to-morrow.'" Imagine his astonishment on learning that he was then
addressing the very man whom he had hoped to meet as a prisoner-of-war.

He handed me his rifle. After that we had a long conversation, and
enjoyed a drink together, as though we had never been at war.

The ammunition and horses were confiscated, and came in very useful
after the engagement of the previous day. The commandant and his party
were then dismissed.


AGAINST THE RAILWAY.

Towards the end of July, 1901, large forces of the enemy had
concentrated upon my commando. Our only salvation then lay in crossing
the Port Elizabeth railway line, near which we then were.

After a day's fighting we set out to the line, but to our great
disappointment and embarrassment we found the line securely guarded by
armoured trains, which made it impossible for us to cross during the
day.

The enemy had followed us up, and there was no chance of retracing our
steps. All we could do was to resist the foe till it was dark, and then
try to escape. This we did, and succeeded in repelling the enemy. The
burghers fought bravely, but at sunset they were forced to evacuate
their positions and withdraw to a mountain next to the railway line.

This was our last position. We could go no farther. In front of us was
the railway, behind and on our flanks the British columns. Indeed, an