DE WET, de vet', CualsrlAN (c.1s53—). A distingnished Boer commander. Ile won a name fur gallantry in the war between the Transvaal and the British in 1880-81, and became famous for his skill in hunting. During the latter stages of the Boer War of he proved a formid able adversary to the British, who for a time made hint.their principal objective. Frequently he would appear to be completely enmeshed in a girdle of block-houses, wire entanglements and fences. and pursuing columns; but as often. through the exercise of a clever ruse, completely evaded his pursuers and inflicted damage on some British convoy or outpost in the most unexpected direction. l in February 6, 1902, his capture be tween Lindley and Kroonstad, by the British col umns under Lord Kitchener, seemed certain. lie was driven into a corner from which escape was rendered difficult by strong wire fences and en tanglements; but, to the consternation of his pur suers, he hurled a large drove of cattle, goaded almost to madness. against the wire obstacles.
and in the confusion made his escape. In com mon with other Boer leaders, he made submission to Lord Kitchener, and afterwards served on a Boer committee to raise funds in Europe and America for the distressed Boer families. Dur ing the war lie never wore the slightest badge of rank, and lie was always. taciturn to a degree. He had the complete confidence of his soldiers, but, in common with all the other Boer leaders, suffered the defeat of his best schemes because of the in dividuality and independence of the burghers under his command. He was regarded by the British Government as one of the most influen tial of the Boer leaders, and great satisfaction was evinced at the dignified manner of his ac ceptance of the inevitable, so far as the ultimate outcome of the war was concerned.