Of the country our heroes could recall a flashing panorama of mountains, kopjes, and veldt. They had passed through the half-cleared portions of dark kloof, where tall trees were shooting above dense undergrowth. They had skirted mealie-fields and Kaffir kraals. They had crossed half-dried streams, with tangles of reeds lining the banks. They had startled quaggas, gnus, giraffes, and other tempting-looking game, and forced them to use their limbs over the wolds as the horses rushed along. They had seen snakes spring aside from their horses' hoofs, and natives who cheered them on their course with friendly cries; all through that line the Kaffirs knew who they were, and why they were speeding so swiftly from the country of the Boers. These natives, who waved their arms like signal-posts, were scouts who would have warned them had there been danger in front. They had seen with instantaneous glances all that they wanted to see, and were fortunately saved from the sight of their deadly enemies. But, until now, our heroes had hardly looked at the men who were risking their lives to help them over the border. Now, however, that they were outside Kruger's jurisdiction, they ventured to examine their brave rescuers. Twenty-six men, fully armed, rode beside them. They were all tall and stalwart fellows, with the exception of the leader, who appeared short beside these six-footers. They were also all bearded like middle-aged Boers, and costumed like burghers when on field-duty. Dust-covered as they were, and swarthy with sunburn, it was difficult to gauge their years. Judging from their faces and beards, they might have been any age from forty to fifty-five. From their movements, however, and figures, they ought to have been much younger men. "Well, boys," said the leader, "you have had a bad time of it lately; but I think your Transvaal troubles are about over--for the present, at least." He had kindly brown eyes, and an open fearless look about him that greatly took with our heroes. Also, in spite of his late exertions, he did not appear to be the least bit fatigued. "Thanks to you, sir, and these gentlemen, we have achieved what would have been impossible otherwise," answered Ned. "Yes; I own that Kruger's country is not easy to get out of, when the owners want to keep you. One thing this ride has done, I fear--closed a good road in or out for any future trekker. By Jove! there will be a nice kick-up over this affair, and no mistake. You'll have to make yourselves scarce for a while." "But surely we are quite safe in Rhodesia?" asked Ned. "Well, that remains to be seen. Kruger will make a mountain out of this ant-hill. Cables will be sent to the Home Government, demanding their prisoners to be arrested and returned to them, and large indemnities for the potted burghers." "And what will the British Government do?" "Sacrifice you, without a pause, to pacify the old man of Pretoria, and us also, if we can be traced."