THE SIEGE OF MARABASTADT. 137 



keeping a considerable force round each garrison to 

 watch it. 



On hearing the first rumour that hostilities had begun 

 I saddled my horse and rode off to Marabastadt, and 

 offered my services to Major Brooke, commanding a de- 

 tachment of the 94th stationed at that place. 



On my way thither I met a party of about half a 

 dozen mounted Boers, two of whom were personally 

 known to me. 



After the usual good-day we lighted up our pipes and 

 conversed on various indifferent subjects. They knew 

 perfectly well that I was going to join the British force, 

 and I knew equally well that they were going to concen- 

 trate with a view to commencing hostilities against us. 

 However, mutual civility was the order of the day. 



" Mynheer, where are you going to ? " asked one. 



" To bring home my washing from Marabastadt," I 

 replied. 



The Boer grinned politely, but added : 



" Almighty ! twenty miles is a long way to go for 

 washing." 



" Yes, but I am also going to hunt, and perhaps I 

 might be going to be married for all you know" (I said 

 this in order to suggest an answer to my next question, 

 for I didn't wish the Boer to say that he was going to 

 fight against us, for such an admission might have 

 thrown cold water upon our amicable relations). " And 

 where are you going ? " 



44 Mynheer, I am going to hunt." 



This was all I wanted to know. They were going to 

 fight. So I said good-day and rode on. 



I had not gone ten yards before a Boer called out to 

 me, so I stopped and asked him what he wanted. 



