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Updated: May 13, 2025
It was along this road that General Coetser afterwards fled with a small body of burghers, when the enemy, according to expectations, marched on Komati Poort, and met with no resistance, though there were over 1800 there of our men with guns. A certain Pienaar, who arrogated unto himself the rank of a general on Portuguese territory, fled with 800 men over the frontier.
'You may call it my humble home' it was Blenkiron's sleek voice that spoke. 'We've been preparing for you, Major, but it was only yesterday I heard of your friend. I introduced Peter. 'Mr Pienaar, said Blenkiron, 'pleased to meet you. Well, as I was observing, you're safe enough here, but you've cut it mighty fine.
There were plenty of fellows who saw the campaign as a struggle not between Hun and Briton, but between Lensch and Pienaar. The 15th September came, and I got knocked out and went to hospital. When I was fit to read the papers again and receive letters, I found to my consternation that Peter had been downed. It happened at the end of October when the southwest gales badly handicapped our airwork.
Commandant F. Pienaar, who took my place, had soon to resign on account of some rather serious irregularities. My younger brother, W. J. Viljoen, who, at the time of writing, is, I believe, still in this position, replaced him. At the end of June my commandos marched from Balmoral to near Donkerhoek in order to get in touch with the British. Only a few outpost skirmishes took place.
I can explain to you who don't need the explanation, every step in the business of the Black Stone. I think I could draw a pretty accurate map of your journey to Erzerum. You have a letter from Peter Pienaar in your pocket I can tell you its contents. Are you willing to trust me? 'With all my heart, I said. 'Good. Then my first order will try you pretty hard.
There was nothing to do except to call in my men and have them arrested, or to confess my blunder and clear out. I felt mesmerized by the whole place, by the air of obvious innocence not innocence merely, but frank honest bewilderment and concern in the three faces. 'Oh, Peter Pienaar, I groaned inwardly, and for a moment I was very near damning myself for a fool and asking their pardon.
I hailed one of the adjacent ruffians, and got into his rowboat, with my kit. We reached the vessel they called her the Henry the Navigator just as the first shore-boat was leaving. The crowd in it were all Portuguese, which suited my book. But when I went up the ladder the first man I met was old Peter Pienaar. Here was a piece of sheer monumental luck.
Peter Pienaar Our various departures were unassuming, all but the American's. Sandy spent a busy fortnight in his subterranean fashion, now in the British Museum, now running about the country to see old exploring companions, now at the War Office, now at the Foreign Office, but mostly in my flat, sunk in an arm-chair and meditating. He left finally on December 1st as a King's Messenger for Cairo.
We put up at the big hotel opposite the railway station, and looked and behaved like a pair of lowbred South Africans home for a spree. It was a fine bright day, so I hired a motor-car and said I would drive it myself. We asked the name of some beauty-spot to visit, and were told Cintra and shown the road to it. I wanted a quiet place to talk, for I had a good deal to say to Peter Pienaar.
There was a log fire burning, and seated at a table was a little man in spectacles with his hair brushed back from his brow like a popular violinist. He was the boss, for the lieutenant saluted him and announced our names. Then he disappeared, and the man at the table motioned us to sit down in two chairs before him. 'Herr Brandt and Herr Pienaar? he asked, looking over his glasses.
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