irs had they
resisted a little longer. But apart from this, have they not proved to
the enemy in particular and to the world in general that they are the
children of chivalrous nations, of men who knew no fear? Have not the
British forces sustained some of their greatest losses when these
untrained peasants led the charge? We need only refer to a few of the
many battles fought during the war to show what these simple untrained
farmers did accomplish--battles which certainly merited for them the
attribute of being brave.

(1) On the 30th of November, 1899, General De Wet, who was then only
Assistant Commandant, led 200 men up Nicholson's Nek, a hill which was
then in the possession of the enemy. After an engagement which lasted
five hours, the British hoisted the white flag. General De Wet
personally counted 817 prisoners-of-war, while 203 were lying on the
battlefield either dead or wounded. Here the English were in possession
of the hill, _i.e._, of the best positions, and vastly outnumbered the
Boers.

(2) In the great battle of Spion Kop, which lasted eight days, the Boers
were placed under the most terrific bombardment, and were constantly
attacked by large numbers of the enemy--yet they warded off these
attacks gallantly. On the night of the 23rd of January the English under
cover of darkness scaled the mountain--Spion Kop--and were thus in
possession of the key to Ladysmith. It was evident to the Boer generals
that Ladysmith would be relieved if Spion Kop was not retaken. As soon
as it became light the mountain was stormed from different directions by
the Boers, who were determined, if possible, to wrench it from the grasp
of the British. Both parties displayed amazing bravery. Boer and Briton
fell side by side, staining the grass with their blood, and bespattering
the stones and rocks with their brains. At dusk more than half of the
mountain was in possession of the Boers. During the night the English
evacuated it, and once more the Boers commanded over the entire
mountain. It cost them 35 killed and 170 wounded, but their objective
was achieved. Again the _British_ were in command of the mountain, and
were continually reinforced. After Spion Kop was retaken, no more white
flags were hoisted by the Boers. On the contrary they lamented the loss
of so many precious, innocent lives. The Rev. R. Collins, a chaplain
with General Warren's Brigade, made the following statement _re_ the
attitude of the Boers after the