enlist in our ranks. There we should be constantly recruited, and our
commandoes would increase rather than decrease. That was an advantage
not to be despised, for our forces were getting daily weaker in the
states.

[Illustration: GENERAL CHRISTIAN DE WET.]

With such facts before him, General De Wet planned a second invasion of
the Cape Colony towards the close of the year 1901. By the end of
November we met him with his forces, about 1500 strong, in the district
of Bethulie. After a few days' fighting with the forces of General Knox
on the farms Goede Hoop and Willoughby, we left for the Orange River,
which we intended to ford at Odendaal's Stroom, a drift fifteen miles
below Aliwal North.

As heavy rains began to fall, we were anxious to reach the river before
it was in flood. Day and night through rain and mud we ploughed on
towards the river. When we reached the Caledon River we saw that the
water was rising rapidly, and began to fear that the Orange River, which
was still thirty miles off, would be impassable. Well, we were going to
try. We increased our speed, and left behind scores of tired horses and
mules.

The 1st of December, at sunset, we arrived on the banks of the river.
But what a disappointment! A rolling mass of water before us, so deep
and strong that there was no chance to pass through. And there we were
between two rivers in flood, with a narrow strip of country between
them, and thousands of the enemy on our track. We knew that the English
could seize the bridges, of which there are but a few, and could then be
reinforced from all parts of the country to hem us in so closely that