A WOMAN'S PART IN A REVOLUTION station to the prison at Pretoria was both amusing and dramatic. At times their speech reached the epic. The sad side was poor Sam Jameson, crippled and broken with rheumatism-a seriously ill man-accompanied to the very prison gates by his ever-faithful wife; and the second lot of Reformers, sent to Pre toria. the following morning, met with an experience which SOIDe of them have never since been able to speak of without turning white. By the hour of their arrival the whole country round about Pretoria knew of their coming, and a large and violent mob was gathered at the railroad station to receive them. Through some misadventure, an inadequate guard was detailed to march them to the gaol. The prisoners were set upon by the mob, reviled, stoned, and spat upon, the officers in charge trampling them nnder their horses' hoofs, in their vain and excited endeavours to protect them. The poor prisoners reached the jail in a full run, bruised and breathless, but thankful for the 00 A WOMAN'S PART IN A REVOLUTION asylum the prison door afforded them from their merciless pursuers. They were quickly locked into cells. For many hours they had not tasted food. The :first Reformers im prisoned slipped in to them a part of their own provisions, but as it was quickly and stealthily done one cell would receive the pannikin of meat, another the tin of potatoes, &c. The cells were in a filthy condition. As has been truly said, a Boer prison is not built for gentlemen. It was an unavoidable misfortune that this prison, which had up to this time housed only refractory Kamrs, should by force of circumstance become the domicile for six long dreary months, and through a hot tropical summer, of gentle men nurtured in every decency. Captain Mein told me that he stood the greater part of that :first night rather than sit upon the filthy floor, but exhaustion at length con quered his repugnance. These were times which proved men's natures. It distilled the very essence of a man, and if anywhere in his make-up was the salt of selfishness, 61 A WOMAN'S PART IN A REVOLUTION it was pretty sure to appear. Many who before had appreciated Charlie Butter's open hospitality, realised now that it was more than kindliness which prompted him to give up his last swallow of whisky to a man who was older or weaker than himself. And they tell me that my own good man's cheery spirits helped along many a fellow of more biliary temperament. The four leaders were put into a cell 11 feet by 11 feet, which was closed in by \ an inner court. There was' no window, only a narrow grille over the door. The floor was of earth and overrun by vermin. Of the four canvas cots two were blood-stained, and all hideously dirty. They were locked in at 6 o'clock-one of them ill with dysen ... tery-and there they remained sweltering and gasping through the tropical night until six of the morning. For two weeks they remained in this cell. Meanwhile, I knew nothing of my husband's plight, being mercifully deceived by both him and our friends, every day Mr. Heath bringing to 52 A WOMAN'S PART IN A REVOLUTION Parktown telegrams from my husband. assuring me of his good treatment by the Government, and imploring me not to worry. The Reform Committee consisted of seventy-eight members; sixty-four were arrested. One of this number subsequently committed suicide in a temporary :fit of insanity caused by protracted anxiety and prison hardship. The Committee was composed of men of many nationalities and various professions lawyers, doctors, and, with only one or two exceptions, all the leading mining men on the Rand. The Young Men's Christian Asso ciation was well represented, and a Sunday school Superintendent was one of the list. I returned to my home, and was in the doctor's care, and attended by a professional nurse. By my Journal I see how good was Mr. Seymour Fort and how faithful Mr. Manion, the American Consular Agent, during this time of trial. From the flat of my back I 58 A WOMAN'S PART IN A REVOLUTION listened to and took into consideration many plans suggested for the liberation of my hus band. One lady proposed getting up a peti tion, which she would take to England to the Queen. It was to be headed with my name, as wife of one of the leaders: Mrs. Lionel Phillips bE;\ing in Europe, and Mrs. George Farrar at the Cape; Colonel Rhodes a bachelor. I had small hopes of the success of things which had to be sent to Court, or placed before Courts. The subject was dis ... missed. Then there was another plan thought out by a very shrewd man, and brought to my bedside, 'news which concerns your husband' being a passport to anyone. I was to go at once to Cape Town, see Mr. Cecil Rhodes, and demand one hundred thousand dollars from him. , What for?' I asked. 'You see,' said the gentleman, 'your husband and those other men are going to be tried and we need money to lobby 8W1'e, Pretoria.' 54 A ·W'OMAN'S PART IN A REVOLUTION I was stupid-it was my first Revolu .. tion-and I hadn't the least idea what lobbying Pretoria meant. My friend gave me a sketchy view of its meaning, and assured me it was usually done in grave cases. 'But it will kill me to leave my bed and start for Cape Town to-morrow,' I ex claimed. My adviser delicately hinted that my husband's life was of more value than my own. On this point we agreed. I was to make Mr. Rhodes understand that we didn't want any more 'tom-fool military men up here to ball up the game.' He was to give the money to me un. . conditionally, to be disbursed as my friend saw fit. We rehearsed the part several times; I was hopelessly dull ! 'And now,' he questioned, 'if Rhodes refuses to give you the money, what will you do?' I thought of J ael and Charlotte Corday, and all the other women who had to do 00 A WOMAN'S PART IN A REVOLUTION with history, and said, 'I suppose I'll have to shoot him.' My preceptor looked discouraged. We went over the part once again. It is but fair to say that he had made every provision for my comfort. Atten dants were ready, and at the right moment I have no doubt but that a neat pine coffin could have been produced. Reflec tion, however, showed me the inadvisability of this project; but I was happily spared the embarrassment of drawing back from promised compliance. There was a, higher power ruling. The next morning's papers announced the sail ing of C. J. Rhodes for England. The morning of January 10th, J ohannes burg disarmed, and the Reformers in prison, the President of the Transvaal Republic issued a, proclamation offering pardon to all who should lay down their arms, and de claring them to be exempt from prosecution on account of what had occurred at Johan nesburg-' with the exception of all per80ns 66 A WOMAN'S PART IN A REVOLUTION or bodie8 who may appear to be principal criminals, leader8, instigator8, or perpetrators oj the trouble8 at Johanne8burg and 8ub urb8. Such persons or bodies will iustify themselves before the legal and competent Courts of this Republic.' The principal criminals, leaders, insti gators, or perpetrators were the same to whom was tendered the olive-branch brought from Pretoria by Messrs. Malan and Marais, acting envoys by the unanimous vote of the Executive; and three of these same principal criminals, leaders, instiga tors, or perpetrators were received seven days since, as representatives of the Reform. Committee, in a conciliatory spirit by the .. Government's Special Commission, and told that their demands would be earnestly considered. During the intervening seven days Dr. Jameson had been conquered at Doornkop and made a prisoner of the State. The Reform Committee, in obedience to Sir Jacobus de Wet's long and prolix solicita tion, and the strong appeal of Sir Sydney 157 A WOMAN'S PART IN A REVOLUTION Shippard, assuring them that Jameson's life was in imminent danger, and the Government had made Johannesburg's dis armament the one condition of his safety, laid down their arms to preserve the life of a man already protected by the terms of his own surrender. 'Placing them selves,' cables the ,High Commissioner to Mr. Chamberlain, 'and their interests unreservedly in my hands, in the fullest confidence that I will see ~ustice done them.' The sixty-four Reformers were then promptly driven into jail, and their property placed under an interdict. Six months later, the four principal leaders were tried and sentenced to be hanged by their necks until they were dead, by a judge brought from a neighbouring Republic, the Orange Free State, for that purpose. 68 A WOMAN'S PART IN A REVOLUTION IV SUNDAY, JANUARY 12.-Mr. and Mrs. Perkins called this morning to advise Betty's not going immediately to Pretoria, as was her intention. Mr. Perkins said ihat the Boer feeling was very bitter, and foreign women were insulted in the streets. Advocate Wessels has also written to me, insisting upon my waiting two or three days, as my presence in Pretoria [could do no good, and might prejudice my husband's cause. A little trunk was packed and sent to my husband last night. I got out of bed to superintend, and felt tragically tender as I watched the things laid in. A fresh suit of clothes, some personal and bed linen, towels, shoes, family photographs, flea powder, ginger-snaps, beef essence, soap, my little down pillow, and his beloved and well- 59