ed from the camp, a Saturday-night's order
was given, which stated briefly that Presbyterians must go washed,
Church of England might go unwashed! The question of ablutions did not
affect the devotions of Tommy, who heartily joined in the singing of
hymns, which he said reminded him more than anything else of home.

THE BATTLE OF MAJESFONTEIN

On Sunday, the 10th of December, Lord Methuen, having completed his
plans, moved forward from his position for the momentous fight, which
was not only to decide the fate of Kimberley, but determine the attitude
of the waverers among the Dutch, of which there were now very many. The
Boers occupied a wide crescent-shaped front, extending some six miles
from the hills on the west of the railway at Spyfontein to the kopjes on
the east of the Kimberley road at Majesfontein.

The northern portion of the position consisted of a kopje about three
miles long, and the southern end terminated in a high hill which was
looked upon as the key to the position. Towards these rugged kopjes the
veldt sloped gently upwards from the river a distance of five miles, and
though from afar this plain seemed to face the ridge of hills spreading
from east to west, it in reality penetrated wedgewise into the
boulder-strewn area. Someone described the great Boer position as the
end of a pocket, a veritable _cul de sac_, doubtless lined with Boer
guns and Boer trenches--the jaws of a dragon, in fact.

[Illustration: THE MODDER RIVER.

Photo by Miss E. C. Briggs.]

Orders were given that this stronghold was to be bombarded, and from
4.50 P.M. to 6.30 P.M. the guns, including the Naval 4.7-inch, played
over kopjes and trenches with accuracy, and, it was thought, with deadly
effect. The operation was carried on with precision and perseverance as
long as a gleam of daylight lasted, but no response was elicited from
the enemy, who carefully concealed their very existence. At night a
tremendous downpour of rain descended and saturated the troops, who were
bivouacking where they were, some 4000 yards in front of the
Majesfontein position, thus rendering their already uncomfortable
situation more uncomfortable still. But this was merely an item in the
misfortunes they were shortly destined to endure.

The general plan was for the Highland Brigade, supported by guns, to
assault the southern end of the kopje, their right and rear being
protected by the Guards Brigade. According to Lord Met