The bearer of it was General Prinsloo's secretary, Mr.Kotze.And now the English General asked me if I would guarantee that the secretary should be allowed to return, after he had given me particulars of the report he had brought.
Mr.Prinsloo's secretary must certainly have thought that he was the chosen man to help us poor lost sheep, and to lead us safely into the hands of the English! But I cannot help thinking that he was rather too young for the task.
I had a strong suspicion that there must have been some very important screw loose in the forces which we had left stationed behind the Roodebergen, for on the previous day I had received a letter from General Knox, who was at Kroonstad, telling me that General Prinsloo and his commandos had surrendered.
In order to gain more information I gave General Broadwood my assurance that I would allow Mr.Prinsloo's secretary to return unhurt.
When I had done this the President and some members of the Government rode out with me to meet the bearer of this report.

We did not wish to give him any opportunities to spy out our positions.

Half way between the English lines and our own we met him.

He presented us with this letter:-- HUNTER'S CAMP, _30th July, 1900_.
TO THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, C.R.DE WET.
SIR,-- I have been obliged, owing to the overwhelming forces of the enemy, to surrender unconditionally with all the Orange Free State laagers here.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, M.PRINSLOO, _Commander-in-Chief_.
I sent my reply in an unclosed envelope.

It ran as follows:-- IN THE VELDT, _3rd August, 1900_.
TO MR.