"Yes," replied the doctor. "They will be passed on to their own people by the friendly Kaffirs, while if any care to come up here, the railway authorities have orders to forward them without delay." Our heroes rejoiced to hear this news, for their Kaffir friends had lain heavy on their minds since they had parted from them. "Then, by this time they are into British territory, for these fellows know their way about much better than either the Boers or we do. We shall have them up here in a few days. Now, I suppose, you are ready for your breakfast, and bed afterwards?" Our heroes were ready for their beds at least, although they declined the offer of any more refreshments. "Right you are." Cecil Rhodes pressed an electric knob at his side, and in another moment the Kaffir boy Pete appeared. "Show these young gentlemen to their bedrooms, Pete, and afterwards go to your own lair. I shall not require you any more this morning." He nodded to our heroes as he resumed his seat at the table. "We shall have a chat after you have rested. Don't hurry up before noon. Breakfast will be sent up to your bedrooms. Now, Jim, old fellow, you can do without sleep, I know, and there are three hours' hard work before us here to get over ere I can let you go." Dr Jim drew a chair up to the table, and prepared to listen to instructions. "I guess it is no sinecure that post of Dr Jim's," said Ned to his chums as they left the little house and walked after Pete towards the big one. "When does your master sleep, Pete?" "Never, I think," answered the boy. "He is always working and wide awake. When sun rises he will be off to the veldt for a long ride with Baas Jim, then all the day they will be working again. Sometimes he lie down on that little bed for half an hour after lunch, or he have a nap in his chair after dinner, but that is all he takes of sleep." When they got inside, the boy set on the electric light in the hall and staircase to show them up to their rooms. There he left them, as they desired him, to manage for themselves. Three nights before they had been slaves, with only a caked earth floor to lie upon. They were now the occupants of a sumptuous bedroom each, with every comfort and appliance that unlimited wealth could procure. Full of heartfelt gratitude, they knelt and poured out their thanks to the God who had protected them and liberated them from the house of bondage. Neither did they forget to blend the names of those who had been the instruments in His hands of their deliverance. Lastly, they prayed that He might watch over and guard the dark-skinned brothers who had escaped with them. After this grateful offering they crept into the comfortable beds, and very soon forgot all the troubles of the past. CHAPTER NINETEEN. THEY START ON THEIR ADVENTURES. "Well, boys, at last we are having our desires and realising our wildest dreams."