I was very pleased with my new-found friend and his outspoken way, and glad to have got rid of an idea that the Colonials didn't take well to Tommy. CHAPTER XXIII A COMPLETE NEWSPAPER _Full of matter which is no longer a tenth as interesting as it was there and then._ Number 21 of THE FRIEND, dated April 10th, was a splendid number for Bloemfontein, and for the time, yet there is nothing to reproduce except an Australian's trooper's poetic salute to the eucalyptus, or gum-trees, that he recognised as fellow inhabitants of his distant land, whence they have been sent to cheer the waste places of California, the American Plains, and all South Africa. Three solid columns of the paper were justly given up to Mr. Kipling's exposure in the London _Times_ of the treacherous element of the Cape population, and its relations with those neighbours who are honest and loyal subjects of the Queen and with the army. Two columns of "Reuter's" despatches from abroad, one column of similar telegrams from South African points, and a notable leader by Mr. Perceval Landon on Mr. Kipling's article, made up the contents of the reading page. Mr. Guthrie, M.P., now required two columns of the paper in which to announce the cases and parcels he had in hand for the soldiers. The railway had just delivered to him five truck-loads of those most welcome necessaries and luxuries sent out from home. * * * * * THE FRIEND. (_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) No. 21.] BLOEMFONTEIN, TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1900. [Price One Penny. NOTICE. The Field-Marshal Commanding in Chief having decided that twenty Railway Trucks are to be placed at the disposal of the tradesmen of Bloemfontein for the conveyance of food necessaries, it is requested that those wishing to take advantage thereof will communicate with the Director of Supplies at his office at the corner of Green Street and Douglas Street, between the hours of 2 and 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday next, 11th and 12th inst. As the amount of truck accommodation will be divided by the Director of Supplies among the various applicants, a statement of the Supplies required as a first consignment must be submitted. When the statements have been received an allotment will be made among the applicants. * * * * * OLD FRIENDS. Gum trees! Here in the Dutchman's land? (You'll lie of a kangaroo) Seen them?--Yes--Well, I'll understand The truth when I see them too. Lord!--There they are, by the old brick wall, Shiny and green and high, Best of the sights we've seen at all Is this, to a Cornstalk's eye.