The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-19

ters, when their stabbing assegais might
be brought into play. But the mounted
men always evadcd them, and at length,
after losing large numbers Of his war
riors, MOselkatse gave up tho contest
retreatcd beyond the Limpopo and left
the whole vast territory of the Trans
vaal. which he had long held by the sheer
terror OF his name and arms, to the 'Voor-
Trckkcrt." We English, in a miserabiy
mismanaged war, and after shameful
peace, have had our bad moments with
the Transvaal Beers. But, now that time
has somewhat assuaged the bitter memo
ries of Majuba Hill, those Of us who
know and appreciate the sterling qualities
OF the BOer characteristic stubborn de-
termination, the simple yet sublime faith,
the deep love Of "ons land" as they cali
the country OF their adoption--cannot de-
ny to these rude farmers their need of
praise.
For years after the battles with the Zil,t
and Matabele tribes the Beers as body
settled themselves quietly in the Orange
Free State and Transvaal, peopling the
country, growing their crops and amass-
ing great focks and herds.
The more adventurous spirits among
them-the elephant-hunters-w annual-
ly into the hunting veldt and when they
had denuded their own country of great
game, trekked far afeld in every direction
in pursuit of ivory. 1t has been the Gus
tom to charge the average Boer with a
lack Of courage. | cannot follow this inn
putation. The Afrikander Dutchman is
| Will grant, inert and hard to move Even
in the agitation among the TransvaaI
farmers, before the Boer war, in which,
undoubtedly large proportion Of the
population viewed the British annexation
with extreme anger and Indignation, they
we're very slow to go out" AS in for
mer struggles, the vrouws did an immense
deal in screwing up their husbands to
the fighting point. The Dutch wife has
great influence over her man: she is u.s.
ually possessed of indomitable spirit and
determination; and in moments of danger
and difficulty she counts for good deal
in South African movements
When the Beers finally took the field
IN 1881, they fought well, as even we our
selves must admit. 1t Is no light matter
to take up arms successfully against the
strength Of Britain as these farmers did.
BY series of lucky accidents, the Beers
round arrayed against them troops weak
in numbers, mostly consisting of young
and unseasoned soldiers, led by a gem
eral who, after a series of extraordinary
plumbers, paid with his own life the PEN
atty of rashness and lack of Judgment
AT Laing's Mex and Ingogo river the
Beers undoubtedly had our men at Inn
mense disadvantage, and by the help OF
their very excellent shooting, scored their
victories. But at Majuba Hill, where less
than $50 Dutehmen stormed a mountain
held by 400 British troops and defeated
them with the loss of their general. six
officers, and ninety men killed and q
large number wounded want of courage
can scarcely be charged against these ig-
norant, undrilled farmers. They them
selves still look upon that event in their
OF their own courage. Nor in the far
desperate fighting against the Zulus and
Matabele during the Great Trek, can
want of courage be urged against the
frontier Beers.
The Beers are a race Of hunters as well
as pastoralists. and the Transvaai Beers
especially have been engaged in a war
OF determination Qamentable to the lover
of animal life) against every species OF
wild beast. Numbers of them have been
occupied ever since boyhood in the hunt
ing of elephants, buffaloes, lions, rhi-
noceroses, and other heavy game They
have practically exterminated the ele-
plant south of the Zambesi, and the buff
alo is becoming very scarce. No man
who understands South African hunting
can pretend to say that the chase Of these
animals is not a dangerous one, requiring
the highest qualities of nerve and courage.
will not say that the average Boer
hunter will, by way of recreation. face
the lion single handed in the way that
the great English hunters-Selous Oswell.
Vardon, Gordon-Cumming Baldwin, and
accustomed us to- Few
hunters, indeed, are so Quixotic The Boer
treats the lion as dangerous vermin IL
possible to obtain help from his fellows.
and as matter of business Stays him by
a volley. But hundreds of Beers have
slain lions single handed and hundreds
have been mauled and even killed BY
lions.