ur own pompom. On gaining the hill we at
once poured a heavy fire into our opponents, who withdrew. In the
meantime considerable difficulty was experienced in getting the
transport over the drift, which gave the Boers time to get round us.
Eventually, however, most of it was got across and the march resumed.
On nearing camp our mounted infantry closed in a bit, when we were
suddenly fired on from a farmhouse flying the Red Cross flag, and
sustained five or six casualties. We were detailed to a section of the
defence of Bakenlaagte, which was practically surrounded. We lay down
on the slopes with our heads downhill, and kept the enemy well away,
taking the opportunity to improvise some sort of head-cover whenever
their fire slackened. Although we fully expected an attack in the
night, or at dawn, none was made, there being no sign of the enemy
next day.

KENNETH WELDON.

On December 6th Captain Romer took over the appointment of C.S.O.,
Krugersdorp Sub-District, from our old friend, Captain Hart, who was
appointed to General Knox's staff. We were very sorry to lose him, as
from first to last he had done his best to oblige all, and during his
term of office made friends with everybody.

On the 9th Lieutenant Britton and fifty men of the regiment proceeded
to Middelvlei to relieve a party of the Border regiment.

On the 17th Lieutenant Robinson had to perform the
unpleasant duty of carrying out the sentence of death on a Boer
prisoner, who had been tried and condemned for shooting three of our
men after having surrendered.

General Cooper arrived on the 19th, to say good-bye to the regiment,
as he was on his way home. He brought the very welcome intelligence
that we were shortly to be relieved, but of course this was only made
known to the Colonel at the time.

Lieutenant Renny, who had been A.D.C. to General Cooper, rejoined on
the 27th, and brought further rumours to the effect that the regiment
was shortly to leave the country, and as orders had come to get in all
our employed men, and men from forts, blockhouses, and stations all
over the country, it began to look as if there was some truth in the
rumours.

On the very last day of 1901 a severe thunderstorm passed right over
headquarters, two of our men being struck by lightning.

1902.

On the first day of the New Year the order for the battalion to leave
South Africa arrived at the brigade office, its destination being