The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-02
A PRISONER WITH THE BOERS.

We got through safely as far as
Elandslaagte. but at this point the sg-
nal was dead against MS and the driver
pulled up. The signal had been clever
~ manipulated by party OF Roers
numbering about fifty who had oeen
iying in wait for us. The moment we
slowed down the driver was covered
I by their rifles and we were called uJy
! on To alight. The passenger tran. VIC
4 learned afterward, had managed to
! rush the station. The Beers had fired
upon il. but the plucky engine driver
put on full steam and went safely
ahead, though he was compelled to
leave the guard behind. rlo Beers had
then taken possession OF the station
and ordered the man in ehar to set
the signal at stop" in order 10 check
our train. our driver ran right into the
trap, and we found ourselves prisoners
before we well knew what had occur
red, writes a correspondent of the Lon
don Standard.
Directly they had secured the train,
the Beers cut the telegraph line and
tore up the track. We ourselves were
treTted well. though the field cornet in
command warned US that anyone at
tempting To escape would, IL discover
ed, be immediately shot down. AT the
same time, he assured us. THAT the Beers
were not savages. Those under his
charge consisted Of Transvaaers, Free
Staters. and Dutchmen from Cape
Colony who were British subjects. MY
enforced stay with the enemy was not
without its amusing features.
l found them great deal less trucu-
lent in manner rhan i'm appearance.
They were all in the highest spirits. For
instance, on the night of our capture
the field .cornet was induced TO preside
over AN impromptu smoking concert.
The Beers are extremely fond of mus c.
and IL was amusing to see a Johannes
burger paying the piano, with his gun
still slung over his shoulder, while his
more rustic comrades stood around
him spellbound. They sang the Trans
Vaal "Volkslied" with immense fervor
ana volume OF sound. The one subject
OF their fahk was their rcsolute deter
mination TO fight TO the last for the in
dependence of their country.
General De Koch, with n few guns
and 1900 men. including a German con-
tingpnt, arrived in camp the same MI ght
Ii was evident TO us from the conver-
sation of the leaders that battle was
impending. l and my fellow-prisoners
were strictly warned 60 remain within
finemsnt the proceedings OF one or two
OF The more turbulent Beers caused us
some anxiety. Two OF them actually
came to blows i'm our room. and had
To be separated by force. But the lead
ers were on the whole particularly
careful 10 place us under the charge
OF well-disposed and trustworthy men.
ON Friday night our field cornet, al
though nodding I'm his chair Tor want
OF sleep. presided for an hour over an
other smoking concert when the ut
most tollity preva led. We pt tsonCfs
slept on the iloor. while the majority cf
the Beers withdrew to short distance
from the railway.
ON Saturday morning We We're star
tied by the sound of the British guns.
and began 20 hone that there might be
a prospect of rescue or ESCAPE. our
desire was soon realized. The Beers. in
Guiding our guards. speedily found
enough To occupv their attention with
out troubling about handful of civil
San prisoners. and in the course NJ the
morning we made our way unmolested
to the Rritish lines. There We were en-
abltd To follcs the whole course OF the
battle 90 Einndslaagte.