On Commando

n Kirsten, who had to reconnoitre in the direction of Rustenburg along the Magalies Mountains. We first of all

s and taken the oath of neutrality, took courage when the

them we, in a way, forced to join us, as we took the guns and horses of the unwilling ones or of those who acted at all in a suspicious way. We also called them traitors. But most of the burghers joined us of their own free will. Many had not taken the oath of neutrality, as t

ging those who broke the oath of neutrality later on, we must remember that the enemy did not keep to their part of the contract, and so our men were justified in considering it as n

nt the enemy from going on a plundering expedition. Then I for the first time saw a farm-house burnt down by the enemy. From a high kopje, by the aid o

stenburg, and Magatonek was al

towards evening we withdrew into the thick woods of the kloofs, where it was delightfully warm both for ourselves and for our horses. When a small number of the enemy came in our direction,

ifantsnek was in possession of the enemy. We had to ford a donga closed in by barbed wire. When we got to the farm, we were told that the enemy had not been there, with the exception of a khaki who h

ut could not get back to our comrades on the hills because of the barbed wire in the donga. We had gone only about 250 paces along the drift, when the enemy came riding along. Fortunately, they were intent on plunder and did not see us, as they kept their eyes fixed in the direction of the house. If we had been a few seconds later we s

er family were so cruelly insulted and plundered by the khakies afterwards. We met with great kindness during our stay in the Magalies Mountains. We always got something to eat, and

to the west of Rustenburg, and had left two Commandan

we left the wide tract of wood that stretches along the Magalies Mountains, we noticed that the enemy from Rustenburg had come to meet the column from Selikatsnek. Fortunately, our horses were good, and we escaped the danger by riding back into the wood to a farm that I knew of. While we were givin

he pass was clear. Our men were most changeable in their moods. The slightest favourable tidings raised their spirits, but any unfavourable news made their courage sink into their shoes. There was much talk about the retreating movement of the enemy. Som

en, to our great surprise, De Wet arrived with a commando of 2,800 men, followed by 40,000 English. He had been

e Wet. Our Commandant with his men accompanied President Steyn to Machadodorp to President Kruger. We put up our tents for the time being next to those of President Steyn, so that we had time and opportunity enough to learn to know

at the ambulance of the Orange Free State was to fol

flight. The enemy were expected at any moment. But the ambulance was there still, and

m. The commando left there that afternoon, and went along the Magalies Mountains to Commandonek. That day an

e did not try to encourage us with hopes of intervention, but merely pointed out th

t he must surrender. The officer replied that he did not quite understand who must surrender-he or De Wet. I think this was merely a dodge on De

heard that an English General had related this dodge of De Wet's, but he thought De Wet had threatened him with a very smal