or on its appearance. He then
inspected, and afterwards asked to have the officers called out. We were
presented to him in turn; he spoke a few words to each of us, asking
what our corps and service had been. He seemed surprised that we were
all Field Artillery men, but probably the composition of the other
Canadian units had to do with this. He asked a good many questions about
the horses, the men, and particularly about the spirits of the men.
Altogether he showed a very kind interest in the battery.

At nine took the Presbyterian parade to the lines, the first
Presbyterian service since we left Canada. We had the right, the Gordons
and the Royal Scots next. The music was excellent, led by the brass band
of the Royal Scots, which played extremely well. All the singing was
from the psalms and paraphrases: "Old Hundred" and "Duke Street"
among them. It was very pleasant to hear the old reliables once more.
"McCrae's Covenanters" some of the officers called us; but I should not
like to set our conduct up against the standard of those austere men.

At Lyndenburg:

The Boers opened on us at about 10,000 yards, the fire being accurate
from the first. They shelled us till dark, over three hours. The guns on
our left fired for a long time on Buller's camp, the ones on our right
on us. We could see the smoke and flash; then there was a soul-consuming
interval of 20 to 30 seconds when we would hear the report, and about
five seconds later the burst. Many in succession burst over and all
around us. I picked up pieces which fell within a few feet. It was a
trying afternoon, and we stood around wondering. We moved the horses
back, and took cover under the wagons. We were thankful when the sun
went down, especially as for the last hour of daylight they turned all
their guns on us. The casualties were few.

The next morning a heavy mist prevented the enemy from firing. The
division marched out at 7.30 A.M. The attack was made in three columns:
cavalry brigade on the left; Buller's troops in the centre, Hamilton's
on the right. The Canadian artillery were with Hamilton's division. The
approach to the hill was exposed everywhere except where some cover
was afforded by ridges. We marched out as support to the Gordons, the
cavalry and the Royal Horse Artillery going out to our right as a flank
guard. While we were waiting three 100-pound shells struck the top of
the ridge in succession about 50 to 75 yards in front of the b