he enemy on their temporary retirement, to bring forward
horses, was promptly captured by the Rifle Brigade. From thence, when
the Boers returned, they were briskly fired on, with the result that
they retreated in hot haste across open ground. Taking advantage of this
opportunity, the artillery commenced an effective fire, inflicting on
the Dutch considerable loss. The Manchester Regiment, which occupied a
position at Caesar's Camp, for the purpose of protecting the
south-western side of the town, caught several hundred Boers hiding from
shells in a ditch. They poured on them several volleys, and the enemy
suffered severely. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Lethbridge (Rifle Brigade)
was mortally wounded, and Lieutenant Fisher, of the Manchesters,
received a slight wound in the shoulder. About noon, after seven hours'
continuous fighting, the combined attack upon the town failed and the
Boers retired. Then, in honour of the Prince of Wales's birthday, the
big guns in the Naval redoubts commenced a salute of twenty-one guns,
each shot in stately procession following the other and bursting over
the Boer positions. Outside the battery, on King Kop, stood Sir George
White surrounded by his Staff. The General led the way by raising three
cheers for the Prince, and then Captain Lambton and the gunners on the
top of the breastwork took up the roar and passed it on to the Rifle
Brigade, lying in their sangars along the top of the ridge, till the
whole atmosphere was vibrant with loud and prolonged cheering. In the
evening the troops drank to the health of his Royal Highness, and
succeeded in sending home telegraphic congratulations. On that day the
townspeople, for greater safety, went into laager on the racecourse, and
the military lines were removed some three miles out, so as to avoid the
persistent shelling of the enemy. Major Gale, R.E., was wounded while
sending a message.

Efforts were made to establish heliographic communication between
Estcourt and Ladysmith, but the atmospheric conditions were entirely
against the success of the operation. Bombardment continued, and life
was pursued to the continuous thunder of the Naval guns firing lyddite
and the "Long Toms" of the Boers, now within a three-mile range,
replying with persistent and deadly reverberation. But the community in
Ladysmith were not so depressed by their incarceration as to lose the
spirit of fun altogether. In default of other entertainment, they
beguiled the tim