In this story there is no plot (excepting the Great Complot). It is simply a story of everyday life, with little or no embellishment. Yet I trust the reader, in lands far away as well as those living here in my own beloved native land, will find sufficient to interest him to lead him on to the end of the book. At the least, there was subject-matter enough to write about without going out of the paths of Truth. My only difficulty was not to be led away by my subject and make this work too large for a first attempt in literature. The incidents and adventures related, as well as anecdotes by old Burghers of the South African Republic, are all based upon truth, and were learned by the writer from the parties themselves. The sad death by lightning of poor Daniel is true, word for word, even to the premonition he had of his death, and occurred only as late as the beginning of this year (1896); and many will recognise the family as described by the writer. The writer has mostly made use of Christian names, as all the characters used in this story are real and living; and it would serve no purpose to publish real names, while substituted names would only be misleading. Where politics have been drawn into the story, the reader may rely upon the truth only having been told of events, as well as prevailing opinions as expressed by representatives of the different parties. The latter part of the book is largely devoted to the events of the New Year (1896) which occurred near Krugersdorp, Johannesburg and Pretoria, and its results as gathered by one who took note of everything on the spot, and may be relied upon as being true in every detail. If I have succeeded in convincing a portion of the public of the truth, I shall rest well satisfied. THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS BOOK I CHAP. PAGE I. A DEATH-BED SCENE 1 II. BOYHOOD 3 III. A CONTROVERSY 4 IV. INDEPENDENCE GAINED ONCE MORE--YOUTHFUL PATRIOTISM 5 V. YOUTHFUL PRANKS 11 VI. A CHARACTER SKETCH OF OUR HERO 15 VII. THOUGHTS AND FLOWERS 17 VIII. STEP-CHILDREN 18 IX. FAVOURITE HEROES 21 X. OUT OF SCHOOL 22 XI. HOPES 23 XII. THE TRANSVAAL IN PROSPECTIVE 24 XIII. THE NESTLING PREPARING FOR FLIGHT 26 XIV. COUSINS 28 XV. THE RISING GENERATION 29 XVI. THE APRON STRINGS CUT 30 XVII. FIRST VIEW OF JOHANNESBURG 32