ourse, but yet one is only human, and it is very
pleasant to feel that that duty has been appreciated.

Captain Lowndes, the adjutant, who had been home after his severe
wound at Talana, now rejoined the regiment, and took over the
adjutancy from Captain Fetherstonhaugh. That officer had filled the
post with marked zeal and ability for over twelve months, and was the
only officer who was present with the Headquarters of the battalion
from the start of the war without being wounded.

On November 16th the regiment formed part of a column,[18] ordered to
march off and scour the veld, though our destination was, as usual,
shrouded in mystery. The night of the 15th-16th however, precluded any
possibility of carrying out the intended early start, as the rain
descended in torrents, deluging kits and country. At about 2 p.m.,
however, a start was effected, and all went well till a small drift
was reached, when the 'cow-gun,' which had taken the place of our old
and tried friend, the Naval gun, stuck hopelessly. Colonel Hicks fell
out 120 men and put them on to the drag-ropes. Their first pull was
too much for the rope, which broke, with the inevitable result that
the whole 120 were deposited on the veld, on the broad of their backs.
Another and a stouter rope was produced, which proved itself equal to
the strain, and with a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all
together, the heavy weapon was dragged on to _terra firma_, and the
march resumed, a halt being made for the night about eight or nine
miles out, and almost on the historic site of Doornkop.

[Footnote 18: South Wales Borderers, Royal Dublin Fusiliers,
28th Battery, R.F.A., 4.7 inch gun, mounted details.]

The trek was resumed next morning under more favourable auspices, but
these soon proved a delusion and a snare. The column was making for a
pass in the Gatsrand, not far from the waterworks, known to be in the
enemy's occupation, when at about 11 o'clock a violent thunderstorm
broke directly overhead. Marching along, soaked to the skin, with a
lightning-conductor in the shape of a rifle over one's shoulder, was
not conducive to steady nerves, but so dense was the rain that it had,
at all events, one beneficial effect, for the Boers holding the pass
left their positions and took shelter in some farmhouses, with the
result that they were very nearly captured by our cavalry, who,
indeed, succeeded in taking possession of the pass without opposition