The British Government, however, was prepared to accept the five years’ ‘franchise’ as stated in the note of August 19th, assuming at the same time that in the Raad each member might talk his own language.

’Acceptance of these terms by the South African Republic would at once remove tension between the two Governments, and would in all probability render unnecessary any future intervention to secure redress for grievances which the Uitlanders themselves would be able to bring to the notice of the Executive Council and the Volksraad.

’Her Majesty’s Government are increasingly impressed with the danger of further delay in relieving the strain which has already caused so much injury to the interests of South Africa, and they earnestly press for an immediate and definite reply to the present proposal.  If it is acceded to they will be ready to make immediate arrangements. . .to settle all details of the proposed tribunal of arbitration. . .If, however, as they most anxiously hope will not be the case, the reply of the South African Republic should be negative or inconclusive, I am to state that her Majesty’s Government must reserve to themselves the right to reconsider the situation de novo, and to formulate their own proposals for a final settlement.’

Such was the message, and Great Britain waited with strained attention for the answer.  But again there was a delay, while the rain came and the grass grew, and the veld was as a mounted rifleman would have it.  The burghers were in no humour for concessions.  They knew their own power, and they concluded with justice that they were for the time far the strongest military power in South Africa.  ’We have beaten England before, but it is nothing to the licking we shall give her now,’ cried a prominent citizen, and he spoke for his country as he said it.  So the empire waited and debated, but the sounds of the bugle were already breaking through the wrangles of the politicians, and calling the nation to be tested once more by that hammer of war and adversity by which Providence still fashions us to some nobler and higher end.

CHAPTER 4.

The eve of war.

The message sent from the Cabinet Council of September 8th was evidently the precursor either of peace or of war.  The cloud must burst or blow over.  As the nation waited in hushed expectancy for a reply it spent some portion of its time in examining and speculating upon those military preparations which might be needed.  The War Office had for some months been arranging for every contingency, and had made certain dispositions which appeared to them to be adequate, but which our future experience was to demonstrate to be far too small for the very serious matter in hand.