Smyrna times., 1901-01-23
A DAUGHTER
OF THE VELDT
How Two Enemies Met
On "Lovers' Walk.''


About six miles from our lines l ran
against a dainty little farmhouse cud-
died up against the slope of a shrub
covered kopje. On one side of the
dwelling a trelliswork of vines broke
the wind at both front and rear, while
a pretty flower garden, fragrant with
flowers, spread far away in front of
the substantial dwelling. l was admir-
ing these things from my horses back.
when it suddenly dawned upon me that
l had possibly played the imbecile in |
straying so far from camp. But it was
too late to hang back. If the farmer |
folk were friendly, l was in luck, for |
the inside of such a dwelling could not |
be i'll supplied with creature comforts.
If, however. they were hostile, was
at their mercy. l had no desire to
match my pOny's pace against the fight
of a Mauser bullet, so, humming a
song and thinking of a psalm. l rode
forward as if certain of a kindly well
come. An elderly BOer with n kindly
face met me at the door and gave me
the time of day with all civility. a ne
gro lad took hold of my bride, and l
swung myself out of the saddle just in
time to receive a civil greeting from
the farmers wife-healthy, wholesome,
substantial, well fed and clothed. They
invited me inside. and there their four
daughters introduced themselves to
me. They all talked English as well as
I
seconds l had arrived at the conclusion
that should never get better chance
to study the language of the people of
our foes and determined to sacrifice
myself upon the flinty shrine of duty.
Three of the maidens were plain faced,
good. honest looking girls, but the
fourth had a face like young preach
er's first public prayer-a face that
many a man would risk his life for.
So much of my whole career has
been passed amid the rougher and
more rugged scenes of life that a de-
scriptiOn of dainty wOmanhood comes
awkwardly from me- But have read
so much about the ugliness and clumsi-
ness of the Boer woman in British
Journals that should like to try to de-
scribe this daughter of the veldt, al
though only farmers daughter. l do
not know if she should be called short
or tall but her cheek could have been
nestled comfortably on the shoulder of
a fairly tall man. | don't know how
much hair she had. but there was
enough of it to make fellow feel as
if he didn't care a rap if half the earth
was bald. 1t was not red nor yellow
it was like honey kissed by sunshine
She had the sort of forehead which one
never sees on the face of fool. ma
ture's signboard for an emporium Oi
brains. Her eyes were large, brown
and fearless. not bold nor yet waver
ing. Her mouth was perfect-nOt ont
Of those sepulchers which disfigur'
some feminine faces. not childish!
small like a bud bursting into bloom
but a strong, true mouth. large enough
for a prayer to slip through. but no
big enough to swear with. Her wais
would Just about fill the crook of
mans arm and make him feel tina
there was no room for anything els
under heaven. The arch of her bus
was like the curve or wave as
-
stiff lath and plaster model one is ar
to see walking around the streets 9
cities. Her hands were shapely. brow
and strong, cracked little by win
and weather; not toy hands. but hand
that could spank a baby or help hui
band back to paths Of rectitude whe
all the world had damned him past r
demptiOn.
So she looked when | saw her. and
said unto my soul. verify. 1t is goc
thing for his enemies language.
was the fifth evening after that. ana
had registered my fifth visit to Il
farm. when an event befell which pl
an end to my studies In Dutch TOT u
time being. | had dined Win u
farmers. the plain sisters had mat
music for me. They had lifted the
voices in song also, for ! was an no
Ored guest. having been enabled TO
some little deeds of kindness throu;
the favor Of the courteous general TO
relation of the ladies who was pr
Oner in our lines. They had given I
blankets and rugs for the poor Degg'
and the general had handed them
the man.
II The night was a beautiful one
lighting a cigar, / rambled down
ward the quarter mile long avenue
n orange trees. 1t was to be my iast
It, for our troops were on the move
dawn. AS | sauntered forward
heard the rustic of a woman's SKI
amid the bushes on my right, and io'
ing In that direction, | saw the ma
blue dress and the red gold hair OF
girl who had been teaching me Dut
had not many seconds to look at
but brief as the time was ! had le
n enough to notice that one hand D
the blue skirts switched up so
about foot of white petticoat
diqrIovad aIoo noffcpd that she