exchanging clothes with Tommy Atkins whenever he was
captured; for the English had destroyed and burnt theirs as often as
they could. As we had no means of import, and as the enemy had burnt our
clothes, who shall condemn our action, however humiliating it might have
been to the soldier or costly to the British Government to provide
outfits for both parties? Necessity knows no laws. In the same way the
burghers were provided with rifles, ammunition, horses, saddles, bridles
and other necessaries by the British. When their ammunition first ran
short, many were not a little concerned about it, and thought that that
would ultimately compel them to surrender. But the English were kind
enough to supply them, so that after each fight, as a rule, they had
enough to commence another with. Towards the latter part of the war the
English were fought and often beaten with their own arms. So, as far as
that was concerned, the Republics could have prolonged the war
indefinitely, or at least as long as they were being supplied by the
British Government. Does this often happen in the history of wars--a foe
lashed by its own weapons?

In his social intercourse the Boer is kind-hearted, tender and
hospitable. He loves to be kind--to be hard and cruel is contrary to his
nature. Owing to his soft and gentle disposition he sometimes brought
disaster and ruin upon himself during the war. Traitors and renegades
were mercifully spared, and these notorious beings were instrumental in
bringing about his defeat. In times of peace kind-heartedness no doubt
is a virtue of intrinsic worth; in times of war it cannot always be
exercised.

In outward appearance the Boer may be, and sometimes is, somewhat stern
and uncompromising; but those who have gained his confidence and known
him best have invariably discovered behind and at the bottom of this
seemingly forbidding exterior a softness of disposition and a tenderness
of heart which brooks no rivalry. Men who have taken the Boer character
second-hand, or have not taken the trouble to enter into his feelings or
obtain his friendship, have often been misled by his quiet phlegmatic
demeanour, which at times verges on stolidity. They have described him
as being sour, morose and unkind. To such he appeared a sort of
obstreperous, cantankerous being, who simply delights to quarrel with
every man he meets--especially if an Englishman came in his way.
Needless to say he is nothing of the sort.

During the