The Small Guard Beat Off Their Assailants
In The Most Gallant Fashion, And Held Their Own Until Relieved By
Brabazon Upon The Following Morning.
This phase of the war was marked by a certain change in the temper
of the British.
Nothing could have been milder than the original
intentions and proclamations of Lord Roberts, and he was most ably
seconded in his attempts at conciliation by General Pretyman, who
had been made civil administrator of the State. There was evidence,
however, that this kindness had been construed as weakness by some
of the burghers, and during the Boer incursion to Wepener many who
had surrendered a worthless firearm reappeared with the Mauser
which had been concealed in some crafty hiding-place. Troops were
fired at from farmhouses which flew the white flag, and the good
housewife remained behind to charge the 'rooinek' extortionate
prices for milk and fodder while her husband shot at him from the
hills. It was felt that the burghers might have peace or might have
war, but could not have both simultaneously. Some examples were
made therefore of offending farmhouses, and stock was confiscated
where there was evidence of double dealing upon the part of the
owner. In a country where property is a more serious thing than
life, these measures, together with more stringent rules about the
possession of horses and arms, did much to stamp out the chances of
an insurrection in our rear. The worst sort of peace is an enforced
peace, but if that can be established time and justice may do the
rest.
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