Part 34 (1/2)

Thus it will be seen that we had a large army in the field, and when it is recollected that some 10,000 troops were hemmed in at Ladysmith, while others kept the foe at bay in Cape Colony, Kiland ell represented

A glance at theinto or close by the two republics in arh which they run believed that General Buller, the able leader of the British forces, would invade the Orange Free State by way of the Orange River, and thus draw off the investing forces froed towns

But a little consideration will show that such a task was all too forin with, the Boers far outnumbered us--not that that damped the spirits of our men, but it was a fact to be seriously reckoned with Then Cape Colony was seething with sedition, and a revolt was to be feared unless troops were there to keep the rebels in check But perhaps the greatest difficulty was that this necessity for troops in all parts of the country, and along the railway to the Orange River, the absolute i the coht away to the sea, and above all the large force required to keep the Boers in check in Natal and south of Kith of our army corps to such an extent that when all dely that the idea of an invasion had to be proent necessity for the tiuered towns now became obvious, for the fall of any one of them, but particularly of Ladyse in the country, and would have increased the already growing sedition

Accordingly Lord Methuen was despatched with a force of so troops were sent _via_ Durban into Natal A few others were placed under General Gatacre's co sailed to East London, took train for Queenstohile another force, under General French, went _via_ Port Elizabeth towards Naauwpoort

To detail the regiments or the exact numbers in each coluenerous of readers, as would also a full description of the various skirmishes which each had with the enemy

They started from the sea base by railway, and as they reached the invaded country they followed the rails, and repaired the parts which had been torn up by the Boers Thus, their co assured, they had abundant supplies of ammunition and of food, and could pass their wounded down the line a few hours after the injuries were received

But though this means of transport saved a vast deal of labour, and for the ons and e, for, inasmuch as ere tied to it, the Boers kneeeks beforehand what part they would have to defend, and ly And this was particularly the case on the west and in Natal

In the case of the fore force of Boers, under Commandant Cronje, opposed Methuen's advance just above Hope Town Heights had been selected at Belmont, and these had been carefully entrenched But the Guards, the Marines, and the others who composed the force dashed at them, and captured them at the point of the bayonet

A few miles farther north, at Graspan, another position had been taken by the Boers, and once again we drove them out of it

But there was sterner work before this truly gallant coluh they had driven the enee mobile arm, in the shape of a cavalry force, hampered them seriously, and allowed the Boers to retire where otherwise they ht have been routed Consequently they were far from beaten, and when the colu line of ridges entrenched on the other side, and the bridge blon In addition, the knowledge that the British must pass on in this direction had allowed the Boers full scope in the way of artillery, a uns which ere forced for the e weapons of position, against which only our naval 47 cannon could effectively fight

The battle of Modder River was a ain, in spite of severe losses, we dah not driven froht, and under cover of darkness retired on the long ridges of Spytfontein and Magersfontein, only a few ly formidable and well-chosen position In spite of the most complete reconnaissances the trenches re to be drawn into showing their exact whereabouts till an attack was ly wise proceeding on their part, for when, in the grey of dawn, our Highland Brigade advanced, they stumbled, in close order, upon the first line of trenches before they were aware of it And the Boers, ere almost taken by surprise, poured murderous volleys into their ranks as they marched in quarter column, and almost decih we covered the retiree numbers of the Boers, we failed to turn them out of their trenches, and retired on our camp, checked for the first tiht no fewer than three successful engageh the disaster to the Highlanders was a serious affair But it created a sensation, and for pin-pricks which roused the British lion to do his uter than had ever before been transported across the sea How those troops were raised, how the patriotic spirit of the nation showed itself, will be described in due course For the moment we shall leave Methuen's colu for reinforcements from oversea ere they made a second attempt at an almost impossible task, and will mention the fate in store for Gatacre's force This sinning A night , where the eneht the troops into an extree nuood order

What happened to the other column in Natal is of so much importance that it must be described in fuller detail

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

THE ATTEMPT UPON THE GUNS

It was in the early days of Septeuered camp of Ladysht from Pretoria The former, as has been shown, knew little about the troops or the movements of the enemy, for he had been struck down by a serious wound But he was a strong and healthy lad, and, once he got over his fever, ress; so much so that when Christmas-day came round he was sufficiently well to recline outside the tent and look on at the caood, and when the New-Year arrived he was able to ith coain

”Jack, hoould you like a drive?” cried Guy on this festive day, entering the small bell-tent which had now been allotted to his friend

”I've got the loan of a light cart and a couple of horses, and if you care to dodge an occasional shell we'll make a tour round the caood ti football-hlanders and the Rifles, which will be orth looking at”

”Just what I should like,” Jack answered ”When shall we start?”

”Oh, in half an hour! I'll get the cart at once”

Accordingly, when Guy drove up in a comfortable Cape cart, Jack climbed into it, and acco The huts and houses and the long lines of tents in various parts were still much the same as when he was last in Ladysmith, but as different was the stretch of trenches which had since been dug, and near which the soldiers lived, ready at any moment to man them and keep back the enemy

Ladys caarrisoned and held, when the southern bank of the River Tugela would have been a more favourable position For health and the collection of a large body of men it was certainly not to be beaten There was ample room for camp and town, and a wide plain over which cavalry could ih land and supplied with excellent water