FLAT GAME AND SMALL GAME. 97 



struggles with ferocious savage nations or with us. 

 They have always exhibited singular courage and 

 tenacity, and have in small handfuls, when only armed 

 with obsolete muzzle-loading rifles, achieved more bril- 

 liant successes than we have with trained troops, artil- 

 lery, breech-loaders and machine guns. 



They have this in their favour, viz., they understand the 

 nature of the country and the tactics of their enemies, 

 and are individually fine shots and good horsemen. 

 They have a firm belief in the ever presence of the 

 Supreme Being and His control over all events ; and, 

 therefore, they enter upon heavy risks with a calmness 

 which is neither founded upon conceit or consciousness 

 of brute courage. 



In warfare they carefully avoid exposing themselves, 

 and take every advantage of cover, unless it becomes 

 absolutely necessary to storm. In that case, Boers have, 

 when called upon, displayed as much daring as any 

 men. 



Their usual method of warfare is to make full use of 

 horse as well as of rifle. Their great mobility gives them 

 the option of giving or refusing action. In this country 

 men can ride about anywhere. The Boers generally 

 choose favourable ground for attacking. They extend 

 far out of rifle range and surround their foes, then gallop 

 into rifle range, dismount, and leave their horses behind 

 a ridge if possible, creep up and put in a concentric fire 

 under which infantry and guns are helpless. Cavalry 

 can do nothing with them, for they will not wait to be 

 charged, but are quite willing to engage and destroy 

 cavalry by a Parthian mode of warfare. 



Colonial troops raised from Africanders are the only 

 men who could do anything effectual against the Boers. 



7 



