Gibraltar, the best of the Mediterranean stations; but next day a wire
arrived cancelling the move.

On the 5th, however, Lord Kitchener passed through Krugersdorp, when
the Colonel saw him and ascertained that the regiment was to go to
Aden.

At 8.30 p.m. on the 11th, part of the 1st Battalion Royal Dublin
Fusiliers, under Majors Shadforth and Gordon, Captains Swift and
Maclear, and Lieutenant Le Mesurier, with some other officers, arrived
to take over the defences from the 2nd Battalion.

On the 14th, 300 of the 1st Battalion, under Major Gordon, proceeded
down the Pochefstroom line to take over the posts at present held by
us.

[Illustration: KRUGERSDORP from Kilmarnock House. Shewing the Gold
mines Monument, Camps &c. From a sketch by Col. H. Tempest Hicks,
C.B.]

On the 20th, Captains Kinsman and Rowlands (now serving in the S.A.C.)
arrived to say good-bye, and on the 23rd, Colonel Mills and Major
Bromilow, 1st Battalion, arrived.

[Illustration: The 'Blue Caps' relieving the 'Old Toughs.']

On January 26th the regiment fell in for the last time at Kilmarnock,
and marched through Krugersdorp to the station. They had made many
friends during their stay, and the entire town, Boers as well as
Britons, turned out and enthusiastically cheered the corps as it
marched out of the town it had first marched into on June 19th, 1900.
The night was spent at the railway station, and a start made at 4 a.m.
on the 27th. A good view of Talana, from a distance of about five
miles, was obtained on the morning of the 28th, and it may easily be
imagined with what mixed feelings our thoughts flew back to that grey
morning of October 20th, 1899, and our well-loved comrades who had
given their lives to gain that gallant victory. Ladysmith was reached
about 1 p.m., and Maritzburg in the small hours of the 29th, which was
unfortunate, as the regiment had so many friends there. In spite of
the hour, however, a large number of the inhabitants were on the
platform with various small presents of cigarettes, &c., for the men.
Durban was reached a few hours later, when an illuminated address was
presented to the regiment, as well as refreshments to officers and
men, after which the battalion embarked on board the S.S. _Sicilian_
for conveyance to Aden.

PART III.

CHAPTER I.

THE ADEN HINTERLAND

'For this relief much thanks.'

_Hamlet._

The voyage from Durban to Aden was a welco