Unasked, they clamoured loudly to participate in the
struggle, and while for the time being our own citizen soldiers were not
accepted, contingents of splendid men were welcomed from Canada,
Australia, and New Zealand.

Thus it will be seen that England prepared for war, a war which it was
confidently expected would be of short duration. An army corps was
mobilised, and those who, by family ties or by reason of their civil
duties, were compelled to stay at home, saw to their particular part of
the patriotic work.

And then, when all was ready, they first of all despatched Sir Redvers
Buller, one of our finest veterans, to take command of the accumulating
army in South Africa, and afterwards, for many days in succession,
accompanied the soldiers in shouting, cheering thousands to Waterloo
Station, and sent them off on the first stage of their long journey with
many a "God-speed!" and with hoarse cheers which showed how truly their
good wishes went with them.

And who amongst us who formed one of that crowd did not feel a strange
rising in the throat and an inability to say exactly all we wished to
those who were leaving England--perhaps for the last time? We longed to
join the gallant fellows, and when we saw one of them turn aside for the
moment, just to brush away the tears that would come, and get his lips
steady again ere he bade a long farewell to his weeping wife and, most
likely, to the infant in her arms, our hearts prompted us to step
forward and wring his hand, just to show him that we thought all the
more of him for his feeling.

Those were stirring scones indeed, and that great lady and the country
for whom all our gallant troops were about to sail over the sea will
never, never forget them. What happened to those brave men and officers
we despatched will be described in due course. The surprising strength
of the enemy, their careful and long-thought-out preparations, and their
modern and overpowering armaments will be spoken of, as will the painful
events which led to England's awakening. For the present we shall leave
her with the eyes of all her people at home and in the colonies turned
hopefully and anxiously to that far-off field of battle, while we return
to Jack Somerton and his friends in Kimberley.

On the morning after their safe arrival in the town, Tom Salter took
Wilfred and Jack to the conning-tower erected in the De Beers compound
and pointed out the various points in the defences.