rigade (General Barton's) was
also in Krugersdorp, and had been for some time, so it was with
somewhat mixed feelings that we heard we were to set out on the trek
once more almost immediately. However, in the end the other brigade
went out, with what result will presently appear. Krugersdorp was now
surrounded by a large circle of forts and fortified houses. The
perimeter of these defences was very large, not far short of twelve
miles, but the positions themselves were well selected from a tactical
point of view. As they were continually being strengthened, improved,
and added to, in a few months' time it would have been very difficult
for the Boers to have taken the place, provided a sufficient garrison
remained in it. But this strength, or sometimes weakness, was a
constantly varying one--about the middle of December sinking as low as
300--which of course was risking a good deal. Moreover, it was not
until some time later, when the Officer Commanding Town Guards devised
an inner series of defences, that the town could be said to be in any
way safe from a midnight raid; and it was this, more than even the
capture of the place, which seemed so likely to occur, when the banks
and stores could have been cleared out in a few minutes, and the
raiding party gone before any force could have been assembled to
interfere with it. The town was, of course, full of spies and
friendly enemies, ever on the look-out for any chance of getting a bit
of their own back--and who could blame them?--but on the whole
remained very quiet and well-behaved throughout the occupation.

The regiment's headquarters were destined to remain here for the rest
of the campaign, with the exception of the three treks which form the
subject of this chapter, and Krugersdorp will ever be identified with
our name in South Africa in consequence. As we got to know its
inhabitants better, and as they got to appreciate our men better, a
kindlier feeling was generated on both sides, with which improved
state of affairs the cricket and football we played with them had not
a little to do.

General Barton moved off on October 5th, with much the same commission
that General Hart had carried, and immediately came into contact with
the enemy, the noise of the fight sounding loud in our ears, while
from Captain Nelson's piquet the bursting shells and even some of the
Boers could be plainly seen. The day before a flag of truce had come
in with a letter, saying that one o