THE STORMING OF SECOCOENI'S. I 1 1 



they are perpetually letting them off by accident ; and 

 this is inconvenient when a number of men are crowded 

 on a narrow path in column of route. 



The wild contingents screw up their courage by war 

 dances, and are, therefore, more to be relied upon than 

 their tame congeners. 



The tactics of native allies are as follows : 



1. To keep out of action if they possibly can. 



2. To collect cattle and plunder if there is a victory. 



3. To get a good start before anybody else if there is 

 a defeat. 



4. On hearing the whistle of a hostile bullet to all 

 throw themselves down, and commence firing in the air 

 with the object of intimidating the enemy and preventing 

 their nearer approach. 



5. To advance in the direction of the rear with 

 unanimity and celerity at each favourable opportunity. 



As a rule the tame contingents are more skilful at the 

 last-mentioned manoeuvre than are the wild ones, for 

 they generally get a minute or two clear start of the 

 wild ones if there is a homeward movement to be 

 executed. 



The Colonial Horse are a useful body of men for this 

 kind of warfare (more especially the Afrikander element 

 amongst them). As a rule, good horsemen, good shots 

 and individually brave, they fight well under leaders 

 whom they trust. Given plenty of ammunition, a free 

 hand and not too much liquor, they make it unpleasant 

 for the enemy. Their courage and patriotism are stimu- 

 lated by the prospect of capturing the enemy's cattle 

 and thus earning prize-money. 



The principal function of artillery in this kind of war- 

 fare is to stick fast in every mud-hole, and to be the 



