Piet Joubert was a Cape Colonist by birth--a fellow countryman, like Kruger himself, of those whom the narrow laws of his new country persisted in regarding as outside the pale.

He came from that French Huguenot blood which has strengthened and refined every race which it has touched, and from it he derived a chivalry and generosity which made him respected and liked even by his opponents.

In many native broils and in the British campaign of 1881 he had shown himself a capable leader.

His record in standing out for the independence of the Transvaal was a very consistent one, for he had not accepted office under the British, as Kruger had done, but had remained always an irreconcilable.

Tall and burly, with hard grey eyes and a grim mouth half hidden by his bushy beard, he was a fine type of the men whom he led.