e the executioner had drawn the bolt.

Now these tragic enactments influenced the Colonists in one of two ways.
Some of them--the more timid--who were eye-witnesses of the executions
of their fellow-Dutch, became so intimidated that nothing could induce
them to take up arms against the British. Others--and these not a
few--instead of being over-awed and frightened, got infuriated. In the
awful presence of the gallows, on which their beloved countrymen ended
their earthly career, there and then, as they gazed on them in silent
sorrow, they took a solemn oath that, come what may, _avenge_ they would
the blood of their kindred. From the gallows they went to their
different homes with impressions and feelings so deep and bitter that
not even "Time's effacing finger" will be able to wipe them out for
centuries to come. From these heartrending scenes they turned their
faces, and anxiously awaited the first Boer commando.

On one occasion no less than fifteen colonists, who were forced to
attend the execution of a fellow-colonist, came to my commando and
begged me to provide them with horses and rifles. Nothing could induce
them to return, for they had seen a comrade slain, and that was
sufficient. And so time and again colonists joined the Boer ranks
because they had to witness scenes calculated to stir up the most
callous and indifferent. If these were moved, how much more the hearts
and hands of those linked by ties of blood and love to the fallen! One
brother would enlist because the other was heavily fined or imprisoned
simply on suspicion. Two or more colonists would club together and join
the Boer ranks after a friend or relative of them had been executed. To
cite a few instances:--

In the Middelburg district a certain farmer, by name Van Heerden, was
commandeered by an English patrol to act as guide. Reluctantly he
obeyed, and led the patrol to the best of his ability. Not far from his
home the Boers opened fire on them. The British retreated, leaving their
wounded behind. Van Heerden himself was dangerously wounded. He was
carried off the field by his wife and servants and laid up in his house.
A few days after the column to which the patrol belonged arrived at Van
Heerden's farm. The officer in command entered the house of the wounded
man in a raging temper, and ordered him to be carried out and shot
immediately. In vain did the wife of Van Heerden expostulate and plead
with the unmerciful officer to spare the lif