South Wales Daily News

MYSTERIOUS STEAMER BOUND SOUTH. A CURIOUS STORY. tetoa On Saturday the fo]ioJ'ngwi^a"t:c) s London shipping agent at Dover tcainpT Backing- iournal Early this n\01^ s2Cd Norwegian bam signalled off Dover havi j^ncinngham steamer laden with aiamuii Jjaht'? Evening proceeded north." Saturday n■ -a~ carioas News has the following :—"Xhe we,(cs from a telegram has reached the ^r.r,nl'i nn -A.m. Margate correspondent :—' At «• off steamer Buckingham, of GIas^ow, 'P teB,racr, Dover having passed a large Norwe„ laden with guns and ammunition, Don ,nid It :a not quite plain bow the possibly know what was ia this Mystmions Norwegian steamer's bold. Was there a I&bel Da hr! furnd r,,

SPION KOP. HOW IT WAS TAKEN. HEAVY BOER LOSSES. (Through Laffan's Agency.) SPEARMAN'S CAMP, Friday, 6.40 a.m. On the night of the 23rd a force under General Woodgate made an attack upon Spion Rop. By 1.45 on the morning of the 24th our force had taken a position halfway up the hill at the point of the bayonet. The field gans were then pushed forward. Meanwhile General Lyttelton'p brigade was ex- tended in the centre opposite Pointer's Drift. From there, with the aid of telescopes, the Baers could be seen beckoning to their comrades who were climbing behind the rocks on the west side of the hill, whilst our men were climbing up on the east aide. When they reached the highest point of the ridge they found themselves under a tremen- dously heavy crous-fire. They mast have suffered heavily in crossing the tire zone. It was extremely difficult to locate the positions of the enemy's gacs, which had been selected with most masterly skill. ) By 10 d.m. the Boers began to climb down over tbs net. Then our naval guns began playing on them with Lyddite shells. By 2 p.m. the whofe of the hill up to the nek wns in the hands of oar men, who at once began to throw up trenches. At about 3 p.m. our troops began to make the ascent from the western side. Both the 3rd King's Royal Rifles and the Rifle Regiment made a magnificent assault up the steep incline of the precipitous sugar loaf shaped moun- tain. They reached the summit at 5.15 p.m. They were then upon the north-east extremity of the ridge, and held the key to the enemy's position.

THE BOER REPULSE %■ AT LADYSMITH. IN TE R VIE W S WITH SOLDIERS. (Press Association Special Telegram.) LADYSMITH, January 17th. (By rennet to Frere, January 24th.) Regular heliographic news is now being received from General Buller. We have beard the spund 9f bis garni since daybreak and have _.J, L.: actually seen sheila burst on a distant hill I" miles away. I have had many talks with soldiers who took part ia the Battle of Besters' Ridgo en the 6th, and their personal experiences in the fighting on that occasion are often very interesting Cooper, of the ISth Hussars, was on outpost duty, and was wound id in the arm rthile shooting at the enemy from behind a large rock. He re- mained at his post until dark, and then rose with the intention of walking into the camp, but in the darkness he mistook the road and walk- ing down the wrong side of the hill was taken prisoner. He was detained until the morning. His wound was dressed and he was looked after, and he was sent back with a tin of jam and a box of chocolates. McNaughton, of the Gordons, was taken prisoner on Wagon Hill early in the morning, and was removed in charge of an old Boer to a place of safety halfway down the bill. The enemy were on all sides of him blazing away at our fellows on the top. They evidently took everything very coolly they would crawl about among the rocks until they had found a suitable plase for covcr, and then fire away for I about an hour, after which they would crawl back for a smoke and a chat. Some of tlaean would even go to sleep for 30 minutes. They were perfectly confident of victory, and had their tents ready to pitch immediately: they had cap- tured the ridge, which they said they would do before night or Sunday. They declared they in- tended to take the town. At 5 o'clock, however, in the middle of a terrific shower of bail which swept over the ridge when the Devons were making their gallant charge across the open plateau, an old Boer rushed down the hill, shouting in Dutch, upon which everyone retired, leaving their prisoner to attend to himself, which he promptly did, successfully rejoining our troops. McNaughton supposed that the old Dutchman called ont that the soldiers were upon them with the bayonet, and as they cannot face cold steel they quickly evacuated the position which they had held all day. The enemy were supposed to have been about 7,000 strong, although many of them-in fact the majority—were acting as supports. The latter however, maintained a heavy fire from a hill 2,500 yards away. A rifle found on one old fellow had evidently been captured at Majuba Hill, as it was marked Majuba," and bore the name of the 58th Regi- ment. The owner, doubtless, expected to repeat the victory gained on that terrible day, as the enemy's tactics turned out to be identical with those observed on that memorable occasion. The country in the direction of Deserter's Ridge is much more open than that on the direct road from Colenso, and will not afford nearly so much cover for the enemy, Desultory bombardment of the town is now proceeding, but without effect.

PRISONERS AT PRETORIA. (Central News Telegram.) I CAPE TOWN, Wednesday. R. A. E. Haserick, an officer in Plumer's Horse, who was taken prisoner and is now con- fined at Pretoria, in a private letter received here gives an interesting account of the doings of the prisoners. The officers are con- fined in the Model School, which has an excel- lent gymnasium. Classes have been formed, and during the mornings the officers go through San- dow'g developiBg exercises, In the afternoon they play roundars. The prisoners generally are developing wonderful muscles. Oar dungeons," ays Mr Haserick, are distin ctly up to date. There is every convenience from electricity to toothpicks and books from the library."

BOER LEADERS. ADVOCATES OF THE ENGLISH BAR. (Laffan's Telegram.) CAPE TOWN, January 25th, 11.5, am. Young De Wet, the advocate, who is in com- mand of the Boers at Colesberg, is the son of the member for Aliwal North in the Capo Parlia- ment. He is a member of the Pretoria Bar. He is a graduate of Cambridge University (England), where he was a non-collegiate student and gained I the Chancellor's medal in the law tripod. De Wet is thus a- striking example of the young Afrikander, who, after benefiting in the highest degree from the advantages of British rule, has turned against his benefactor. Advocates Jade and Stewart are both members of the English Bar who at present hold important Boer. commands. Another member of the English Bar I holding a Boer command is Andries Stocken- strom, the heir of Gysbert Henry Stockenstrom, Baronet, of Maas Stream, Bedford, Cape.

RECONNAISSANCE BY FRENCH. The following message was issued from the War Office on Saturday night Lord Roberts to Secretary of State for War. CA-FE TOWN, Saturday. January 26th, French reports that on January 25th he made a reconnaissance of the enemy's position, and found him strongly posted at Pietfontein. No change in situation. (Central News Special Telegram.) REN SBURG, Thursday, 1135 a.m. "I Our men had a hard day's work yesterday. In the early morning a strong force, under the com- mand of General French, was under arms. Part I of the force made a feint attack upon the HOtJr positions upon the hill wh ich the Suffolk Regi- ment recently attacked unsuccessfully, and upon the neighbouring kopjos. Simultaneously General French moved bis left flank forward. The force reconnoitred for about six miles from ¡ Hobkirk's Farm, driving off some smalJ. parties of ¡ the Boers. The light filling the troops retnrned to camp after a long and tiring day. The movement was quite successful, and much useful knowledge was obtained.

LOOTING BY REBELS. (Press Association Special Telegram.) LUNDEAN'S NEK, Monday. The sound of cannon was heard yesterday and last night in the direction of Dordrecht. A party of rebels from the nearest Boer camp have looted tha houses of farmers, and also the police camp at Bedstone, taking horses, sheep, and foodstuffs. It is reported that Aliwal North and Ladygrey have been almost entirely denuded of their food supplies owing to the requisitions of the Free Staters. The sbopa in Herschel are also short of necessaries. Influenza is prevalent among the police.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS. (Central News Telegram.) RENSBURG, Thursday Afternoon. The fall details of yesterday's successful recon- naissance are now available. The operations were opened at dawn by three companies of the Essex Regiment, accompanied by two howitzers and four field gans. They took up a position on the heights facing the hill where the Suffolk Regiment came to grief. A steady bombardment of the enemy's position was maintained for some time, then the guns and iafantry pressed forward and a hot fire was directed upon the kopjes to the north-west of Colesberg. The enemy's works were discernible clearly, and our Lyddite shells buret ivith:mpat.destructive effects in their lines. The Boers made but little sign. Meanwhile General French in per,on with 14 companies from the Eseax, Yorkshire, and Wilts regiments, together with the 10th Hussars, the Inuiskilbng Dragoons, the Mountain Infantry, and four guns, advp.nced his extreme left flank with the intention of fully reconnoitring and possibly occupying a kopje commanding the north- western side of Colesberg. The advance was continued to a spot about six miles from Kolkirk's Farm, where the force bivouacked for a midday rest. Afterwards the Mounted Scouts scoured the ground ahead, and the infantry again advanced, but General French getting a clear idea of the ground before him and the positions held by the enemy, decided that it would taks a whole day to clear the enemy from the bills lying between him and the particular kopje he desired to hold. The Boers were firing away at long range without doing any particular damage at this time, but they were evidently alarmed, for our scouts reported that they were withdrawing two of their guns at top speed towards Waggon Bridge, under the apparent conviction that their communications would be completely cut off. The day was drawing to a close when General French gave the word to retire, but by this time the eager Wiltshire men had got to within a few hundred yards of the first position held by the Boers. When the retirement began the enemy ponied a heavy fire into the ranks of the Wiltsbires, a. fire that waa eagerly responded to. The casualties among the men were very slight considering the amount of work done. The Yor!;r-hir33 were in splendid form, and ex- cited much admiration as they marched into camp after their hard day's outing, apparently as fresh as when they started.

GALLANT RESCUE BY SIR JOHN MILBANK. I (Press Association War Special.) NAAUWPOORT, January 7th. í I have a gallant deed to chromcle. I Sir John Milbank went out with four of the 10th Hussars asroas the plain to the north of the enemy's position on Friday to reconnoitre certain hills. After proceeding a couple of miles the party were fired on by a Boer outpost on their left, occupying a portion of the same hill which afterwords proved such a trap for the Suffolks. The patrol immediately turned. Sir John being wounded in the thigh with a Martini-Henry bullet. They galloped towards camp, and a party of Boers rode out to intercept them. A race ensued, in the conrse of which one trooper fell from his horse, and Sir John, though wounded, pinckiiy rode back to the rescne and took the man up behind him. The Bests hastily dismounted, and dropping on one knee fired at thnm, and Sir John received a second bullet, but only through his haversack. His good horse carried the two riders bravely, and before long they were out of rifle shot, after which the trooper dismounted and ran alongside, hold- ing Sir John's stirrup, and so they arrived in camp. Sir John was brought to the base in an ambu- lance, and on Saturday evening was sent on by tcain to Cape Town. Needless to say he received every attention, and everyone is glad to hear that his wound ia not regarded as dangerous,

REPAIRING THE LINE NEAR STEYNSBERG. (From Our Special War Correspondent.) STERKSTROOM CAMP, Jan. 25, 12.55 p.m. Thebits, an important position near Steyhs- berg, on the Stormberg-Rosmead line, is now occupied by the British, who are repairing the railway and the bridge. This will facilitate communication between General Gatacre and General Kelly Kenny's column. The position is otherwise unchanged.

MAFEKING. REPORTED RELIEF. AN UNCONFIRMED RUMOUR. (Renter's Telegram.) LORENZO MARQUEZ, Friday. It is reported ca good authority from a Trans- vaal source that Mafeking was relieved on the 23rd inst. ("Times" Telegram, per Press Association.) LORENZO MA RQUEZ, January 26th. It is said to be reported in well-informed quarters in Pretoria that Colone! Plumsr several days ago succreded in effecting a lutiction with the Mafeking garrison.

i GATACRE'S INACTION-1 REINFORCEMENTS SADLY NEEDED. SMART SKIRMISHING ENGAGE. I ME NTS. I (Central News Telegram,) STERKSTROOM, Jan. 4. We arc still waiting for reinforcements, and it is generally conceded that we shall not make a general forward movement for three or four weeks. Such an advance in our present position of numerical inferiority to the enemy would be simply suicidal. We shall have a particu- larly warm time of it when we do advance, as a [Lr route will be through the worst part of the conntry. We shall have to traverse a couple of hundred miles of broken ground and successive kopjes before reaching the Free State, and the farmers between this camp and our objective points are anything but friendly to Imperial troops. Since our reverse at Stormberg life in camp has been of a humdrum character. Our headquarters here are pleasant, plenty of water accommodation, gener- ally good attractive suurrounaings and commis- sariat all that could be desired, but it, is not about creature comforts that Tommy Atkins is chieflv concerned at present, He is willing to leave the luxury of a stationary camp for the rough and tumble work incidental to an op pose advance. OUR STORMBERG HUMILIATION has to be wiped out, and the rank and file will not resume its habitual cheery temperament until the Union Jack shall fly from the heights over- looking the scene of our .reverse. The duties of this column seem to be confined to policing the district. We have three advance camps. The furthest north overlooks Molteno, and is occupied by seventy of the Cape Mounted Police under Inspector NVvyland. The second outpost is at Bushman's Hoek, ten miles north of headquarters, and it is held by the Royal Irish Rifles, the Berkshire Mounted Infantry, and various colonial contingents under the command of Major Maxweil, R.E., altogether about 1,400 strong. The third is at Penhoek, and the force there is composed entirely of Cape Mounted Rifles and Brabants-' Horse totalling 200 and under the command of Colonel Daigety. The Royal Scots, the Derbyshire Regiment, with Royal Engineers and two Batteries of Artillery, form the nucleus at headquarters here-in all about 1,500 men. At Queenstown is the Berk- shire Regiment, and at East London the remnants (500 men) of the Northumberland Fusiliers are stationed. We have thus a total force of about 3,500 n the column, whereas taking into consideration the nature of the country and the importance of the position, we should have thrice the number. The Boers have gained a considerable number of followers in the back dorps to our north, and only our advance will prevent thm from gaining many more adherents from the wavering colonial Dutchmen. I So much for the position. j CHRISTMAS relieved the monotony somewhat, although it is to be regretted that the luxuries heralded for weeks previously ia the newspapers did not materialise. The Queen's chocolate has not yet been heard of np here, and the plaru duff by the ton," said to be on the way ont, was con- spicuous by its absence. It is true that a little plum pudding was served out by generous local, civilians, bnt the quantity per head was so small that several messes combined and tossed who should have the lot. Boxing Da-v was celebrated by a. sports meeting, and all entered heartily into the fUD, but thereafter we relapsed into monotonous routine. On the Friday after Boxing Day, however, a whisper went round that there was likely to be fun at Moiteno. I therefore proceeded thither in an armoured train and met Captain de Mont- morency, who is in command of a body of scouts. He stated that he had information of a small commando in laager to the north, probably part of the body of the enemy which had been forced to'vacate the town a week previously when Col. Dalgety's Crpe Mounted Rifles attacked and routed them. XaKtng qU ot his scouts and aoont 30 Cape Mounted Rifles, Captain de Mont- morency started against the enemy. The rain poured down in torrents, and the mountains were veiled ia a thick mist. Our journey proved futile, for the quarry had fled, and we got back to Molteno drenched through aDd through. I The next day farther information arrived of the I approach of A BOER COMMANDO from the Barkly East district. Wi th onr strength brought up to 120 by the additions from Brabant's Horse we a-nain started on the march, and it quickly became evident that this time we should come into contact with the enemy, for on reach- ing the crest of the hill a Boer scout was observed scurrying up the opposite hill for all he was worth. On reaching the sky line be sat on his horse as though inviting a chsise Montmorency was not to be drawn though, and sent out scouts on tbe blanks. After a time he diecided to get round the mountain by skirting it to the east, and crossing by a pass named Labuschagnea Nek. Immediately Wb made a move the crest of tbe op- posite hill was black with horsemen hurrying for the sr.mo point to cut off- the movement-. Hurriedly giving directions for half his force to follow half a mile in the raar, Montmorency dashed off at the iiead of his men, and succceded in rounding the pass, followed by a scattering fire. The other half of oar force took a position iu a nuilab at the en- transe to the pass. Firing quickly became general and the Boer force constantly increased in num- ber. Montmorency kept up a hot exchange on the further side of the hill, and was evidently doling out as much as he received. Under the impression that a juncture between our two sections wa,s im- posible, a. number of the Uoers descended into the pass and occupied a ridge overlooking the nullah, pouring in a hot lire. Montmorency noted the move, and gaining a point OIl the other side of the pass, tooir them in the rear, quiclily causing the enemy to scoot back. Aa they crossed the open to regain the heights the men in the nullah gave them a warm reception, bringing down two and killing three iiorsas. Moanwhile the Boers were receiving reinforcements, and ahont 800 horsemen appearing on Montmorency's right flitnk he was obliged to rush ba/Ck through the piss undpr ,hea,vy fire, but happily without casualty. Contrary to custom, THE BOERS FOLLOWED UP, and after chasing Montmorency's 40 men, re- turned to the nullah, which they Enrrounded. Oar men in the open repeatedly returned within range and rendered abortive any decided attack on their confined comrades. Immediately the Boers gota in position for an assault the scouts would extend in a semi-circle and pot at them, and if they followed up would just keep out of range. The Boers were in a quandary, for if they followed too far the men in the nullah would naturally escape, and the enemy seemed disinclined to divide their force, and so the game continued for hours. In the meantime the force occupying the crest of tho hill were seen to be in a state of excite- ment. The cause was soon apparent, from their position they noted the advance of 100 Cape Mounted Rifles sent up to oor support. Bnt a surprise was in stom for ns. When our support got in the open—"Whirr "-and a shell b4irFt 20 yards short of their centre. They immediately extended Indian fashion, and several more shells were accurately placed in their line. The Boor^ practice was for and away better than they inhi- bited at Stormberg. Twice had we men unseated by concussion or swerving horses, but the good fortune which has attended our enemies seems to have now favoured us, and our men remounted and were enabled to get cover in safety. Dusk was now approaching rapidly, and oar brave fellows in the nulllloh were still keeping the enemy at bay. The Boers then turned their attention to the 27 horses tethered under an ad- joining krantz. VOL LEX" AFTER VOLLEY was rattled into them, and they were all de- stroyed where they stood. As darkness came up, our force in the open retired on Moiteno. About nine o'clock a couple of men from the I nullah who had run the gauntlet arrived, stating the men were still hoiding their ground. They said the men had decided to stay there throughout the night, as one of the oiiicei's, Lieutenant, VI arren, was lying dangerously wounded, and they would not lsove him as long as they had a shot left. The Boers had ces;sed iiriug, and they would see them flitting around the udges with lanterns, looking for their dead and wounded. Measures for relief were promptly decided on. and just before daybreak 200 Cape Mounted Rifi:;3 v/ith four guns left town. When da.y broh they had gained the plateau and observed the Boers forming to lesume the attack on the uullab. The surprise was com- plete. Om: mounted men dashed over the ground at the double, 'and our big guns sent out a screebing accompaniment. The Boers did not stand on the order cf their going, but broke away in great disorder, flying heitei susiter for the cover of the hill. The whistisng shells bnrat around them, giving the thoroughly scared Boers wings, and they were quickly break- ing away the other side of the hill ir all direc- tions. A rousing cheer was exchanged between the rescuers and rescued, and they joyfully re- turned to town in company, amid the demonstra- tions of the inhabitants and their comrades. Xhe advance of the Boers bad been checked by a small fores not one-fifth their strength, and the lesion will have a far-reaching eftect, as oor III. activity has been taken for weakness by the STmpnthisers. r Too much cannot be said in favonr of OUR COLONIAL TROOPS. j Thev have proved themselves possessed of the J grit associated with the best traditions of English manhood- Tho chivalrous spirit displayed by tho 25 men who stood by the wounded officer will stand out as one of the bright episodes of the war. It is sad to relate that the young officer who was immensely popular and was the son of the member for King kviiliamstown, has since j died. This was the only death recorded on oar eide, We have five wounded, none seriously, and .¡. four missing. The Boer loss is difficult to esti- I mate, but we can account for eight killed and. fj many wounded. B

WARREN'S RETREAT. SOUTH OF THE TUGRFTJJA AGAIN. OFFICIAL DESPATCH. The War Office on Sunday afternoon issued the following despatch from Sir Reder8 ^SPEARMAN'S CAMP, Saturday, 6.10 p.m. On the 20th of January Sir Charles War- ren, as I have reported, drove back the enemy and obtained possession of the southern crests of the high table-land which extends from the line Acton Homes, Honger's Poord, to the western Ladysmith hills. From then to the 25tli he remained close in contact with the enemy, who held a strong position in a range of small kopjes stretching from north-west to soctli-east across the plateau to Acton Homes, through Spion Kop, to the left bank of the Tugela. The actual position held was perfectly tenable, but did not lend itself to advance, as the southern sloues were so steep that Sir Charles Warren could not get au effective artillery position, and the supplying of the troops with water was n. difficulty. On the 23rd (I) assented to his attacking Spion Kop, a large hill-indeed, a mountain —which was evidently the key of the posi- tion, but was far more accessible from the north than from the south. On the night of the 23rd he seized Spion Kop, bnt found it very difficult to hold. It perimeter was too large, and water- which we had been led to believe exif3ted in this extraordinary dry season—was found vpry deficient. The crests were held all that day against severe attacks and heavy shell fire. Our men foueht with great gallantry, and I would especially mention the conduct of the 2nd Cameronians and the 3rd King's Royal Rifle Corps, who supported the attack on the mountain from the steepest side, and in each case fought their way to the top and the 2nd Lancashire Fasiliera and the 2nd Middlesex, who magnificently maintained the best traditions of tho British Army through- out the trying day of the 24th and Thomey- croft's Mounted Infantry, who fought throughout the day equally well alongside of them. Major-Gcneral Woodgate, who was in com- mand at the submit, being wounded, the officer who succeeded him decided on the night of the 24th-25th to abandon the posi- tion, and did so before daylight on the 25th. I reached Sir Charles Warren's camp at 5 a.m. on the 25th and decided that a second attack on Spion Kcp would be useless, and that the enemy's right was to allow me to force it. Accordingly I decided to withdraw the force to the south of the Tngela. At 6 a.m. we commenced withdrawing the train, and by 8 a.m. of the 27th Sir Charles Warren's force was concentrated south of the Tngela without the loss of a man or a pound of stores. The fact that the force could withdraw from actual touch-in cases the lines were less than 1,000 yards apart-with the enemy in the perfect manner it did is I think suffi- cient evidence of the morale of the troops, and that we were permitted to withdraw our cum- brous ox and mule transport across a river 85 vards broad with 20 feat banks and a very swift stream unmolested is I think proof that the enemy has been taught to respect our soldiers' fighting powers.

CRUSH AT THE WAR OFFICE. EAGER TO LEARN THE NEWS. The Press Association says :-The lobby ac- commodation at the War Office on Sunday was altogether insufficient. Only the central waiting- room was used for the posting of despatches, and this was quickly thronged as the news spread from the clubs in Pall Mall that General Sir Charles Warren had retreated across the Tngela. Needless to say not more than a few people at a time could get within reading distance of the despatch board, and seeing that the message was a long one much delay was caased to those in the rear. The attendants were besieged by those who waited with inquiries as to the purport of the message, and much annoyance was expressed that the War Office authorities had not posted a brief summary of the despatch. The toxt of General Buller's despatch clears UD the doubt that existed concerninR the casual- ties at Spion Kop, reference to which was made in a note by the War Office on Satarday. General Buller states that the 3rd King's Royal Rifles and the 2nd Cameronian Scottish Rifles (the officers' casualties amongst those regiments have been already reported) were in the action at Spion Kop. It was announced at the War Office at 11 o'clock on Sunday night that no further news had been received since General Bailer's despatch, and that nothing would be issued that nigbt.

ENEMY SURPRISED. BUT RECOVER AND FIGHT HARD.. (Press Association War Speciat.) SPEARMAN'S CAMP, Jan. 24 (despatched I Jan. 26,9 a.m.). About 2 o'clock this morning, when heavy clouds rested on the kopjes, the main point of the Boer position on Tambanyatna was stormed by the infantry under General Woodgate. Our force crossed over a ravine and climbed the mountain side steadily, and reached within 30 yards of the enemy's first trenches. The Boers were asleep, and on the alarm being raised they decamped, leaving everything behind them. Our men gave a. ringing cheer and climbed to the summit. The enemy opened fire from several points. It waa apparent that they were entirely surprised, and their resistance was dispirited. The western crest of the hill was won, and soon the infantry crept along to the top of the hill. At daybreafe, however, the enemy from a high point on the extreme east sent a withering fire npon our men, which staggered them momen- tarily. The BoerB had the range fixed to a nicety, and their artillery sent several shells right on the top of the crest, forcing the British infantry to take cover. A Boer Nordenfelt also was worked with great precision. Our troops held the position against great odds. At 10 o'clock a strong reinforcement was sent up the hill and advanced in skeleton formation, the enemy being driven back to the extreme point. (Renter's Telegram.) SPEARMAN'S CAMP, Friday. The British troops made a most successful movement to-day- -Tfaey deployed to General Warren's rigbt flank, and reinforcad those in pos- session of Tambanyana. They were subjected to i a heavy shell fire, but stood their ground nobly. Part of General Lyttelton'a brigade extended on the plain in front of Mount Alice had within two hours scaled the height of Spion Kop under a heavy fire. One Rifleman re&cbed the summit before his comrades, and proudly stood erect on the top. ISToto.—This message, although despatched from Spearman's Camp on January 26th, was probably handed in by Renter's corres- pondent on the 24th.

DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF THE CABINET. The Press Association telegraphs :—An im- portant meeting of the Defence Committee of t h Cabinet was held late on Saturday at the War Office. Amongst the Ministers attending were Mr Balfour, who called at the Admiralty prior to the meeting, Lord Lansdowne, Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, who came to town purposely for the committee, and Mr Chamberlain, who gave up his Birmingham engagement in order to attend.

AFTER FIVE DAYS. (From Our Special War Correspondent): SPEARMAN'S CAMP, January 26th (? January 24th). After 11 o'clock this morning the artiller y fire drove the enemy back considerably. After an interval at noon there was a sharp engagement with the Rifles. The battle was fierce in the extreme for 15 hours, and the British force fought every inch of the way, and fought up and down a strong covered kopje. They bravely battled their way tbrongh a. terribly thick fire, and fiually accomplished the magnificent achievement of taking the whole of the Black Mountain after five dftys' fighting, All arms were tired out, though in high spirits over the long-delayed success. Our casualties, though considerable, were not so heavy as they were expected to be. The enemy's loss is unknown. They refused to wait for the bayonet, retiring to the next kopje when sorely pressed. The defeated forces have fallen back towards hills on the north-west. (f-4 Times Telegram, per Press Association.) SPEABMAN'S CAMP, Friday, 6.40 a.m. Spion Rop was taken this morning after a brilliant night attack, commanded by General Woodgate. Spion Kop is the highest point here, having a large nearly flat triangular top. It was strongly held by the enemy as the con- necting position before Potgiet er's with the position before Sir C, Warren. Our troops left camp at 1.30. The guide led them up a narrow steep path to the southern most part of the top At 3 they found themselAes at the first of the enemy's trenches. The Boers after one volley at 30 yards fled before oar men could reach them with the bayonet. The enemy's second line of trenches opened a heavy musketry fire, bat our troops pushed on and held the highest point of the kop by 4. In the morning the enemy opened a terrific, rifle and shell fire, forcing us to temporarily re-, tire. Heavy fire continued all day, our men slowly: advancing. To-night gnns go up, and to-morrow we shailk probably completely hold the most important position commanding the enemy's trenches on both sides. The Times adds that the above tel egram was evidently written on the 24th.

DETAILED BOER VERSION. A WALL OF FLAME FROM MAUSERS. BRITISH INFANTRY MOWN DOWN. 150 TAREN PRISONERS. (Press Association War Special.) THE BOER CAMP, MODDER SPRUIT, UPPER TUGELA, Wednesday. To-day, the fifth day of the battle, proved an eventful one. At four o'clock in the morning some Vryheid burghers, who form the outposts on the highest hills of the Spion Kop group, rushed into the burghers' laager with the announcement that the Kop WAS lost, the British having taken it. Reinforcements were summoned," bat nothing could be done for some time, as the hill was enveloped in a thick mist. At dawn a significant sign was petceived in the Kaffirs Seeing from their kraals at the foot of the hills. Another sign was the fact that tele- graphic communicatioji with the head laager was cut off. When day had fairly broken the Heidelbarg and Carolina contingents, which had meanwhile been supplemented from their commandos, began tha ascent of the hill. There are three spurs—rather precipitous pro- jections—which faced the Boer positions, Up these an advance was made by the burgher forces, who left their horses under the first bank of rocks. The scaling of the steep was then commenced. It was found that at the top the British had taken the opportunity to entrench themselves heavily. Between the British trenches and the Boer commandos there was a stretch 'of open veldt which had to be rushed under a. heavy fire, not only from rifles, but injjthe shape of Lyddite and shrapnel; as well as the shells from the field guns. Meanwhile two parties of burghers had ascended two of the spurs under cover of fire from the Free State KrCl pp and Creusot big guns and a Maxim. The British tried to rush them with the bayonet, but their infantry went down as before a scythe. The firing continued with undiminished fury the Boer investing parties advancing step by step until at 2 o'clock a white flag went up and 150 British in the first trenches surrendered. They were sent a-i prisoners to the head laager. The storming :of the rest of the summit con- tinues as this despatch is being sent off. The ears of all beholders are deafened by the tremen- dous cannonade, the air being filled with the ping of the Lee-Metford and the crack of the Mauser.

BRITISH TRENCHES RUSHED. MEN OF THE DUBLINS AND LIGHT HORSE SURRENDER. (Press Association War Special.) THE BOER CAMP, MODDER SPRUIT, UPPEli TUGELA, Jan. 24tb, Midnight. The British infantry advance, the earlier stages of which I reported this afternoon, continned on the two kopjes east of Spion Kgp. The object of the British was to gain the summit of these two kopjes and so outflaak the burghers who were at- tacking the trenches. Many were shot down on the top of the kopjes, but so numerous were the British force that the gaps so created were filled automatically. Towards twilight they reached the summit of the second kopje, but thoy got no further. Meanwhile the Maxims were belching forth flame on both sides, while a wall of flame from the Mausers held the British back in the centre. Under this pressure they gradually gave way and broke, abandoning the position. The British psisonsrs speak highly of the bravery of the burghers, who, despising cover, stood against the sky line to be shot by the Dublin Fusiliers, who were sheltered in the trenches. The Boers rushed the trenches, shout- ing Hands up weapons down I" The resis- tance was, however, continued some time longer. Then the Dublin Fusiliers and the Light Horse having had enough of it, threw up their arms and rushed oat of the trenches. A quite unusually high proportion of the Lyddite shells failed to explode yesterday. The effect of the abandonment of Spion Kop by the British cannot be gauged aa yet, but no doubt it will be immense. The Boer generals report, God be thanked, although we also haul to give brave, valuable lives."

1,500 BRITISH DEAD. PRETORIA, Wednesday (via Lorenzo Marque7, Thursday). The following Boer despatch has been received here :—" Modderspruit, Upper Tngela, Tuesday. —The British are now endeavouring, with a force of 40.000 men to force their way by the Spion Kop ronte to Ladysmith. The firing on Botha's position yesterday was so tremendous that the grass shrivelled up, and the very rocks weie dis- lodged." (Renter's Telegram.) LORENZO MARQUEZ, Thtirsday. From a despatch from the Boer laager on the Upper Tngela, which is believed to refer to operations up to 2 o'clock yesterday, the 24th, it appears thera has been stubborn fighting, and that 150 British surrendered and were sent as prisoners to the head laager. The battle was proceeding. The above message does not inrLcctc the locality of the fighting. (Renter's Telegram.) LORENZO MARQUEZ, Friday. A despatch from the Boer laager on the Mod- dcr Sprait, near Ladysmith, da.ted Thursday, 6 | p.m., states that the British dead left on the battlefield on the 24th numbered 1,500. General Bailer is said to have been down with an attack of fever, but to have recovered.

A BERLIN CANARD. The Press Association says :—A Star cable from Berlin on Satarday stated thatj the German pap ers had a telegram | from Pretoria that Warren was enticed to Spion Kop by Boers. Seventeen of his cannon were in Boer bands. the hasty retreat of Buller over the Tugela alone could save him. The Berlin telegram cabled to the fttdr, which rightly was discredited at the War Office, stated that in addition to the loss of 17 guus Warren lost 800 killed and 1,500 wounded. The message further stated that the Boers fell on General Warren jast as he thought definitely to occupy the hill. It may be noted that although the Star stated that several Berlin papers published the intelli- gence no agency or London paper confirmed the rumour.

CHARACTERISTIC. An Exchange telegram says The Eclair sug- gests that the publication of General Warren's check was delayed 24 hours by the Government, and insinuates that the news was kept back while business was done on the Stock Exchange.

NECESSITY FOR MORE PREPARATIONS. Our duty now (say3 the Times) is to make mili- tary preparations for the worst, though there is no reason, we trust, to bell eve that it will happen Even if Sir l-tedvers Buller should be unable to maintain his hold upon the country north of the Tngela, nay, even if Ladysmith should fall before its relief can be effected, the Boers must not be allowed to imagine for a single moment that they have inflicted upon our forces anything more than a fresh check—a grave one possibly, but only a temporary one. It is possible that still greater demands upon the nation will have to bo made, and we are sure that there will be no faltering in the response. The Government would be well advised to call out at once the rest of the Militia, I to expedite as much as possible the mobilisation of the Eighth Division, and especially to despatch at once the 4th Cavalry Brigade, which was, it I was understood, to have left for Cape Town a fortnight ago.

VAIN ANTICIPATIONS OF RELIEF. (Central News Telegram.) LADYSMITH, Jan. 21at (via, Pietermaritzburg, Jan 25th, 7.15 p.m.) Since the great attack of the Boer forces npon Caspar's Camp and Waggon Bill the enemy around Ladysmith have remained quiescent. No further efforts have been made by the Boer rifle- men, and the firing of the enemy's artillery has bean very feeble, on some days, inlead, being entirely suspended. Last friday a threatening movement was observed amongst the Boers on Surprise Hill. The naval contingent and the field artillery were quickly at work, opening a smart fire, with the result that the enemy soon disappeaied. Apparently there are now very few Boers around Ladysmith-orily just sufficient to hold the commanding positions. It is conjectured that thoy have gone to reinforce the commandoes opposing the advance of General Buller's forces. It has been given out here that the relief columns crossed the Tugela on Thursday last in three different places, and all consequently has been excitement in camp. We know that one force has succeeded in making a passage at Potgieter's Drift, and on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday scores climbed Observatdon Hill watching for the British columns that were to set us free from the Boer grip. We can clearly see the main Boer position above Potgieter's Drift, and the bursting of our shells upon the enemy's lines is incessant. Evidently our gunners are directing their fire upon a big eminence known to the Colonials as Taba Inyama Mountain, rather more than three miles on this side of the Tugela. The Boers have two large laagers on this side of .he mountain. and we have been watching these since Friday in anticipation of witnessing a British assault upon them. Somewhat to ouc surprise these Boer camps had not been shifted when we took observations this morning. We had hoped that the relief columns would have made a substantial advance by to-day. The enemy have evidently made great prepara- tions to oppose General Bailer's advance. Great herds of Boer cattle are visible on the plains immediately below Taba Inyama Mountain, whilst several large Boer waggon laagers, pre- sumably the enemy's commissariat, are also observable in the same position. Numbers of Boers are also seen riding about the country in thezame district, and it is difficult for us here to reconcile these manifestations of the presence of the enemy close to the mountain with the report that strong British columne have crossed the river and are advancing to our relief. From our 'vantage ground on Observation Hill we can to some extent also watch the doings of the British gunners on Zwartz Kop on the sonth of the Tugela. We are in heliographic communication with that point, and can watch the bursting of our shells from the big guns in the Boer positions on this side of the river. We have just ascertained that there is another British force in the neighbourhood of Acton Homes, about nine miles north of the Upper IJhgela Drift. A heavy gun fire is now coming from that direction. It is highly inspiring. All the townspeople and the garrison are listening to the welcome sound. Some of the ultra-sangnine are keeping their glasses glued to their eyes to catch the first. glimpse of the much longed-for khaki uaiform. The gun firs seems increasing and coming nearer. We have commenced to congratulate our- selves. for we are all convinced that the relief of Ladysmith can now be only a matter of days.

CASUALTIES AMONG JOURNALISTS. (Central News Telegram.) LADYSMITH, January 21st (via Pietermaritzturg, Wednesday). Disease and the enemy have played havoc with the small band of newspaper correspondents who elected to see the thing through in this be- leaguered town. Mr G. W. Sieevens, the well-known correspon- dent of the Daily .1ail. died on the 15th uni- versally regretted here. Mr Mitchell, a sub-editor of the Johannesburg Star and assistant to Mr Maxwell, the correspon- dent of the London Standard, died on the 12th. Lieutenant Stabb, of the Naval Reserve, repre- senting the Times of Iudia. also succumbed about the same time. All the foregoing died from enteric feler. When the Boer cordon was drawn tightly around us Stabb attached himself to the Naval Brigo-de and did excellent work in the field. When the Boers attacked Waggon Hill on the 6th Mr Ferrant, a sub-editor on the Transvaa-l Leader and a trooper of the Light Horse, was billed. In the same engagement Mr O'Flaherty, the assistant-editor of the Leader and also a trooper in the Light Horse, was wounded.

BOER RUMOURS. DR. JAMESON WOUNDED. PRESIDENT STEYN AT THE FRONT. (Press Association War Special.) BOER CAMP ON THE MODDER SPRUIT, near Ladysmith, Thursday, Noon (via Lorenzo Marqnaz, Friday). One result of Long Tom's practice on Monday was that Dr. Jameson is reported to have been wounded in the leg and to be now in hospital. Several natives who have fled from Ladysmith in order to escape beiog impressed into military service are now in the head laaerer here. President Steyn afteokisitixig this laager re- turned by the Transvaal train.

o I WITH DUNDONALD'S FORCE. THE BOER SURPRISE. SMART WORK BY VOLUNTEERS. (" Times Telegram, per Press Association.! PIETERMARITZBURG, Thursday. The clever surprise by some of Lord Dun- donald s force of a party of the enemy, which has been already reported, appears to have baen entirely a Volunteer affair. The following account has been given to a correspondent of the Natal Times by one of our men who took part in it and wss wounded The Estcourt troop of Natal Carbineers, under Major Mackenxie, a Na tali an, and a troop of Imperial Light Horse, about 140 men altogether, were on dal,y some distance from the main body of mounted infantry under Lord Dnndonald. The Volunteers heard that a number of Boers were travelling in the direction of Van Renen's Pass. They immediately moved at a swinging gallop, kept up for over an hour, and arrived at the top of a kopje commanding the route of the Boers' advance. There they dismounted and took up their position on the crest. The men had barely time to hide behind the boulders when the Boers, numbering 300, came in view, and unsuspectingly advanced within point-blank range. A well-directed volley surprised them, empty- ing saddles right and left. The Boers retreated to another kopje, and desultory firing was kept up for a short time. Eventna.Uy the enemy sent a flag of truce, ask- ing leave to remove their dead and wounded. This was of course granted. It is computed that 17 dead and 40 wounded were removed. A few prisoners were taken, and I some horses were captured. The Vo'unte&r casualties were three wounded. I

II CAPE TOWN NEWS. ALLEGED TREASON. i" Times" Second Edition,per Press Association. CAPE TOWN, Thursday. The Supreme Court has refused bail to a man named Vermoeton, of Dordrecht, who is charged with high treason. The Chief Justice said that if Vermoeten were bailed he might join the enemy.

SUNNYSIDE PRISONERS. (Reutsr's Telegram.) CAPE TOWN, Thursday. The examination of the Sunny side prisoners was continued to-day. The evidence was to a great extent simply corroborative of that already given. The Uitenhage Town Council has decided to offer the Horticultural Hall at that place as a hospital for 50 patients. The liner Goorkha arrived last night with General Sir H. Chermside and a number of other military officers. The formation of two new regiments of South African Horse, named respectively Roberts' and Kitchnener's Horse, is proceeding briskly, and it is understood that on their com- pletion two further regiments will be raised. Lord Roberts and his staff visited the Maine this afternoon. His Lordship, who was conducted on his tour of inspection by Lady Randolph Churchill and the officers of the ship, minutely examined all the accommodation, and expressed to Lady Randolph Churchill his complete satisfaction with the arrangements made. Sir Alfred Milner will also later in the day visit the Maine, which leaves for Durban to-morrow. Permission has been given to a number of surgeons and nurses to proceed thither on board the vessel. Tbe Masbona case will be heard on the 29th inst. It is understood counsel for the owners will urge that the latter were not aware that the charterers of the vessel were dealing with the Qaeen's enemies.

t TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICA- TION. THE BROKEN CABLE. The Eastern Telegraph Company notify that there is no delay on the East Coast cable owing to the West Coast line being broken, and that the repairing ship should be over the break in the latter cable by Saturday night. The cable steamer leaves London to-day (Monday) with the Ascension-St. Vincent portion of the new line to the Cape, which it is hoped will be working by February 20. The laying of th's cable will complete a third telegraph ronte bUwecsn South Africa and Great Britate.

REMOVING TO PRETORIA. FREE STATE DOCUMENTS. (" Times Telegram, per Press Association.) LORENZO MARQUEZ, Jannai-y 26th. Visitors from tho Transvaa.. who can be relied ¡ upon, positively assert that the Free State officials I are removing their families to houses com. man deored for them in Pretoria and Johannes- I burg, and that the books aad documents of the I Free Stats Government havo been already trans- ferred to Pretoria. The ostensible reason assigned is the dread that the Basutos may take advantage cf the absence of the burghers to invade the Free State. DEATH OF A BOER COLONEL. Hamburg, Saturday.—News has reached Ham- burg of the death of Colonel Stuttortieim, of the Boer Army, from wounds received beforo Lady- smith in December. The deceased was born at Hamburg in 1851. He had served in the war, against the Kaffirs with distinction. His sons who studied law in England and went to Oxford, played a prominent part in the Afrikander Bond.

SPLENDID WORK OF THE j COLONIAL VOLUNTEERS. 1 150 BOERS CHARGED BY EIGHT S SCOUTS. fl A WESLEYAN CHAPLAIN'S SUCCESS. 1 (Press Association War Special Telegram.) g| HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, 1 STERKSTROOM. December 26,1899. fl The Third Division, or Gatacre's Column as it mi ia more popularly called, has in many respects in been unfortunate. Some few weeks age, when 1 the column which looked so strong and promising | on paper was beginning to take something like j, material shape at Queenstown under the general himself, who arrived on the scene early, every- thing promised well, ard the hundreds j of refugees in Cape Town begali to have something more than visions of once more I sitting at their ain inglc-sides and again meeting i their wives and famines many of whom were left | behind in such places as Aliwal North, Burghers- fls dorp, Ladvgrey, Barkly Est. etc" in the hnrry- scurry of departure. Naturally then, when these arrived at Queenstowr, where most of them r remained, a.nd found that a strong British force j. was being quietly mobilised to avenge their JH wrongs, they were jnbilant and enthusiastic, but ll when in a very short time they discovered that ™ the troops which had been posted for Gataoie'r> U Column on arrival in the country were sent else- yu where they began to be despondent, and very í natarally so. »: Their feelings beggii to revive, however, when Gatacre moved to Putters Kraal, which is neither town nor village, but simply a large tract of veldt, I distinguished by a name, However, the move I was a distinctly forward one. Here again a long I and weary wait was experienced, while our | I enemies, now largely reinforsed by rebels, were spreading ail over the northern portion of the t I Colony, occupying towns and villages, tearing j | down the beloved Union Ja.ck and hoisting the £ colonrs of the Orange Free StatP, looting stoces, | devastating the country, and insulting ail loyat J British subjects. No wonder then that the j refugees were glad that Gatacre had moved j nearer towards their homes, although the forward f move was only a very small one. t Then on Saturday, the 9th December, Gataore jJ moved out of Patter's Kraal and advanced on m Stormberg, the disastrous result of which mov i is already ancient hill tory. To this disaster, which is attributable primarily, to the fatal mistake of the guides, and secondly fj to the fatigued condition of the men, most of | whom had been on duty from four o'clock the J| previous morning, we lost about 100 killed and wounded and over 600 prisoners, the men being to too done up with fatigue and huager even to run away, two guns. and some transport waggons; ;h upon one of which was the writer's lent and ft '1 portion of hi3 baggage. h After this reverse, which caused such a shock < throughout the Colony and at home, aad is | responsible for a large increase of rebels to the jj Boer forces-, General Gatacre with the remains of ij his column retired to the town of StacksToum, J| about six miles north of Potter's Kraal, where he <i has since remained patiently, but wearily waiting j- for reinforcements which do not arnva..]j At present instead of a division he has iittie Is over a brigade under his command, supplemented j! by a good number of Colonial troops, who ai3 doing excellent work in harassing the enemy, and who the other day succeeded, with a force > of less than 200 men, in recapturing Dordrecht, | a town which the Boers recently annexed. J It is a curious fact that the Boer has a great J fear of Colonial troops, who know the peentiari- j ties of the country, ftoct who fight him in his own guerilla style, and yet be has tha utmost con- J tempt for brave Tommy Atkins, whom he has J simply to come and shoot do wn. And one is not f inclined to wondrr very much at this, when one i; remembers the list of disasters which have already | overtaken our arms, and the extraordinary ;| manner in which our troops have time after J time been taken by surprise when march- | ing quietly along and simply shot down by an unseen enemy. The Colonial Volunteer how- i' ever knows the Boer and is not to be caught f napping, for he adopts the same tactics as his enemy. For instance, the day before yesterday, ft Christmas Eve. Captain De Montmorency, of the 21st Lancers, who won bis V.C. in the famous charge at Omdurman, was out in tne direction 01 j Dordrecht with a patrol ot Cane Police number- j ing only eizht men. He encountered a body of jj Boers over 150 strong, and immediately prepared « to give battle. His eight men spread out at wide intervals, got cover behind rocks and bushes, and using smokeless powder peppered away. In a short time the enemy retreated, and the eight s gallant fellows actually chased the commando i for several miles. If the Boers had known f that there were only eight of our men they would have endeavonred to surround them, though had they done so our boys would have jumped on 1; their horses and cleared back, and this is where ] Tommy Atkins is at such a, disadvantage in a country like South Africa. He has no hor,e, j whereas everyone of his opponents is momr.sd. jii This is tho reason why the Boer, although beaten < several times, as witness Belmont and Graspan ¡ on the western frontier, have got clear away. To thoroughly beat the Boer you must cut off i his means of retreat, catch his horse, or you must fight mainly with that useful ana of tht» I service mounted infantry, and these facts are now being realised by the home authorities; bnt, not- withstanding their misfortunes—aud they con- sider it one of their greatest to lio iu camp doing nothing—the men of Gatacre's column are-typical j Tommies They take matters with rh« most j philosophic calm, have a dail v growl thut tho lioer seems to get so much of his own way, aod then spend the remainder of their time in various amusements—principally tipcat and penny nap •( for pennies which they havau got, but which are represented in the pool by matches. If, bow. ever, one should lose a respectable amount, then I a promissory note is promptly iveu, and the chances are that the bond of debt is torn up as the result of the next game. One of the most laughable things I have yet heard is how a stalwart Royal Scot, one of the fine 5 hady of Reserve men who have answered the call of their country, put his position. We were out manoeuvring one morning early, when tho day was young and cool, and in coming back I got into a chat with Tommy. He seemed very much put out at the prospect of having no immediate fighting. His regiment had not been m the Storm- berg affair, and wound np by saying with much emphasis. lord, sir, if I go back home without firing a shot, I don't knew what my missus say tae me at all Some little time before he had jast been telling me of his affecting farewell to his missus and kids, aui now he was afrsJd to go back unless be could say he had a square shy in at the Boers. This may be taken as a good sample { of the spirit of all the mn wih Gatacre So far thay have had no fighting except during those fatal hours on the Stormberg heights,and as they have ccmo out here with the sole intention of figtrting, they will be highly disgusted if they don't get the shance. A very good specimen of the soldier and the man is to be found in the person of Sergeant- Major Kenny, of the 33rd Company Army Service Corps, but who is at present attached to the 16th Field Hospital. Happy and humorous in camp, methodical and businesslike in his duties, has has proved himself a cool and brave soldier in action, and now has the satisfaction j of knowing that the details of his heroic action have been brocght to ths notice of the right authorities by the officers who witnessed the act. It was paring the retirement on the 10th from Stormberg of the 16ih Field Hospital, Major Litley in command, to which Kenny was attached for transport duty. From the official papers we learn that he worked ex- ceedingly hard the whole day, and showed great | zeal end devotion in his work. In the eonrse of that mad rush back on Molteno, in which all was confusion and disorder, a five-span mute waggon j got into difficnlties and was being fired upon by the enemy, Kenny, who was some 200 yards away, to Inote again, on his own initiative volunteered to assist in bringing in this waggon,, and would not desist until he was seen by the enemy, who brought a heavy shell fire to bear on the spot, and ordered back by one of his officers brave Kenny had to leave the waggon to its fate. J With regard to the spiritual needs of oat soldieis at the front there are many ways o: f bringing the truth home to Tommy besides the orthodox and somewhat red-tape and formoJ, church parade. One of these ways has beer discovered and is being carried out with greal success by the Rev. Mr Burgess, who is the, Wesleyan cha.pla.in attached to the Sherwootf Foresters and the Derbyghires, He does not believe in formality, and has found that rrornm is a most attentive listener when got at in the proper way and at the proper time. The 1 proper time, then, is after tea time, When Tommy feels comfortable within and when htr lias some timo on his hands ere he turns in. i, Abont 7 o'clock, when twilight, is ebbing iijtc darkness, Mr Burgess, haviug chosen a saita-cie spot, comes round and commences to sing a popular byron in a clear, strong voice. Sfoon the men who have been lolling or sitting aboiK, attracted by the well-known words, gather round. Suddenly the hymn stop?, and the clear voice oi Mr Burgess rings out, Well, lads, let us have •' another hymn. What 3d jou like ? Suggest. something." Then cornea OrwFLrd. i Christian Soldiers,' pleaae," and before a lew minutes have passed two or three hundred j lu-sty voices are resounding far across the 4 veldt, and so with m-uothor and another, until the singing stops for a little while, j and the rev. pastor addresses a few short, happy, and appropriate sentences to his audience, while, down the cboek? of some tears will trickle or aft j ominous lump will form in the throats of others I as Mr Burgess refers to their wives and eh;idre& jj and their mothers and sweethearts. th«sf | is more singing, at the end of which an invitation | to have a tract ia eagerly accepted, aud Tommy fl goes back to his tent with mumbled, pcrha,p1 half-ashamed, "'E's a blooming good parsoa j that; 'e do talk straight," and long a'tcrwatdf p there issues 1 rem the roofs of tents jj and quietened humming of the bymnFl wbiov have just ceased to reverberate aro'Of! the j kopje3 and krantzes. jj #-

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