fended, and when our officers, momentarily
expecting attack, were sleeping in their boots. Our position is
far from secure even now; our force here is insignificant, and
it seems that the Boers are getting nearer. They have crossed
the river at various points.

"Our scouts have been in touch with their commandoes. We have
had some false alarms since I have been here; it is rumoured
to-day that they are close to, and that the attack on De Aar is
but a question of hours. But still the heavily-laden trains
come in with their valuable freight and the military stores
accumulate. It is to be hoped that we shall have the men, too,
without delay."

[Illustration: SERGEANT OF THE KING'S ROYAL RIFLES.

Photo by Gregory & Co., London.]

In the above words we have, repeated, the story of suspense and anxiety
that was told by one and all who had the misfortune to spend October and
November on the Transvaal border, a story of brave Britons, practically
unarmed--heroically valorous but impotent--standing almost in the
teeth of the enemy and sickening with hope deferred.

The Dutchmen came to work much fresher. The warrior-farmer was
untrammelled by red tape--unwearied by routine. He was not hampered by
minute regulations, though he was bound to look after himself and rely
on his own resources. He provided his own provisions, his own waggon and
horses, but the Government in the event of his requiring it supplied him
with the necessaries of the campaign. He could have luxuries _ad
libitum_ sent from home, and while battle was not absolutely going on he
had little to do but to eat, drink, and sleep. Drills and field
exercises were unknown, though, of course, each had to take his turn at
guard duty. In action the operations of the Boer commandoes were
presided over by field-cornets, and in camp the work was carried out by
corporals, who superintended the supply department--the munitions of
"war" and "mouth," as we call them, on which the fighting line depended
for ammunition and food.

General Wood arrived at De Aar on the 4th of November and took over the
command of the troops. His first action was to employ the Engineers and
some Cape boys to throw up defensive works and erect sangars on a
ridge--some 2000 yards from the camp--which by a sheer accident had not
been seized by the Boers. From this point of vantage it was possible for
the British guns to command the plain for ma