Fortunately for the travellers, there was a bright half moon, and by its light John managed to direct the cart over many a weary mile.

On he went for hour after hour, keeping his tired horses to the collar as best he could, till at last, about eleven o'clock, he saw the lights of Heidelberg before him, and knew that the question of whether or no his journey was at an end would speedily be decided for him.

However, there was nothing for it but to go on and take his chance of slipping through.

Presently he crossed a little stream, and distinguished the shape of a cart just ahead, around which men and a couple of lanterns were moving.

No doubt, John thought to himself, it was the Bishop, who had been stopped by the Boers.