refused to lay down arms on Prinsloo’s authority.  This was my first commission in the Boer Army.  On more than one occasion I had been requested to accept appointments; but, realising the great responsibility involved in leadership, I preferred to fight as a private.  But events pushed onward; and on the 26th of August, 1900, when Commandant Olivier made an unsuccessful attack on Winburg, which resulted in his capture, I was elected in his stead, and so became Commandant of the Rouxville Commando.

On December 16th, 1900, carrying out instructions of General De Wet, I crossed the Orange River at a point near Odendaal’s Stroom, with about 270 burghers.  General De Wet was to follow me, but he was prevented.  The enemy, determined to drive me back or effect my capture, concentrated numerous forces on my small commando.  For months I was dreadfully harassed, and had no rest day or night.  But I was resolved neither to retrace my steps nor to capitulate.  How I escaped from time to time I now tell.  The Cape Colonist Boers began to come in, and my forces increased rather than decreased.  The burghers I had at my disposal I subdivided into smaller commandos, to give employment to the enemy, so that they could not concentrate all their forces on me.  Thus, as the Colonists rose in arms, the commandos began to multiply more and more, until it was impossible for the British forces to expel the invaders from the Cape Colony.

At the beginning of August, 1901, General French once more fixed his attention on me.  I was hard pressed by large forces, and had to fall back on the Orange Free State, where I then operated till the 15th of December.  Again, and now for the last time, I forded the Orange River at midnight, and set foot on British territory.  The following day I was wounded while crossing the railway line near Hanover Road.  For about a month I was laid up in the British hospital at Naauwpoort, whence I was removed to Graaf Reinet gaol, and there I was confined as a criminal until the 10th of March, 1902, when after a five days’ trial for murder I was acquitted.  After my acquittal I was advanced to the honour (?) of P.O.W. (Prisoner of War), and so remained till the cessation of hostilities.

CHAPTER II.

Dark days.

Oft expectation fails, and most oft there where most it promises.

Shakespeare.

Up to the 27th February, 1900, the Republican arms were on the whole successful.  The Boers fought well and many a brilliant victory crowned their efforts, and encouraged them to continue their struggle for freedom.  True, they had to sacrifice many noble lives, but that was a sacrifice they were prepared to make for their country.  Fortune smiled on them; as yet they had met with no very serious reverses.  Magersfontein, Stormberg, Colenso, Spion Kop, were so many offerings of scarce vanquished Boers to the veiled Goddess Liberty.  But towards the end of