Robert Barr

“ The German, smoking placidly, remembering the stern discipline of the German army, was amazed at the free and easy discussion going on before him.
"I accept the terms," said the captain; "we will neither destroy the mill nor the garrison. Bring your men out one by one, and make no mistake about telling them that they must leave their arms inside. If any man appears with a gun in his hand he will be shot. Do you understand?"
"Yaw," said the German, removing his pipe. Then he called over his shoulder in his own language, "Hans, put down your gun and come out." ”

“ If they turned to the left they would still be in time to capture the gun, unless the force around it made a stand and held them off.
At this critical juncture the Boers in the mill ceased firing, and deserted their stronghold. Each drank down a boiling cup of coffee, and made for his pony. In vain the German tried to rally them. Now was the time to shoot, he cried. The British were forming line on the plain below the kopje, as if to give an expert rifleman every advantage. It was throwing away the blessings of Providence to retreat at this time, pleaded Steiner ”

“ No more clouds of white smoke went up, and black dots like minute ants could be seen scuttling down the northern slopes.
"They are thrashed," growled the miller. "Their gun is disabled, and will be captured."
But modern warfare seemed determined to contradict all the old veteran surmised. To his amazement, the boom of the cannon continued, although no smoke was seen. At last, however, it ceased, and in place of it came the incessant, faint, sharp rattle of the rifles. Still the shell explosions desolated the top of the ridge. ”

“ Plenty."
"You will hold the mill," said the leader to his men. "Knock stones out of the wall, so that you can fire on the British as soon as they appear on the ridge."
"There is no need to knock stones out," said Steiner. "There are slits enough in the walls for twice as many men as you have here."
"Good. As soon as the British are in sight, fire on them as fast as possible, to keep them in check till we get the gun away. Begin firing at once close over the kopje; it may hinder them."
The commander sprang on his pony and galloped down the slope toward the village. ”

“ What is that?" shouted the boy, pointing downward and to the left. The old man gazed in the direction indicated by his son. Twenty or thirty spans of laboring oxen were slowly hauling a long, black cannon toward the north. Some hundreds of men on ponies galloped hither and thither, apparently urging the drivers of the oxen to greater speed. Steiner rubbed his eyes in amazement. How came the cannon from that direction? It had evidently not been on the ridge where havoc was making its playground. ”

“ They greeted us with a hot fire, and that has always been considered a welcoming token on Christmas Day at home. Besides, here's a can of coffee all nicely ready for you. What are you kicking about? You're never satisfied. ”