CHAPTER XXXV.
I go to the Transvaal with President Steyn On the 26th of February I went with the Government to Duminys Drift, on the Wilge River, and we thus found ourselves again at the farm of Rondebosch.
The Government remained there for a few days, and then President Steyn decided to go into the western parts of the State, where Generals Badenhorst and Nieuwouwdt were then operating.

He thought that if he absented himself from the north-eastern districts the English would cease their devastations in that part of the country, for it was well known that the enemy's concentration of forces was principally aimed at the President and myself.
I, however, did not intend to follow his example, but, on the contrary, got myself ready to join the Heilbron commando.

By March 22nd all my preparations were made, and I had, alas! to say farewell to my trusty friend--my little waggon! I saw that it must be relinquished--that I could not carry it about with me any longer.

I left it at a farm, first taking out my documents and papers; I ordered these to be concealed for greater safety, in a cave on the farm of General Wessels.
The clothes and ammunition of myself and staff had been hidden in this cave for some time.
The following day I joined President Steyn, who told me that he wished me to accompany him in his march to the west.

And although it did not agree with my own ideas--principally, because I did not want the enemy to think that I was running away from them--I consented to this plan, and the more willingly because it was some time since I had visited the western commandos.
It was a long journey that lay before us, and I had only the clothes that I was then wearing.