As a first step I lent Dop to a young Dutchman named Brevel, who was anxious to go to that township to sell some fat cattle.

This youth, who belonged to a respectable Boer family--of course heart and soul against the English--was overwhelmed with gratitude for the loan of the horse, and in consequence I stood high in their good graces.

They little knew it was for my sake, not theirs, that they had my pony.

By this messenger we sent letters for the English mail, and a note to the magistrate, begging him to forward us newspapers and any reliable intelligence.

I also enclosed a cheque to be cashed, for I was running short of English gold wherewith to pay our nigger letter-carriers.