fetch the commandeering
officer. In this case it was the supply officer, a quick-witted boy,
who at the moment believed that he was a subaltern, but who really was
the youngest brevet-major in the British army.[18]

_Brigadier._ "Look here, Mr Supply; I want you to value this
_sham-a-dan_."[19]

_Supply Officer._ "Very good, sir; it looks a good cart."

_B._ "Do you know your Shakespeare?"

_S. O._ "No, sir. I was a militiaman; but I'm becoming educated in the
matter of South African carts, and I have found that even with fair
usage and good drifts paint will sometimes come off."

_B._ "Quite so; you have made my point, in spite of your modesty with
regard to your upbringing. What is the full limit at which you may
requisition a spring cart?"

_S. O._ "Forty pounds, sir."

_B._ "What would you think is the value of this one?"

_S. O._ "Thirty-nine pounds ten shillings, sir!"

_B._ "I think that you are right to within a few pence. Make out a
receipt for it, and then come and have breakfast. Here, Mr
Intelligence, tell my servant to put the ponies into this cart. Now I
call that a suitable conveyance for a general officer. I have never
had a decent cart since I've commanded a column. In fact, I have
almost been ashamed to sign myself as O.C. of a brigade, when my sole
possession has been a broken-down Cape cart with only one spring.
Self-respect is half the battle in the success of life. With a cart
like that I shall be able to insult with a light heart every column
commander with whom I am told to co-operate. Look here, Mr
Intelligence; I am going to be a real live brigadier in future. Just
you get me the regalia in Britstown--a pink flag and red lantern. I
don't see why--but what do you want----?"

A howl had set up in chorus from the family on the verandah of the
farm, and old Oom Jan came sidling up to the brigadier hat in hand.

_Oom Jan._ "But the commandant won't take my cart?"

_Brigadier._ "Dear me! no--no commandant will take your cart."

_O. J._ "But see, they are putting the horses in!"

_B._ "You will get a receipt."

_O. J._ "For how much?"

_B._ "Forty pounds."

_O. J._ "No, no. Only last year I gave L120 for it."

_B._ "I would gladly give L120; but I am not allowed. Besides, you are
getting full value, and I will leave you my old cart."

How much longer the altercation might have lasted would have depended
on the duration of the general's good-humour, had not another issue of
mo