CHAPTER XIX.
I Return to the Free State Whilst we were encamped on the Krokodil River, President Steyn expressed a wish to pay a visit, with the Members of his Government, to the Government of the South African Republic, which was then at Machadodorp.
This was no easy task to accomplish, for one would have to pass through a part of the Transvaal where there was a great scarcity of water--it was little better than a desert--and where in some places the Kaffirs were unfriendly.

In other words, one would have to go through the Boschveldt.

There would also be some danger from the English, since the President would have to cross the Pietersburg Railway, which was in that direction.
However, this plan was approved.
I decided not to accompany the President, but to return at once with two hundred riders to the Orange Free State.

I intended to make it known on the farms which I passed on the way that I was going back, hoping thus to draw the attention of the English from our laager.
I called together the Commandants, and informed them of my intention.
They agreed that the course I proposed was the right one.

Commandant Steenekamp was then nominated to act as Assistant Commander-in-Chief, with the duty of conducting the laager through the Boschveldt.
On August the 14th President Steyn left the laager on his way to Machadodorp; and I myself took my departure three days later.