l
waiting for his return, the soldier himself holding his horse and
assisting him to mount with the bag containing the ammunition.

Disregard for wise counsel from older men, head-strong self-will, and
a sheer indifference to death and danger were the causes of much
disaster in those days.

On the other hand, recklessness and the very disregard for death
mentioned above brought more than one man safely through the fierce
fires of adversity, as we shall see in the tragic and stirring events
to be recorded in this and the next chapter.

One there was amongst the spies, noted for his extraordinary bravery,
a hero of the rarest type, of whom we can only speak with bated breath
and thrilling hearts. In the brief record of his heroic life--and
still more heroic death--we have a rich inheritance.

Adolph Krause was his name, a man still young, a married man. He was a
German by birth, but a full burgher of the State for which he
sacrificed his noble life.

The first time Krause had left the capital he had been escorted out,
with eight other Germans, by Mr. Willem Botha, while Captain Naude
conducted seven or eight young Boers to the freedom of the veld.

There had been no adventures then.

Subsequently, in and out he came and went, with the greatest
regularity, and as often as twice a week he would leave the town with
large numbers of Boers and Germans, eager to join the burgher forces
in the field. His services became more and more valuable.

One evening when, after two days' rest in town, he was again preparing
to depart for the commandos, his friend Willem Botha called to escort
him through the town, as had been previously arranged.

Mr. Botha's house was in Proes Street between van der Walt and Market
Streets, while not far away his trusted friend and confederate Mr.
Hocke lived, a man who rendered such innumerable services to the
Boers that his name must not be forgotten here.

These two men met at Mr. Krause's house and found him ready to depart.

Although a man of slender build, he had now attained to such gigantic
proportions that his friends could scarce believe their eyes, and,
incredible as it may seem, the following is a full and accurate
description of what he had about his person that memorable night:

Two pairs of trousers; two shirts; two full Mauser bandoliers over his
shoulders and crossed over his breast; a woollen jersey; a thick coat;
a long Mauser gun thrust into one trouser-leg; a German rev