d, those of the enemy increased. It
was certainly an heroic action on the part of two small republics to
enter upon a contest with the British Empire, not to say with England,
but was it not more heroic for these untrained farmers to confront and
defy the overwhelming numbers brought against them? Surely this, if
nothing else, should entitle the Boer to a place in the history of
nations. Is this not proof sufficient that, when their Governments with
their consent despatched an ultimatum, it was not arrogance which
prompted them to take up arms against the British, but steadfast
determination to vindicate their sacred rights at any price?

As to the numbers that were employed during the war, the official
statement of the War Department makes the number of officers and
soldiers that were engaged in active service in South Africa about
500,000. To this must be added the number of armed natives, which would
increase the sum total considerably. The Boer estimates vary, yet we do
not hesitate to state that not more, but rather less, than 50,000 Boers
were ever in the field. Of these a large proportion usually remained in
the laagers, and never fired a shot at the enemy. After Prinsloo's
surrender there were hardly 8,000 men still in the field. According to
these numbers, the odds were ten to one. According to other authorities,
the odds were even greater. One English writer says: "What glory shall a
mighty empire win from a victory over 15,000 farmers? We are forcing
upon our army the cruel humiliation of beating our enemy by sheer force
of fifteen against one; we who used to boast that one Briton was a match
for any three of his foes." The official returns at the close of the war
substantiates the above figures, and show that it has not by any means
been exaggerated. General De Wet, on being asked how long he thought the
war would last if the numbers could be inverted, remarked: "As long as
it would take to cable defeat to England." We do not wonder that some of
the burghers eventually became discouraged and surrendered to the foe,
especially when we think how great the odds were against which they had
to contend month after month. We are rather surprised that so many did
not become disheartened, but unflinchingly maintained the struggle until
their Governments and leaders advised a general surrender.

Not only had we to confront such overpowering numbers, but these forces
were under the control of England's most distinguish