had an infantry brigade. The edge of this hill, right along, was covered
with fairly thick bush, some three to four feet high; I had ordered the
infantry to creep right up, keeping under cover to within some sixty
yards of the top of the ridge without showing themselves, lie down, and
keep as quiet as possible until such time a certain whistle signal was
given, when they were to rise and collar the convoy.

When I explained to Lord Kitchener that the infantry were quite handy, he
said, "Well, I want to see them." I gave the whistle signal agreed upon,
and immediately, for a distance of some three-quarters of a mile along
the ridge, on the flank of the convoy, up jumped a couple of thousand
infantry. It was my opportunity now, so I ventured to tell him that, as
the convoy and the four guns were now in my hands, I took it that my
troops had rescued me and that I was afraid he was my prisoner. He
laughed and said, "Well, I'm going to order the 'Cease fire' to sound,
which puts an end to the morning's work, and then I am free."

It was an inspiring morning, that morning, a fine day. Everyone was most
keen and anxious in his work. All knew that Kitchener's critical eye had
been upon them all the morning. He had ridden from place to place
watching their work. They had been on the march for some eight hours and
were now assembled for the return to their camp, six miles off. He took
up his stand on the side of the road and watched them as they marched
past homewards. Practically every man at the time serving in the Field
Forces in New South Wales was present. They came from every part of the
State. The attendance reached the very high average of close on 97 per
cent.

After his inspection of the Field Forces the garrison troops and the
fortress defences had to be inspected. The garrison troops, the units
detailed for the defence of the forts and harbour, were inspected on
Saturday afternoon, having taken up their positions in accordance with
the local scheme of defence. Afterwards visits to the forts occupied the
time till late at night. Finally we embarked on board the submarine
mine-layer, the _Miner_, to watch the working of the searchlights
protecting the mine fields and navigable channels. Close on midnight the
inspection was finished and we returned to Government House.

Before we reached the landing-stage Lord Kitchener asked me to get him a
sheet of paper. I did so. He then said, "I wish you to publish this Order
t