ANECDOTES OF THE BOERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4289, 23 February 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

ANECDOTES OF THE BOERS

The Marquis of Graham, in relating a number of his own experiences in South Africa, mentioned that riding near Heidelberg recently ho met one of the crack Boer shots, who was wearing a little silver trophy that he 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 on© side, in Dutch, were the words, “No more trekking,” and on the other, “All will coine right in the end.” T asked him. the noble Marquess; continued, what it all meant. He replied, “That talk about the franchise amt about equal rights is all rubbish. Thu tiling is, wo want to know who is going to boss South Africa.” That was the general opinion of tho Boom. Lord Graham’s views on the latest phase of the war wore listened to with considerable interest. “We have been called barbarous because of our policy of farm-burn-ing,” he went on, “hut you want to hear both sides of the question.” And he then proceeded to give 'The other side.” One day he happened to visit a Boer farm. He was duly welcomed, given a cup of coffee, and piously assured that there were no Boers thereabouts. On leaving, the Dutch lady who entertained him directed him to what she said was the nearest way tor rejoin his column—a narrow pathway. After going some 250 yards he. looked round and saw the Dutch lady waving her handkerchief. In reply lie made a low how. But in a moment or two crack went a rifle, and ho found he was being potted by a grisly old Boer who was in hiding. Being unarmed, he rede off as fast as he, could, and luckily tor himself was not shot. Another experience which the Marquess and a brother officer underwent shov/ed what a treacherous lot the Boers are. At one of the farms they visited they ivere assured there wore no rifles or ammunition about the place. Yet under some straw in the barn 80(10 rounds of ammunition ivere round—6ooo of them charged with soft-nosed bullets. In such circumstances, said tho 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, foe army, Lord Graham said that our 'Ministers and generals would profit bj' ihe experience gained during the present war. He once asked one of the colonials who was engaged in the chase what he thought of De Wet. “Make him a Incoming general in the British army,”.came the reply : “he’s knocking sparks out of all of us,”