SOME ANECDOTES OF THE BOERS

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 11

SOME ANECDOTES OF THE BOERS

The Marquis of Graham, in relating a number of his own experiences in South Africa, mentioned tiiat riding near Heidelberg' recently Tie met one of the crack Boer shots, who was wearing a little silver trophy that lie had won in a Government rifle competition. On one side of the medal were the arms of the Transvaal, and on the other a picture of the whole of South Africa coloured red. On the one side, in Dutch, were the words, “No more trekking,” and on the other, “All avITI come right in the end.” 1 asked him. the noble Marquess continued. Avhat it all meant. He re-

plied, “That talk about the franchise and about equal rights is all rubbish. The

thing is, Ave Avail l to kiioav aylio is going to boss South Africa.” That Avas the general opinion of the Boers. Lord Graham’s A'ieAVS on the latest phase of the Avar Avere listened to AAith considerable interest. “We liaA’e been called barbarous because of our policy of farm-burn-ing,” lie Avent on, “but you Avant to hear both sides of the question.” And he then proceeded to give ‘‘the other

side.” One day he- Happened to Aisit o Boer farm. He Avas duly Aveleomed, given a cup of coffee, and piously assured that there were no Boers thereabouts. On

leaving, the Dutch lady Avho entertained him directed him to Avliat she said Avas the nearest way to rejoin his column—a narroAv pathway. After goingsome 250 yards he looked round and salithe Dutch lady Avavmg her handkerchief. In reply lie made a loav Ijoav. But in a mosjimt or tAvo crack Avent a

rifle, and he found lie was being potted , by a grisly old Boer who was in hiding. ' Being unarmed, he rode off as fast as he could, and luckily for himself was not shot. Another experience which the Marquess and a brother officer underwent showed what a treacherous lot the Boers are. At one of the farms they visited they were assured there were no rifles or ammunition about the place. Yet under some straw in the barn 8000 rounds of ammunition were round —6000 of them charged with soft-nosed bullets. In such circumstances, said the noble lord, they could hardly be surprised if farms were burnt. After speaking in scathing terms of those who, in a region of safety, spent their time in traducing, fhe army, Lord Graham said that- our Ministers and generals would profit by ihe experience gained during the present war. He once asked one of the. colonials who was engaged in the chase what he thought of He Wet . “Make him a "blooming general in the British army,” came the reply; “he’s knocking sparks out of all of ns,”