Now, indeed, he was beginning his fresh tenure without any pretence of wearing gloves. Whoever dared to oppose his autocratic tyranny, and stand up for any other laws than those which his will dictated, was to be swept out of the way. At this act of tyranny, worse than any that the Stuarts ever perpetrated, even Philip Martin looked anxious. "It is the beginning of the end," he said. "Cecil Rhodes's last message was for us to hold on and lie low. How much longer will we be allowed to do this?" Kotze protested against this unlawful outrage, and refused to accept his dismissal. But he gained no more by that than the Uitlanders had done. The inhabitants of Johannesburg were struck dumb when they heard of this scandal, coupled with the tidings that the president's late illness had been all shammed. Even the Boers themselves were staggered, as this touched their rights as much as it demolished all safety for the Uitlanders. Throughout Africa a wave of expectant horror passed. What would this hoary tyrant not do next, now that he had demolished the law? He was supreme. Anarchy and massacre would possibly be the next order of the day. Once again, as in the time of the Jameson Raid, men began to send away their wives and children, and prepare themselves for the inevitable. On the morning that our heroes took their walk, they found the streets and between the chains blocked with people. But no business was being done, neither did men venture to speak to each other. Every one suspected his fellow to be a spy. Business was at a complete stand, and they watched the Zarps hustling the pedestrians about, and inwardly speculated when the Krupp guns would begin their devastating work. Anything might be expected now from Pretoria. With that first act Kruger had pitched the gauntlet straight in the face of England. Surely he must have already completed his arrangements with Germany. Halfway down the street the young men met Philip Martin. He was no longer looking so anxious as he had been the past few days. He stopped for a moment and whispered to Ned. "Hold yourselves in readiness to leave for Rhodesia tomorrow. I shall have a message for you to carry." "Oh," replied Ned, a little disappointed. "Must we clear out before the fun begins?" "Don't be afraid. Nothing will take place here yet awhile. This present buster will blow over. I have just had a bit of news which will make the old gentleman draw in his horns for a bit." "That's all right," answered Ned, laughing. Philip Martin had only turned his back on them when four Zarps, who had been watching them, came forward, scattering the people to right and left. Their batons were drawn, and their purpose unmistakable. Doom had come upon our heroes. "Look out, boys!" cried Ned, as he sprang to the nearest wall, and planted his back against it. As he did so, he saw amongst the onlookers Stephanus Groblaar.