"How does he get on with the commandant?"
"I think, sir, from what I heard, that there is some friction between him and the military authorities, but nothing serious at all. All the resources of the mines have been placed by him in the hands of the authorities. He is employing a large number of Kaffirs in making roads, and these he pays and feeds, which is a great relief to the authorities; for they have twice tried to send the Kaffirs out of the town, but both times the Boers have compelled them to return, no doubt because they think that the more mouths there are to feed, the sooner the provisions will be exhausted."
"And now, Mr. Harberton, tell us how you managed to get into the town and to return here."
Yorke related his adventures.
"You have been fortunate indeed," the general said, "and have had three very narrow escapes—in the first place, at that hut which you defended so stoutly; in the next place, when you were first taken prisoner; and lastly, in getting through the Boer lines this side of Jacobsdal, to say nothing of your escape at Boshof. Your Kaffir must be a stout fellow."
"He is, sir. Without his assistance I should by this time be a long way on my road to Pretoria."
"Well, your services have been most valuable, and I shall have great pleasure in recommending you for a commission if you would like to take one."
"I thank you very much, sir. I should feel it a great honour. And even if I resigned at the end of the war it would be all my life a gratification to have received the Queen's commission."
"I suppose you would prefer the cavalry?"
"Yes sir."