e growing
darkness for a body of their own men, fell upon them and turned
a rout into a wild flight. Commander Schiel was very furious at
losing the battle, and said he would like to kill every man,
woman, and child in Natal. In this he was the exception to the
rule, for the captives whom we liberated said the Boers had
treated them with great kindness. After the battle Dr.
Bonnybrook and I spent the night on the field of battle, and
also followed the retreating Boers for a distance of six or
seven miles, searching for and tending the wounded and dying.
In the early hours of the morning we came to a Boer
field-hospital, and shouting out, 'Doctor and Predicant,' we
entered and rested, and slept there awhile. By daybreak we were
out again. About six miles from camp Dr. Bonnybrook rode up to
twenty-five mounted and armed Boers, and told them they were
his prisoners. Ordering two to take the weapons of their
comrades, he marched them into camp prisoners. For an unarmed
man to accomplish alone, this was an exceedingly brave thing to
do. After the battle one of the captured held up his gun and
said, 'Look through this. I have not fired a shot. I am a
Britisher. They forced me to come.'"

Among other heroes of Elandslaagte was Lieutenant Meiklejohn of the
Gordon Highlanders. This young officer, one of the "Dargai boys," helped
the charge in an endeavour to embarrass the Boer flank. Supported by a
party of Gordons, so runs the narrative, Meiklejohn waved his sword and
cried out to his party hastily gathered round him. But the Boer ranks
were alert, and poured in a deadly fire on the gallant band. Lieutenant
Meiklejohn received three bullets through his upper right arm, one
through the right forearm, a finger blown away, a bullet through the
left thigh, two bullets through the helmet, a "snick" in the neck, while
his sword and scabbard were literally shot to pieces. He has by now lost
his right arm, but, happily, being left-handed, it is hoped he may
remain in the profession he is so well calculated to adorn.

A private soldier in the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders recounted an
extraordinary personal experience. He said:--

"We, the Devons, Imperial Light Horse, and others, had a fight
at Elandslaagte with the Boers, and I never enjoyed myself so
much before. You first have to get christened to fire, and then