ance into the fight that was raging overhead, I had an opportunity
of studying the faces of the soldiers who were going, perhaps, to death.
Some were pale with excitement, and their eyes flashed as they clutched
their rifles and compressed their lips. Others laughed wildly, another
was hungrily gnawing a hard biscuit, while many were smoking furiously.
A few appeared quite indifferent, and might have been awaiting the order
for a march. The officers were splendidly cool, and gave their orders as
clearly and calmly as on parade.

=On the Firing Line.=

'"Advance!" was again the cry, and up the banks we went and into the
trees on the further side. Here we saw the effect of the shell fire and
war upon the battle plain. Our batteries were busily engaged about two
hundred yards away, and the death-dealing missiles of friend and foe
flew mercilessly about. As we were likely to remain in the tree shelter
for a while, I strolled out as far as the batteries, for I wished to
have a better view of the Boer position; but here the shells were
falling fast between the guns, and one poor gunner was cruelly mutilated
by a bursting shell, his dead body presenting a ghastly sight.

'I went back, and met the General and some of his staff inspecting the
Boer position with a huge telescope. I had a good look, and clearly saw
our shells burst in the embrasure of a gun, which was hurriedly taken
away.

'Just then the General wanted to send a message, but had no available
messenger. Saluting, I asked that I might be sent. He gave me the
message, and springing on a horse which a servant held near, I galloped
away. It was a strange experience that entry into the fire-zone, but I
forgot all fear in the fight, and delivered my message. I returned to
the General, who thanked me for my promptness.

'Our line had meanwhile advanced, and it was grand to see the steadiness
of our men. Though bullets spat viciously in the sand before, between,
and behind them, not a man flinched, but went steadily on to the heights
beyond. I asked the General to send me with another order, which he
wished taken to a half battalion some distance ahead, but as he was
about to do so, he saw the cross upon my collar, and asked me if I was
not a chaplain. I replied in the affirmative, and he inquired where my
red cross armlet was. I told him I did not possess one, and was told
that I must get one at once. The General then told me he was very sorry,
but he could not us