" rT
Either tonight or tomorrow morn
Ing. Villjoen brought word"
Well, he is reliable scoundrel."
"A good spy. Well, II the cursed
Rooineks storm Glencoe they will ind
our guns manned by their own coun-
trymen"
AYE! manned by Rooineks with
their hands tied behind their backs.
Ha. ha, good plan of Shells to truss
those who refuse to fight and make
them targets for their friends. I'm
sorry for John Martin, though-he was
a good friend"
They moved away, and Hendrick
realized from their conversation that
Shiel had tied those who had refused
to join his commando behind the Boer
guns. SO that there was every possi-
bility of their being killed should the
English make an assault
Carefully picking his way he led his
horse to within two miles Of the Boer
position. After making the animal Sc
cure he proceeded on foot. He ad-
vanced at first without any attempt at
concealment. answering when chal-
lenged that he was on his way to Shiel
with news of the enemy fsss
The audacity Of this proceeding was
justified by Its success, and Hendrick
found himself well inside the Boer
position almost without question. On
the ridge where the guns were posted
some twenty men were lying. Hem
drick walked among them unsuspect-t
ed. They could not tell whether he
had Just Joined the commando or had
been with them for weeks. New ar
rivals were pouring In daily.
Passing along the ridge Hendrick
came to the guns. and there, with his
hands tied behind him and secured to
the gun carriage, lay John Martin.
Mr.. Martini"
The captive looked at him wearily.
Il am Hendrick-sst-make no
noise---do not speak. Miss Nancy is 4
safe at Durham. The English storm
this position tomorrow, will cut your
bonds. but 1t is all, can do for you
II you can escape you will find my
horse in the brush. two miles along
the road to the right. Should you see
Nancy again, say l did my best to
keep my promise"
He hastily severed the captIve's
bonds. and bidding Martin hold his
hands as If still tied. he left him the
knife and passed along the ridge. He
proceeded down the mountain and was
lust congratulating himself on his
lucky escape. when he was confronted
by band of armed men.
They challenged him, and he gave