United States or Mozambique ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !


At last some of Captain Scheepers' men appeared he was scouting in front, and Captain Danie Theron in the rear and reported that the railway line was clear, with the exception that at Honingspruit there were half a dozen tents, and four in the Kaallaagte to the north of Serfontein, and a few small outposts.

Presently the disputing signals died away, and one musical note alone took up the strain. Never was lover more absorbed in the thrilling sound of his divinity's voice than I in the notes of that vibrator, seemingly wailing up from the bowels of the earth. Nor was my attention unrewarded. "From Chief of Staff, Honingspruit," came the words, "to General Hamilton, Heilbron." Then followed orders.

I sent on Commandant J.H. Olivier, who had joined me at Paardenkraal, to Honingspruit Station, General Froneman to America Siding, while I myself made my way to Serfontein Siding. At daybreak General Froneman wrecked the line near America Siding, and I did the same at other places, also destroying the telegraph poles.

Hendrik Serfontein, on Doornspruit, and whilst I was there, waiting for darkness, some burghers, who were not my scouts, brought a report that there were English camps both at Honingspruit and at Kaallaagte.

We had an ambulance staff with us, but were sometimes obliged to leave our wounded behind, because we knew very well the enemy would be only too glad to get hold of our doctors and deprive us of all medical help. On crossing the railway near Honingspruit we captured a train.

They marched, however, somewhat more to the right in the direction of Roodewal; whereas I went towards Honingspruit, and halted for the night at the farm of Paardenkraal. On the following morning, the 20th of July, I let the commando go on, whilst I stayed behind to reconnoitre from a neighbouring kop. The President, and also some members of the Government, remained with me.