The road was in a shocking state, and until the moon rose, which it did about nine o'clock, the journey was both difficult and dangerous.

After that things were a little better; and at last, about eleven o'clock, they reached Heidelberg.

The town seemed almost deserted.

Evidently the great body of the Boers were at the front, and had only left a guard at their seat of government.
"Where are we to outspan ?" asked John of the Unicorn, who was jogging on alongside, apparently half asleep.
"At the hotel," was the short reply, and thither they went.

Thankful enough they were to reach it, and to find, from the lights in the windows, that people were still about.
Notwithstanding the awful jolting of the cart, Jess had been asleep for the last two hours.