r kindness and hospitality that, after a
brief respite, we could once more resume the struggle with fresh
determination and revived energies.

Never shall we forget the kindness shown to us personally during the
years of strife. And here we would express our sincere thanks to all
such as alleviated so greatly the burdens war had imposed upon
us--alleviated these by friendly sympathies, which found expression in
deeds of kindness and love, and that at a time and in circumstances when
the sword of Damocles was suspended over their heads, for to give an
enemy a drop of cold water was then considered a great crime!

The Boers are _passionately fond_ of their homes and families. The
little cottage, with the garden, the flocks and herds--in these they
take pleasure. To accumulate and hoard up wealth is not their sole
ambition or ideal of life. If they possess enough to live comfortably,
give their children a fair education and meet their bills, they are
content.

Now this passionate devotion to their homes and families, however
commendable a virtue it may be, proved most detrimental to their best
interests when the waters of strife were set in commotion. Nothing was
so trying to the Boers than to be separated from their families for
months and months. Up to the commencement of the war the Boer farmer
hardly knew what it meant to be away from his family for a long time.
Owing to this strong attachment to, one might almost say weakness for,
their homes, the burghers often insisted on obtaining leave of absence
to visit their families, and that at times when their services were most
needed on the battlefield.

This love of home and property must account for a great number of
voluntary surrenders to the British. When the enemy entered the
Republics the farmers had to choose between surrender or sacrificing
hearth and home, property and all they had--entrusting these to the
mercy of the foe. Many, be it said to their honour, deliberately chose
to sacrifice all rather than their independence. Others lay down arms,
to protect or save, as they thought, their families, homes and property.
Sadly and bitterly were they disappointed; for their homes were still
burned, and their families confined in the concentration camps.

These, then, are some of the more striking features of the Boer
character. To summarize them in one sentence: the Boer loves his Country
and Freedom, his Bible and Rifle, his Neighbour and Family.

Are these no