be greatly inflamed, and it was reported that, if a few
recruiters crossed the Orange river from the districts occupied by the
enemy to the north of the river, a rising would probably take place.
Even nearer to Cape Town, in the fertile and wine-producing districts
of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Ceres, Tulbagh, and Worcester, all most
difficult to deal with, owing to the broken character of the ground
and its intersection by rough mountain ranges, a portion of the
inhabitants had shown signs of great restlessness. If even small bands
of insurgents had taken up arms in these parts, the British lines of
communication would have been imperilled. A very large force would be
required for their protection.

[Footnote 252: A detachment of thirty-five Cape police and
thirty-three civilians made a gallant defence of Kuruman,
under Capt. A. Bates, against a Boer commando much superior
in strength. The garrison held out from 12th November until
their last redoubt was destroyed by artillery fire on 1st
January (see General map of South Africa and map No. 17).]

[Footnote 253: For the details of this wholesale eviction see
article in _Cape Times_, dated 16th February, 1900, enclosed
in High Commissioner's despatch No. 85, dated 21st February,
1900 (p. 194-195 of C.O. White Book Africa 629).]

[Sidenote: The enthusiasm of the loyal furnishes large numbers of
Volunteers.]

On the other hand, although the loyalty of a portion of the population
was shaken, there were large numbers not only steadfast in their
allegiance, but anxious to fulfil the duty of good citizens.
Considerable advantage had already been taken of this patriotic
spirit. Practically the whole of the Volunteer forces of the colony
had been called out in the first phase of the war and were still under
arms. The good services of the South African Light Horse and of
Brabant's Horse, raised respectively in the western and eastern
province, showed that the time had now come to make fuller use of the
admirable recruiting material that was available.

[Sidenote: Full advantage taken of this by Sir A. Milner and Sir
Redvers.]

On the 17th December Sir A. Milner telegraphed to Sir Redvers: "As
rebellion in the colony is still spreading and our latest
reinforcements are wanted elsewhere, I hope you will authorise G.O.C.
here to raise all the men he can get in loyal districts. Mounted
corps