I immediately climbed the pole and cut the Frankfort side of the line.  Then I took another piece of cable, and connected the earth terminal of the vibrator with the telegraph pole.  The British signals now came through beautifully clear.  The first message that passed was one from General Hamilton to Lord Roberts, announcing his arrival at Heilbron, the details of the two engagements fought during the march, the number of killed and wounded, and the state of his force—­“often hungry, but cheerful.”  Then followed some others of lesser importance.  The President’s party were just driving away.  I left my assistant with the vibrator, ran across to the road, and handed His Honour the messages.  He smiled as he read the report and appeared highly gratified.  After a few words of encouragement to me he drove on, and I returned to the line.  The signals were now so weak, however, that nothing could be distinguished.

We saddled our horses and rode towards Heilbron, intending to try again closer to the town.  We had not gone far before the captain of the despatch riders and one of his men overtook us.  They had been ordered by the President to place themselves at my disposition.  Four men would have attracted too much attention, however, and I persuaded them to return.  We two rode on until almost on top of the hill overlooking Heilbron, when we dismounted.  Drawing the horses behind a low stone wall, we attached the instrument to the line.  I listened.  There were no fewer than five different vibrators calling each other, some strong and clear, others sounding weak and far, like “horns of Elfland faintly blowing.”  Presently the disputing signals died away, and one musical note alone took up the strain.

Never was lover more absorbed in the thrilling sound of his divinity’s voice than I in the notes of that vibrator, seemingly wailing up from the bowels of the earth.

Nor was my attention unrewarded.

“From Chief of Staff, Honingspruit,” came the words, “to General Hamilton, Heilbron.”  Then followed orders.  How Hamilton was to march from Heilbron; how Broadwood was to move from Ventersburg, the entire plan of campaign for the next few weeks!  A mass of information to gladden the heart of our steadfast chief.  “Hurrah!” we whispered to each other, as I carefully put the precious message in a safe place.

Then some harsh, grating sounds were heard in the microphone.  The wires were evidently being overhauled in Heilbron.  Complete silence followed.  Hearing a couple of shots fired on our left, we removed all traces of our work and rode back to our starting-point, well satisfied with the valuable information we had so fortunately obtained.  I at once sent my assistant after the President with the despatch.  Fearing that the enemy might send a patrol here during the night, I left for Frankfort, and arrived there at midnight.  Before leaving, however, I had instructed my assistant to join up the line where I had cut it, if upon his return the next morning he should find the place still free from the enemy.