Evening star., 1897-06-05

pared with those of Horatius Coolies or the
vicfoIs of Thermopylae
The facts about Abel Kruger / learned
during my stay in South Africa, from
the lips of Mr.. LauGhln Kelly of Bloem-
fontein. Orange Free State, members %
whose family were companiors in arms
of the gallant Boer. Kruger was q near
relative of President Paul Kruger of the
TransvaaIthe famous loom Paul"
A little more than thirty years have
passed since the Orange Free State, at
that time still in its infancy. waged a san
culinary war with the Basutus, then newly
welded into a nation by their astute king
Moshcshc.
The country OF the Basutus is a land of
broken and rugged mountains. clustering
about the head waters of the Orange river.
From the western foot of these mountains
the open plains of the Free State stretch
away. grassy and treeesS, toward the set
ting sun. Over all its level expanse there
is hardly a hill to he seen, while the air is
SO pure anf dry that objects can be dis
cerncd at an almost incredible distance.
AT the very outbreak of hostilities with
the Basutus the Free State called to arms
every atle-bodied hurgher within her boun-
daries. Now, the Boer soldier always a
horsenan. may literally be said to live in
the saddie-for from the saddle he shoots;
In the saddle. while riding, he half the
time eats: and only dismounts when press
ed by the exigencies of sleep. Trained from
his childhood to shoot from the saddle.
every man is an expert rider and marks
man-SCch solder was Abel Kruger, one
OF the very first to he summoned from his
farm to drive back the murderous bands
of Mosheshe, who, coming down from their
mountains at unexpected points Stroye
with demon ferocity to blot out in fire and
blood every home and settlement of the
whites within reach of frebrand and as
segai-
all Tod
said-were diyiued into small bands of
from 90 TO 30 men. Each band or com
mando operated in a semi-independent
manner against the half-civilized enemy
confin!ng itself generally as much as pos
sibie TO its proper district. The "conman-
do to which Abel Kruger belonged was
early called away from the neignborhood
of his residence. 10 scour the country far
and rear. in search OF parties of maraud-
erS.
Sad Homecoming.
The Kruger farm house was situated on
the open plain some miles distant from,
the mountains, and Abel suspected that il
would sooner OF later be exposed to at
tack 1t bore hard with him to 60 away
WITH the commando. ard leave his home al
most cefenSeleSS His wife and children
were there. With only two three faithful
servants to protect them. Naturally he
was anxious foT their safety when, after
an absence OF week. his commando rode
back 10 his place"
nile still afar off, Abel stopped low in
MS saddle, striving to descry the smoke
Wrcatling up from the chimney. The cat
Tie that should have graZed on the plain in
tHe vicinity were nowhere to be seen
Nearer and nearer rode the troop till at
iast the house was in View, rooiiess and
fuinel- Five minutes later they dismount-
ed before the blackened walls.
mere are my wife and my children?"
ne cried. rushing in through the charred
sand smoke-begrimed doorway. Their mutt
Hated corpSes lay before him in all the hor-
riDle gnastliness of death. For some mo-
lnentS ne gazed at them in silence. The
shining tears coursed down his bearded
face. but never a word did he utter He
slowly walked back and replaced himself
In the saddle. vowirg vengeance on the
muTdeIOu Basutus.
lis companions had mounted and were
really 10 gallop away, when Abel rode up
beside the commander. took off his hat
and. with upraised arm, called God and
man to witness his resolve. that as long a.
the war should continue he would never