No! it would be regarded with horror as the grave of an Afrikander who had helped to bring his brother Afrikanders to their downfall.
Although I never took it amiss if a colonist of Natal or of Cape Colony was unwilling to fight with us against England, yet I admit that it vexed me greatly to think that some of these colonists, for the sake of a paltry five shillings a day, should be ready to shoot down their fellow-countrymen.

Such men, alas! there have always been, since, in the first days of the human race, Cain killed his brother Abel.

But Cain had not long to wait for his reward! Whilst we were besieging these Afrikanders, news came that large columns from Reddersburg and Bloemfontein were drawing near.

So overwhelming were their numbers that the commandos of Generals A.P.Cronje and Piet de Wet were far too weak to hold them in check, and I had to despatch two reinforcing parties, the first under Commandant Fourie, the second under General J.B.

Wessels.
General Froneman had now returned from Smithfield, whither I had sent him to attack the garrison.