The conduct of the Free Staters in the battle roused the fierce resentment of Cronje and the Transvaalers. But for these recreants, they said, the British Army must have been driven back. They communicated to President Kruger the news of their allies' cowardice, and he in turn complained to Mr. Steyn in these terms:-- [Illustration: [_Photo by Gregory._ "INVALIDED HOME."] [Sidenote: Kruger's remonstrances.] [Sidenote: DEC. 2, 1899.] _Exhortations of the Presidents._] "It was with regret that we learned that only about 1,000 men of the Free State fought in the last battle, and that many of the others remained in their camps, while their brothers resisted, and even defeated, their enemy. I should not be performing my duty were I not to impress upon you all the fact that such behaviour can only lead to disastrous results for our liberty as a people, and may have most unfortunate results for our brothers in the strife. "I must, therefore, impress upon each and everyone that it is his especial duty to obey the officers in command, and that the officers should accompany the burghers throughout the battles. If we act in this way, I have no doubt but that the God of our fathers, and our God, will not forsake us, but give us the victory. So let not one be found out of his place at the next engagement. Let each one be found taking his part in the strife. We must remember that we are fighting for all that is dear to us." [Illustration: SHED RIDDLED BY SHRAPNEL.] [Illustration: MAKING PONTOONS FOR BRIDGING THE MODDER.] On December 2, Mr. Steyn came in person to Jacobsdal to ply his reluctant burghers with exhortations. He brought with him a special message from Mr. Kruger, in which the Transvaal President expressed his own wish to come to the front and fight. "My age," he said, "does not permit me to join my sons, otherwise I should have been at the front by this time. Your Honour's directions and advice must be before them continuously. For the decisive struggle is fast approaching which is to prove whether or not we shall surrender the country. By no means must we give up the country, even if it costs us half of our men. Your Honour must impress upon the officers and burghers that they must resist to the death. In the name of the Lord, with this determination, and with a prayerful attack, I have confidence that we shall secure the victory. For Christ has said, 'Whosoever would keep his life shall lose it, but whosoever would lose it for truth's sake shall keep it.'" With Mr. Fischer, President Steyn addressed the men and visited the hospitals. [Illustration: FUZES USED ON BRITISH SHELLS.