CHAPTER TWELVE.

GALLANT MAFEKING!

Had he been the bearer of the most eagerly-looked-for news, Jack could not have received a more enthusiastic welcome than he obtained from the gallant little garrison of Mafeking. As he staggered into the town, hot, dusty, and dishevelled, and worn out with his long tramp, a horn was sounded, and hosts of men flocked towards him, and, gathering in a circle round him, listened while Colonel Baden-Powell--affectionately known as B.-P. by his men--questioned him.

A stiff gla.s.s of brandy made him feel quite fresh again, and, sitting down on a box at the colonel's invitation, Jack detailed his news and delivered his despatch. That done, he was hurried off by a number of the town volunteers to an underground cell built close behind a parapet of sand-bags, and there given a couple of blankets to lie on. He was tired out by his long march, and in a few moments was asleep.

When he woke again the afternoon was far advanced. Rising from his bed, he crawled out of the cell and found a young fellow busily tending some pans suspended over a blazing fire.

"Oh, there you are at last!" the latter exclaimed cheerfully. "We've been dying to hear all your news, but have had to wait patiently for you to wake up. Can I do anything for you?"

"Yes, if you could tell me where I can obtain a bucket of water and a makeshift for a towel I should be obliged," answered Jack cheerfully.

"I haven't had a wash for three days."

"Oh, that's nothing!" the other answered, with a gay laugh. "It's nearly three weeks since I had a shave, and when I got a look at myself in a bit of gla.s.s yesterday I nearly had a fit. Such a fright I look with this beard! But we're all the same, that's one comfort. But you want some water! You'll find some behind that house over there. Keep your eyes open as you go, and if you hear the horn sound make a bolt for this bomb-proof cell. We always keep a fellow on watch, and as soon as he sees the smoke from the Boers' guns he sounds his horn and we all run for shelter. It generally gives us plenty of time to get under cover.

But sometimes some poor chap is caught."

Jack thanked the volunteer for his information, and strolled across to the house. There was a pump and trough behind it, and, stripping off his coat and shirt, he enjoyed a thorough rinse. He had already borrowed a towel, and on returning he obtained a small piece of comb and the corner of a splintered looking-gla.s.s, and made his hair tidy. Then he stood outside the cell and chatted with the volunteer who had first spoken to him, and asked him to tell him what had occurred at Mafeking.

"Oh, we've had pretty lively times, I can tell you, Somerton!" the young fellow exclaimed jovially. "Of course you know that B.-P. turned up here some weeks ago, and started at once to enlist a colonial mounted corps. There wasn't much difficulty about it either, for we knew something about him, and rushed to put in our names. Then old Kruger despatched his ultimatum, and we sent most of our women and children south with Nesbit, who, as I dare say you have already heard, was captured on the return journey. By October 14th we were surrounded, but B.-P. didn't let the gra.s.s grow much before he was at them. For instance, on the 13th he sent out a couple of trucks of dynamite, which were a positive danger to us in the town. They were attached to an engine, and backed a mile or more up the line. The Boers spotted them, and galloped forward when they saw the engine uncouple and steam back without them. I suppose they thought they were armoured trucks filled with men, and when they were within close range blazed away at them.

There was a terrific explosion, and it is reported that a hundred were killed. Then on the 14th we made a sortie and drew our friends into an ambush, in which they suffered still more heavily.

"Since that time there has not been much doing, though I expect we shall beat them again soon. A few days ago they started bombarding us at a range of two and a half miles with three Krupp guns, but now they have got some heavier metal about five miles away, and the sh.e.l.ls are by no means pleasant. Still, we have come off well up to this. Now, Somerton, the fellows will not be back for half an hour, so give me some of the outside news."

Jack told him all he knew about Glencoe and the campaign in Natal, and wound up with his ride to Kimberley and on to Mafeking.

"'Pon my word, I believe you have seen more of the war than anyone!"

exclaimed his friend enviously. "But I suppose I ought not to grumble.

Here we are, volunteers, and a detachment of the Munster Fusiliers, and townsmen, about 1200 all told, and if things turn out as is expected we shall have precious tough work to hold the place against the enemy."

"From what you have told me of B.-P. I have no doubt you will see plenty of fighting before the siege is over," answered Jack. "For my part, this despatch work is more fascinating than any. It gives one a splendid outdoor life, with plenty of adventure, and the dangers are not really more than those you incur here. You never know when these sh.e.l.ls may drop on your head, so that, however carefully you keep below the sand-bag parapet, you may be struck down at any moment."

A few minutes later ten men came hurrying along the street, and joined Jack and the volunteer. They had just been relieved of picket duty, and tackled the meal which had been preparing for them with the greatest gusto. A stalwart, sunburnt set of young Englishmen they were. Dressed in the usual riding kit and shirt, with sleeves rolled up to the elbow and slouch hat upon their heads, they looked capable of the toughest fighting. Nearly every one of these young fellows was the younger son of gentlefolks in England. Restless young spirits, full of pluck and go, who had failed in their examinations at home, or could not settle down to the humdrum life of an office in London. One could easily imagine that only a few years before every one of them was the pride and joy of some particular public school in old England--the kind of boy who captained the football or cricket teams, and with the roar of his schoolfellows' cheers behind him carried the leather to the back of the goal-posts of some opposing team; or perhaps the calm, big-limbed, young hero, dressed in white flannels and shirt, who stood fast at the wickets and saved the day for his comrades, sending the strongest b.a.l.l.s delivered to him away to the boundary. That is the kind of lad that most of these had been, and now, under vastly altered circ.u.mstances, they showed the same sort of spirit. Throwing themselves upon the ground in the shade, they ate their meals with a good appet.i.te. Then, pulling out their pipes, they made a circle, and listened eagerly to Jack's news.

In the middle of a glowing description of Glencoe and the storming of the heights of Talana Hill a horn sounded in the distance, and instantly all scuttled into the bomb-proof shelter. They were not a moment too soon. Less than five seconds later a huge sh.e.l.l shrieked just above their heads, and, striking the house opposite, exploded with a terrific flash and roar, shattering the walls to pieces.

"That's bad luck!" one of the volunteers snouted; "it has smashed up our sleeping quarters, and has set them on fire. Tumble up, you fellows, and set to work to put the flames out!"

Jack joined the others, and helped to fling water on the flaring timbers. The fire was soon put out, and they returned once more to continue the yarn.

"Well, you've seen a good deal of service already, Somerton," said one of the young fellows, "but if you have nothing to do to-morrow, and care for a new experience, I will take you out to snipe the enemy. It's a slow game, but has its excitements. We shall have to crawl out in the dark about three o'clock, take up our quarters outside, and wait there till the following night. Perhaps we shall not get a shot all day. But on the other hand we may bag a few of the Boers who show themselves.

Will you come?"

Jack willingly a.s.sented, and next morning, when it was still dark, followed the young volunteer outside the defences. Each carried a rifle and plenty of ammunition, field-gla.s.ses, water and food sufficient to last the day.

"Now the thing is to get hold of a spot where there is some shade to be had," said the young volunteer, whose name was Francis. "I know a splendid place, where we shall be able to get out of the rays of the sun. We can lie there together and chat. It is much better than being by one's self."

Picking their way carefully amongst the boulders, Jack and Francis soon reached a ma.s.s of rock which had been specially prepared for sniping.

It was really a gigantic boulder, which had at some time split, the two portions rolling a few feet apart. In the gap between, a little wall of boulders and sand-bags had been made. Francis stretched a blanket from one piece of the rock to the other, and kept it in position by means of stones.

"That's all right," he said, with satisfaction. "However hot the sun is we shall be sheltered from it. Now we'll get our rifles ready, and have a snooze till the dawn breaks."

Placing their weapons against the wall in front, they rolled themselves in their blankets and soon dozed off. An hour later the sun was up, and both prepared for action.

"You've been under fire before, at Glencoe, Somerton," said Francis, "but I fancy you will find this rather different. The Boers hate us fellows who come out here to take potshots at them worse than all the rest. It makes it impossible for them to show themselves for long.

Every shot we fire will be answered by a dozen rifles or more, and sometimes they will let off a sh.e.l.l at us. It gets pretty warm work at times. But I dare say you'll get used to it."

"I fancy I have had a share of it already," replied Jack coolly. "You see, before I got out of Glencoe I had some experience of it, and just outside Kimberley a force of Boers bombarded the house in which some friends and I had sheltered, and riddled it with bullets."

"By Jove! Really!" Francis exclaimed in surprise; for, had the truth been known, he was almost wishing he had not brought this young despatch-rider out with him on such a trying expedition till he had learnt how he conducted himself under fire. "Really!" he repeated, lifting his eyebrows with astonishment. "You did not tell us anything about it last night when all the fellows were asking you for news. Let me know all about it at once, there's a good chap! It will help to pa.s.s the time, and we can keep a sharp look-out all the same."

"Oh, it was only a small matter, and of little interest!" said Jack in reply; "but if you would really care to hear it I will start right away."

Accordingly, lying p.r.o.ne behind the breastwork of boulders, Jack commenced his yarn, and modestly told his companion how he had saved a comrade at Talana Hill, and how some days later he had rescued Eileen Russel from the hands of the Boers.

Meanwhile they had kept their eyes open, and had broken off the narrative to fire a couple of shots apiece, one of which evidently found its mark. In response a storm of Mauser bullets was hurled at them on each occasion, and once a sh.e.l.l tore through the air above their heads, and swept the blanket away. In an instant Jack was on his feet, and, running across to the spot to which the blanket had been carried, picked it up, and with the utmost coolness and nonchalance replaced it over their sniping ground.

It was a bold if somewhat foolhardy act, for bullets swished past him all the while, and even threw up the dust between his feet without striking him. But it was just one of those daring deeds for which our countrymen are noted, not performed in the hope of obtaining praise, but merely out of cool bravado, and to show the enemy that pluck is still a feature of the race.

When Jack threw himself down again behind the shelter and commenced to fill his pipe, the remarkable calmness, not to say absolute carelessness of danger, of this new comrade filled the garrison, who happened to be looking on, with wild enthusiasm, and they cheered loudly.

As for Francis, himself by no means a coward, he was quite upset.

"Well, I'm jiggered!" he exclaimed, shaking Jack warmly by the hand.

"Here are you walking about under fire as cool as an icicle, and only an hour ago I was wondering whether, after all, I had been wise to ask you to come out here, and whether you would funk a bit when the bullets began to fly. I can tell you this is one of the warmest jobs to be found, as you can see for yourself, and I've known fellows who were good at a sortie, and always did their fair share in a fight, who couldn't stand this kind of work. It's too cold-blooded for them. Let them get their monkey up and they are fit for any job; but to lie down here in the open, and never know when a sh.e.l.l may knock you to pieces, is too trying for them. Somerton, you're a perfect wonder. Just fancy your arriving in time to save that girl! She was an old friend of yours, wasn't she? Dear me, can I congratulate you, old chap? Any engagement?"

"Oh, humbug; of course not!" Jack exclaimed warmly, flushing up to the roots of his hair. "Both Eileen Russel and I are far too young to be thinking of marriage; besides, I've only met her a few times. What rot you talk, Francis! Look out, there's a Boer showing up over there!"

Jack got quite wrathful, and, taking up his rifle, fired at the man who had just appeared, and had the satisfaction of seeing him go limping away.

That appeased him, and he once more chatted in a friendly manner with Francis. But in spite of himself, Eileen's pretty face would appear before him in fancy as he lay there puffing at his pipe, and he could not help wondering with some anxiety how she was, and whether a safe place had been found for her in Kimberley, where she would be out of harm's way.

That night, when they slipped back within the defences, they received quite an ovation, and Jack was compelled to repeat the story of his adventures. In return for doing so he was offered the very last bottle of beer to be obtained in the town.

"You're a plucky young beggar," exclaimed one of the garrison, "and as a mark of our appreciation we offer you this. Take it at once and drink it, or else the others will repent and want it back. We've run clean out of beer, worse luck, for in this hot weather something else besides water is wanted. And a fellow begins to long for a change, too, especially when he's been used to taking it. Why, only two days ago one of the officers who was at school with me happened to pa.s.s, and I offered him one of our precious bottles. He nearly fainted, it was such a treat, for the poor beggars are worse off than ourselves in that respect."

Jack laughed heartily at the anecdote, and, pouring out the beer, drank to the health of all present. Then someone started a song, and for two hours the party kept the town awake. Then they wrapped themselves in their blankets and all became quiet, and nothing disturbed the silence save an occasional challenge from a picket as the officer made his rounds.

The next day was Sunday, and by mutual agreement a day of peace for Boers and British alike. In the enemy's camp solemn services were held in the open air, while in solitary little Mafeking all who could flocked to the church. In the afternoon everyone gathered in the market square where the band played, and before they parted for the night stood stiffly at attention, hat in hand, or at the salute, while the National Anthem was played.

And outside, lying in their cheerless trenches, the Boers heard it, and forgot to jeer as formerly; for this little town, far away from all help, with its indomitable commander and plucky garrison, had already taught them in the s.p.a.ce of less than a month more respect for the British than they had learnt in their whole lives before. They listened to the strains in silence, and a chill went through many of their frames, for it was beginning now to dawn upon them that England's day was still to come; and in their heart of hearts the majority of these st.u.r.dy peasants believed that that day was getting close at hand, and that when it came they too would acknowledge England as their ruler just as their forefathers had done years before. It was a bitter thought to these misguided men, to whom independence was so dear, and damped their spirits so effectually that they preserved a sullen silence and listened to the distant strains of the band despondently.

On the following day Jack received a message from one of the officers who acted for Colonel Baden-Powell, and on entering the bomb-proof fort in which the latter lived, was asked if he was willing to ride out of the town again.

"We are naturally anxious to know how Colonel Plumer and the Rhodesian forces are doing at Tuli," the officer said, "and also whether we can receive relief from them. Will you undertake to find out, and return with whatever information you can get? We can supply you with a good horse, and I have also a map and a compa.s.s which will help you on the way."

Jack jumped at the offer, for it was just the kind of adventurous work that suited him.

"I will do my best," he answered, "and I think I stand a good chance of getting through, for I have already prospected up some way north of this, though not so far as Tuli. I shall be ready to start to-night, and with luck shall be back here in three weeks' time."