nt to man them and
keep back the enemy.

Ladysmith was for all the world like Aldershot. It was the big camp of
South Africa, and probably for that reason had been garrisoned and held,
when the southern bank of the River Tugela would have been a more
favourable position. For health and the collection of a large body of
men it was certainly not to be beaten. There was ample room for camp
and town, and a wide plain over which cavalry could manoeuvre, and
field-days be practised by the foot regiments. In addition, it was high
land and supplied with excellent water.

But it had obvious disadvantages when held against a besieging force.
With trenches and redoubts the encircling hills could be held, but
beyond these there was a second outer circle, from which a fierce
bombardment could be kept up by the Boers. Guy and Jack drove round the
defences, and noticed that the chief position was to the south of the
camp, at Wagon Hill and Caesar's Camp, and it was near the latter that
Jack's field hospital lay.

Outside, the Boers had mounted big Creuzot guns on several hills, and
from these, ever since the camp was surrounded on October 30th, they had
kept up a more or less severe bombardment, throwing immense numbers of
shells into the town. But the results were not very creditable.
Football and cricket matches were played in full view of the gunners,
while the officers played polo. Occasionally a shell would plump in
their midst and send them all flying, but very little damage was done.

As Guy and Jack drove across towards the northern part a huge shell
pitched just in front of their horses, and, burying itself deep in the
ground, exploded, throwing dirt all over them.

"Shall we go on, Jack?" asked Guy. "Those Boer fellows have spotted us,
I expect. Perhaps you don't feel quite up to it just now that you are
weak after your wound."

"Humbug!" was Jack's answer. "Get ahead, Guy; it's only a chance shot
that will hit us."

"Ah, I thought you'd say that!" Guy continued; "and the majority of
fellows who have been hurt say that had they been out in the open they
could have easily run away. But a few shells have burst in houses and
tents, and some people have been killed. Of course the Boers have
pounded the town, and have even sent a few shots through the big
hospital. At any rate it has been hot work in there, and now all
non-combatants and the women and children live over on the neutral
ground at Intombi Spru