He also greatly disturbed Mr.
Keeley by saying they meant to wreak vengeance on any who had fought for the English, and by warning him that a commando would surely pass his way.

Further news which this young man proceeded to relate in his awful jargon was that Oom Paul and all his grandchildren and nephews had gone to Bulawayo; from there he meant to commence a triumphal march southward; that Kimberley had capitulated; and that Joubert and his army had taken possession of Ladysmith.

To all this Mrs.Keeley had to listen with polite attention.

Luckily, I did not understand the import of what he said till he had taken himself off, with an unusually deep bow of thanks to myself.

The only comfort we derived was the reflection that these lies were too audacious to be aught but inventions made up to clinch the wavering and timid spirits.
No matter how miserable people in England were then, they will never realize fully what it meant to pass those black months in the midst of a Dutch population; one felt oneself indeed alone amongst foes.