battle:--

"I venture to think it a matter of considerable importance to draw
attention to the attitude of the Boers whom we met during the
carrying out of our duties on these three days. For my part I
confess that the deepest impression has been made on me by these
conversations, and by the manly bearing and straightforward
outspoken way in which we were met.

"There were two things which I particularly noted. As there was no
effort made to impress us by what was said (they spoke with
transparent honesty and natural simplicity, and in nearly all cases
the conversations were begun by us), so there was a total absence
of anything like exultation over what they must consider a military
success. Not a word, not a look, not a gesture or sign, that could
by the most sensitive of persons be construed as a display of their
superiority.

"Far from exultation there was a _sadness_, almost anguish, in the
way in which they referred to our fallen soldiers. I can best
convey the truth of this statement, and show that there is no
attempt at exaggeration in using the word anguish, by repeating
expressions used, not once, but again and again by great numbers as
they inspected the ghastly piles of our dead--'My God! what a
sight!' 'I wish politicians could see their handiwork,' 'What can
God in Heaven think of this sight?'"

By such a spirit was the Boer animated when he achieved some of his most
brilliant successes. He did not fight for honour and glory. He fought
at duty's call as a patriot in a great cause.

(3) A few weeks prior to the battle of Spion Kop the Boers made their
famous, though unsuccessful, attack on Platrand, known as Waggon Hill to
the English, a hill situated three miles south of Ladysmith. This hill
was occupied by the British, and formed as it were the key to Ladysmith.
For it was practically impossible to bring about the fall of Ladysmith
so long as the British were on Platrand. A council of war accordingly
decided to attack the enemy on the hill on the night of the 5th of
January, and, if possible, expel them from it.

The Rev. J.D. Kestell, who accompanied the Boer forces, gives the
following striking description of the attack--a description which
conveys to the mind of the reader something of the awfulness of war, as
well as of the courage and heroism displayed by Boer and Briton alike:--