The intriguing in the colony, the reckless expenditure of the Transvaal Secret Service money, the bribery and corruption of the most corrupt Government of modern times, would have gone on as before, and things would soon have been as bad as ever.  Mr. Keeley was positive that it was jealousy that had engendered this race hatred one heard so much about; even the well-to-do Dutch knew the English were superior to them in knowledge and enterprise.  At the same time any English invention was looked upon with awe and interest; they were wont to copy us in many respects, and if a Dutch girl had the chance of marrying an Englishman, old or young, poor or rich, she did not wait to be asked a second time.  There is no doubt the women were a powerful factor in Boerland.  Even a Britisher married to a Dutchwoman seemed at once to consider her people as his people, and the Transvaal as his fatherland.  These women were certainly the most bitter against the English; they urged their husbands in the district to go and join the commandoes, and their language was cruel and bloodthirsty.

* * * * *

Towards the middle of November I decided that I could not remain in my present quarters much longer.  My presence was attracting unwelcome attention to my kind host and hostess, albeit they would not admit it.  From the report that I was a man dressed as a woman, the rumour had now changed to the effect that I was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, sent specially out by Her Majesty to inform her of the proceedings of her rebellious subjects.  Another person had heard I was the wife of the General who was giving the Boers so much trouble at Mafeking.  I determined, therefore, to return to Mrs. Fraser’s hotel, which was always a stage nearer Mafeking, whither I was anxious to return eventually.  As a matter of fact, there was no alternative resting-place.  It was impossible to pass south to Kimberley, to the west lay the Kalahari Desert, and to the east the Transvaal.  With many grateful thanks to the Keeleys, I rode off one morning, with Vellum in attendance, to Setlagoli, which I had left a month before.  We thought it prudent to make sure there were no Boers about before bringing the Government mules and cart.  Therefore I arranged for my maid to follow in this vehicle if she heard nothing to the contrary within twenty-four hours.  Mrs. Fraser was delighted to see me, and reported the Boers all departed after a temporary occupation, so there I settled down for another period of weary waiting.

FOOTNOTES: 

[26] The Boers used better ammunition later.

[27] Boer national flag.

[28] Clergyman.

[29] Mr. Murchison was shut up in the gaol awaiting Lord Roberts’s confirmation of his sentence.  When Eloff succeeded in entering Mafeking many months later, the former was liberated with the other prisoners, and given a rifle to fire on the Boers, which he did with much effect.  I believe he was afterwards taken to a gaol in the Isle of Wight, but I do not know if his life-sentence is still in force.