The place was full of people, English and Dutch together, and I noted that the former seemed very elated and were talking excitedly, while the latter for the most part appeared to be sullen and depressed.
Presently I saw a man I knew, a tall, dark man, a very good fellow and an excellent shot, named Robinson.

By the way you knew him also, for afterwards he was an officer in the Pretoria Horse at the time of the Zulu war, the corps in which you held a commission.

I called to him and asked what was up.
"A good deal, Allan," he said as he shook my hand.

"Indeed we shall be lucky if all isn't up, or something like it, before the day is over.

Shepstone's Proclamation annexing the Transvaal is going to be read presently." I whistled and asked, "How will our Boer friends take it?
They don't look very pleased." "That's just what no one knows, Allan.