Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1902 — Kidnapers Foiled. [ARTICLE]

Kidnapers Foiled.

It was during the BOer war. I was then staying at the Masonic hotel in Bloemfontein, capital of the Orange Free State. I was taking an opera company through South Africa. On the morning of the memorable evening I had obtained permission from President Brandt to borrow the Orange Free State drum for a stage accessory from the fort of the hill above Bloemfontein. As I marched with my drum down the main street that faces the archway leading into the Masonic hotel I saw a bullock wagon rolling slowly along ahead of me. That bullock wagon contained the Immortal triumvirate—Oom Paul Kruger, Joubert and Pretorius, the heads of the Boer government They had come down from the Transvaal to ask President Brandt to throw the Orange Free State Into the war and give the Transvaal its assistance. I watched those three men go up to the White House, the residence of President Brandt, and I watched them as they turned sorrowfully away with bowed heads. President Brandt had refused to see them. After depositing my drum In the Masonic hotel I came out again upon the main street. I was suddenly accosted by a young Englishman, who said, with great excitement: “See here, old man, you’re with us, are you not?” I had been away from America for | six years and had lost my American I accent. The young Britisher took me ; for an Englishman and went on hurriedly, “If we succeed, our names will ; be handed down to history.” Very naturally I asked, “What’s up, old chap?” He said: “A hundred of us English- I men Intend to kidnap the triumvirate tonight. They have now gone to the i Orange Free State hotel for dinner. They return to the Transvaal tonight. You know that only a bridge over the Orange river separates the Orange Free State from the Transvaal. It is only a short distance into Griqualand West, which is British territory. We have agreed to meet the triumvirate at a bend of the road at 11 o’clock tonight and carry them Into Griqualand West. Do you see? That will end the Boer i war.” Putting up my hand, I said: “Stop! I am an American. These people are only doing what my ancestors did. What you have told me so far is sacred. What you tell me further I do not ; pledge myself to keep.” The fellow left me immediately. Now, did you ever hear of beating the devil around the stump? How was I to save the triumvirate? I had pledged my word to the Englishman. I must; save the triumvirate. It has often been a question with me whether I offended against the higher ethics by my circumvention of the truth. I walked to the Orange Free State hotel. I seated myself at the dinner table, the triumvirate—Oom Paul Kruger, Joubert and Pretorius—and myself. After some desultory conversation I asked Oom Paul carelessly at what time they intended to start for home that night. He said, “At about 10:30.” I felt my heart in my throat. But I said quite ouehalamly. though I am sure my eyes, fastening his own. said more: “I would go back, uncle, as soon as possible. Your mission to President Brandt has failed.” Oom Paul Kruger looked at me from beneath the shaggy eyebrows that like watchdogs guard the ghts of statecraft within his old eyes, aud he said very slowly: “How do you know?” And 1 said: “1 know many .kings, uncle, because 1 am an American and because both my heart and brain are Interested in your Transvaal war. I know that your mission has been a failure. 1 believe that you have nothing to gain by staying longer here tonight, possibly much to lose.” My eyes talked to Oom Paul across the dinner table. Oom Paul broke the silence:

“Have you any reason for our going earlier?” 1 answered “No," and then 1 said pointedly: "It Is safer to trek In the moonlight than in the darkness. The moon rises full tonight, uncle, at 7 o’clock." Oom Paul turned to me, and his words‘fell like the blows of a sledge hammer: “It rises at 11 o’clock. Ain I wrong In this surmise?” There was a dead silence. The three men spoke together in Dutch. Oom Paul said, “We will leave at 10 o’clock, as first Intended." I played with my knife and fork for a moment as -I said, "It would not be a breach of honor on my part to tell any one at what hour you Intend to leave?" He answered, “Tell any one you like.” The next morning I was met by my British friend of the day before, who said. "Did you warn the triumvirate.'" I said: "No. Oom Paul told me that he would leave at 10:30. Did you get them Y’ He said: “No. Hard lines! They got wind of It somehow or other and left at 0 o’clock.”—Boston Globe.