“Have you plenty?” he asked before accepting.
I said that I had, so he took the loaf and broke off a very small piece, handing the remaining portion back. I told him that he might keep it all, and also gave him some meat. As soon as he had assured himself that I had more, he called to a couple of boys near by, and they came over, accompanied by other boys. He divided the loaf and meat, and it served for the full day’s rations for five fighting men.
“I had some bread yesterday,” said the old man, half apologetically, “but I have not had time to get any to-day.”
“Will you have a drink?” I inquired, as I unslung my canteen.
“Water?” he queried, as though afraid I was going to offer him something stronger.
The British people at home have taken comfort in assuming that, as no supplies can get to the Boers, the war will be brought to a speedy end. Deluded people! So long as there is a trek-ox and a sack of mealies in the Transvaal the Boers will be sufficiently supplied to carry on the war. They carry no store wagons, they issue no rations; but occasionally an ox is slaughtered, and each man hangs up a piece of the beef until it is dried. He sticks that into his pocket, with some bread made of corn, if he cannot get better, and he is perfectly content.
I asked General de la Rey where he expected to get his supplies after he left Pretoria, and he remarked quietly, as if without humorous intention, “Oh, the English are bringing in enough for both armies.”
A soldier with three months’ provisions.
He had warrant, too; for I know of many cases where, as the supplies of a command were getting low, they went out and captured a wagon-train or a supply-train on the railroad, and replenished their larders. General de Wet has kept his commands for many months in rations, clothing, and other necessaries of war from the supplies of the enemy.