guns on the same hill firing at the Boers. With the exception of
Buller's heliograph and balloon this was the first occasion that the
relieving army was seen from Ladysmith.

On February 22nd, with the intention of finding out whether there had
been any reduction in the investing force, the Regiment with some
mounted infantry were ordered to reconnoitre in the direction of Flag
Hill. A start was made at 3.30 a.m. Some sixty Boers were encountered,
and the Regiment was ordered back to camp at 6.15 a.m., fired at by the
sixty Boers.

Buller's guns were heard firing incessantly all day and every day. His
shells were now seen bursting on a southern spur of Bulwana and near
Intombi Camp.

During the siege the Boers conceived the idea of flooding the Ladysmith
plain and the town by damming the Klip River below Intombi Camp. This
dam was commenced towards the end of the siege, but was not completed
when Ladysmith was relieved. It was a good target for the naval
12-pounder guns on Caesar's Camp, which frequently fired at it. These in
their turn received on such occasions a good deal of attention from the
Boer big gun on Bulwana.

On the night of the 24th the 4.7 gun "Lady Anne" was again moved; this
was for the fourth and the last time. On the same night very heavy rifle
and Maxim gun fire was heard on the hills south of Caesar's Camp. This
continued for about one hour, when the firing was taken up by the Boer
outposts all round Ladysmith, a few bullets reaching the Convalescent
Camp on Convent Hill.

February 27th being Majuba Day, the garrison, expecting a demonstration
from the Boers, stood to arms at 4.15 a.m., but, much to the
astonishment of everybody, not a shot was fired. General Buller sent the
garrison in the following message:--

"Colenso rail bridge, which was totally destroyed, is under repair; road
bridge partially destroyed; am doing very well, but the country is
difficult and my progress is slow; hope to be with you soon."

Official news was also received that Lord Roberts had surrounded Cronje,
who had surrendered with 4000 Boers, the English losses being given as
1700 killed and wounded.

On the 28th rations were further cut down to one biscuit and three
ounces of mealies, with one pound of horse as before per man. This was
perhaps the most distressing circumstance connected with the siege, and
it had a most depressing effect. It was not so much the reduction of the
ration that was of consequence, a