ding the
newly-appointed _Veldtcornet_, by name De Koker, who had been lately
convicted of sheep-stealing. After a long idle morning and more
refreshments, they all adjourned to the living-room, where, with much
difficulty, one of them stumbled through the reading of a printed
proclamation, which enacted that "This country now being part of the
Transvaal, the residents must within seven days leave their homes or
enrol themselves as burghers." Nothing was mentioned about fighting, so
all there complied with what was required--namely, to sign their names
on a blank sheet of paper. By evening all had left for Mosita, as Mr. P.
had also mentioned Mr. Keeley's name in his unlucky note. Three,
however, remained to keep a watch on myself, and one of these, I
regretted to observe, was the jovially-inclined Dietrich. It can be
imagined that our irritation with Mr. P. was great for having so
foolishly mentioned names and places, and still more with the idiotic
bird, the real origin of a very unpleasant two days. I reflected that,
if these were the tricks carrier-pigeons were wont to play, I greatly
preferred the old nigger as a letter-carrier in wartime.

We were not to wait long for more developments. Next day at dusk arrived
a large cavalcade, which included Mr. Keeley, a prisoner. He went on
with his escort at daybreak, leaving us full of sympathy for his poor
wife. I sent by his bodyguard, under the command of another Dietrich,
brother to the drunkard, who seemed a decent sort of man, a letter to
General Snyman, begging for a pass into Mafeking to rejoin my husband.
Mr. Keeley told me their Intelligence Department was very perfect, as
they had been aware of every one of my movements since I left Mafeking,
and even of my rides during the last fortnight. He also told me General
Cronje and a great number of Boers had left Mafeking and trekked South.
This encouraged me in my belief that it would be better for me to be in
that beleaguered town than to submit to the possible insults of Boer
sentinels at Setlagoli.

The next day was Sunday, and in the morning returned the energetic
Veldtcornet De Koker. He had heard of my letter to Snyman, and, wishing
to be important, had come to offer me a pass to the laager for a
personal interview with the General, assuring me the latter was always
very polite to ladies. He even wished to escort me there that very day.
However, I had no mind to act hastily, so I made an excuse of the mules
bei