Accepting his generous offer, I rode back.  But no sooner had I turned my horse, than I felt a shock.  In the twinkling of an eye a bullet had passed through the muscles of my left arm and through my lungs, missing the heart by a mere hair-breadth.  It happened all so suddenly that for the first few seconds I hardly knew that I was wounded.  I remained in the saddle for a time, until some of the men could attend to me.  Gently they took me from my horse, placed me in a blanket, and carried me along to a safe spot.

It was now eventide, the shadows were deepening, and darkness was hiding us from the vision of the foe.  At first I was determined to accompany the commando some distance from the line to a place where I could safely remain till recovered.  I, however, soon realised the serious nature of the wound, and that if it were not well attended to, mortification was sure to set in, and that would cost me my life.  The men too considered it absolutely impossible for me to accompany them any longer, and deemed it advisable that I should be sent into the British hospital for medical treatment.

And then came the parting moment, the moment when I had to bid adieu to the men whom I had led, and with whom I had fought against our common foe for so long a time.  In the life of every man there comes a day, an hour, or even a moment, which he never can forget.  That parting moment, reader, was one in my life I never shall forget.  My officers, adjutants, secretary, and some other burghers gathered round me for the last time as I sat on the ground supported by one of them.  As they bade me farewell—­yea, perhaps for ever—­the tear-drops sparkled in their eyes, and gushed down their cheeks.  Yes, we all did weep and shed tears of deep sorrow—­tears not such as “angels weep,” but such as men can weep who love one another, and had fought in one common cause.

I could not speak to the men as I would, for I was too weak.  Still I wished them God-speed for the future, and exhorted them to be very courageous and to do their duty faithfully, as befits men, to the last.  I told them my work was done.  I had given my blood, and might be called upon to give my life for my country.  If so, I hope to be prepared to bring that offering too.  More I could not do.  My secretary then knelt and commended me in prayer to the care and protection of our gracious God and Father....  Then we parted.

My war career had ended.  No more fighting, no more retreating, no more roaming over the veldt, by day and night, exposed to blasting summer winds or chilling winter frosts.  For two years and two months I had seen active service.  During that time I had tried to acquit myself conscientiously of my duties as a man.  No sacrifice was too great, and no obstacle appeared insuperable for the cause in which I was engaged.  Looking back upon the past I observe how often I have fallen short and failed—­failed as a burgher and as a leader.  And though I do not wish for another war, I believe I should try to do better were I to live through it again.