ST. HELENA 107 



bravely in what they considered the cause of their country, and will 

 help in repressing any unseemly demonstration which individuals 

 might exhibit, 



This proclamation was posted in various parts of the 

 island, one being near the landing-steps of the wharf. I 

 have been told by more than one of the prisoners how they 

 dreaded landing on the formidable looking rock, how they 

 shrank from the march through the streets of the town 

 in view. Very many of them were able to read English, 

 and when landed on the wharf, and while waiting for the 

 successive boat-loads of comrades, this notice appealed 

 so much to them after their hardships, that some few entirely 

 broke down. 



Expecting harshness, rudeness and ill feeling from the 

 inhabitants, they discovered from the proclamation so 

 kindly issued by the Governor they might anticipate 

 courtesy and respect. Not a jeering sound, or rude remark 

 was heard from the crowds of islanders congregated to see 

 them pass on their way to Dead wood Camp, which had 

 been prepared for them. Amongst the number of prisoners 

 (514) landed from the Milwaukee on April 14, 1900, were 

 General Cronje with his wife. " Cronje," instead of being 

 taken to Deadwood Camp was allowed to live at " Kent 

 Cottage," but under a strong military guard changed every 

 day. A guard of the militia (4th North Staffordshire) 

 escorted them as far as Ladder Hill, where they met a 

 guard of the Royal Garrison Artillery, who took charge of 

 the prisoners and conveyed them to Kent Cottage, not far 

 from High Knoll Fort. On April 21 the steamship Lake 

 Erie arrived, bringing 394 prisoners, including thirty-four 

 Boer officers ; then on May i the British transport 

 Bavarian brought 1,099 to add to the increasing numbers. 

 One hundred and ten more, including twelve officers, 

 arrived on June 26 by the transport Mahratta, and in July 

 Lieut.-Colonel von Braun .was brought by the British 

 transport Manchester Port* The Idaho, another British 

 transport, brought 189 men and seven officers ; the last 

 arrival in 1900 being the Victorian, on December 10, with 

 199 prisoners; but early in 1901, on January 12, arrived 

 the Columbia with 200 ; on January 24 the Bavarian with 

 x >337 ; and on February 3 came the Mongolian with 649. 



