I remained in the neighbourhood that night and the next morning, but the enemy lay quiet in Lindley, so I returned to Heilbron.
When I reported myself to the Postmaster-General, he said—
"The President wants to see you."
I thought I was going to get into a scrape for not having been able to report anything further. However, I followed the Chief to a small building a few doors lower down the street.
Entering, we found ourselves in a fairly roomy office, where two or three gentlemen were engaged in an earnest discussion. After being introduced to them I was taken into an inner office. Seated at a table, writing, was President Steyn.
Although attired in plain black, like any other lawyer, there was a dignity in his bearing, and a force of character in his manner, that could not fail to make an impression on my mind, young as I was.
"Well," he said, calling me by name, "where do you come from?"
My embarrassment was so great, in spite of the friendly smile that accompanied these words, that I could only stammer—
"From Winburg, President," alluding to the last time I had seen him.