ns of the enemy north of Colenso.
These guns, consisting of two 4.7-inch and four 12-pounders, were posted
some 3000 yards south of the Tugela, about three miles from Colenso
village, and facing what was afterwards discovered to be the Boers'
position. Their bark resounded over the kopjes for miles, throwing up
gigantic volcanic eruptions, which resembled mammoth mushrooms suddenly
springing to life. But beyond filling the hearts of hearers with awe,
they produced no result. The Boers were silent, so silent indeed that
some imagined that they had vacated their positions and that the passage
of the Tugela would after all be quite a frolicsome picnic, with
perchance a few crackers thrown in. All were deceived--even those well
acquainted with Boer tricks and duplicity--and all imagined that the
enemy had fallen back, possibly for the closer protection of Ladysmith.

But before going further, it is necessary to keep in touch with other
brave defenders of the Empire.

[Illustration: TYPES OF ARMS--4.7 NAVAL GUN ON CARRIAGE IMPROVISED BY
CAPT. PERCY SCOTT OF H.M.S. _Terrible_. PHOTO BY E. KENNARD, MARKET
HARBOROUGH]

CHAPTER V

ACTIVITY AT THE CAPE

Boer annexations continued with insolent persistency, and the High
Commissioner, Sir Alfred Milner, telegraphed thus to Mr. Chamberlain:--

"_16th November_--Having been informed that Orange Free State
have issued Proclamations annexing Griqualand West and portions
of the Aliwal North, Albert, and Colesberg districts, I issued
counter-Proclamation on 10th November and 15th November of a
similar kind to that in my telegram of 28th October, and have
declared latter districts to be under martial law."

[Illustration: SERGEANT-MAJOR OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES LANCERS.

Photo by Gregory & Co., London.]

At this time the British reinforcements arriving in Cape Colony were:--

3rd Battalion Staffordshire, 1st Highland Light Infantry and
Mounted Infantry, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, 2nd Northampton
Regiment, 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders, part of 2nd East
Surrey, 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, 2nd Battalion
Devonshires, 12th Lancers, Engineers, R.A.M.C., Field
Hospitals, Post-Office Corps, Seamen and Marines, and 2nd Royal
Irish Rifles--about 10,900.

It must here be noted that among the many prominent persons who had
placed themselves at the dispos