3-077-712 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Boer and British Shots: a friendly trial of skill in Swaziland, 1890. 'Captain Baden-Powell; Dr. Krause; Gen. Smit; Gen. Joubert; Mr. Schreiner; Braintje, the Dog; Sir F. De Winton. The members of the Joint Commission, appointed by the British Government and by that of the Transvaal or South African Republic to visit the territory of the Swazis, and to make inquiry concerning the best mode of settling its affairs, journeyed amicably together in that country; her Majesty's representative, Colonel Sir Francis De Winton, General Joubert, the Vice-President of the Transvaal, and General Smit, a distinguished Boer military commander, with their Assistant Commissioners, secretaries, and legal advisers of both sides...while halting for rest and refreshment on this journey, they resorted to the amusement of shooting at a mark, for which purpose an empty bottle was set upon an anthill, and they tried their skill in a competition with the rifle...Joubert and Smit are reckoned good shots among the Boers, who have a national reputation for being expert marksmen; yet they twice failed to hit the bottle - which had been previously emptied; and Sir Francis De Winton, in the lying-down position, with his first shot, knocked it to pieces in a decisive style'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.