on showed itself, will be described
in due course. For the moment we shall leave Methuen's column safely
entrenched in front of the Boers, waiting for reinforcements from
oversea ere they made a second attempt at an almost impossible task, and
will mention the fate in store for Gatacre's force. This small column,
with its base at Queenstown, had a disastrous beginning. A night march
to Stormberg, where the enemy was in force, was attempted. A
miscalculation brought the troops into an extremely dangerous position,
and a large number were taken prisoners, the remainder retiring in good
order.

What happened to the other column in Natal is of so much importance that
it must be described in fuller detail.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

THE ATTEMPT UPON THE GUNS.

It was in the early days of September that Jack and his friend reached
the beleaguered camp of Ladysmith, and found safety there after their
adventurous flight from Pretoria. The former, as has been shown, knew
little about the troops or the movements of the enemy, for he had been
struck down by a serious wound. But he was a strong and healthy lad,
and, once he got over his fever, made rapid progress; so much so that
when Christmas-day came round he was sufficiently well to recline
outside the tent and look on at the camp. The sunlight and the air did
him a vast amount of good, and when the New-Year arrived he was able to
walk with comfort, and was almost himself again.

"Jack, how would you like a drive?" cried Guy on this festive day,
entering the small bell-tent which had now been allotted to his friend.
"I've got the loan of a light cart and a couple of horses, and if you
care to dodge an occasional shell we'll make a tour round the camp and
have a look at the boys. A real good time they are having too, and
there is to be a big football-match this afternoon between the
Highlanders and the Rifles, which will be well worth looking at."

"Just what I should like," Jack answered. "When shall we start?"

"Oh, in half an hour! I'll get the cart at once."

Accordingly, when Guy drove up in a comfortable Cape cart, Jack climbed
into it, and accompanied him round the camp. It proved to be highly
interesting. The huts and houses and the long lines of tents in various
parts were still much the same as when he was last in Ladysmith, but
what was different was the stretch of trenches which had since been dug,
and near which the soldiers lived, ready at any mome