The Petticoat Commando: Boer Women in Secret ServiceBrandt, Johanna
History
The Petticoat Commando: Boer Women in Secret Service
Brandt, Johanna
South African War, 1899-1902; Women in war -- South Africa
"What is this for?" she asked.
"To seal the letter," he replied; but she quickly answered, with a
smile:
"Oh no; _I trust you_."
He gave her a long official-looking envelope, into which she placed
her letter, and, when she had readdressed it, he closed it with the
stamp of the Military Governor's office.
Now, this little scene could not have taken place a few months, or
even a few weeks, later, but at the time Hansie had no secrets to
conceal from the Governor, and she had no reason to feel the slightest
qualm in asking him to do her this personal favour.
But the time was soon to come, however, when she remembered the
incident of the uncensored letter with no small degree of
discomfort--when she found herself in the midst of conspiracies
against the enemy, conspiracies of a far more serious nature than the
harmless "smuggling" hitherto carried on by her and her mother.
"He would never believe that that letter contained no war news, if he
were to find out what we are doing now," she thought then. "This kind
of thing must cease--no more favours from the enemy, and, if I can
help it, no more interviews with the Governor. But there is this tour
of inspection--no getting out of that, and I shall have to see a great
deal of him. Well, as far as the Camps are concerned, I can always
'play the game' to him. That is a thing apart."
A few days after this interview with the Governor, Mr. Cinatti called
at Harmony with the interesting news that General Maxwell had invited
the entire Diplomatic Corps to spend a day with him at Irene.
"We are going to-morrow [July 13th]," he said. "Now, why are you not
there?" looking dolefully at Hansie.
"Oh, why did I leave my little round tent at Irene Camp?" she wailed.
"But I will give you a letter for Miss Findlay, Mr. Cinatti. She knows
all my worst cases and she has many quite as bad in her ward. Ask to
see her, and whatever you do, don't forget to ask for Dr. Neethling."
Dr. Neethling was the only Dutch doctor in the Camp, and he was seldom
in evidence when there was any question of inspection. That Consular
visit to Irene must have been quite an event. General Maxwell, Major
Hoskins, and all the Consuls in a body went through the Camp and
hospital, and made the usual inspection of foodstuffs and "medical
comforts."
They were satisfied that great improvements had been made, but they
did not see the volunteer nurses or Dr. Neethling, although Mr.
Cinatti asked three or four times for Miss Findlay and all the Consuls
asked to see Dr. Neethling. These good people were not forthcoming,
and there was so very much to see that it was time for the sumptuous
lunch, with which General Maxwell treated the Consuls at the Railway
Station, before further questions could be asked.
On the return journey General Maxwell inquired of Mr. Cinatti what he
thought of the Camps, to which Mr. Cinatti replied, with that quaint
mixture of pathos and humour which characterised him:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account