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Updated: May 22, 2025
"And now, Mynheer," said the field-cornet in charge of their escort, "there lies your country." "At last! thank God," said the leader of the band, looking round on their beautiful though savage home with feelings of deep gratitude for the happy termination of their long and weary travels. The toil of journeying was now succeeded by the bustle and excitement of settling down.
At this time an expedition ventured to Estcourt, under General Louis Botha, who replaced General L. Meyer, sent home on sick leave. My commando joined the expedition under Field-Cornet J. Kock, who afterwards caused me a lot of trouble. I can say but little of this expedition to Estcourt, save that the Commander-in-Chief accompanied it.
But the field-cornet had no such intention. He had lost his precious oxen and cattle. That lion had pulled down some of them, at least. The Dutch blood was up, and if the beast had been the strongest and fiercest of his tribe, he was bound to be brought out of that bush.
There was no happier group in all Africa than stood at that moment upon the shore of that lonely little vley. The field-cornet, then, had resolved upon turning hunter by profession a hunter of elephants; and it was a pleasant reflection to think, that this occupation promised, not only exciting sport, but great profit.
Another report came from General Muller at Steenkampsberg. He informed me that he had stormed a camp during the night of the 16th December, but had been forced to retire after a fierce fight, losing 25 killed and wounded, amongst whom was the valiant Field-Cornet J. J. Kriege. The enemy's losses were also very heavy, being 31 killed and wounded, including Major Hudson.
He looked towards his five horses, now eagerly cropping the luxuriant grass that grew under the shadow of the cliffs. When would they be ready to trek back again? In three or four days he might start. Fine animals, most of them were they would carry the wagon lightly enough. So ran the reflections of the field-cornet.
Thus the field-cornet was left to himself and his pipe, which he still continued to smoke. He sat in perfect silence, though he could scarce restrain from giving expression to the satisfaction he felt at seeing his family thus industriously employed.
Surely so lovely a landscape could not exist without that most essential element! So thought the field-cornet; and at the turning of every new grove his eyes wandered over the ground in search of it. "Ho!" he joyfully exclaimed as a covey of large Namaqua partridges whirred up from his path. "A good sign that: they are seldom far from water."
Mr. Field-Cornet Furstenburg stated "that when he was at Zoutpansberg with his burghers, the chief Katse-Kats was told to come down from the mountains; that he sent one of his subordinates as a proof of amity; that whilst a delay of five days was guaranteed by Commandant Paul Kruger, who was then in command, orders were given at the same time to attack the natives at break of day, which was accordingly done, but which resulted in total failure."
He was seated on a little platform that had been constructed very high up near the top of the nwana-tree from which a view could be had of the whole country around. It was a favourite resort of the field-cornet his smoking-room, in fact where he went every evening to enjoy a quiet pull out of his great meerschaum.
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