34

COLT GUN AT HLANGWANE FIRING AT BOERS 48

NAVAL 12-POUNDERS ADVANCING AFTER ALMOND'S NEK 70

4.7 ON A BAD BIT OF ROAD 70

BRINGING IN A BOER PRISONER 82

IN CAMP AT GRASS KOP 82

ONE OF LIEUT. HALSEY'S NAVAL 12-POUNDERS 82

LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR H. J. T. HILDYARD, K.C.B. 95

CAPTAIN PERCY SCOTT, C.B., R.N. 102

NAVAL 12-POUNDER EMPLACED 120

BOER GUN POSITIONS AT COLENSO 120

CAPTAIN E. P. JONES, R.N. 154

MAP _at end_

WITH THE NAVAL BRIGADE IN NATAL

CHAPTER I

Outbreak of the war -- The Transport Service and despatch of Army
Corps from Southampton -- Departure of a Naval Brigade from
England and landing at Capetown and Durban -- I join H.M.S.
_Philomel_.

During a short leave of absence in Scotland, after my return from
Flag-Lieutenant's service in India with Rear-Admiral Archibald L.
Douglas, that very kind friend, now Lord of the Admiralty, appointed
me (5th October, 1899) to the Transport Service at Southampton, in
connection with the embarkation of the various Army Corps for the war
in South Africa. As the summons came by wire, I had to leave Stirling
in a hurry, collect my various goods and chattels in London, and make
the best of my way to Southampton. I reported myself at the Admiralty
Transport Office on Monday the 9th, and at once commenced work,
visiting certain ships with Captain Barnard, the Port Transport
Officer, and picking up the "hang" of the thing, and what was wanted.
Captain Graham-White, R.N., came down in the afternoon to take charge
of our proceedings. From that date up to the 22nd, or thereabouts, we
Transport Lieutenants simply had charge of certain vessels fitting
out, and had to inspect for the Admiralty the many freight and
transport ships which came in from other centres, such as London,
Liverpool, etc., to be officially passed at Southampton; among others
the _Goorkha_ and _Gascon_, two Union Liners, came particularly under
me, and I shall always remember the courtesy of their officials,
particularly Captain Wait and the indefatigable Mr. Langley, who sa