of no result, insomuch as the
distance of his troops from Kimberley remained the same, while their
numbers were very materially attenuated. It was reasonably to be
supposed that a general who had come victoriously through three
engagements--all accomplished within a week--should, in a measure, have
exhausted some of his fighting material, and that such unequalled feats
of arms as had been displayed must be paid for. The morale and stamina
of the troops had been tried in every way. They had faced shot and shell
at Belmont, at Enslin, and at Modder River. They had marched many miles
under a torrid sun and slept many nights exposed to contrasting cold.
Yet, at Majesfontein they had risen to the occasion, and flung
themselves into the hurlyburly of battle as though a hint of fatigue
were unknown. And their ill-success, it was discovered, was mainly due
to treachery, against which it was almost impossible to be entirely
guarded.

The one compliment that can be paid to a Boer is to call him "slim" or
sly, and this slimness in warfare has helped the foe to circumvent the
broader and more open tactics of the Briton. There was, indeed, no
knowing how far or how ingeniously the ramifications of "slimness" had
extended, and, to be even with them at all, our warriors have needed to
add to the courage of lions the astuteness of weasels! Some of the Cape
Dutch had worked surreptitiously for the foe, others affected an
attitude of neutrality, more dangerous than open antagonism; while
Kaffirs, either from fear of being made biltong of, or for bribes, had
lent themselves to delude and trick the British on more than one
occasion. However, notwithstanding impediments, every one waited
anxiously to hear a decisive note in the war news, and continued to hope
for the best. Lord Methuen having done his part, all eyes were now
turned towards the Natal force and Sir Redvers Buller, in expectation of
relief. In England the tension was becoming painful; in the Cape it was
causing colourless loyalty to become tinged with doubt; in the besieged
towns it was bringing patience to the snapping-point. In effect, the
whole nation was standing with bated breath for the great, the important
stroke, and the entire world looked to Colenso, that hitherto unknown
spot in the Empire, for one of the biggest battles of the campaign.

THE BATTLE OF COLENSO

On Friday the 15th December the Ladysmith relief column under Sir
Redvers B