Upon October 9th, the second anniversary of the Ultimatum, the hands of the military were strengthened by the proclamation of Cape Town and all the seaport towns as being in a state of martial law.  By this means a possible source of supplies and recruits for the enemy was effectually blocked.  That it had not been done two years before is a proof of how far local political considerations can be allowed to over-ride the essentials of Imperial policy.  Meanwhile treason courts were sitting, and sentences, increasing rapidly from the most trivial to the most tragic, were teaching the rebel that his danger did not end upon the field of battle.  The execution of Lotter and his lieutenants was a sign that the patience of a long-suffering Empire had at last reached an end.

The young Boer leader, Scheepers, had long been a thorn in the side of the British.  He had infested the southern districts for some months, and he had distinguished himself both by the activity of his movements and by the ruthless vigour of some of his actions.  Early in October a serious illness and consequent confinement to his bed brought him at last within the range of British mobility.  On his recovery he was tried for repeated breaches of the laws of war, including the murder of several natives.  He was condemned to death, and was executed in December.  Much sympathy was excited by his gallantry and his youth—­he was only twenty-three.  On the other hand, our word was pledged to protect the natives, and if he whose hand had been so heavy upon them escaped, all confidence would have been lost in our promises and our justice.  That British vengeance was not indiscriminate was shown soon afterwards in the case of a more important commander, Kritzinger, who was the chief leader of the Boers within Cape Colony.  Kritzinger was wounded and captured while endeavouring to cross the line near Hanover Road upon December 15th.  He was put upon his trial, and his fate turned upon how far he was responsible for the misdeeds of some of his subordinates.  It was clearly shown that he had endeavoured to hold them within the bounds of civilised warfare, and with congratulations and handshakings he was acquitted by the military court.

In the last two months of the year 1901, a new system was introduced into the Cape Colony campaign by placing the Colonial and district troops immediately under the command of Colonial officers and of the Colonial Government.  It had long been felt that some devolution was necessary, and the change was justified by the result.  Without any dramatic incident, an inexorable process of attrition, caused by continual pursuit and hardship, wore out the commandos.  Large bands had become small ones, and small ones had vanished.  Only by the union of several bodies could any enterprise higher than the looting of a farmhouse be successfully attempted.