nel the Hon. U. Roche,
of the South Wales Borderers. With half or more of the battalion away
under Major Bird, we could only supply 180 men, under command of
Captain Shewan, for this column.

They marched that night, and the following morning found all the hills
for ten miles held by the enemy, Colonel Roche wiring in that the
Boers were in too great force for his column to proceed. Indeed, the
column had to fight hard enough to maintain its position and to save
itself from being surrounded. General Conyngham, hastily gathering
together another 500 men and a battery, marched off to reinforce
Colonel Roche, but before they could get to the unfortunate post at
Modderfontein, it had fallen to superior numbers. The Boers, who were
under the command of General Smuts, sent in a flag of truce, giving
notice of the capture of the post, stating that there were many
British wounded, and suggesting that an ambulance and doctors should
be sent out to them. This incident was very hard lines on a most
gallant regiment, and in no way reflects adversely on them for one
instant. They defended their position splendidly as long as defence
was possible, and suffered greatly from want of water as well as from
the enemy's fire. Colonel Roche reported that Captain Shewan and his
men had done very well, and had held a hill on the left of his
position, until he recalled them.

Colonel Hicks never for a moment remitted his exertions in the
fortifying of the various posts and houses in the section of the
command for which he was responsible, with the result that he very
soon had them in a most efficient state. Ammunition, food, and water,
in sufficient quantities to withstand a regular siege, were stored in
each post, while the wire entanglements would have effectually
precluded any attempt on the part of the enemy to rush them. Indeed,
no precautions were omitted, and one began to enjoy one's sleep
considerably more than had been the case for some months past.

On the 7th, the headquarters of the regiment at last moved into
Kilmarnock, a house which had belonged to a Mr. Burger, a brother of
Mr. Schalk Burger, the acting President. Here they remained until the
regiment left for Aden in January 1902.

[Illustration: The Hairdresser's Shop.]

CHAPTER VII.

THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS.

'In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at
even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning!'--_Deut._ xxviii.
67.

[Illustra