We are of the same blood, the Boers and we, and we show it in our failings.
Over-confidence on our part gave them the chance, and over-confidence on theirs prevented them from instantly availing themselves of it.

It passed, never to come again.
The outbreak of war was upon October 11th.

On the 12th the Boer forces crossed the frontier both on the north and on the west.

On the 13th they occupied Charlestown at the top angle of Natal.

On the 15th they had reached Newcastle, a larger town some fifteen miles inside the border.
Watchers from the houses saw six miles of canvas-tilted bullock wagons winding down the passes, and learned that this was not a raid but an invasion.