Also the vrouw cooked some food which she gave to Hans to carry.
First, however, he went to investigate the old mealie-pit which was within a few paces of the back door of the Prinsloos' house.

He reported that it would do well to hide a man in, especially as tall grass and bushes grew about its mouth.
Then the three of them started, and arriving at the door of my house, which was about a hundred yards away, were of course challenged by the sentries.
"Heeren," said Marie, "the commandant has given us leave to bring food to my husband, whom you guard within.

Pray do not prevent us from entering." "No," answered one of them gently enough, for he was touched with pity at her plight.

"We have our orders to admit you, the Vrouw Prinsloo and the native servant, though why three of you should be needed to carry food to one man, I don't know.

I should have thought that at such a time he would have preferred to be alone with his wife." "The Vrouw Prinsloo wishes to ask my husband certain questions about his property here and what is to be done while he and her men are away at the main camp for the second trial, as I, whose heart is full of sorrow, have no head for such things.