‘Sir, will you not do me a great favour by selling or hiring me a horse, or tell me where I can get one near by; it is most important that I should lose no time.’ ‘I am very sorry, but I have no horse; you might get one three miles away, where there is a Boer farm. They have several horses; but come in and have a cup of coffee first. You are wet and cold. I will give you some of my dry clothing to put on in exchange for your wet ones. It would be death for you to keep those wet clothes on.’ Steve accepted with pleasure. He was wet, tired and hungry. He had had nothing to eat since breakfast, as the news received at lunch time had taken away all idea of eating. He entered, had a cup of coffee with a dry biscuit, changed his clothes, and, in spite of his host’s invitation to spend the night there, departed. ‘No thank you, sir. I thank you for your kindness to me, a stranger. If at any time you come to Pretoria, here is my card. If I can return your kindness, please let me know.’ He proceeded in the direction pointed out to him and soon arrived at the Boer farm. It was a well-appointed substantial building, and it was evident that well-to-do people lived there, so no doubt he would be able to get a horse. CHAPTER XII OFF TO THE WAR--A NIGHT’S RIDE--TERRIBLE NEWS When about two hundred yards away from the house, Steve came across an old bushman with a pail of milk in his hands, evidently coming from the cattle kraals. ‘Naand, baas.’ (Good evening, baas). ‘Good evening, my boy. Who lives here?’ ‘Baas Meyer lives here, baas.’ ‘Is your baas in?’ Steve asked. ‘No, my baas left with his two sons this afternoon, on commando. They say the English are coming to take the country again, and my baas left to fight the English.’ ‘Who is at home now?’ ‘Only the _nooi_ (mistress) and her daughter.’ ‘What is your name?’ ‘Jankie, baas.’ ‘Well, Jankie, here are two shillings for you.’ Steve thought it best to make friends where he could. ‘Thank you, thank you, baas,’ said the bushman, receiving the coin and slipping it into his mouth. ‘Look here, Jankie, is there a good riding horse in the stable?’ ‘Only young Baas Willim’s horse, on which he goes courting.’ ‘Is it a good horse, Jankie?’ ‘I have never seen a better one, baas; it is a black stallion. He never gets _flamed_ (never gives in).’ ‘That is just the horse I want, Jankie. Do you think your mistress will lend him to me to go and fight the English?’ ‘I am afraid not, baas. Young Baas Willim never allows anyone besides himself to ride that horse; but come in and ask the _nooi_.’ Steve went up to the house and knocked. The door was opened by a pretty, fair-haired girl, evidently the daughter of the house. He was shown into the sitting-room, the good and well-appointed furniture of which again indicated the wealth of the owners. Steve asked to see Mijf Meyer. She soon appeared, and without much beating about the bush, Steve stated what he required.