按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
s off where he said we could get shelter and where we would be near the fighting on the morrow。 We rode in the moonlight for some time but when we reached the house it was filthy and the people were in such terror that we decided to camp out in the veldt。 We found a grove of trees near by and a stream of water running beside it so we made a fire there。 We had only one biscuit left but several cans of bacon and tea。 It was great fun and we sat up as late as we could around the fire on account of the cold。 We could see the Boer fires in the moonlight on the hills and across the Sand； the English flashlights signalling all night。 We put a rubber blanket on the grass and wrapped up in steamer rugs but both of us died several times of cold and even sitting on the fire failed to warm me。 We were awakened out of a cold storage sort of sleep by pom…poms going off right over our They sounded just as disturbing I found from the rear as when you are in front of them。 They are the most effective of all the small guns for causing your nerves to riot。 We climbed up the hill and saw the English coming in their usual solid formation stretching out for three miles。 We went back and got the cart and drove to a nearer kopje； but just as we reached it the Boers abandoned it。 Roberts's column was now much nearer。 We then drove on still further in the direction of the bridge。 I kept telling Cecil that the firing was all from the Boers as I did not want Christian to bolt and run away with the cart and mules。 But Cecil remembered the pictures in Harper's Weekly showing the shrapnel smoke making rings in the air and as she saw these floating over our head； she knew the English were firing on us； but said nothing for fear of scaring Christian。 I had promised to get her under fire which was her one wish so I said that she was now well under fire for the first and the last time。 To which she replied 〃Pshaw！〃 I never saw any one show such self possession。 We halted the cart behind a deserted farm house； and saddled her pony。 The shells were now falling all over the shop； and I was scared to distraction。 But she took about five minutes to see that her saddle was properly tightened and then we rode up to the hill。 Again the Boers were leaving and only a few remained。 They warned her to keep back but we dismounted and walked up to the hill。 It was a very hot place but Cecil was quite unmoved。 We showed her the shells striking back of her and around her but she refused to be impressed with the danger。 She went among the Boers begging them to make a stand very quietly and like one man to another and they took it just in that way and said 〃But we are very tired。 We have been driven back for three days。 We are only a thousand； they are twenty thousand。〃 Some of them only sat still too proud to run； too sick to fight！ When the British got within five hundred yards of the artillery I told her she must run。 At the same moment Botha's men a mile on our right broke away in a mad gallop； as though the lancers were after them。 I finally got her on her pony and we raced for Ventersberg with Christian a good first。 He had lost all desire to out…span。
At Ventersberg we found every one harnessing up in the street and abandoning everything。 We again felt this untimely desire for food； and had lunch at Jones's hotel on scraps and Cecil went off to see if she could loot the cook； as everyone but her had left the hotel and as we needed one in Pretoria。 A despatch…rider came running to me as I was smoking in the garden and shouted that the 〃Roinekes〃 were coming in force over the hill。 I ran out in the street and saw their shells falling all over the edge of the village。 They were only a quarter of an hour behind us。 I yelled for Cecil who was helping the looted cook pack up her own things and anyone else's she could find in a sheet。 I gathered up a dog and a kitten Cecil wanted and left a note for the next English officer who occupied my room with the inscription 〃I'd leave my happy home for you。〃 We then put the cook； the kitten； the dog and Cecil in the cart and I got on the horse and we let out for Kronstad at a gallop。 We raced the thirty miles in five hours without one halt。 That was not our cruelty to animals but Christian's who whenever I ordered him to halt and let us rest； yelled that the Englesses were after us and galloped on。 The retreat was a terribly pathetic spectacle； for hours we passed through group after group of the broken and dispirited Boers。 At Kronstad President Steyn whom I went to see on arriving ordered a special car for me； and sent us off at once。 We reached here the next morning； Christian arriving a day later having killed one mule and one pony in his eagerness to escape。 We are going back again as soon as Roberts reaches the Vaal。 There there must be a stand。 Love and best wishes to you all
DICK。
June 8th； 1900。 On board the Kausler。 DEAR MOTHER：
We engaged our passage on this ship some weeks ago not thinking we would have the English near Pretoria until August。 But as it happened they came so near that we did not know whether or not to wait over and see them enter the capital。 I decided not； first； because after that one event； there would be nothing for us to see or do。 We could not leave until the 2nd of July and a month under British martial law was very distasteful to me。 Besides I did not care much to see them enter； or to be forced to witness their rejoicing。 As soon as we got under way and about half the distance to the coast； it is a two days' trip。 We heard so many rumors of Roberts's communication having been cut off and that the war was not over； that we thought perhaps we ought to go back As we have no news since except that the British are in Pretoria we still do not know what to think。 Personally I am glad I came away as I can do just as much for the Boers at home now as there where the British censor would have shut me off from cabling and mails are so slow。 With the local knowledge I have； I hope to keep at it until it is over。 But when I consider the magnitude of the misrepresentation about the burghers I feel appalled at the idea of going up against it。 One is really afraid to tell all the truth about the Boer because no one would believe you It is almost better to go mildly and then you may have some chance。 But personally I know no class of men I admire as much or who to…day preserve the best and oldest ideas of charity； fairness and good…will to men。
DICK。
June 29th； 1900。 DEAR MOTHER：
We are now just off Crete； and our next sight of the blue land will be Europe。 It means so many things； being alone with Cecil again； instead of on a raft touching elbows with so many strangers； and it means a shop where you can buy collars； and where they put starch in your linen。 Also many beautiful ladies one does not know and men in evening dress one does not know and green tables covered with gold and little green and red bits of ivory where one passes among the tables and wonders what they would think if they knew we two had found our greatest friends in the Boer farmers； in Dutch Station Masters who gave us a corner under the telegraph table in which to