rt of 'zariba'
composed of our valises and a number of large packages sewn up in
sackcloth. Our feelings when we later on discovered that these
packages were corpses may be left to the imagination.

We returned to our last camp, and set to work to make it more
comfortable, running up wood and corrugated-iron shelters for stores,
officers' mess, &c. We were also kept perpetually busy in building
more forts and improving those already in existence. Captain Romer
gave his name to a work which he erected and on which he expended much
time, pains, and ingenuity. Posts and piquets also had to be held on
all the principal roads into the town. Captain Nelson, R.M.L.I., in
command of one of these, one afternoon shouted to two men who were
driving through his posts to stop. Unfortunately for them, they paid
no attention and drove on, so he seized a rifle and fired, killing one
of the occupants stone-dead, an exemplary lesson to the inhabitants to
make them understand that outposts were not posted for amusement.

General Clements' column was now stationed at Krugersdorp, and we saw
something of Captain MacBean, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, his
Brigade-Major. Alas! poor MacBean; he was killed a few days later,
standing close beside his General, at the battle of Nooitgedacht. A
universal favourite, and one of the most popular officers in the
regiment, he was also probably the ablest. Passing brilliantly into
and through the Staff College, he went on to the Egyptian Army, taking
part in all the principal actions up to and including the battle of
Omdurman, receiving a D.S.O. in recognition of his services. In the
present campaign he had commenced the war as a Brigade-Major, later on
serving on General Hunter's staff, and now transferred to General
Clements', who had the highest opinion of his capabilities. Amongst
many other accomplishments he was one of the best bridge-players in
the service. There is little doubt that if he had been spared he would
have risen to the highest rank. He was gazetted to a Brevet-Majority
after his death.

On November 15th Lord Roberts inspected the regiment, and
congratulated them on the work they had done, afterwards speaking to
Major English and telling him how highly he had thought of the
Zuikerbosch affair. It is these little acts of kindness and
remembrance that make all the difference, and their effect is much
more far-reaching than those who confer them often imagine. One only
does one's duty, of c