That Is Why The Boers Will Not Surrender

After I had spent three weeks in the hospital I was ordered to Graaff Reinet. I rose, and dressed with the assistance of the nurses. To my astonishment six khakis entered my room. One of these had a pair of handcuffs.

To my query as to what his intentions were he replied: "You must be handcuffed."

"Well, and where do you want to put them on?" I asked him, for my wounded arm was still supported by a sling.

"I must put them on somewhere," he replied bluntly.

So I suggested that I would lie down on the stretcher and have them fastened to my feet. I was beginning to lose my temper, and expressed myself in somewhat forcible language.

Fortunately an officer then appeared on the scene with whom I remonstrated about the treatment I was being subjected to. The officer, shrugging his shoulders, said: "'Tis orders, and they must be executed."

It seemed such a disgraceful action that I could not help remarking: "That is why the Boers will not surrender. If wounded officers, entrusted to your care, are treated thus, what must the private expect?"

At last I was allowed to go, un-handcuffed.

Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger, Boer General