e Krupps, against which you will not be
able to hold out. I therefore advise you, in order to prevent
bloodshed, to surrender."

The messenger returned under a storm of bullets, for no sooner had he
left the English lines than they opened fire on him. How he was missed
seemed inexplicable. The answer he brought back was: "I am d----d if I
surrender." On receiving this reply firing at once commenced. Positions
nearer to the enemy were gradually occupied.

Towards sunset our guns arrived, and were brought to bear upon the
enemy. But darkness soon set in, and firing ceased on both sides. To
make sure that the enemy would not escape during the night, we occupied
positions all round them, and in the darkness of the night silently
stole as near to their positions as was possible.

The next morning, as soon as the glimmer of dawn revealed the Mauser
sights to our eyes, the firing started with renewed vigour. We had drawn
so close to the enemy that when our guns were brought in action we
could, under cover of these, storm their positions. The men boldly
rushed up to the enemy's skanzes, and some burghers even seized their
rifles by the barrels, as they presented these over the bulwarks,
calling out, "Hands up! hands up!"

At 11 A.M. the white flag was hoisted. The commanding officer, who had
refused to surrender, was mortally wounded. Three hundred and seventy
were sent to the Transvaal as prisoners-of-war, while their wounded and
killed numbered 92.

Among the English we found five Boer prisoners-of-war, who were likewise
exposed to our firing. Imagine their joy in being released! They greeted
us with the ejaculation: "Thank God we are free!" We mourned the death
of Veldt Cornet du Plessis of Kroonstad, who fell after the white flag
had been hoisted. That such mistakes should occur! Six or seven burghers
were wounded.

LADYBRAND VISITED.

Towards the end of July, 1900, Prinsloo's surrender took place. Those of
us who escaped the trap laid left for Heilbron with the hope of meeting
De Wet's commando there. Near Heilbron we heard the dismal news that he
was forced over the Vaal and was being driven northward by some 40,000
troops. This, led us to change our course and move in the direction of
Winburg.

On the morning of the 27th of August we made an unsuccessful attack on
Winburg. Olivier, with 27 men, got captured. The burden and
responsibility of leading others was then first placed upon my
shoulders. I