They were not more than five miles off, and could watch the whole engagement--and yet they never stirred a foot to come and help their comrades.

And it was fortunate for us that it was so, for we should have stood no chance at all against a large force.
To oppose successfully such bodies of men as our burghers had to meet during this war demanded _rapidity of action_ more than anything else.
We had to be quick at fighting, quick at reconnoitring, quick (if it became necessary) at flying! This was exactly what I myself aimed at, and had not so many of our burghers proved false to their own colours, England--as the great Bismarck foretold--would have found her grave in South Africa.].