ential prophecy, the one that will go down
in the history of South Africa, was that which concerned General de la
Rey and the fatal number 15.

The prophecy which came back to the minds of van Rensburg's followers
when war broke out was one concerning General de la Rey, the intrepid
soldier who had commanded the Lichtenburg burghers in the Boer war and
since become President of the Western Transvaal Farmers' Association.
Van Rensburg had always admired General de la Rey. He had frequently
hinted to his circle that great things were in store for him. One of his
visions had been well known to General de la Rey and his friends for
some years. The report says:

The seer had beheld the number 15 on a dark cloud from which
blood issued, and then General de la Rey returning home
without his hat. Immediately afterward came a carriage covered
with flowers.

[Illustration: H.M. CONSTANTINE I.

King of Greece.

_(Photo from P.S. Rogers.)_]

[Illustration: JOHN REDMOND

The great Irish leader, who says that Ireland has now taken her proper
place in the British Empire.

_(Photo from P.S. Rogers.)_]

This was several years ago. But the people did not forget the prophecy,
and when war broke out in Europe the Western Transvaal--in the
Lichtenburg-Wolmaransstad area, where van Rensburg's influence was
strongest--was immediately aflame. The Government does not seek to
minimize the importance of this influence:

When the war at last broke out, the effect in Lichtenburg was
instantaneous. The prophecies of van Rensburg were eagerly
recalled, and it was remembered that he had foretold a day on
which the independence of the Transvaal would be restored.

Certain individuals could be seen daily cleaning their rifles
and cartridges in order to be ready for the day. Within a week
of the declaration of war between England and Germany the
district was further profoundly stirred by the news (now
become generally known) that a great meeting of local burghers
was to be held at Treurfontein on the 15th of August, and that
certain local officers were commandeering their burghers to
come to this meeting armed and fully equipped for active
service.

The outbreak of the war in Europe suddenly brought the Lichtenburger's
prophecy down to earth and crystallized the dream. The commandants were
evidently as convinced that independence was at hand as the cro