Provisions at Setlagoli and in the surrounding districts were now fast running out, and Mrs. Fraser announced to me one morning she had only full allowance of meal for another week.  In that colony no meal meant no bread, and it was, in fact, the most important factor in the housewife’s mind when thinking of supplies.  While on this subject, I must remark what very excellent bread is that made by the Dutch; no matter how poor or dilapidated the farmhouses, large loaves of beautiful, slightly browned bread are always in evidence, baked by the mother or daughters.  The non-existence of the railway was beginning to cause much distress, Dutch and English suffering alike.  In fact, if it had not been for the locusts, unusually numerous that year, and always a favourite food with the natives, these latter would also have been starving.  As every mouth to feed was a consideration, I determined to see if I could personally induce the Boer General to pass me into Mafeking.  Under Mrs. Fraser’s charge I left my maid, as I did not wish to expose her to any hardships in the laager; and to her I gave the custody of my pony Dop, to whom I had become much attached.  After detaining me a prisoner, the Boers returned to Setlagoli specially to secure this animal; they had heard the natives speak of her in terms of high appreciation, and describe her as “not a horse, but lightning.”  Metelka, with much spirit, declared the pony to be her property, having been given her, she said, in lieu of wages.  She further stated she was a German subject, and that if her horse were not returned in three days she should write to the Kaiser.  All this was repeated to General Snyman by the awestruck Veldtcornet.  After a week spent with the Boers, Dop arrived back at Setlagoli, carefully led, as if she were a sacred beast, and bringing a humble letter of apology from the Commandant.

But I am anticipating, and must return to my solitary drive to the laager, accompanied only by Vellum and another black boy.  I took the precaution of despatching a nigger with a note to Mafeking, telling Colonel Baden-Powell of my plan, and that, having heard a Dutch woman called Mrs. Delpoort, in Mafeking, wished to join her friends in the Transvaal, I intended asking General Snyman to exchange me for her.  The distance we had to drive was forty-five miles, along villainous sandy roads and under a burning African sun.  We outspanned for the second time at the house of De Koker, who had been the first to advise me to visit the laager.  His dwelling was situated close to the railway-line, or, rather, to where the railway-line had been.  Here there was a great stir and bustle; men were hurrying in and out, nearly all armed; horses were tethered before the door; and, on hearing my cart drive up, the Veldtcornet himself came out to meet me, and gravely invited me to descend.  I now saw the interior of a typical Dutch house, with the family at home.  The vrow came forward