"Never mind us, Baas. We know where to hide. You get along. The Boers will follow you." "Good-bye, brothers," shouted Ned. "Good-bye, Baas! I'll see you again by-and-by, never fear," cried Cocoeni in his full, deep tones. Next instant the troop were riding at full speed, while the Kaffirs had disappeared as if the earth had swallowed them. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. A RECORD RIDE. "Halt!" cried the leader, after they had ridden about a couple of miles at full speed. The company at once pulled in their well-trained horses and stood stock-still. They had quitted the track, and were now just behind the crest of a kopje, so that their pursuers could not be seen. "There, lads, change your prison togs for these more befitting rigs-out, and eat some of that tucker while we settle off a few of these accursed Kruger whelps. We have a ride before us which will beat Turpin's ride to York--for distance, at least--before we can next draw rein." His men had dismounted while he was speaking to our heroes, and ran back to the kopje's crest. They were now resting on their stomachs and taking aim at the approaching Boers. As he spoke he pointed to a bundle which was fastened to each of their saddles. "Get into these as fast as you can slip, and put inside you what you find in the centre of each swag. We must be off again within the next five minutes." Saying these words rapidly, he left them and the horses, and ran up to join his companions. Our heroes were out of their saddles, and had the bundles unrolled before he had run half a dozen feet. By the time he had taken his place on the kopje-top, they had got the riding pants and boots on, and were buttoning up. In half a moment more they were bracing on their waist-belts and bandoliers, etc., ready for the journey. Then they opened the saddle-bags and commenced devouring some biltong and biscuit, washing this down with modest sips of cold tea which they found in their water-bottles. Their teeth were sharp and their appetites keen with long fasting, therefore they made the welcome viands disappear as rapidly as they had dressed. Meantime those on the mound-top were busy. The Boers had galloped up with somewhat rash confidence, thinking that they had unarmed men to cope with. Those in hiding reserved their fire until the Boers were within a hundred yards. Then they fired unanimously, and emptied six saddles. There were only seven burghers left, and they drew rein in sudden consternation. Bang! went the second volley, and only one warder was left upright. Without waiting for his quietus, he wheeled about with the utmost promptitude, and raced back to the tronk as fast as his horse could carry him. They let him go, satisfied with the slaughter they had committed, and, rising, they ran back to their horses and mounted in hot haste. "It is saddle and spurs now, boys, until we get over the border. This morning's work will raise the Transvaal. Forward!"