William hoisted a crate, and set out towards the Republican Spanish Steamer Cadiz II, floating out in the Bay of Whales. As an act of goodwill, the Boers had volunteered to help the Spanish forces in evacuating their material and personnel.
Placing the crate down on the ramp up to the side of the steamer, he leaned back on a large pile and rested for a moment. One Spanish man approached him.
"Are you one of the soldiers?" the man asked in Spanish. William, having a fairly good hold of the language, replied.
"I was earlier."
"Where?"
"I was one of the forces just outside of here."
"Besieging Bahía de Ballena?"
"We call it Walvisbaii."
"Fair enough."
"So, no hard feelings?"
"No need. We never even fired here. We just laughed at you camped out in the desert."
"Hahah, yes, I don't think that I'm ever going to get all of the sand out."
"And we were never even short on food, what with all the fish in the bay."
"You know, I'd almost think that I was fighting on the wrong side."
The two men enjoyed a laugh.
"But I'm being impolite." coughed the Spanish man, "I must introduce myself. I am Miguel Demello."
"William Van Doorne."
"Pleased to meet you."
"Better hear than at gunpoint. So, where are you headed next?"
"I... don't know. I hope I'm going back to the motherland. I'd- die before we put some Russian witch on the crown of Spain. But I really don't know where I'm getting sent next. Where are you goin?"
"I'm going back to my family's ranch outside of Nieuw Amsterdam. But first, I'm going to spend some time on the coast. I have relatives here."
"Well, we'd best get back to work."
At that moment, a gruff sailor shouted.
"Hey you! On the ship, this transport's heading out. You want to stay here?"
Miguel turned.
"It's been good talking to you. I doubt I should ever see you again, but I wish you best of luck in your endeavours."
"I'd think you should save that luck for yourself. I shouldn't be needing mine, with this little war over. Good bye."
The Spaniard turned, and walked into the ship. The paths of two different men, whose lives had briefly intersected, separated once again."
*****
A rather rare occurrence, the 2nd Boer War, better known as the Spanish-Boer War, was one fought without much great emnity. The casualties were tiny, and the peace negotiations were quick. Neither side truly lost the war. The Boers viewed it as a liberation of occupied lands. The Spanish Republicans viewed it as a powerful defense which allowed a profitable peace to be made, freeing up many forces to fight their civil war.