gn countries because they may
not return to their native land. There are the unhappy exiles in
Belgium, Holland, France and America. Their families are left to the
mercy and care of friends and relatives in South Africa. How their
hearts are yearning to go to these, but...! Besides these exiles there
are those undergoing sentences of penal servitude either for life or for
long periods. There are the burghers in Bermuda and in India who,
because they cannot conscientiously take an oath of allegiance to the
British Government, are not allowed to return to their native land. As I
ponder over the condition of these unhappy cases my heart seems to
break, and a feeling of compassion mingled with sorrow inexpressible
rises in my bosom.

While referring to these, I would dare to plead earnestly with the
Imperial Government to display mercy and generosity. Exercise these
towards the exiled, not only for their sake, but also for the sake of
their families and for the promotion of peace in South Africa. Is it too
much to plead for a general amnesty? Will that not lessen the intense
race-hatred between two peoples destined to live in the same land?

True reconciliation is the foundation on which the structure of a united
South Africa shall be raised. Without reconciliation there can be no
co-operation, and South Africa will be in the future what it has been in
the past--a land of strife and discord. Adhere to a policy of severity
and the gulf between Dutch and English will grow deeper and deeper as
the years roll by. There will be another Ireland, instead of a land
where "peace and rest for ever dwell."

CHAPTER XI.

WAR INCIDENTS.

Notwithstanding the horror and depression which must necessarily keep
step with the campaigner, death staring him in the face throughout the
campaign, yet the burgher endeavoured to show a cheerful countenance. In
this he succeeded to a surprising degree. It is a characteristic of the
Boer that he can meet frowning fortune with a smile or at least a shrug
of the shoulders. He found that his best policy was to forget the
reverse of yesterday. Flying to-day before the enemy, to-morrow he will
rally, and charge that same foe with almost irresistible determination.

In this, the last chapter, we want to dwell not on the tragic aspects of
the war, but on its lighter side. Gradually we learnt to be more
conscious of the amusing than of the sad scenes of the battlefield.
Months of fighting, if t