So far all had gone well. Their danger now lay in the open country, which spread as clear under the moonlight as if it had been day. As they got away from the tronk wall they could easily be seen and potted by any of the authorities who might be posted about. However, this had to be risked, and the only course they could pursue at present was beside the main track. They therefore set off as fast as they could run, keeping to the grass, and making for the kopjes, which were some distance away. Ned had a notion that they would not have far to go before they met their friends, if their escape had not been already observed. Cocoeni kept alongside of our heroes, and carried both the rifle and pickaxe, which he had taken a fancy for since the gory deed it had been the instrument of. The rest scattered and kept on abreast over the valley. They ran past a couple of small houses, rousing the dogs, who started a chorus of loud yelps, but without disturbing the inmates, apparently. They were clear of the township now, and with the open country before them, yet by no means out of rifle-range, when a most unlucky accident happened. Cocoeni, by some carelessness or want of knowledge, suddenly let off the loaded rifle with a bang loud enough to wake the dead. Fortunately he had the rifle on his shoulder and pointing skyward, so that no one was hurt, but the effect meant disaster. It would rouse every Boer who heard it, and raise the tronk-keepers. "You have done it this time, Cocoeni!" cried Ned. "Now it must be neck or nothing. Forward, boys, with all the wind you can put on." There was no time to look behind and see what result that shot had produced. One and all spun over the ground like racers. "Ping! ping! ping!" came the bullets after them. The burghers had got out of their beds, and were driving away at them from the windows of the two houses. One poor Kaffir flung up his hands and fell on his face. The death of the sentry had already been avenged. Up the hillside they rushed; they were amongst the stones now, therefore better able to dodge the bullets. For one instant Ned glanced back, and what he saw quickened his paces. From the tronk gates a body of horsemen were riding out, and spreading out upon the road. "We're done for!" he gasped. "They'll be up to us in five minutes." At this instant his ears caught a clattering of hoofs in front of him, and, looking forward, he saw half a dozen horsemen galloping along the road, with three empty saddled horses amongst them. "Hurrah! we are saved!" he cried joyously. "Not yet, my son; but jump up without delay, and we'll do our best," answered one of the riders, as they reined up beside the escaped prisoners. "Halloa! you've got a tribe with you, I see," said the leader, as Ned and his chums sprang into the empty saddles. "Yes; what about them?" "They must run for it and take their chance; we have no more horses here."