ch through unknown and difficult country, the Dutch did not
spring upon them in some pass and blot them out is one of the many
mysteries of this strange campaign.

Among them I greeted many friends whom I had come to know at Dundee ten
days before. But General Symons and Colonel Gunning, whom I had chosen
out as the models of what officers should be, were not there. Nor was
the young officer who had been my host--young Hannah of the
Leicesters--who at his own cost came out in the ship with us rather than
"miss the fun." A shell struck his head. I think he was the first killed
in Friday's battle.

I got back to Ladysmith late that night. Early next morning the column
began to dribble in. They were received with relief. I cannot say there
was much enthusiasm. The road by which I went to meet them is now
swarming with Boers.

CHAPTER VI

THE REVERSE AT NICHOLSON'S NEK

LADYSMITH, _October 31, 1899_.

On Sunday we were all astir for a big battle. But no village Sabbath in
the Highlands could have been quieter, though it might have been more
devotional. We rode about as usual, though our rides are very limited
now, and the horse that took me forty miles last Wednesday is pining
because the Boers have cut off his exercise. We sweated and swore, and
suffered unfathomable thirst, but still there was no more battle than
the evening hymn. Next day we knew it would be different. At night I
heard the guns go out eastward along the Helpmakaar road to take up a
position on our right. At three I was up in the morning darkness, and
riding slowly northward with the brigade that was to form our centre,
up the familiar Newcastle road. We had not far to go. The Boers save us
a lot of exertion. A mile and a half--certainly less than two
miles--from the outside of the town was our limit. But as we went the
line of yellow behind our two nearest mountains, Lombard's Kop and
Bulwan (Mbulwani, Isamabulwan--you may spell it almost as you like), was
suddenly shot with red, and the grey night clouds showed crimson on all
their hanging edges. The crimson caught the vultures soaring wide
through the air, and then the sun himself came up with that blaze of
heat which was to torture us all day long.

The central rendezvous beside the Newcastle road was well protected by a
high rocky hill, which one can only call a kopje now. There were the 5th
Dragoon Guards, the Manchesters, the Devons, the Gordons, with their
ambulance and bagga