We were rewarded for our short ride by the knowledge that our horses had something to eat, and we could sleep in peace without having to think that our animals were starving.
But before we could sleep hunger compelled us to kill a sheep which we had bought from a farmer living near.

In that part of Cape Colony sheep-farming is almost the only occupation, and so well adapted is this district for rearing sheep that it is quite an exception to see a lean one.

It may interest some of my readers to know that the African sheep has a very remarkable peculiarity; it possesses a huge tail, which sometimes weighs as much as ten pounds.
We were unable to obtain bread, and our flour had remained behind in the waggons.

The sound of an explosion had told us that General Fourie had not been able to save them, and that by now they must have been burnt.
I heard later on that General Fourie had been attacked by the English and had not been able to set fire to the waggons himself.

But the English, so my scouts informed me, had done the work for him, and so thoroughly that they had also burnt some of their own waggons which had got into the swamp.
After we had helped ourselves to a good "African boutspan," and had slept with our saddles as pillows, we were all in good spirits again, although we could not forget our experiences in the swamp.
The burghers whom I had with me were of the right stamp, and were prepared to sacrifice everything for the freedom of the people.