ng their capture; and they would have often been in a sad plight.
Our knowledge of the field of operations proved our salvation on more
than one occasion, and was at the bottom of some successes achieved over
the enemy. To know every mountain, hill, river, brooklet, valley, or
donga is to be forearmed. The general that knows the battlefield is
infinitely better off than the one that does not. He knows precisely how
and when to lead an attack, or what to do when unexpectedly attacked.
Now the Boer commanders had this intimate knowledge of the country, a
knowledge which served them in good stead, and accounts for the Boers'
marvellous mobility. They were not tied to roads, but could move in any
direction, by night as well as by day, without ever losing their track.
This the enemy could not do, not even with the aid of scientific
instruments. When the natives and some of the burghers attached
themselves to the British forces, then, and then only, were they able to
make forced marches by night, and surprise the Boers when least
expected.

A second point in favour of us was the fact that we were all mounted,
whereas, at the commencement of the war, the British army consisted
largely of infantry. The Boers are splendid horsemen--none more at home
in the saddle than the farmer. The way he handled his steed, and the
posture he assumed on it, invariably distinguished him, even at great
distances, from the British soldier. The British infantry, however well
they might have fought--and they did often fight bravely--were yet
placed at a great disadvantage in engagements with the mounted Boers,
who could quickly, sometimes too quickly, abandon untenable positions
and occupy others which offered greater advantages.

Last, but not least, the Boers had the moral advantage of fighting in
defence of their country. They did not fight for honour or glory, nor
because of lust or greed for gold or expansion of territory, but for
their beloved Fatherland, for that freedom which they had enjoyed so
long and loved so well. This was their stimulus, their very inspiration
to endure hardship and sacrifice all. What was the stimulus and
inspiration of the British forces?

We shall now review some of the disadvantages under which we had to wage
war for almost three years. No sooner had the war been declared than the
Republics were almost completely isolated from the civilised world. The
English were in possession of all the harbours, and if it had