Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-15

caused us sleepily to open our eyes, received
startling information as to where we were.
On the slope above British blockhouse.
We had taken rest within easy range of at least
five hundred hostile rifles. The yellow light of the
rising sun was gliding the silent but ominous looking
little structure on the height; but the shadows
still lingering in the valleys, and SO far were con.
cealing Without delay we took advantage OF
them to gallop round to the other side OF the hill,
and from here we cut across toward the Pretoria
Rustenburg main road, which would soon lead u.s.
knew, to the farm settlement of ShurWeburg,
where we hoped to find some Beers.
Realizing that we should be as CONSPICUOUS on the
open vedt in the road we turned into 1t boldly,
and rapidly followed it up long slope. Our horses
trotted briskly, with smoking .nostrls, and we
breathed deeply of the cool morning air. feeling
of exhilaration was upon us, because we thought
that for the time at least had left the enemy be-
hind. But suddenly the road dipped across the
dried bed of stream and beside it we saw large
bag. l dismounted to take close look at
the and read on IN big tiers
amined the wagon and horse tracks, and saw that
they very fresh.
1--WE had better stop right where we are adj
from their saddles, and we held consultation. 1t
decided that they should creep to the top of
the slope on foot, while l. who had more experience
at handling horses, should remain behind with our
three riding and two pack animals, in readiness to
rush them to clump of bushes that rose promi-
nently the barren landscape about three hundred
wards to our right the bank of the dried stream.
1t was obvious that these bushes would afford us
poor concealment; but none better was in sight
of my companions move up the road and, when
the place where it disappeared over the summit
of the hill climb cautiously to the top of the parallel
bank Here they dropped to their hands and knees,
and lost sight of them. In moment they came
clambering down the bank again, and, on reaching
the road, began to rum
here! cried the Major as he stopped in front OF me.
about four hundred cavalry deployed along
the road just the hill, and they are spreading
out in this direction. hundred more crossing
the vedt from Shurweburg way, and will strike the
road behind We to be pretty nearly SUR
rounded. The bushes are our only chance"
The Approaching Crisis
WITH this we seized our horses brides and made
v" for the protecting clump. Here concealed
the animals as best could but there big OPEN
ings between the bushes and we were much afraid
that if the cavalry came down the road we could
not escape their notice. And they were coming! A
drew rein, used their field glasses for moment and
then, walking their horses advanced toward
Others followed. With it's head approaching nearer
and nearer the column kept lengthening out, sug-
costing to my strained eyes long snake. But no
snake could have been so terrifying
We were fiat on our stomachs among some boul-
derS but our horses standing, with parts of
their bodies plainly discernible from the highway.
Feeling that discovery absolutely certain
made up my mind to leap on my fleet bay mare
and make dash down the road for life. The
chances fifty to against my getting through,
because of the troops that moving across the
vedt to the road behind us, which could now
see; but, as l have already Indicated death in the
saddle greatly to be preferred the death that
would come to me at the hands of the British, who
hated me. From their viewpoint was very no.
torous and dangerous character.
1t was because l knew their attitude we'll that
l determined to try forlorn hope; but, in lifting
myself to announce my intention to the Ma or and
Gustave, l saw that even this slim chance
gone. The troopers on the ve1dt, perceiving the
others the highway, had quickened their pace,
and were even then swarming on the road. hardly
more than hundred yards below us. We could