New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-17
CRONJE At ST. HELENA.
THE TACITURN BOER PRISONER IN EXILE
WITH HIS WIFE.

Chronicle.
Kent Cottage, where is the present home of
CronJe and his small retinue, IS pleasantly stu
ated, though the approach is by means en-
ucing. You may make your choice of two
routes. There is the shorter way up Jacobs
Ladder with its seven hundred steps save one
a straight course up the face Of almost per
peudicular rock-or there is the zigZag carriage
road. When the top of the hill is reached the
road branches off in another direction. but ever
on the rise, and bOrdered on either side by
thicketS Of prickly pear cactus. The road is red
rock, and the shimmering heat makes even the
green of the cactus refTeshment to the eye.
At length, just below the extreme head of a val
ley which drops to the right and runs down to
the sea, there comes into view CTOnje'S new
nome. The cacti have vanished, and for once
you catch glimpse of real trees and cultivated
land, while delightful breeze comes down from
the hills yet further up.
1t is just such a cottage as may be seen on
the outskirts of many English village.
Imagine unpretentious two stored dwelling
with slate roof, and yellow washed walls, stand
ing out clearly from a background of green
hillside. The window frames and shutters are
painted the shade OF green that you may
see any day at a Dutch farmhouse in the Paarl
district of the Cape Colony. In front runs a
veranda, and there is a slightly raised 'stoep"
There is also some pretence at flower garden,
but il is sadly neglected. The garden is incloSed
by a black wooden paling, and still further in
front is little more cultivated land with
bananas and few other trees. The scene is
simplicity itself, but for the bell tent in the
right hand front corner of the garden. and the
steady tramp of khaki clad sentTles, east west,
north and south.
on the stoep and beneath the veranda for
the best part of the day sits General Cronje,
dark OF Visage, somewhat long bearded, and
with hair turning gray. His eyes are deep set,
dark and feTTetlike and his demeanOr IS one OF
extreme reserve. Piet Cronje can speak English
well any TransVaaler of Dutch extraction,
hut you may ply him in vain with questions IN
English He positively refuses to speak any
thing but his native "taal,' and even then his
reples are little more than monosyIlables. He
has little to say about anything, and IS difficult
to draw. OF course, he feels his position You
fI,sf Hr-rftt
contrary to what many people think, ne APP
pears to be very grateful for any kindness that
is shown him. and fully appreciates the efforts
that made to secure his comfort Beyond
this he is the Sphinx.
1t is a strange character, this of Piet Cronje.
Charges of terrible cruelty have been lald at
his door and somehow, when you carefully re
gard his face, YOU feel sure that the man IS
capable Of violating the terms of an armlstice
or firing the women and children's lager
Yet there are some redeeming features, as, for
example when the fire of patriotism lights his
eye and more particularly in the homage paid
to his wife. All day long Mrs. Cronje, in rusty
black dress and black Boer 'kappie," is the
defeated Generals close companion. Others
who are blood relations may emerge from the
house and remain for a brief while beneath the
Veranda but there is about them the restless
ness and impetuositv of the younger Boer when
under restraint. When for instance, | was at
Kent Cottage there came within a hundred and
fifty yards, Just outside the Gordon of sentries
two young subalterns with Held glasses ana
SNAPSHOT cameras. OF course they were lnqulSl-
tive The General and his wife were screened
by the closed end Of the veranda, but a younger
relative was extremely annoyed. He was
dne tan Young fellow in shirtsleeves and the
inevitable SLOUGH hat As he caught sight of the
officers he gesticulated violently, flung his arms
about and muttered in Dutch Then he hur-
riedIy entered the house but only to emerge
minute later, If anything more restless than
ever Cronie however, and his wife nave &C
auired the art Of sitting still. His attachment
10 her is very great Talk to him on any sub
iect and he viii Immediately make reference to
her views and acts. Crdnje the devoted nus
- 10 POI r. lief q
and OF Kimberley! You come away feeling that
the conjunction Is incongruouA