ardly to stay in holes, ye brave hero.

"Your faithfully,
"SMALL LONG TOM."

Another blind shell picked up was full of sweetmeats.

Messages of good wishes to the garrison were received from Her Majesty,
from Sir Redvers Buller, and from the soldiers, sailors, and civilians
of Hong Kong.

Sir George White came round to see the Regiment in the evening, and
informed the officers that Sir Redvers Buller would make no move for a
fortnight. This was definite news, at any rate.

At dawn on January 3rd most of the naval guns fired off a large amount
of shell, and there was considerable guessing amongst the uninitiated as
to what was or were the targets. Shells fell at the foot of Bulwana,
near the searchlight on the top, and also near the big gun. It was
afterwards learnt that all the shells were meant for one particular spot
on Bulwana, viz. the big gun.

On occasions it was the duty of the Regiment to send one company to
dismount the 4.7 gun known as "Lady Anne" and place it on carts
preparatory to its being shifted elsewhere. This was easily accomplished
at the commencement of the siege in one night by 100 men. At the end of
the siege, however, owing to the weakness of the men, the task was never
completed under two nights, and then by 200 men.

About this time one company of the Regiment was ordered down to the
railway station as a station and bridge guard. This was a three-days'
post, and was much appreciated, as the men, being quite concealed
amongst trees, had more freedom, and the officer in command had a
railway carriage to sleep in.

On January 5th the following moves took place, and as the position of
companies is important, they are given in full.

Three companies proceeded under Major Curry to Observation Hill to
relieve the companies of the 60th Rifles ordered to Caesar's Camp. One
company was ordered to the railway station as bridge guard. A half
company was sent to form the Bell's Spruit picquet, the other half
remaining at the Railway Cutting. In the early hours of January 6th
three fresh companies relieved those on Observation Hill, the latter
returning to the Railway Cutting; the two companies at the railway
bridge and at Bell's Spruit stood fast in their positions of the
previous day.

The Boer attack of January 6th on the positions round Ladysmith
commenced on Wagon Hill at about 2.45 a.m., and the Boers were not
finally repulsed till after dark on the evening of the