As for those other nine misses, they could easily be counted on the white. The self-satisfaction of our heroes died away at their own miserable display. They felt suddenly as if they were worthy only of contempt. "It isn't at all bad shooting for the first try at a new target," said the young men, encouragingly. "You must remember that we spend most of our evenings here, drilling and practising." That was something in their favour certainly. "You must join our squad; we go through our manoeuvres here every night from seven till ten o'clock. We have the very best instructors in the British Army to teach us, and I reckon we will make a good show when the time arrives to show our paces above the ground." Our heroes resolved that, while they remained in Johannesburg, they would fill out their evenings in this way. While they had been shooting, Philip Martin and the council were engaged in another part of the hall discussing politics. The message which Philip delivered to them seemed to give them universal satisfaction. But they were finished now, for Philip came forward and called the boys. "I am happy to tell you that you have been accepted as members of this society. Come and be sworn in." They followed him over to a table, where the secretary of the society was seated with the roll-book in front of him. "Young gentlemen," he said, "I am pleased to welcome you to Johannesburg, and proud to accept you as volunteers to the cause of liberty and the rights of Englishmen. Our cause is a just and a holy one, which must commend itself to every loyal member of the British race, whichever home he hails from. Our objects are threefold: first, to uphold the power and honour of our Empire, which means the spread of civilisation and humanity; secondly, the harmony and unity of Africa, and the federation of all our colonies under the protection of this Empire of Great Britain; thirdly, the downfall of all tyrants and traitors to the Empire. Experience has taught us that the Boer Government is an impossibility, and that while they, the Boers, have authority, there can be no peace or progress in Africa. They have denied us all the rights of human beings, and disgraced our name. They have shown us that they are our enemies and evil wishers. They have cajoled us too often for us to trust them any more, for they have proved themselves to be crafty, cruel, and pitiless savages, utterly unworthy of a place among nations. Therefore we are banded together to destroy this Dutch Republic in Africa, and restore the land, that traitors to England gave to these enemies, once again to the Empire as it was before. We are banded to unite the whole of South Africa under one flag, and that flag must be the British flag. Are you prepared to swear that you will help us to achieve this end, and wipe away the stains which these savages have placed upon that flag?" "We are," answered our heroes, earnestly.