De Wet, finding himself cornered towards the east, had now whisked back in the direction of the Magaliesberg with the intention of again trying his success in Orange River Colony. His excursion from Bethlehem had been costly. Starting, he had some 1500 men and six or eight guns, while behind him in the hills were Prinsloo and some 5000 Dutchmen. He now was returning to find the Bethlehem band on its way to Ceylon and his own force thinned to attenuation. Poor De Wet! At this juncture his display of talent in the field had bred a feeling of pity which was "akin to love," and those who were most interested in his capture were those loudest in appreciation of his sporting proclivities, and pronounced him "a first-class fighting man." He certainly seemed never at a loss, and even now, in making his way back to Orange Colony, chased and jaded as he was, he pursued the mosquito tactics which worried, annoyed, and wore out those who were subjected to them. To cover his crossing of the rail near Bank Station on the Potchefstroom line, his ally Delarey with a large force summoned the garrison (the City Imperial Volunteers, under Lord Albemarle) to surrender. Of course, the summons was declined, but the little interlude served De Wet's purpose and gave him the time he needed to save his skin and gather himself together. Still, as he was fairly crippled, and the recuperative period promised to be a long one, the main operations against Botha on the east, which had been gradually planned out, could now be begun. [Illustration: DE WET From a Photograph] PLOTS AND PROCLAMATIONS. AUGUST.--THE TRIAL OF CORDUA