David grew stronger and began to ride around the crater on Zeus.
He met up with Martin one day out in the Crater at one off the cattle paddocks. Martin was inspecting some cattle inside off it.
"Good day Martin, I've not seen them before have I?"
Martin spun round smiling, "Hello David, of course I haven't told you have I" he replied, "I brought them from England. Part of my father's bequeathed, their French Limousine cattle, he left me a bull and six cows. Their hardy cattle with a good meat yield. I intend to try the bull on some off the Massi cattle."
He spoke with Martin for a further half an hour before continuing his ride.
When he returned to the house he found a grey stallion tied up outside that looked familiar.
On entering the house he found Robert Keeling chatting to Susan, but now he wore the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He came to his feet smiling extending his hand, David grasped it "Robert it's good to see you again."
Keeling grinned "Susan's been telling me about your run in with a leopard."
David smiled and nodded, "So what do we owe the pleasure off your company."
"Horses and cattle" he replied, "I'm on procurement duties at the moment. I stopped a Boer bullet in the arm, and was given light duties until I'm fit again. When I found out that this detail involved East Africa I jumped at it."
"So they roped you into this war then?" David asked.
Keeling's face fell grim, "They have had to rope everyone in, not only Britain but the Dominions has well, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Kitchener has nearly two hundred thousand men chasing at best a thousand Boers.
He's had to throw away the old manuals on war and start writing a new one."
David looked keenly at him, "From what I've heard, some off the orders he has given don't come under the rules of war."
Keeling's eyes fell to the floor, "You mean the internment camps for the women and children, and the destruction off farms."
David nodded "That's if it is true."
"Unfortunately it true, women and children were dying in those camps through lack off food and disease in their hundreds. It's better now; a commission came out from England based on reports that horrified the British public.
The problem is, that Kitchener is under an enormous strain. The government wants the war ended, it's costing millions at the moment. The British public has turned against it, based on the casualty lists and the treatment off civilians. On top off that for every soldier killed by a Boer, four die off disease. Most off the recruits already have diseases when they come out from Britain; only one in five is fit for duty. It's has, I fear, the war has turned dirty."
Susan looked shocked at this disclosure.
"Oh we'll win in the end" Keeling said bitterly "That's what the press will say. But the reality is the Boers will give in rather than see their families suffer any more. But we never beat them on a field off battle. I can only hope that the generals will learn from this."
"This will create hatred for the British in South Africa that will last well into the future." David predicted.
"Enough off this talk of war" Susan said, "Robert you will stay the night, I'll have Hanga take care of your horse" she said rising.
After dinner David and Keeling took their whiskeys out on to the stoop, Keeling accepted a cheroot from David, lighting it he murmured, "You have found a wonderful home here David, this land must be unique for Africa."
"I suppose there must be other places like it if you look hard enough," he replied.
Keeling changed the subject.
"I managed to go to Kana before I was shipped over here. The Prince was eagerly awaiting the birth off his first grandchild. But Yasmin says she wants to go to university first, Sultar is a Major of the Royal guard, I think so that Yasmin can keep an eye on him." Keeling chuckled, "The Horse Master is virtually retired now, and he must be at least ninety. Out at the Fort, Colonel Turin has three full companies at the ready. Fifty men guard the Pass at all times, the Afghans know they are there, and leave them alone.
Turin married that assistant off Susan's, and has two fine boys now. Para returned to Nepal when he retired, and Hangar took over from him."
David smiled, remembering, "They were good men, all off them. A man couldn't ask for better soldiers."
"At the moment in India, I would say they were the best in that Country," Keeling added.
David nodded in agreement, "So regarding the horses and cattle you would like. I will have to talk to Patar and Martin in the morning to find out what we can spare."
Keeling managed to acquire forty-three horses and sixty-seven cattle off the various breeds. Between the Gurkhas and Matabele the herds were taken to Nairobi to the railhead.
Susan kissed Keeling on the cheek has he bid them farewell, "Take care of yourself Robert" she warned.
David shook his hand, "Don't be a stranger Robert" he said smiling.
Has they stood on the stoop watching him ride down the track to the entrance of the crater, David murmured, "There goes a man whose heart is not in the job."
Susan nodded smiling, "The Army needs more Officers like him, who have a conscience."
Chapter 40
The news arrived the following June. The war was over; the last commandos had finally surrendered rather than let their families suffer more.
There were no calibrations in Nairobi, only a dull acceptance off the news that peace had come at last to South Africa.
Even the most diehard off the farmers who had supported the British Army now realised the terrible sanctions that Kitchener had imposed on Boer families, and had changed their minds.
Not all the Boers had accepted the peace treaty, which required them to take an oath of allegiance to the British crown.
Some had gone into self-imposed exile, moving into the German areas off control, one of which'd boarded the Imperil East African Company's land and the other West Africa.
Six months after the surrender, two horsemen were seen entering the Crater. David watched from the stoop has they made their way up the track to the house.
They reined up in front of the house, but didn't dismount.
David saw that one was only a boy of fourteen or fifteen, but he carried a Mauser rifle over his shoulder. The man at his side was beaded and wore homespun clothing and a large slouch hat, was also carrying a rifle over his shoulders.
"Good day" David said pleasantly.
The older man nodded "Good day, I'm told you sell horses, can I buy some," said with a guttural accent.
"I do" David replied, "come inside and we'll discuss what you want."
The man looked at David before replying, "You may has well know that we're Boers, that didn't surrender to you British."
David smiled, "I guessed has much from your appearance," he said pleasantly.
"So you still will sell some to us" he asked dismounting and following David into the house.
"My name is Ramage, David Ramage, and this is my wife Susan," he said has way off introduction.
"I'm Paul Van Smit, and this is my son Willie" he said, "I was told you were a Colonel," Van Smit added.
David smiled "Colonel retired, from the Khana Rifles of his Majesty Prince Hazid Ibram Kahn of Kanda. Not the British Army Mr Van Smit."
Van Smit's expression relaxed a little at this information. "My son and I are trying to start a new home in the German protectorate. I lost my wife and three children in the internment camps. I don't have much money, but it is gold. My horses are worn out, but I have land now, it needs to be tilled and planted."
Susan cut into the conversation "Mr Van Smit would you and Willie care to join us for some lunch?"
Willie's eyes had been sweeping around the room, unused to seeing furniture of quality, his eyes suddenly swung round to Susan at the mention of food.
Van Smit lifted his head to look at her, "Madam my son and I do not seek charity or pity, but thank you for your offer."
Susan's eyes flashed, "Sir, I offer neither charity nor pity, only common courtesy, has any one would, to travellers in this land."
Van Smit recoiled at the ice in Susan's words.
"Forgive me Madam, we, my son and I have forgotten about kindness. If the offer still stands, we would like to break bread with you."
It was obvious that the two had not eaten much in the past, the way they sucked the meat from the chicken bones, Willie had three pieces off apple pie, before pushing his plate away.
"Madam it is many years since we had a meal like this, cooked by a woman." Van Smit said quietly.
David and Van Smit went out to the stoop for a smoke after the meal.
"Where is your land?" David asked.
"Across the river, I would think over sixty miles from here, you are my nearest neighbour, on that side off the river, the closes, is over eighty miles away."
"So you are a long way out from the nearest town then?" David murmured.
Van Smit smiled, "The further out you are the cheaper the land. The German administration encourages you to develop the land further out. But you have to prove you are working the land in order to get the grant."
"Do you have a plough and seed?" David asked
.
"We have what you see, but we will make a home there one way or another." He replied grimly.
David looked at him seeing the determination in his face and made a decision.
"Paul, I hope you don't mind me calling you that has we are neighbours. I'm going to give you the things you need to start your new life. When you have your farm making a profit you can pay me back then."
Van Smit looked confused at David "I don't understand what you mean" he stuttered.
David laughed, "You shall see my friend."
Three days later three heavy wagons drawn by mules left the crater, along with a Jersey bull and three cows. The horses Paul and Willie had arrived with, tied to the back off a wagon.
