If, by inspiring feelings of patriotism in the hearts of some of my readers,
especially those members of the rising generation to whom this story of
adventure may appeal, I succeed in raising the standard of national life,
this book will have achieved the purpose for which it was written, and I
shall feel more than compensated for having set aside the reluctance with
which I faced the thought of the publicity when first I began the work.
I
have tried to give the public some idea of what was done by Boer women,
during the great Anglo-Boer war, to keep their men in the field and to
support them in what proved to be a hopeless struggle for independence and
liberty.
As
far as I was able I have also described the perils and hardships connected
with the Secret Service of the Boers and the heroism and resource displayed
by the men.
Although it is with the knowledge and consent of the Boer leaders that I
give publicity to what is known to me of the methods employed in the Secret
Service of the Boers, I do not wish to convey the impression that these
events of the war at any time bore an official character.
It
is a purely personal narrative and has only been written at the repeated
request, during the last ten years, of the many friends associated with the
experiences of the diarist and of the principal characters appearing in this
book.
In
order to preserve the historical value of the book no fictitious names have
been employed.
There are, as far as we know, very few records of this nature in existence,
owing to the dangers connected with keeping a diary under martial law, and
it seemed a pity, therefore, to withhold from the public materials which may
be of use to those who are interested in studying or writing the history of
those critical years.
I
cannot vouch for the truth of every war rumour related here, nor for the
accuracy of the information which I have obtained from other people, but the
experiences of the diarist, as they were recorded from day to day, are
correct in every detail.
My
Dutch edition of this book, Die Kappie Kommando, is now appearing in the
Dutch South African bi-monthly journal, Die Brandwag, and will, when
completed, be published in book form in Holland.
In
conclusion, I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my thanks
to the Honourable Sir Richard Solomon, G.C.M.G., etc., for the help and
assistance which he has so kindly given me in connection with the
publication of my book.
THE WRITER
JOHANNESBURG, 1912.
