‘You are right, Steve,’ said Harrison. ‘They are about the only two I have ever met. I wish I had the privilege to be a born Afrikander. I would not thus turn renegade, but would be only too happy to fight for my country; and, by God, if this is true about Jameson, I _will_ fight for them. If Englishmen can act as treacherously as this, then I shall disown my own country and become a true citizen of this, my adopted country; that, at least, would not be turning renegade, for I should be fighting for the country I live in.’ ‘And so say I, too,’ said Keith. Nande, seeing how the land lay, and the mistake he had made when he expected to be supported by the young Englishmen, backed out, and retreated behind his counter. The party now left, and returned to their camp with Steve’s cousin slinking on behind them. He kept out of Steve’s way for the rest of the evening, as he saw that he was in the minority now, and that was not a _rôle_ he delighted in playing. CHAPTER XI NEWS OF AN UNEXPECTED INVASION AND BREAK UP OF THE FISHING PARTY The next day fishing was resumed. Steve did not attach much credence to Nande’s story of Jameson’s invasion, so he was not much disturbed about it. He thought he had plenty of time to enjoy his little holiday and to be back home by the 6th January, when he would be able to watch events and be at hand in case his services were needed to defend his country. What a surprise awaited him! As the party returned about midday to camp for lunch, they found a young man there who had just drawn rein for a moment to let his sweating horse breathe, and get a drink of water for himself. ‘Hillo! Whither away in such a hurry?’ hailed Steve in a hospitable way. ‘Stay and have lunch with us.’ ‘I dare not. I am in a great hurry. Have you heard the news?’ ‘No; what is it?’ ‘Jameson has invaded Transvaal territory, and is marching on to Johannesburg.’ ‘My God! is it true after all?’ ‘Only too true. I am postmaster and telegraphist at H----, and I have just received a wire from headquarters to let the field cornet know at once, with orders for him to _commandeer_ every available Burgher without a moment’s delay. They are to guard the borders against any further invasion from any other direction. The Burghers from Potchefstroom, Rustenburg and Krugersdorp are ordered to intercept Jameson and to capture him before he enters Johannesburg.’ ‘May I know your name, sir?’ asked Steve. ‘Certainly; my name is A----n.’ ‘But that is a British name, is it not?’ ‘It is; but I am colonial born, and I consider myself an Afrikander, and I am going to stand by the Afrikanders to the bitter end. My God! do you think I will stand by and see our Republic invaded in such a treacherous manner, and not do all in my power to resist it? I am not obliged to bear dispatches in this way, but for such a cause I would do a great deal more.’