ate had
cast in her lot with the Transvaal. He failed to see, and had to be
reminded that Free Staters and Transvaalers were essentially one
people; that the Vaal River divides the two States, but not the
people, as far as blood was concerned.

"On being asked why they had evacuated the hill, which was their
chief stronghold, he replied: 'That was a mistake.' We do not
object to such mistakes. If this had not been committed, Spragge
would in all probability have remained a free man, and his column
would not have fallen into our hands, for that was our last and
only chance. Early the next morning the reinforcements appeared on
the adjacent hills, but they were too late to rescue Spragge's
column. The prisoners were sent on to Reitz, and from there to the
Transvaal."

[Illustration: AN INTERESTING GROUP.

The three seated in the centre are MR. MCDONALD, COMMANDANT LOUIS
WESSELS, and the late LIEUT. P. TROSKIE.]

CHAPTER IV.

IN TIGHT CORNERS.

Daring the event to the teeth ...
And danger serves among them.

_Shakespeare._

Come, let us make an honourable retreat,
Though not with bag and baggage.

_Shakespeare._

The above heading may seem strange, and yet we presume that most
officers, as well as many privates, who had taken a leading part in the
late South African War can record many instances where they escaped by
the skin of the teeth.

How often a shell exploded like a thunder-clap in one's immediate
vicinity! How many a bullet just missed its mark as by a hair's breadth,
whizzing past the ear with lightning speed! Well I remember how, on one
occasion, a shell exploded right overhead with such tremendous force
that both rider and horse rolled in the dust by the violent concussion
produced by the explosion. The burghers, some distance away, watching
me, thought that would be the last of Kritzinger. To their surprise I
rose again, shook off the dust, mounted my steed, and rode on to the
position they were defending.

At present I shall not dwell on deliverances from the fire-spouting
machines of modern warfare, but confine my remarks to such escapes as
were connected with attempts on the part of the enemy, either to secure
my person or capture my commando. Here again I shall only cite some
instances; to relate all will be tedious to reader and writer alike.

In the beginni