nly a second-cousin of the other.

"Later on we had a visit from Commandant Trichardt. He also expressed
regret, saying he had men of all nations, and could not keep order.

"But it's funny to watch them. They never salute an officer or stand at
attention; they talk and crack jokes round them, and when ready, say,
'Let's be going.' This, mind, to men in command.

"They shot our sheep.

"I sent my youngest son into camp. The Boers asked after several people,
whom the child did not know. They crowded round him a dozen deep. The
young native with him began to cry, but the boy enjoyed it. He picked
out a number of horses, which they eventually caught again and cleared
with. He spotted the ugly fellow who wanted to steal his pony, and
called out, 'You wanted to take my horse, and to-day you've got Scrick,
the fright.'

"The others laughed and jeered the fellow.

"They told us some funny tales. One was that the balloons are the
English people's gods, but Slim Piet sent L5 worth of shot at one and
brought it down, as he wanted to see it.

"Another was, 'We don't mind Rhodes, but show us old Franchise; that's
the man we want.'

"Some say they are tired of this life, as they have it 'bitter sware,'
but will fight for their country for five years, as they believe this is
the war the Bible speaks of. After this we shall have a thousand years'
peace.

"On Sunday a skirmish took place. David Joubert's son was wounded. They
fired on to the Hoek farmhouse.

"On Wednesday heavy firing was heard in the direction of Willow Grange,
and on Friday every man was on the alert. We, knowing nothing of the
outside world, expected a night attack, and put food and wraps ready for
the night, as we were afraid of the British shells coming on to the
house.

"They advised us to hoist the white flag, but we steadily refused, nor
will we carry a flag of truce, as they advised, if we left the house for
a hundred yards....

"One man came for dry firewood, and tried to be agreeable; gave a very
vivid description of our balloons, and finished off by saying, 'You
would have laughed last night (Friday night). The Dutch and Fusiliers
got mixed up. When they found it out, one ran one way and one the other.
The Fusiliers shot one of our scouts only; but they are good fellows,
these Fusiliers; they are nearly as tough as we are.'

"One had a big lump out of his leg, his hand blown off, and a hole in
his cheek. He stood up and said, 'Well, I've ha