the hour of their arrival the whole country round about Pretoria knew
of their coming, and a large and violent mob was gathered at the
railroad station to receive them. Through some misadventure, an
inadequate guard was detailed to march them to the gaol. The prisoners
were set upon by the mob, reviled, stoned, and spat upon, the officers
in charge trampling them under their horses' hoofs, in their vain and
excited endeavours to protect them. The poor prisoners reached the
jail in a full run, bruised and breathless, but thankful for the
asylum the prison door afforded them from their merciless pursuers.
They were quickly locked into cells. For many hours they had not
tasted food. The first Reformers imprisoned slipped in to them a part
of their own provisions, but as it was quickly and stealthily done one
cell would receive the pannikin of meat, another the tin of potatoes,
&c. The cells were in a filthy condition. As has been truly said, a
Boer prison is not built for gentlemen. It was an unavoidable
misfortune that this prison, which had up to this time housed only
refractory Kaffirs, should by force of circumstance become the
domicile for six long dreary months, and through a hot tropical
summer, of gentlemen nurtured in every decency. Captain Mein told me
that he stood the greater part of that first night rather than sit
upon the filthy floor, but exhaustion at length conquered his
repugnance. These were times which proved men's natures. It distilled
the very essence of a man, and if anywhere in his make-up was the salt
of selfishness, it was pretty sure to appear. Many who before had
appreciated Charlie Butter's open hospitality, realised now that it
was more than kindliness which prompted him to give up his last
swallow of whisky to a man who was older or weaker than himself. And
they tell me that my own good man's cheery spirits helped along many a
fellow of more biliary temperament.