mpressed it on her that she was the only
exception, that no one else who had applied for leave to visit the
Camps had been granted permits--it was against the regulations, and he
was only sending her because he knew he could depend upon her. He
wanted to know _the truth_, and she, with her knowledge of the country
and people, would be better able to draw up reports than any one else
he knew.

Very flattering, but Hansie's heart sank when she thought of Irene.

What awaited her on this tour?

On July 27th, when she paid him her last visit in connection with her
passports, he asked her, as she was on the point of leaving him,
whether she did not think the Boers ought to surrender now.

Now, Hansie had firmly made up her mind not to be drawn into argument
with him again, but this question took her so much by surprise that
she flared out with:

"Don't you think the English ought to give in? Why should the Boers
give in? We are fighting for our own, and England is fighting for what
belongs to another. Why should England not give in?"

With some asperity he answered:

"I suppose it is a question of 'Eendracht maakt Macht,' or whatever
you call it."

"Eendracht maakt Macht?" she exclaimed. "I really fail to see the
connection."

"Well," he answered, "isn't Might _Right_ all the world over?"

"No, indeed!" she cried vehemently. "Might is right in England, and
your motto is an apt one, but in South Africa might is _not_ right.
_Our_ motto, 'Eendracht maakt Macht,' means 'Unity is Strength.'"

The General seemed much surprised and did not look pleased at her
assurance that he had been misinformed as to the correct
translation--he had been told on "good authority" that the Boer motto
was the same as the English.

"If might had been right," she continued, "the war would have been
over long ago--our poor little forces would have been crushed--but
unity is glorious strength, an _inspired_ strength."

Alas, alas, that she was so soon to find out how a want of unity can
bring disaster and defeat!

"It is very stupid to argue with him. Surely he cannot expect to find
my views changing on account of the duration of the war!"

Now, whether this unfortunate conversation had anything to do with the
next developments I do not know. I do not _think_ so, for the Governor
was a broadminded and just man, not to be deterred from his purpose by
any small consideration, but the fact remains that Hansie received a
curt note from