not been
for Delagoa Bay, which is a neutral port, the communication of the
Republics with the outer world would instantly have been cut off
entirely. Through this port all contraband of war was strictly
prohibited; and such foreigners as came to our assistance had to
exercise great ingenuity to find their way _via_ Delagoa Bay to the Boer
lines. For several months in succession the Boers had to fight without
the slightest encouragement from abroad. How the nations were regarding
their struggle, whether any of them would dare to interfere on their
behalf, and so indicate the rights of the weak against the strong--such
and similar questions remained unanswered. Neither was the average Boer
much concerned as to what other nations thought about the war. He was
involved in the struggle, not because he courted it or loved to fight,
but because his country was invaded and his independence was at stake.
To secure his liberty he would resist any Power, regardless of all
adverse criticism on the part of other Powers. Yet it proved no less a
serious disadvantage to the Republics to have been so isolated, their
communication with the other Powers so restricted, and themselves
encompassed almost on every side by British dominions.

Not only was our intercourse with the outer world sadly impeded, but our
internal communication was likewise seriously disturbed. The British,
having divided the two states into several small sections by their
blockhouse system, made it extremely difficult for the different
commandoes to come in touch with one another. Our despatch riders, who
had to beat their way through the various blockhouse lines, were
sometimes so hemmed in by these that escape was impossible, and thus
their despatches fell into the hands of the enemy. Towards the latter
part of the war we were entirely dependent upon despatch riders for the
transmission of our reports or messages. We had no more the inestimable
advantage of heliographic instruments or telegraph wires, which were at
the disposal of the British. Our reinforcements often arrived too late
at the scene of action because the reports were delayed on the way, and
so a battle was lost where a victory might have been secured.

The number of able-bodied men that the Republics could put in the field
against the British forces was extremely limited. They had to contend
against great numbers, and these numbers were reinforced from time to
time. While the Boer numbers decrease