ar mounted troops, about 700 in number. Their value in all manner
of ways was continually being demonstrated. This force was made up of a
troop of Natal Mounted Police under Captain Fairlie, the Imperial Light
Horse, Bethune's Horse, 60th Rifles Company of Thorneycroft's Mounted
Infantry, Mackenzie's Carabineers, and the 7th Battery of field-guns.

[Illustration: SERGEANTS OF THE ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY WITH A 12-POUNDER.

Photo by Gregory & Co., London.]

The Boers were now energetically preparing a warm reception for General
Buller. Small parties were found in the neighbourhood of Chieveley, and
these were endeavouring to post their long-range guns in convenient
positions for the defence of the river. They were not destined to have
things entirely their own way, however, and were promptly engaged by the
Imperial Light Horse and forced to retire. This they did to the tune of
a tremendous explosion, which could be heard for miles off. It was
caused by the blowing up of the Colenso bridge, for the purpose of
impeding our possible advance. The iron bridge over the Tugela River had
previously been rendered a hopeless wreck. The number of Boers round
Colenso at this time was said to be about 15,000, with some 15 guns. At
Frere camp our troops numbered about 3500, and at Estcourt there were
about the same number, but reinforcements were expected.

SURPRISES AT LADYSMITH

At Ladysmith, St. Andrew's Day was duly kept by the Gordon Highlanders,
and Scottish compliments, appropriately seasoned with whisky--now
getting tragically scarce--were passed round. Sir George White dined
with the gallant regiment. Now that the town was in heliographic
communication with Sir Redvers Buller, and military intelligence was
received regarding the movements of the relieving force, there was a
general sense of security among those who had been incarcerated so long.
The Ladysmith force under General White's command amounted to a total of
some 12,500 troops, and these, could they once get free and join the
force, numbering about 20,000, at Sir Redvers Buller's disposal, would
have made a sensible difference on the fortunes of Natal. At this time
provisions were fairly moderate in price, meat being one shilling a
pound and bread fourpence a pound, but luxuries, liquors, &c., were
growing scarce. For instance, a tin of milk--the last in
Ladysmith--fetched three shillings, and eggs were purchasable for six
shillings a doz