HANSIE'S MOTHER

AS A PEACE-OFFERING FOR HAVING BROUGHT HER INTO PUBLICITY IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO HER WISHES

FOREWORDToC

In introducing the English version of this book I venture to bespeak a welcome for it, not only for the light which it throws on some little-known incidents of the South African war, but also because of the keen personal interest of the events recorded. It is more than a history. It is a dramatic picture of the hopes and fears, the devotion and bitterness with which some patriotic women in Pretoria watched and, as far as they could, took part in the war which was slowly drawing to its conclusion on the veld outside.

I do not associate myself with the opinions expressed by the writer as to the causes of the war or the methods adopted to bring it to an end, or as to the policy which led to the Concentration Camps, and the causes of the terrible mortality which prevailed during the first months of their existence. On these matters many readers will hold different opinions from the writer, or will prefer to let judgment be in suspense and to look to the historian of the future for a final verdict. We are still too near the events to be impartial. But this book does not challenge or invite controversy. Fortunately for South Africa, most of us on both sides can now discuss the events of the war without bitterness and understand and respect the feelings of those who were most sharply divided by these events from ourselves.

The greater part of the narrative comes from a diary kept during the war with unusual fullness and vividness. The difficulty experienced by the writer of the diary in communicating to friends outside Pretoria information about what was passing inside, and in unburdening herself of the feelings roused in her by the events of the war, made the diary more than usually intimate. To understand fully many of the narratives which have been transferred from it to this book, it must be remembered that one is reading, not something written from memory years after the event, but rather the record of a conversation at the time, in which the diarist is describing the events as if to a friend who shares to the full all her own feelings and to whom she can speak without reserve.

Much has happened in the ten years which have passed since the end of the war. The country which was distracted by the conflicting ideals and interests of its different Governments and peoples has become the Union of South Africa. It is now one State. It remains that it should call forth a spirit of patriotism and nationality which will unite and not divide its people.

Patrick Duncan.

Johannesburg, 1912.

INTRODUCTIONToC

If, by inspiring feelings of patriotism in the hearts of some of my readers, especially those members of the rising generation to whom this story of adventure may appeal, I succeed in raising the standard of national life, this book will have achieved the purpose for which it was written, and I shall feel more than compensated for having set aside the reluctance with which I faced the thought of the publicity when first I began the work.

I have tried to give the public some idea of what was done by Boer women, during the great Anglo-Boer war, to keep their men in the field and to support them in what proved to be a hopeless struggle for independence and liberty.

As far as I was able I have also described the perils and hardships connected with the Secret Service of the Boers and the heroism and resource displayed by the men.

Although it is with the knowledge and consent of the Boer leaders that I give publicity to what is known to me of the methods employed in the Secret Service of the Boers, I do not wish to convey the impression that these events of the war at any time bore an official character.

It is a purely personal narrative and has only been written at the repeated request, during the last ten years, of the many friends associated with the experiences of the diarist and of the principal characters appearing in this book.

In order to preserve the historical value of the book no fictitious names have been employed.

There are, as far as we know, very few records of this nature in existence, owing to the dangers connected with keeping a diary under martial law, and it seemed a pity, therefore, to withhold from the public materials which may be of use to those who are interested in studying or writing the history of those critical years.

I cannot vouch for the truth of every war rumour related here, nor for the accuracy of the information which I have obtained from other people, but the experiences of the diarist, as they were recorded from day to day, are correct in every detail.

My Dutch edition of this book, Die Kappie Kommando, is now appearing in the Dutch South African bi-monthly journal, Die Brandwag, and will, when completed, be published in book form in Holland.

In conclusion, I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my thanks to the Honourable Sir Richard Solomon, G.C.M.G., etc., for the help and assistance which he has so kindly given me in connection with the publication of my book.

The Writer.

Johannesburg, 1912.

CONTENTS

PAGE

Foreword by Patrick Duncan, C.M.G., M.L.A. vii

Introduction ix

CHAPTER

I. The Scene of Action 1

II. How the Mines were Saved 15

III. The Surrender of the Golden City 24

IV. Martial Law under the Enemy 32

V. Only a Bit of Ribbon Gay! 42

VI. Passes and Permits 46

VII. Postage by Strategy 56

VIII. Outwitting The Censor 64

IX. Jan Celliers, Poet and Patriot 72

X. A Little Adventure with the British Soldier 82

XI. Prisoner of War 92

XII. The Concentration Camps 106

XIII. A Consular Visit to Irene Camp 124

XIV. New Developments 135

XV. The Formation of the National Scouts Corps 146

XVI. A Consignment of Explosives 153

XVII. The First Interview with Spies, introducing Two Heroes 157

XVIII. The Case of Spoelstra 166

XIX. Diamond Cut Diamond! 179

XX. Thanksgiving and Humiliation 187

XXI. Flippie and Co. 194

XXII. The Secret Railway Time-table 204

XXIII. The System employed by the Secret Committee 213

XXIV. The Death of Adolph Krause 222

XXV. The Shoemaker at Work 229

XXVI. Bitten by Our Own Dogs 234

XXVII. The Betrayal of the Secret Committee. A Memorable Day of Trouble 240

XXVIII. Hansie earning the Vote 252

XXIX. A War-baby and a Curious Christening 262

XXX. Forming a New Committee 272

XXXI. "Tea for Two" 279

XXXII. Kidnapping Mauser the Kitten 283

XXXIII. The First Spies at Harmony 291

XXXIV. The Captain's Visit 301

XXXV. Memories Bitter-Sweet 312

XXXVI. A Silent Departure. "Fare Thee Well" 316

XXXVII. Betrayed 324

XXXVIII. The Raid on Harmony 333

XXXIX. The Watchword. Oiling the Hinges 343

XL. Peace, Peace—and there is no Peace 356

Conclusion 375

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

The Writer Frontispiece

FACING PAGE

Mrs. van Warmelo 4

The Surrender of the Golden City 30

Letter from Head of Secret Service to President 70

The Six Willows, Harmony 83

Captain Naudé 136

W.J. Botha 158

Gentleman Jim's Room 178

Adolph Krause 225

The Apiary, Harmony 289