re keeping connection between the Irish Fusiliers and the
rearguard, disappeared. It was so dark that the latter could have no
certainty of being on the right road, but was obliged to struggle on
blindly. Majors Bird and English established a code of signals by
whistle, in order to keep the companies closed up. Dawn still found
the battalion marching, dead tired, but luckily in its proper place
behind the column, and without a man missing. It was not until 8 a.m.
on the 26th that this wearisome march ended. Then Modderspruit, seven
miles north of Ladysmith, and sixty-five from Dundee, was reached, and
the men sank down, too weary to care about anything. After a brief
interval, however, they recovered sufficiently to eat their bully beef
and biscuits. It had been a trying march for all, although the column
had accomplished only twelve miles in eleven hours. As an instance of
the general weariness, it is recorded that a subaltern, during the
meal, was asked to pass the mustard, and fell asleep with his arm
outstretched and the mustard-pot in his hand.

But the brigade was still not allowed to rest. At 11 a.m. it was on
the 'trek' again, and marched till 2 p.m., when the long retreat came
to an end, and Ladysmith was entered. Here the Devonshire and
Gloucestershire Regiments earned the undying gratitude of the regiment
by providing officers and men with a meal, as well as by pitching a
camp for them.

On arriving at Ladysmith, tents, equipment, mules, and, in fact, all
that had been lost at Dundee, were issued, and the battalion went into
camp near the cemetery.

The column was fortunate in having Colonel (now General) Dartnell with
it. This officer, after serving with distinction for many years in the
regular army, had, on retirement, settled down in Natal, where he was,
previous to the war, in command of the Natal Police. A great hunter
and fisherman, he knew every inch of the country, knowledge which
proved of invaluable assistance in the trying march.

CHAPTER III.

FROM COLENSO TO ESTCOURT.

'If thou hope to please all, thy hopes are vaine;
If thou feare to displease some, thy feares are idle.'

_Francis Quarles._

On October 28th Colonel Cooper arrived at Ladysmith from England and
took over the command from Major Bird. The battalion was able to rest
from the 27th to the 29th, and recover from the fatigue of the retreat
to Ladysmith.

The Headquarter Staff issued