nt many a Boer to his last account.

"Get together there, me boys!" the Highlander by his side shouted.
"Now, at 'em! Remember Majuba, and give them a taste of your steel!"
His comrades answered with a hoarse cheer, and shouting "Remember
Majuba!" fell upon the remaining Boers and put them to flight. Then
they picked up those who had fallen and returned slowly to the camp, a
rearguard marching behind them and answering the volleys discharged at
them with a brisk fusillade.

Soon they were out of harm's way, and stepped forward to the inspiriting
wail of a bagpipe. About half an hour later it became light, and the
whole garrison of Ladysmith who were free to do so turned out to welcome
them. They had heard the firing, seen the flash of the gun-cotton which
had destroyed the gun, and so learned that some of their number were
making a sortie. It was a surprise to them as much as to the enemy; but
to have published the news the day before would have meant a certain
reverse, for in the town and camp, fraternising with our troops, were
still men bought with Pretoria gold--spies and traitors who lived in the
guise of harmless and refugee civilians, and yet were ready to send news
of intended movements to the Boers.

But now that the sortie was an accomplished fact, and had proved such a
signal success, the troops flocked out in hundreds and cheered the
gallant party, relieving of their burdens those who were carrying the
wounded.

Then a couple of ambulance wagons galloped up, and while one of them
halted and took in the poor fellows, the other went ahead, one of the
surgeons climbing in behind. A few hundred yards farther on a shell
dropped and exploded near them, and a groan burst from all who were
watching; for the work done for all who were helpless or hurt, by the
medical staff, had already roused a feeling of deep gratitude in the
hearts of the men.

Undaunted by the shell, and by another which quickly followed it, the
ambulance wagon galloped on, a white flag with the red cross of Geneva
flying above it. On arriving close to the hill, the surgeon was seen to
leap out, and, followed by four stretcher-bearers, to walk hither and
thither in search of the one or two men who had been left behind. Soon
they found them, in the midst of a pile of wounded Boers, and, carrying
them to the wagon, returned to the camp at a leisurely pace, the enemy
this time letting them go unmolested.

Meanwhile the sortie party had