they could get all they desired, except their independence.  All could go home, each would get a horse-saddle and bridle, their private property would not be confiscated, and they would be allowed to follow their agricultural and pastoral pursuits undisturbed.  And the poor officers—­well for them that there were no extenuating terms, no mercy.  So, at least, said Commandant Polly de Villiers, of the Ficksburg Commando.  He, when posing as a martyr, announced these conditions to the burghers, who, after such long separation from their families, found it impossible to withstand such charming terms.  Sorrowfully were they disillusioned after they had laid down their arms.

To make the surrender a complete success, all sorts of rumours were freely circulated.  The burghers were told that all who did not surrender would be shot as rebels when captured, that the pass, higher up the mountains, was guarded by twenty-five lyddite guns, so that every exit was cut off by the enemy.  When these reports were brought to bear on men already depressed and discouraged it did not require great pressure to effect their surrender.  Still, if these men had not been misled, if they had known that Ceylon and India would be the final destination of many of them, they never would have surrendered, and very few of them would have been captured there and then.  All this they found out when it was too late.

These unfortunate burghers we do not wish to criticise too severely.  The officers were to blame.  Many of them certainly fell into the hands of the enemy through no fault of their own.  There were, however, some who were only too ready to lay down their arms, and these were the majority.  They did not act the part of men; for they deserted shamefully those who still struggled bravely for freedom.  Nor am I willing to judge these.  Let conscience speak to such as these.

Some officers, animated by a truer love of their country, protested strongly against such an illegal and shameful surrender.  One of these, General Olivier of the Rouxville Commando, called his burghers together and told them plainly what he thought.  He warned them not to place too much credence in British promises, and promised that those who would follow him he would lead out safely.  Of his whole commando—­about four hundred strong—­scarcely seventy followed him.  The others surrendered.

Besides attending to his men, General Olivier also took charge of most of the Boer guns, which were to have formed no mean part of the booty, for Prinsloo had promised the British some thirteen guns, one pom-pom, and a few maxims with all their ammunition.  In the pass at Salmon Raads, General Hector MacDonald met Olivier with the guns.  He at once ordered him to go no farther, as he was a surrendered man.  Olivier tarried as long as it pleased him, and then proceeded, taking the guns along with him.