She had five small children, and was shortly expecting an addition to her family, so at last I had found someone who was more to be pitied than myself.

She, on the other hand, told me our arrival was a godsend to her, as it took her thoughts off her troubles.
Affairs in the neighbourhood seemed in a strange confusion.

Mr.Keeley was actually the _Veldtcornet_ of the district, an office which in times of peace corresponded to that of a magistrate.

In reality he was shut up in Mafeking, siding against the Dutch.

The surrounding country was peopled entirely, if sparsely, by Dutch farmers and natives, the former of whom at first and before our reverses professed sympathy with the English; but no wonder the poor wife looked to the future with dread, fearful lest British disasters would be followed by Boer reprisals.
Towards sunset Vellum appeared with a note from Sergeant Matthews.