g down； but perhaps more picturesque than pleasant。 However； I have little doubt but that we shall beat them。 Besides the thing may blow over。 I am going to volunteer this afternoon。 。 。 。 I see that Sir Henry is getting unpopular in Natal。 All the papers are pitching into him for being too “timid and cautious。” He will be in a terrible way about this Zulu business 。 。 。 。
P。S。 — I have just “taken the shilling” as a cavalry volunteer。
Pretoria： Feb。 11； 1878。
My dearest Mother； — 。 。 。 We are rather in a state of excitement （as usual）； as the Boers are making some decided manifestations against us； and even talking of summoning the Volksraad。 They think because we are quiet we are afraid。 I should not at all wonder if we had a row； and in many ways it would not be a bad thing。 Paul Kruger when he came back was entirely with us； but since his return has bee intimidated by the blood…and…thunder party and now declares that he considers himself to be still Vice…President of the country。 There are some very amusing stories told of him whilst in London： when asked what made the greatest impression on him there； he replied the big horses in the carts； and Lord Carnarvon’s butler！ “He was a ‘mooi carle’” （beautiful fellow）。
Pretoria： March 4； 1878。
My dearest Mother； — 。 。 。 At home you seem rather alarmed about the state of affairs here； and it is not altogether reassuring。 The Zulu business hangs fire； but that cloud will surely burst。 Luckily the action Sir Henry Bulwer has taken has thrown much of the future responsibility on his shoulders。 。 。 。 It is not for a moment to be supposed that Cetewayo will be bound by any decree given against him。 。 。 。 Our most pressing danger now is the Boers。 They really seem to mean business this time