remainder of the battalion crossed the Orange River,
and pitched camp about 600 yards from the bridge, with its outpost
line pushed forward on the high ground to the north.

Major Hicks became commandant of Aliwal North, and had no easy task.
The town was General Hart's base during the operations for the relief
of Wepener, and there was consequently much to be done. Moreover, the
surrounding country was disturbed, the Dutch population had to be
watched, and there were constant rumours of the approach of
commandoes. In the early hours of the 21st, a report reached the
commandant that a large body of Boers was marching on the town. He
therefore decided to bring the regiment back to the south side of the
river, only leaving the piquets on the north bank. We therefore at
once struck camp, and, crossing the river, bivouacked near the bridge.
But as the report proved to be misleading, camp was re-pitched on a
square in the middle of Aliwal North. The outskirts of the town were
put into a state of defence, and a series of trenches covered the
approaches to the bridge. Although this necessitated much labour,
everybody enjoyed their stay at Aliwal. It was a pretty place, with
trees and gardens full of roses, with plenty of water, including a hot
stream running through the camp, with a well-stocked library, and
lastly, but by no means leastly, with a hotel possessing excellent
lager beer.

[Illustration: A Wash in hot Water. Aliwal North.]

The time passed, in fact, too quickly, for on the 26th news was
received of the relief of Wepener, and orders were issued for our
movement to Kimberley. We started at once in two trains, the first
leaving at midnight the second at 1 a.m. on the 27th. It was a long
and monotonous journey, the only breaks in which were stops for the
purpose of cooking meals. Kimberley was reached at 10 p.m. on the
28th, and the train stopped the night in the station, going on at 6
a.m. on the 29th to Doornfield, about eight miles north of Kimberley,
where the Connaught Rangers and the 6th Brigade were already encamped.
Since General Hart, with the Borders and Somersetshire Light Infantry
were still near Wepener, Colonel Brooke assumed the command of the
brigade.

General Hunter's division had been ordered to relieve Mafeking, and
the General decided to cross the Vaal near Windsorton with the 6th
Brigade, and to advance up the right bank; while General Paget with
the Royal Munster Fusiliers, Connaught Ranger