The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-03-19
Danny --6erc,

In HIS remarkable book, "Three
Years War;" General E. r. de
Wet tells of many deeds of valor,
of how brave men fought and suf-
fered for their country. Conspicuous
among the many mentioned by him is
the hero of Paardeberg Danny Theron,
scout and dispatch rider.
When the British surrounded Gen.
CroDje's laager at Paardeberg, they
held the old lion fast in a trap. Gen.
de Wet rode at all speed to his rescue
and with him came the valiant Botha.
Their troops were d mere handful COM
pared with the overwhelmingforces of
the British, yet they decided to break
the line encircling Cronje's laager and
give him chance to retreat. They set
about their work in a characteristic
manner. Heaclong they charged the
British position across the Modder
River from Cronje's laager, succeeded
IN driving the enemy from Stinkfontien
and thus opened a path through the
British lines for Cronje to escape. This
position they occupied for over two
days, but Cronje would not make
a move. The stubborn old lion was
impeded with his sick and wounded
and altho de Wet sent messages be-
seeehing him to take advantage of the
break in the. enemy's lines, he obsti-
natsly refused to leave the ill-fated
lasger. The awilful man would have
bis way" and sacrifice his command
rather than retreat from the stand he
had taken. Gen. de Wet was forced to
retreat; the British again took posses
sion of Stinkfontien and once more
closed the trap upon Cronje.
Even then de Wet did not give up all
hope of rescuing Cronje. He devised
a plan that, had Cronje taken advan-
tsge of it, would have saved the most
of his command. The scheme was
characteristic of the man. Cronje was
to fight his way through the British
lines at night and meet de Wet at
either of two places he (de Wet) would
Dame. After meeting him, Cronje was
to retreat still farther drawing the
enemy after him, while de Wet pro-
tected his rear and harassed the pur-
suing forces.
Sneh was the plan of de Wet, but
between him and Cronje the British
intsTposed barrier of steel that
seemed impossible. How to get this
plan through the enemy's lines to Cron-
jes laager was the question. General
de Wet tells how he got word to Cron-
je in the simple language of soldier,
yet every word burns like fire, for it is
the record of a deed unparalleled in the
annals of war.
Danny Theron was the man who
brought de Vets message and plan
through the ring of British to Cronje's
dagger. When de Wet asked him to
go he replied, "Yes General I will 60"
and set out alone that night upon his
peril0us adventure. The fate Of 1.-The
Bosf cause was in the hands of DANNY
Theron that night, for if he could get
through the British lines and persuade
Gonje to fight his way out, Cronje's
command would be saved to fight the
battles of his country. If he fell into
the hands of the British the ignomini-
Ons death of spy would be his fate.
The secret he carried with him the
British could not take from him, for it
was locked in his heart and stamped
upon his brain.
The night after Theron started upon
his mission de Wet went to one of the
two meeting places and was surprised
that CronJe had not taken advantage
OF his plan. He never doubted the
ability of Theron and knew that by
this time he had passed the British lines
and delivered his message. The next
day Danny Theron staggered into camp
with his clothes torn to ribbons and
the flesh of his hands and legs lacerated
and bleeding. He reported that he had
delivered the message to Cronje, but
that Cronje refused to take advantage