my own, my native land!...
If such there breathe, go, mark him well.

_Walter Scott._

We shall now direct our attention to some of the disadvantages and
difficulties which confronted us in our struggle for freedom. This we do
because many who were in sympathy with the Republics have been sorely
disappointed in their surrender, and some suppose that they should have
prolonged the struggle until victory ultimately crowned their efforts.
Those who reason in this way must be ignorant of the conditions of the
Republics at the time of their surrender, neither do they know the
disadvantages with which we had to grapple throughout the war. It is
therefore of importance that the South African War should be regarded in
the light and under the circumstances in which it was begun, conducted
and concluded. When the obstacles the Boer had to encounter are taken
into due consideration, then censure and disappointment vanish and make
room for praise and admiration.

None know better than those who have been involved in war that its
current does not run evenly. Experience has taught them that war is much
more than a series of exciting adventures or some kind of sport. It
brings before the contending parties problems hard to solve,
difficulties and emergencies of a most perplexing and bewildering
nature. Boer and Briton alike had to face such difficulties and
disadvantages. The disadvantages, however, under which the English had
to labour in South Africa dwindle into insignificance when contrasted
and compared with those of the Boers, especially towards the latter part
of the war. The impartial critic must admit that eventually the vantage
ground was altogether on the side of the British. 'Tis only by sheer
determination and superhuman efforts and sacrifices on the part of the
late Republics that they defied the British Empire for two years and
eight months. None were perhaps more surprised and amazed at the
protracted war than the Imperial Government itself. Time and again an
early termination of hostilities was announced. Such was the case after
Cronje's capture, the occupation of Bloemfontein and Pretoria, and
Prinsloo's surrender. When Lord Roberts left South Africa, the war, it
was said, was practically over!

The British were placed at a great disadvantage at the outbreak of
hostilities. The Boer ultimatum, issued on the 9th of October, 1899,
found the English Government only half prepared eithe