ve it the
commandos which split up before him have come south-east and are
giving trouble on the Natal border.

_Friday, 24th August._--The winter is slipping away, and to-day I am
writing in one of those horrible north-west gales of wind which knock
our tents into shreds and whirl round us dust as thick as pea-soup.
Our kop life is becoming a little monotonous but we manage to get on.

[Illustration: Bringing in a Boer prisoner.]

[Illustration: In Camp at Grass Kop.]

[Illustration: One of Lieut. Halsey's Naval 12-pounders.]

_Monday, 27th August._--The Boers have again cut the line and are
shelling Ingogo, so we must evidently march on their laager. Down
comes the rain in a perfect deluge for three days which is most
depressing, more especially as our poor mess-house is full of water
from a leaky roof and we have to take our meals with feet cocked up on
tin sheets. The South Lancashires have suddenly got the order to move
for which we are all very sorry. I presented Major Adams with two old
brass cases and two blind 12-pounder shells for the regiment from the
Navy detachment, as a memento of our pleasant time with them. We
have been very busy making our positions secure from attack in case of
accidents with barbed wire, besides sangars and trenches.

_Wednesday, 5th September._--Very thick mists up here, and as we hear
rumours of attack we have very alert and wakeful nights. A great many
movements in our front which only succeed in dispersing the Boer
commandos without capturing them. We hear of Lord Roberts'
proclamation of the 1st September annexing the Transvaal, and we give
three cheers![4]

[Footnote 4: The following is a copy of a telegram which the
Governor received from Lord Roberts, dated 13th September,
1900:

"I have ordered the following proclamation to be printed and
widely circulated in English and Dutch.

"The late President, with Mr. Reitz, and the archives of the
South African Republic, have crossed the Portuguese frontier
and arrived at Lourenso Marques, with a view of sailing for
Europe at an early date. Mr. Kruger has formally resigned the
position he held as President of the South African Republic,
thus severing his official connection with the Transvaal.

"Mr. Kruger's action shows how hopeless, in his opinion, is
the war which has now been carried on for nearly a year