[Footnote 44:  Mr. Otto, the Schoolmaster of Dewetsdorp, a God-fearing man, with a large heart and a great soul—­a blessing to many.]

[Footnote 45:  The last day for the Boers to lay down arms, according to Kitchener’s great proclamation.]

[Footnote 46:  Whereon I used to hang out my bedding.]

[Footnote 47:  Never was there crueller irony of fate than in this doctor’s case.  He was altogether unpopular with the authorities, and was at last dismissed for incompetence.  When the news of his dismissal became known, a petition was drawn up in his lines, praying that he might remain.  This was granted.  The day I left hospital he was carried in, stricken with enteric—­and he died.]

[Footnote 48:  Biltong is dried beef.  These people were new arrivals.  Mr. Van As and I often remarked to each other that one could readily distinguish the new arrivals from the rest—­the former always appearing ruddy and in good health.]

[Footnote 49:  Baby Van As.]

[Footnote 50:  Which I practically stole.]

[Footnote 51:  Members of the Afgescheidene Kerk (Doppers) sing only Psalms, never Hymns.]

[Footnote 52:  This was Mrs. Van der Berg—­Lenie’s mother.]

[Footnote 53:  Lenie van der Berg.]

[Footnote 54:  My brother packed a box of groceries for me, and my mother bought a fresh supply of invalid food.]

[Footnote 55:  Merchant at Bloemfontein, to whom I had written for groceries.]

[Footnote 56:  The two shops in Camp contained precious little, and no foodstuffs.]

[Footnote 57:  Mr. Van As and Mr. Fourie were the contractors.]

[Footnote 58:  How well I remember this incident; how we hopefully approached the Superintendent’s tent; how he gave two little boxes; and how he said, “That’s the way you spoil them,” as I myself unpacked the bottle straw for the old man. (The bottle straw had to be saved for his horse’s bedding.)]

[Footnote 59:  I got permission first.]

[Footnote 60:  Literally from Dutch “spit afbijten”—­bear the brunt.]

CHAP.  III.

Tuesday, October 1.—­Village whole morning; barber (at last); came back wiser and sadder man; can safely stow away comb and brush for a month; two packets of candles by piece of luck.  Grand dinner; roast mutton, rice, mealies, and canned quinces.  May I never forget that dish of gravy!

Found goods from Champion had arrived; life again; pickles, jam, “domel simmel” (golden syrup), cheese, and few pounds butter.

Supper sumptuous; good spirits.

Went through hospital wards.

Young Joubert (20) dying; visited him twice; quite ready; waiting to be taken; found mother at bedside.

Old Mr. Plessis pleurisy; great agony; restless; fretful; fearful; fear the worst; wonder if prepared to die?

Straight to convalescent tent; reproaches; “Ach, minheer, het min dan ver ons vergeet?” (O, sir, have you then forgotten us?); Psalm 103.