th nature's adornment, this
prehistoric beauty had fixed a great white ostrich feather in her
well-greased tresses, which drooped down upon her neck and shoulder.
The Intelligence officer bowed deeply in order to keep his feelings in
due subordination. The lady was not slow to introduce herself.
Dropping one armful of a skirt that was so voluminous that it had to
be held in both hands, she limply took the officer's hand.

_Frau._ "Good morning. I am Mrs Van Herden; this is my man[32]
(_indicating the meek son of the house_). We are glad to see you. Will
you have some coffee?" (And as she spoke a microscopic Kaffir maid
appeared with the inevitable coffee on a tray.)

_Intelligence Officer._ "Thank you, madam, but I must first search the
house and outhouses."

_F._ "You are welcome to do that. We are perfectly loyal. Have you not
heard what the Van Herdens did in the Kaffir wars, and my grandfather
was Scotch."

_I. O._ "It is only a matter of form, madam. Any one could see that
you were loyal!"

_F._ "Are you a general, mister?"

_I. O._ "No; I ought to be if I had my deserts; but I am the next best
thing. I'm the general's secretary." (Thereupon the old man grunted
approval, while the chorus of gaping maids nodded an endorsement
behind him.)

_F._ "Can I see the general, Mister Secretary?"

_I. O._ "That depends upon the information which you give me now. Why
do you wish to see him?"

_F._ "My children have never seen an English general; besides, this is
the first time that the English have ever been to the house; we
should like to cook a dinner for the English general!"

_I. O._ "But your children have seen Burgher generals?"

_F._ "Oh, yes; they are nothing. We had Commandant Brand here
yesterday!"

_I. O._ "When did he leave?"

_F._ "Early this morning!"

_I. O._ "Which way did he go?"

_F._ "He went out on the veldt; they took the Strydenburg road. But
they were Free Staters; you cannot say where they were going. They
would tell us Strydenburg, and then go somewhere else. You see, they
knew that you were close!"

_I. O._ "How many men had he with him?"

_F._ "Only a few. It was a small horse commando, perhaps twenty. All
Free Staters!"

The old patriarch, who had been fumbling in his pocket, now produced a
slip of paper which he presented to the Intelligence officer. The
writing on the paper ran as follows:--

"_O.V.S. Receipt for Property Commandeered._

"Taken from Jan Van Her