Victories urged him on, and he led the way southward.

A Magersfontein to his wreath, a Belmont and a Graspan--and it seemed as if he were more than nominally the South African Napoleon.

A reverse, and Cronje was no longer the dashing, energetic leader of the month before.

Doggedly and determinedly he retraced his steps, but advanced cautiously now and then to punish the enemy for its over-confidence.

Beaten back to Kimberley by the overpowering force of the enemy, he endured defeat after defeat until finally he was compelled to abandon the siege in order to escape the attacks of a second army sent against him.