I anxiously watched the varying expression of their features, as interest struggled with patriotism.  Wearied of strife and fearful of losing the result of years of hard work, the assembled men felt a strong inclination to accept the enemy’s offer.  But no one dared give utterance to his feelings.  Eye met eye, and glanced away.  It was easy to see what the result would be.  It was plainly my duty to protest, but what could I do, a stranger, a mere youth?  What could I say to these men, who had already given proof of their devotion on many a bloody field, and who only recoiled now when brought face to face with the supreme test—­the sacrifice of their hearths and homes?  I ventured to point out, however, that those who had already surrendered now bitterly regretted it, and added that the very nature of the case made it impossible for the British to carry out their promises.  They listened in silence.  My words may have had some slight effect; in any case, the Hottentot was sent back without a definite reply.  It was useless to expect any aid from these men.  Leaving them to decide their own fate, we started back for the Free State.

ARRESTED AS SPIES

A couple of hours’ riding, then the farm of an old field-cornet, where we off-saddled and bought a few bundles of forage for our horses.  The field-cornet entered into conversation with us whilst our animals were feeding, but omitted to ask us into the house, and kept eyeing us in a puzzled manner, as though we had dropped from Mars.  I know not what my companion thought of it, or if he thought at all, but I myself put the old man’s strange manner down to a sort of speechless admiration, and accepted it as such.  But I was mistaken.

When our friend shook hands with us he did so very limply, and as far as we went he could be seen gazing after us.

“What ails him?” I asked my comrade.

“Oh, he doesn’t see men like ourselves every day,” was the careless answer.  How could I argue?

We kept on our way, and towards sundown reached a farm on the bank of the Vaal, simultaneously with another young fellow coming from the direction of the railway line.

It turned out that this farm belonged to his father.  He himself had left home that morning with the intention of crossing the railway, but had found the line so well patrolled that he had given up the attempt.  We stabled our horses and entered the small but comfortably furnished cottage, where we were presented to the other members of the family.  After supper came the usual evening service.  This was hardly over when we heard a loud knocking at the front door.  The door was opened, and the strange-mannered old field-cornet entered.

He greeted us solemnly and sat down.  Next came a thundering rap at the back door, and another Boer entered, a tall, powerful fellow, who was foaming at the mouth with suppressed excitement, and bristling with cartridge belts.