When it came to the question of acting towards the republics of South Africa as our forefathers had acted towards the republic of Texas, neither the oily McKinley nor the vociferous Roosevelt showed the honor and courage of a pure-blooded American. I do not mean they were bought by England. Our State Department is not the kind of a courtesan whose favors have to be paid for in anything but smiles and flattery. England smiled and flattered and America smiled back as she strangled the liberties of a brave people. The Philistines captured Samson, thanks to the American Delilah. Contents. PAGE Introduction i Preface v CHAP. I. Lobengula and the Chartered Company 13 II. A Carnival of Murder--Preceding Jameson's Raid and Chamberlain's Conspiracy 24 III. Boer Commissary--"Mealie Pap" as a Ration--I Take Command of the Irish Brigade--War Declared 44 IV. The Boer Ultimatum--The Brigade at the Front--Butchery of Prisoners by English Lancers 52 V. Besieging Ladysmith 93 VI. British Treachery at Colenso 100 VII. Spion Kop 109 VIII. White's Incapacity 122 IX. The Fighting in the Free State 134 X. Magersfontein and Paardeberg 141 XI. De Wet Looms Up 154 XII. Paying an Instalment on the Irish Debt 164 XIII. Lord Roberts Breaks his Pledge Made in Proclamation--Boers in Great Disorder on Leaving Pretoria--Make Grand Stand at Donkerhoek--General Buller Arrives in Transvaal--Battle of Dalmanutha 185 XIV. Dark Period of the War--President Kruger Forced to Leave for Holland 194 XV. War Declared at an End by Roberts--Lady Roberts Captured--De Wet Cornered--General Clement's Camp taken by General De la Rey--De Wet's Strategy 206 XVI. Boers Become Aggressive--American Government Comes to England's Assistance and Furnishes Horses, Mules and Men 215 XVII. Kitchener Alarmed and Asks for More Troops--French Tries to Corner Botha--Failing, Makes War on Boer Women--Botha Attacks English at Lake Chrissi-- De Wet Alarms the English--Defeats Them, Goes to the Colony and Returns 227