e pit should be just enough to allow the gun trail to move
round on any arc of training when the gun muzzle is run out over
the front face or parapet, and to allow three feet more over and
above this for the recoil of the gun in the drag-shoes, so as not
to fetch the trail up sharp on recoiling.

A narrow ditch may be dug all round the inside of the parapet to allow
the crew to get into it for additional cover, and the ammunition boxes
may either be placed in this ditch or a magazine dug and sandbagged
over when plenty of time is available. A couple of drainage holes may
be required in heavy rains to empty the pits on each side. The
circular parapet can be built up any thickness, as just said; it
should then be sandbagged over till the required height. If in grassy
ground, instead of sandbags put large sods of grass to hide the
emplacement and to keep the dust from flying, as sandbags are
conspicuous. If neither grass nor sandbags are available, make your
Kaffirs or camp followers cow-dung the surface of your parapet
instead; this dries, and all dust under muzzle on firing is avoided. I
constantly tried this plan and found it very effective.

Of all points this avoidance of dust is the most important, as, unless
prevented, it rises in a cloud under the muzzle of the gun at every
shot. At long ranges, used by the Boers and ourselves, it was almost
impossible to locate a gun firing cordite or other smokeless powder
except by this cloud dust. So avoid it at all costs. Make the colour
of your emplacement as much like that of the surrounding ground as
possible, including your sandbags, if used.

[Illustration: Naval 12-pounder emplaced.]

[Illustration: Boer Gun positions at Colenso.]

APPENDIX 1

HINTS ON EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING FOR ACTIVE SERVICE.

As a few hints in regard to an officer's kit for active service may
not be unacceptable to some, I offer a few observations on the subject
so far as I am able to speak from my own experiences.

Good telescopes are most important articles to have in any land
company of soldiers or sailors; they were especially useful in South
Africa. The Naval Service long-telescope with its big field is very
good and powerful in any light where there is no haze (at or before
sunrise or when the sun is low for instance), but when the sun is well
up it becomes of little use; and then comes the turn of the smaller
telescope as used by all Naval officers on board