Woman's Endurance Part 14

[35] Aunt; she was really the grandmother, though. Reference is made later to this same case.

[36] For cocoa.

[37] These ladies never approached me, and yet they might have known that I would naturally know more about the state of the Camp than anyone else. The Superintendent led them about-where he chose, I suppose. They were regarded with universal contempt by the people. Their report I have not yet seen, but I know this: that the Superintendent was not immediately dismissed as he should have been. (This was only done in December.) Perhaps the subsequent extension of the hospital and removal to a better site were due to these ladies' suggestions. I remember, though, that we had quite decent meat (beef) during the few days that they visited the camp.

[38] I had brought with me six tins syrup, a few tins jam, 1 lb. of tea, and a little oatmeal.

[39] The Rev. J. Steytler, who had also gone to labour in a camp. He was sent away for political reasons.

[40] This was my daily dilemma: Speak out and protest, and be removed or imprisoned-hold silence and [Transcriber's note: illegible word] the coward, and remain in the work. And I chose the latter.

[41] The rule was that a card, with the number of any tent where medical attendance was desired, should be pinned to the Chemist's Tent before a certain hour in the morning. Many chose to have no attendance, so great was their fear and dread for two of the doctors. Many, too, in spite of their cards, were never visited.

[42] Dutch idiom, literally translated, "pull through."

[43] This calamity, fortunately, only cast its shadow-it never fell. The Rev. Mr. Becker used to come over every afternoon, and continued this labour of love until the end of November, when he was prohibited from visiting the camp any more. How faithful he was! How well I remember the little figure in black flitting hither and thither among the tents. We seldom met in camp, but many a time I smuggled into a tent where I had seen him enter, just to learn from him to pray.

[44] Mr. Otto, the Schoolmaster of Dewetsdorp, a G.o.d-fearing man, with a large heart and a great soul-a blessing to many.

[45] The last day for the Boers to lay down arms, according to Kitchener's great proclamation.

[46] Whereon I used to hang out my bedding.

[47] Never was there crueller irony of fate than in this doctor's case. He was altogether unpopular with the authorities, and was at last dismissed for incompetence. When the news of his dismissal became known, a pet.i.tion was drawn up in his lines, praying that he might remain. This was granted. The day I left hospital he was carried in, stricken with enteric-and he died.

[48] Biltong is dried beef. These people were new arrivals. Mr. Van As and I often remarked to each other that one could readily distinguish the new arrivals from the rest-the former always appearing ruddy and in good health.

[49] Baby Van As.

[50] Which I practically stole.

[51] Members of the Afgescheidene Kerk (Doppers) sing only Psalms, never Hymns.

[52] This was Mrs. Van der Berg-Lenie's mother.

[53] Lenie van der Berg.

[54] My brother packed a box of groceries for me, and my mother bought a fresh supply of invalid food.

[55] Merchant at Bloemfontein, to whom I had written for groceries.

[56] The two shops in Camp contained precious little, and no foodstuffs.

[57] Mr. Van As and Mr. Fourie were the contractors.

[58] How well I remember this incident; how we hopefully approached the Superintendent's tent; how he gave two little boxes; and how he said, "That's the way you spoil them," as I myself unpacked the bottle straw for the old man. (The bottle straw had to be saved for his horse's bedding.)

[59] I got permission first.

[60] Literally from Dutch "spit afbijten"-bear the brunt.

CHAP. III.

Tuesday, October 1.-Village whole morning; barber (at last); came back wiser and sadder man; can safely stow away comb and brush for a month; two packets of candles by piece of luck. Grand dinner; roast mutton, rice, mealies, and canned quinces. May I never forget that dish of gravy!

Found goods from Champion had arrived; life again; pickles, jam, "domel simmel" (golden syrup), cheese, and few pounds b.u.t.ter.

Supper sumptuous; good spirits.

Went through hospital wards.

Young Joubert (20) dying; visited him twice; quite ready; waiting to be taken; found mother at bedside.

Old Mr. Plessis pleurisy; great agony; restless; fretful; fearful; fear the worst; wonder if prepared to die?

Straight to convalescent tent; reproaches; "Ach, minheer, het min dan ver ons vergeet?" (O, sir, have you then forgotten us?); Psalm 103.

Mrs. V.d.W. very, very bad; greatly comforted; beseeched me to come again.

In old ward also; some very sick; Mrs. Griesel, Mrs. De W., Mrs. Steyn, Engelbrecht-all very low.

Feel more and more to neglect hospital would be criminal.

Then still two other women's wards, where had to read and pray and speak word all round; and finally the children's ward; girlie very bad.

After rounds (seven wards) felt like king; happy; weary, yet withal happy.

And our camp? Total neglect. But will I ever here roll me snugly in my blankets with the satisfaction that all the sick and suffering have been visited?

There have died up to September in our camp over 500. Appalling!

Only one buried this afternoon (Mr. Becker); died in hospital.

Thursday, October 3.-No diary yesterday; listless to-day also; hot; oppressive days; one just longs for day to end. Towards evening (sunset) usually nice and cool, and wind goes down.

What shall I write about? Diary becoming monotonous; too great a sameness. Hospitals; visits; sick; dying; funerals; morose topic; oppressive.

Boer khaki in camp to-day. Result of visit, about a dozen have joined forces of the English. Wonder if a worm wouldn't have more self-respect! Such characters make themselves despicable and contemptible in eyes of the English themselves. To us it brings deep-down humiliation. Can a man sink so low? Enough.

Two night ago some women and children cleared off-"for," said they, "lest we starve here."

Can a man (let alone a woman-breathe not of a child) remain healthy and strong on bread, meat (miserable half-pound), coffee, and condensed milk? And so, when a sickness comes there is nothing to fall back upon-no resistance. And with a wasted const.i.tution who can battle against fever, pneumonia, and other things?

And for those that grimly struggle through, there is nothing wherewith to nourish and strengthen; no real milk; no eggs; wine; no delicacies such as convalescents should be tempted with. About as saddening sight as one can dream of is a peep into the children's ward-poor wasted, withered little innocents!

Mr. Otto buried eight this afternoon.

Friday, October 4.-Let me have a clean blank page for to-night in honour of my new home! Here I sit in glorious solitude, actually in a room! Four walls, four naked walls, but walls withal-stare down upon me with their muddy countenances, and I have an idea that they smile upon me in affection-four muddy brown smiles!