m thence to Balgowan made the
first twenty-five miles. On to Nottingham Road made another ten. After a
halt they took another twelve miles stretch to Mooi River. To Estcourt
was twenty-four miles over fresh and verdurous country, and to Frere
Camp was another fifteen. The troops, as a rule, were on the move about
three in the morning, for it was now the Cape summer, and as much toil
as possible was accomplished before the sun was up. Striking tents,
loading waggons, feeding and watering horses, swallowing breakfast, took
place in twilight, and then they proceeded to saddle up and march.
Arrived at their destination, the troops off-saddled, attended to the
horses, pitched tents, and performed other camp duties. Rations
consisted of bread, tea, coffee, sometimes meat and potatoes. Water was
a luxury, and so little was wasted for external application that several
troopers offered to play the part of Othello without any make up. The
war kit of the men was somewhat of the Christmas-tree order. On them
were haversacks containing food, horse-brush, currycomb, and towel,
water-bottle, bandolier with fifty cartridges, waistbelt and gun
weighing ten pounds. Often as not they turned in to rest, if not exactly
thus equipped, at least booted and spurred, ready to be up and doing at
a moment's notice!

On the morning of the 14th of December the troops advanced from Frere to
Chieveley. Reveille was sounded at 3 A.M., and soon the camp was one
buzz of active life. In the warm glow of camp-fires tents were struck,
kits packed, horses fed and watered, and the men breakfasted. Four
regiments of infantry "fell in" and moved out from the camp, followed at
intervals by other arms. The procession measured some eight miles long,
and was composed of variegated objects, such as ambulance waggons
dragged by innumerable oxen, mule and donkey carts, the teams and guns
of six field-batteries, cavalry and infantry, and hale and hearty Jack
Tars, looking very ship-shape, square and determined, and joking as
though they were off to a ball. All were equally jovial, all confident
that the big move was begun, and a big and glorious ending was in
store.

The entire force encamped three miles from the Tuegla River to
north-west of Chieveley Station; the Infantry Brigades being on the
extreme front, while the Cavalry, Mounted Infantry, and Artillery were
nearer to Chieveley. Soon after this the Naval guns set to work to
search the intrenchments and positio