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diff --git a/39881-8.txt b/39881-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c957596 --- /dev/null +++ b/39881-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13782 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of War's Brighter Side, by Julian Ralph + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license + + +Title: War's Brighter Side + The Story of The Friend Newspaper Edited by the + Correspondents with Lord Roberts's Forces, March-April, 1900 + +Author: Julian Ralph + +Release Date: June 2, 2012 [EBook #39881] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WAR'S BRIGHTER SIDE *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Christine P. Travers and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Badge specially made for the Editors of THE FRIEND.] + +[Illustration: The editors at Work. + +Photographed by H. Mackern, of "Scribner's Magazine."] + + + + + WAR'S BRIGHTER SIDE + + The Story of =THE FRIEND= Newspaper + Edited by the Correspondents + With Lord Roberts's Forces, + March-April, 1900 + + + + + + + By + + JULIAN RALPH + + (_One of the Editors of_ "THE FRIEND") + + Author of "Towards Pretoria," "At Pretoria," "Alone in + China," etc., etc. + + + With 15 Illustrations + + + London + C. Arthur Pearson, Ltd. + Henrietta Street + 1901 + + + + + [_The coloured reproductions on the cover of this book are + fac-similes of a badge specially made for the Editors of_ + THE FRIEND.] + + + + + With his Kind Permission + this History of his + Unique and Historic + Experiment in Publishing a Newspaper + for an Army in the Field + is Dedicated to + + FIELD MARSHAL, EARL ROBERTS, V.C., K.G., K.P., ETC. + + COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. + + + + +LETTER FROM EARL ROBERTS TO LORD STANLEY REGARDING "THE FRIEND." + + + BLOEMFONTEIN, + _April 13th, 1900_. + + DEAR LORD STANLEY,--I understand that on Monday next, the + 16th inst., THE FRIEND will come under the new management, + and it will, I hope, continue to thrive now that it has been + established on a sound basis. + + The Army owe a deep debt of gratitude to the gentlemen who + so kindly came forward, and who have given their services + gratuitously in the management of the paper. + + That their labours are appreciated is evident from the + eagerness with which the paper is purchased by officers and + soldiers alike. + + On behalf, therefore, of the troops, I would ask you to + convey my best thanks to all who have contributed towards + making the paper such a success, especially to the following + gentlemen, Messrs. Landon, Ralph, Gwynne, and Buxton. + + Believe me to be + Yours very truly, + ROBERTS. + + + + +PREFACE + + +Lord Roberts is the first General of whom I have heard who ever +recognised and acknowledged the Value and Power of the Press by +establishing a Newspaper as a source of Entertainment and Information +for an Army in the Field, and as a Medium for conveying such Arguments +and Appeals as he wished to make to the Enemy. This he did, as one +might say, the instant he conquered the first of the Boer Capitals, +almost simultaneously with his appointment of a Military Governor and +a Provost Marshal, and the establishment of a Police Force. + +The story of Lord Roberts's experiment and the Experiences of the Men +he selected for his Editors must be especially attractive to all +Journalists, and they will find here set forth whatever is of purely +professional interest to them. To those details I have added the most +Notable Contributions with which each of the twenty-seven Numbers of +THE FRIEND was made up, and here this narrow limitation of the +interest in the book is broken wide asunder. These newspaper articles +are mainly the Works of Fighting Men, at rest between Battles, and of +others who were at the moment going to or coming from Engagements. +They hold the Mirror up to the Life of an Army, in Camp, on the +March, in Battle, and in a Conquered Capital. + +In these Letters, Sketches, and Verses the Reader lives with the +Soldiers in camp. He sees what they work and play at. He hears of +their Deeds of Daring, Mishaps and Adventures. He catches their +strange Lingo. He observes what they Eat--(and what they do not get to +Drink). He notes how they speak of their Faring in Battle. In all the +Wealth of English Literature I know of no such a Mirror-reflection and +a Phonograph-echoing of Soldier Life as is here. + +Generals, Colonels--in fact, men of every rank and grade contributed +their shares; of every rank down to "Tommy Atkins," who, in general, +sings his Songs in the background, in verse, like the Chorus in an +Ancient Drama. + +To these features I have added many Personal Recollections, as well as +Anecdotes and Stories told by or about the men around me in camp, and +in the conquered Capital of the Free State, with Notes and Comments +upon a wide variety of subjects suggested during the editing of the +other Matter here collated. + +In the Proclamations of the wise and great Field-Marshal, and the +Notices, Ordinances, and Camp Orders of his Lieutenants set to rule +Bloemfontein after its capture by us, are to be found an account of +the Methods by which a Triumphant Army establishes its own new rule in +a Conquered City and Territory. This peculiar and most interesting +history runs, like a steel thread, through the book from beginning to +end. I do not know where else it is told, or even hinted at, in what +has thus far been written of the War. + +It was because each of the chief elements that make up this book of +THE FRIEND is equally fresh and impossible to obtain elsewhere, that I +undertook the labour of compiling this work. + +It was my first intention to reproduce all the Reading Matter which +appeared in THE FRIEND during the period in which we managed it (March +16th to April 16, 1900) but this would have formed a ponderous book of +270,000 words--without including the Military Proclamations. Such a +work could not be produced for a price at the command of the general +reader, and, furthermore, the general reader would have found it too +tiresome to work his way through the many Technical Articles and +others which time has rendered stale or of little interest. Therefore, +not without regret, I felt obliged to select, as my best judgment +prompted, the matter of the Most Peculiar character, or of Widest +Interest for reproduction here. + +As the former Editors of THE FRIEND have now formed themselves into an +Order to which none is eligible except he or she who tells the truth +without fear of consequences, the reader may as well prepare himself +to meet with that rare quality in some of the pages that follow. + + THE AUTHOR. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAP. PAGE + + I. THE BIRTH OF "THE FRIEND" 1 + + II. ITS INFANCY 12 + + III. WE PUBLISH A "CURIO" NUMBER 28 + + IV. WE BEGIN TO FEEL AT HOME 41 + + V. TREATING OF MANY PEOPLES 63 + + VI. OURS WAS NO BED OF ROSES 82 + + VII. RUDYARD KIPLING, ASSOCIATE EDITOR 99 + + VIII. LORD ROBERTS'S HEADQUARTERS 112 + + IX. "OH, HOW GOOD IT WAS!" 131 + + X. I VISIT MISS BLOEMFONTEIN 160 + + XI. OUR VERY MIXED PUBLIC 182 + + XII. "VIVE LA COMPAGNIE" 200 + + XIII. WE LEAVE "THE FRIEND" TO SEE A FIGHT 221 + + XIV. MY HORSE OFFERED FOR SALE 237 + + XV. GENERAL POLE-CAREW IN WAR 248 + + XVI. OUR LOSS AND THE ARMY'S 258 + + XVII. THE CENSOR AS AN EDITOR 268 + + XVIII. OUR CHRISTENING COMPETITION 274 + + XIX. FOOLED BY THE BOERS 283 + + XX. DR. A. CONAN DOYLE CONTRIBUTES 305 + + XXI. LOOT AND LURID CRAZES 318 + + XXII. IN THE SHADOW OF SANNA'S POST 330 + + XXIII. A COMPLETE NEWSPAPER 346 + + XXIV. FALSE HEARTS AROUND US 350 + + XXV. THE END APPROACHES 361 + + XXVI. WANTED, A MILLIONAIRE 371 + + XXVII. A NOTABLE NUMBER 385 + + XXVIII. OUR "FRIEND" NO LONGER 398 + + XXIX. ADIEU TO "THE FRIEND" 410 + + INDEX 417 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + + THE EDITORS AT WORK _Frontispiece_ + + JULIAN RALPH _Facing page_ 42 + + A CORRECTED "PROOF" BY RUDYARD KIPLING " " 99 + + EARL ROBERTS " " 112 + + MISS BLOEMFONTEIN " " 160 + + MENU OF A NOTABLE DINNER " " 202 + + JULIAN RALPH AND HIS HORSE "RATTLESNAKE" " " 238 + + LORD STANLEY AT WORK AS CENSOR " " 268 + + A PAGE OF CONAN DOYLE'S "COPY" " " 306 + + THE CAPITULATION OF BLOEMFONTEIN " " 320 + + THE FRONT PAGE OF "THE FRIEND" OF APRIL 14, 1900 " " 388 + + + + +WAR'S BRIGHTER SIDE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE BIRTH OF "THE FRIEND" + + _Showing how it was Fathered by a Field Marshal, sponsored + by a Duke and three Lords, and given over to four + certificated male nurses._ + + +We reached Bloemfontein with men who had done extraordinary marching, +fighting, and feats of exposure and privation. Some of the troops, +notably the Guards, had walked more than thirty (more than forty, if I +am not mistaken) miles in one of the three days' continuous marching. +Many had fought at Jacobsdahl, Paardeberg, and Driefontein, not to +speak of lesser actions at Waterval Drift and Poplar Grove. + +During at least the last week of this almost unprecedented military +performance the army had been reduced to less than half rations. We +were very short of food for beasts as well as men. We had lost a large +number of transport waggons, with their contents and the animals that +drew them, and we had put the torch to two great hillocks of food +which we could not take with us beyond Paardeberg. All our four-footed +helpers were spent, hundreds of horses were ill, hundreds of bodies +of others were lying along our wake upon the veldt, with flocks of +glutted, yet still gluttonous, aasvogels feeding upon their flesh. + +Worse, far worse than all else combined, the dreadful microbes of +enteric had entered the blood of thousands of the soldiers, who had +found no other water to drink than that of the pestilential Modder +River which carried along and absorbed the bodies of men and horses as +well as the filth of the camps of both the Boers and ourselves. + +We had done as the Boers had said we never would do--as only one man +of their forces (Villebois-Mareuil) had foreseen that a great general +like Lord Roberts must be certain to do: we had left the railway and +swept across the open veldt for one hundred miles, from Jacobsdahl and +Kimberley to Bloemfontein. For warning his brusque and opinionated +commander-in-chief, Cronje, that we would do this, Cronje insulted the +brilliant Frenchman grossly, and bade him keep his idiotic notions to +himself. But we had done it, and Cronje had lost his army and his +liberty for failing to heed the warning. At Bloemfontein we came upon +the steam highway once more, but to the south of Bloemfontein it was +wrecked at many points, while to the northward it was in the enemy's +country and control. + +There was therefore nothing for us but to rest. Yet how heroically we +had worked to make rest necessary! How well we had earned the right to +enjoy rest if we had been of the temper to desire it! In one month +under the great Field Marshal we had gone further and accomplished +more than all the other British armies had done in nearly six months. +We had won over the eagles of victory to perch upon our standards. We +had freed Ladysmith and Kimberley, drawn the Boers away from the Cape +Colony border, captured the best army and leading general of our foes, +and were encamped around Bloemfontein with President Steyn's Residency +in use as our headquarters. + +The manner in which four of the war correspondents first learned that +we were not to push on to the northward in an effort to seize the +Transvaal capital, but were to halt at Bloemfontein, was most +peculiar. It was so peculiar as to have led to the establishment of +the first newspaper ever conducted by an army for an army on the field +of battle. It was so unique an episode that this volume is published +to commemorate and explain it; and I trust that no one who reads this +will decide that it was not an episode worthy of an even more marked, +substantial, and valuable memorial than I possess the talent to +construct. + +We entered Bloemfontein on March 13th. Two days later I was asked by +Mr. F. W. Buxton, of the _Johannesburg Star_, to attend a meeting of +some other correspondents and Lord Stanley in Lord Stanley's office on +that day. I had caught up with the army by a dangerous journey with +only two companions across the veldt from Kimberley, where an injury +to my leg had laid me up. I had reported myself to Lord Stanley, the +censor. I had previously carried on some correspondence with him, but +our personal acquaintance had not been of more than five minutes' +duration. I could not, therefore, know at that time that he was to +prove himself the most competent of all the censors appointed to +supervise the work of us correspondents. In saying that he was the +"most competent" I mean that he ranked above all the others in every +quality which goes to make up fitness for this unceasing and exacting +work. He had quick intelligence, great breadth of judgment, unfailing +courtesy, unbroken patience, and all the modesty of a truly able man. + +Hardly can the average reader estimate the degree of satisfaction with +which we correspondents came quickly to realise the admirable +qualities of this first and only fair and considerate censor that most +of us had known in the war. At one place we knew a censor who read the +letters which came to officers and privates from their wives in +England, and who used to regale his chance acquaintances with +comparisons between the sterling virtues and deep affection of the +letters to Tommy, and the colder, more selfish, and even querulous +messages of the wives of officers. + +At another place we had a censor who obliged us to hand to him our +letters to our wives and sweethearts unsealed, and in one case this +censor kept for twenty-four hours a letter I had written to my family. + +Still another censor showered his contempt upon certain correspondents +who, in every way which goes to make up refinement, self-respect, and +dignity, were many times better men than he. It amused him to take the +despatches of a Colonial lad, who was doing his best to enter upon an +honourable career, and throw them in his waste basket daily for ten +days without informing the youth of their fate. It pleased him to +insult me by telling me that the only message I could send to England +must be a description of a sandstorm; while to Mr. E. F. Knight, a man +Lord Methuen said he "was proud to have with his army," this censor +said, "There is only one thing I will allow you to write--that is, a +description of a new Union Jack which has just been run up over the +headquarters." + +With such ill-chosen, mistaken men had we undergone experiences, and +now, at last, we met with Lord Stanley, who had the most intense likes +and dislikes for those around him, yet never let these hinder or +temper his unvarying fairness; who was as firm as iron and yet always +gentle; a stout, strong, stalwart man in build, hearty and kindly in +manner; a man who took command as easily and exercised it as smoothly +as if he had been a general at birth. + +I speak of him at some length not merely because his case proves that +the one well-equipped censor appointed in the armies on the west side +of the continent was a civilian, and not only because this one +competent censor gave equally complete satisfaction to both the Army +and the Press, but because he assumed a conspicuous and important part +in the story I am telling. + +His office was as nearly literally a hole in a wall as a room in a +house could well be. It was in the corner of the Free State Post +Office building, facing the great central square of dirt, in the +middle of which stood the market, under whose open shed the mounted +men of the City Imperial Volunteers lived among their saddles and +bridles, and slept on the tables of the greengrocers, whose place this +once had been. On the Post Office side of the square was the Free +State Hotel, the best in the town. On the opposite side, an eighth of +a mile away, was the Club. Between the two ends ran a double row of +such shops as one looks for in a small village, and behind one of +these was the office of a newspaper called _The Friend of the Free +State_. + +Lord Stanley's office was a wretched poke-hole of a room. It boasted a +door with glass panels and no window. Its floor was of bare boards. +Its walls were partly made of soiled plaster and partly of bare +boards. Opposite the door, in the corner, stood a kitchen table which +was never used, and in the other dark end of the room was another +kitchen table, behind which, on a kitchen chair, the ex-Guardsman and +Whip of the Unionist Party sat nearly all day, and some hours of every +evening, with one hand full of manuscript and the other holding the +little triangular stamp with which he printed the sign manual of his +approval upon nearly every despatch which was written by those +correspondents who kept within the law governing the cabling of news +to their journals. A kerosene lamp, an inkpot and pen, and a litter of +papers were the other appointments of the room. The censor was clad in +khaki like all the rest of us, but the collar of his tunic bore on +each side the short bit of red cloth which marked him as a staff +officer. + +To this office, at the censor's invitation, came Perceval Landon, +correspondent of the _Times_, H. A. Gwynne, of Reuter's Agency, F. W. +Buxton, of the _Johannesburg Star_, and myself. + +"Gentlemen," said Lord Stanley after the door had been closed and +locked to keep out the current of "Tommies" with telegrams which +flowed in and eddied before the desk all day, "Lord Roberts wants to +have a daily newspaper published for the entertainment and information +of the Army while we are here. I may tell you that we are likely to +stay here four weeks. You four are asked to undertake the work of +bringing out the newspaper. Will you do it?" + +Three of us did not clearly see how we could undertake so laborious +and exacting a task and still do justice to our newspapers at home; +nevertheless, the censor's words had been, "Lord Roberts wants this." + +"We must do it if Lord Roberts desires it," was the reply of one of +us. The rest nodded acquiescence, but said nothing. + +"I am very glad," the censor replied. + +Mr. Buxton, who knew South Africa and its Press very well, appeared to +have devoted some attention to the matter earlier in the day. From him +and from the censor we learned that two daily newspapers had been +published in Bloemfontein up to the time that we took possession of +the town. One was the _Express_, the property of the widow of one +Borckenhagen--a Boer organ of the most pronounced type, and notorious +for the virulence of its attacks upon the British, for its lying +reports, and its mischievous influence. That paper had been stopped by +Lord Roberts, and its machinery, type, and all else belonging to it +were for us to do with as we pleased. + +The other paper was the little _Friend of the Free State_, owned, as I +understand, by an Englishman named Barlow, who was out of the country +and had left the property in the care of his son. This younger Barlow +had not conducted the paper in such a spirit toward us as one would +have looked for from a man of English blood; but, either for good +cause, worldly interests, or wholly despicable reasons, there was so +much disloyalty and so much more of fence straddling throughout South +Africa that a very lenient view was taken of this case, and we were +asked to find out what sum of money would satisfy Barlow for the loss +of income from his paper while we conducted it. He was to be told +that he could not be permitted to continue his editorship, and that +therefore it was necessary to settle on some figure covering any +shrinkage that might occur in his customary profits while the +newspaper was in our charge. + +Mr. Buxton was appointed to confer with Barlow, and in a few hours we +all met again to hear that the dethroned editor would be satisfied +with a guarantee of £200, or £50 a week during the month of our +editorship. + +Mr. Landon had already approached Mr. Gwynne and myself with a +proposition that we should offer to make good any losses that might +occur during our management; but other ideas prevailed. + +"No," said the censor, "you cannot be allowed to lose anything by your +kindness. Two hundred pounds will be the utmost cost, eh? Well, I +think that Westminster, Dudley, and I, can raise that between us." + +We held our breaths for a moment as he said this, for it flashed upon +us that the heir of Lord Derby, the owner of the great Dudley estates, +and the greatest landlord of London, were to be our backers, that they +were high up among the richest men of England, and that one of them +was saying he was hopeful that among all three two hundred pounds +might not prove an impossible sum to raise. + +"Yes, that's all right," Lord Stanley repeated; "I think that Dudley, +Westminster, and I can manage it." + +The reader will not be prepared to hear that anything funnier than +that could grow out of this situation. But it was to be so. Weeks +after our singular editorial experience ended I received, while in +Capetown, a letter from an interested Afrikander asking me whether I +thought the three men who guaranteed Barlow against a loss of profits +from his paper were responsible men, and Barlow would be likely to get +his money. + +I went away to nurse my injured leg, and the other editors went their +ways to arrange for getting out a new paper, which all of us agreed +should be christened with the now historic name of THE FRIEND. While +we are thus separated from them let me draw a pen picture of each. + +Perceval Landon, representing the _Times_, is a university man, who +has been admitted to the bar, and who took up the work of a war +correspondent from an Englishman's love of adventure, danger, and +excitement. It can be nothing but his English blood that prompted him +to this course, for in mind and temperament, tastes and +qualifications, he is at once a scholar and a poet rather than a man +of violent action. Had the _Times_ so desired he would have charmed +the public with letters from the front as human and picturesque in +subject and treatment as any that were sent to London. His charms of +manner and of mind caused his companionship to be sought by the most +distinguished and the most polished men in the army, and all were +deeply sorry when, at the close of the army's stay in Bloemfontein, +illness forced him to return to London, though not until he had served +in the war as long as any man at that time on the west side of the +continent. + +Mr. H. A. Gwynne, representing Reuter's Agency, is a veteran war +correspondent, though a young man otherwise. He is Landon's +diametrical opposite, being above all else a man of action and a born +soldier. As an author and as a mountain climber of distinction he was +known before he adopted the profession of journalism and took part in, +I think, ten campaigns: The Turko-Greek, the Omdurman campaign, the +Egyptian campaign preceding it, and others. It was Gwynne who, with +Mr. George W. Steevens, received the surrender of the town of Volo +from the Greek authorities before the Turks entered the town. Mr. +Gwynne has superabundant strength, health, and spirits, loves +soldiering and adventure, and is so shrewd in his judgment of men, and +practised in his observations of war, that more than one general made +it a practice to consult him upon what he knew and saw during the +South African campaign. How well he can write the pages of THE FRIEND +attest. + +Mr. Buxton is a specialist in the interests which are uppermost in +Johannesburg, where, as a member of the staff of the _Star_, and as a +citizen of consequence, he has made himself intimately known to the +forceful men of South Africa, and has mastered the problems that lie +before the British in reconstructing the government and welding the +two leading races together. He had accompanied Lord Methuen's +unfortunate army from its start to its rescue by Lord Roberts, and +during all that time his knowledge of the country and of the Boers +might have been turned to good account had he been consulted. It was +fitting that the staff of the newspaper should have had upon it a +representative colonial of English stock, yet of long and masterful +local experience such as Mr. Buxton. + +For a striking picture of the minor characters who figured as our +foremen and compositors in the newspaper office the reader will do +well to read Rudyard Kipling's "A Burgher of the Free State," one of +the short stories he wrote after his return from South Africa in the +early summer of 1900. + +It showed us associates of the master storyteller how instantly, +broadly, and accurately he is able to imbibe and absorb the colour and +spirit, and even the most minor accessories of any new and strong +situation around him. It will show the reader better than any amount +of another man's writing the characters of our helpmeets and +neighbours, and the atmosphere in which they moved. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +ITS INFANCY + + _A little Thing, puling Great Promises in its Nurses' Arms._ + + +On March 16, 1900, there glimmered (it cannot be said to have flashed) +upon the Army and the half-wondering, half-treacherous population of +Bloemfontein, the first number of THE FRIEND. It was produced in the +office of the former _Friend of the Free State_--an office that had +the appearance of having been arranged out of a dust-heap, and stocked +with machinery, type, and furniture that had been originally bought at +second-hand and left to itself through fifty years of frequent +dust-storms. + +Everything in it was either the colour of dirt or the tone of +type-dust--everything, including the window-panes and the printers. Of +the latter we never knew the number, names, or characters. Of two men +whom we got to know one was a gnomish figure who only now and then +appeared at large out upon the uncharted floor of the composing-room, +and he was elderly and silent--a man grown mechanical, and now making +but a feeble fight against the dirt and type-dust which was slowly +covering him in what was apparently to be another such upright tomb +as held the last of the wife of Lot. He sometimes came into the +editorial dust-hole--if we yelled and stamped our loudest and our +longest. He came wearily and softly, heard our orders, and vanished in +the type-dust as we used to see our army friends at Modder step out of +our tents into a dust-devil and disappear on the ocean of veldt and at +high noon. + +The other printers lived in the little side alleys between the rows of +type-cases. They were evidently drawn there by the feeble, straggling +light that still shone faintly through the filth upon the +window-panes. I judged that they were older than the foreman, and too +feeble, too nearly entombed by the dirt, to be able to go out upon the +floor. We only got glimpses of them, and never heard one speak. + +Out in the back yard, behind Barlow's stationery shop, the sun glared +fierce and hot upon a strip of desert ground, a blue gum-tree, and a +preternatural boy. He lived out there, refusing to be drawn into the +dust-heap until the awful sentence of serving as a printer should, at +last, be read out to him. We had a fancy that each of the old men +inside had begun like that boy, clinging as long as possible to the +region of air and light, that each in his turn had been sucked in at +last, and that it was this last boy who went in at lunch time and led +the old fellows out of their solitary, silent cells, and gave each a +push in the back to start them toward their homes. + +How Messrs. Gwynne, Buxton, and Landon managed to get out the first +paper, which they forgot to mark with what a great man once said were +"the saddest words ever seen in print," that is to say, "Vol. I., No. +1," I never asked them, though I wondered. They did produce it, +however, and called it + + Playing Cards. } THE FRIEND. { Cue Tips and + All Qualities at } { Wafers + Barlow's. } 3d. 3d. { at Barlow's. + + -------------------------------------------------- + VOL. IV. No. 1,027. + -------------------------------------------------- + +Its sheet was of the size of two copies of the _Spectator_ laid side +by side. Each of its four pages measured twenty inches long by fifteen +wide. Far more striking than its title was this sentence, in blackest +type: "If you once use Vereeniging coal you will never use any other." +All the advertisements, except the very many scattered about for +Barlow's stationery business, and for which I hope he was made to pay +at the highest rates, were old notices carried on from the days of +Boer rule. + +Upon the second page two advertisements were brand new. They were +proclamations signed "By order, G. T. Pretyman, Major-General, +Military Commandant, Bloemfontein." One was in the Taal language, the +other was in English, and both announced that a market would be held +daily, near the town, for the sale of such local produce as butter, +eggs, milk, poultry, and vegetables. The prices to be charged were +laid down by this sapient and enterprising general, who declared eggs +to be worth two shillings a dozen, milk fivepence a bottle, turkeys +five shillings and sixpence and higher, butter two shillings a pound, +&c. The English proclamation was headed "Notice." The Dutch copy bore +the title "Kennisgeving," and was signed, "Bij order, G. T. Pretyman, +Majoor-Generaal, Krijgs-Kommandant van Bloemfontein." + +On the third, or editorial page, was another military notice entitled +"Army Orders," which I reprint in full, as showing how almost +instantly Lord Roberts established his own rule in the conquered +capital. General Pretyman's market notice was dated the day we took +the town, and we knew that on that day a local police force was +established, headquarters and quarters for all the branches of the +military rule were at once set up, and here on the 15th there had been +found time to arrange and prepare for publication a directory of the +new arrangements. + + * * * * * + + ARMY ORDERS--SOUTH AFRICA + + ARMY HEADQUARTERS, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, + BLOEMFONTEIN, _March 15, 1900_. + +I. _Civil Population to be unmolested._ + +It being desirable and in the interest of both the British Government +and the inhabitants of this country that all residents should be +assured that so long as they remain peaceably disposed their civil +rights and property will be respected, it is strictly forbidden that +any private property should be compulsorily taken possession of by +other than the authorised Supply Officers. + +All articles required by the troops must be obtained and paid for in +the ordinary way, and no trespassing or interference with the +inhabitants will be permitted. + +These instructions apply to detached bodies of troops as well as to +the Force generally, and it is specially the duty of all officers to +put a stop to all attempts to infringe them. + + By order, + J. W. KELLY, + A.-G. for C. of Staff. + + * * * * * + +6. _Office of Departments._ + +The offices of the various Departments are situated as shown below:-- + + Military Secretary } + Chief of Staff } At Government + G.O.C. Royal Artillery } House. + Chief Engineer } + Director of Transport } + Director of Supplies } At Government + Provost Marshal } Buildings. + P.M.O. 3, Maitland Street. + +The office of the Press Censor is established next door to the +entrance to the Telegraph Office. All telegrams except official ones +must be censored. Office hours from 7 to 8 a.m., 10 a.m. to 12 noon, 3 +to 5 p.m. + +7. _Supply Department._ + +As soon as the Supply Park arrives, a Supply Depôt will be established +at Mr. Beck's Store, on Baumann's Square. + +8. _Divisions, Brigades, &c., where quartered._ + +The following units are quartered as shown below:-- + +CAVALRY DIVISION. + + Headquarters--Club, Market Square. + 1st Brigade--About 2 miles W. of town. + 2nd Brigade--Bloemspruit, about 3 miles east of town. + 3rd Brigade--Rustfontein, about 1 mile N. of town. + + * * * * * + +Mr. James Collins, under State Secretary to the late O.F.S. +Government, has been appointed Landdrost of Bloemfontein. + +The period for handing in arms and ammunition by burghers and +residents of this town and district has been extended to March 26th. + + * * * * * + +After a notice that Major Hamilton, the Carabineers, would like to +receive two £5 notes, a Mauser pistol, a pair of Zeiss glasses and a +grey gelding, all lost by various persons in and near the town, we +published our editorial announcement that the paper was established by +and for Lord Roberts's army:-- + + EDITORIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS. + + The events of the last few days have rendered it expedient + that an official organ should be published in Bloemfontein + during the period of Military Governorship. With that end in + view, and also to provide for public requirements, a small + committee formed from the corps of war correspondents with + Lord Roberts's Field Force has been entrusted with the + control and management of the long-established paper + hitherto known as THE FRIEND OF THE FREE STATE. + + In future this will be issued under the style and title of + THE FRIEND, and will be a daily publication, containing + military intelligence and orders for the general information + of the troops now quartered here, and other matter. + + We are glad to be able to announce the immediate publication + of contributions from the pens of such well-known writers as + Rudyard Kipling, Julian Ralph, Bennet Burleigh, and other + distinguished journalists. We congratulate our readers upon + the happy chance which has enabled us to offer the public + the voluntary services of such a staff of writers as cannot + be paralleled elsewhere in South Africa. + + In conclusion we wish to state briefly the simple policy + which will be adhered to in these columns. + + The maintenance of British Supremacy in South Africa and + Equal Rights for all white men without respect of race or + creed. + + These two principles in our opinion embody the essentials of + sound government, the prosperity of this country, and the + happiness of the people. + + For the Committee of Management, + + P. LANDON, + E. W. BUXTON, + H. A. GWYNNE. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Buxton explained to me, with unnecessary but commendable delicacy, +that only three of our four signatures were appended to this notice +because I was better known as a writer than as an editor, and it was +deemed best not to give me the double credit of serving in both +capacities. + +The first editorial in this new and unique journal was entitled, +"Sulk or Duty," and was written by Mr. Buxton. It was an appeal to all +Afrikanders not to sulk, but to "buckle to the work of making their +country become what it shall be, a great and glorious home for +countless millions yet unborn." The remainder of the page was given +over to a report of the letter of Kruger and Steyn to the Marquis of +Salisbury, insisting upon the independence of the two Republics, and +Lord Salisbury's reply that his government was "not prepared to assent +to the independence of either republic." To us of the army this was +great news. It stirred the camp, and was well suited to attract the +widest attention to our journalistic enterprise. But Lord Salisbury's +answer seemed to us the only answer he could make, whereas the comment +upon it by our Colonial editor in THE FRIEND showed a feeling of +relief and of delighted surprise which was born of the bitter +disappointments the loyal men of Africa had suffered in the past. +"Now, at last, we know the foundation upon which we shall build. The +unhappy issue of Lord Wolseley's promise at Pretoria in 1879 is still +fresh in our minds ... late, indeed, but still, to the letter, that +solemn undertaking shall be fulfilled. At last we see the one obstacle +vanish that has for these long years stood between South Africa and +her prosperity." + +Whoever can feel the spirit of that cry of satisfaction needs not to +be told how just and necessary was the war we were waging. Few of us +in the army could probe the sources of the war to their depths. +Comparatively few men in England thoroughly grasped the situation. It +is all revealed in this shout by Mr. Buxton in THE FRIEND. The +long-protracted feud between the two races, the injustice of Boer +rule, the sufferings of the British, the threats of the semi-civilised +men in power, the past troubles all ending in broken promises or +shameful neglect by the British Government--these are all apparent in +that cry of delight. The war had not produced such satisfaction. There +had been war before, and nothing but humiliation of the loyal +Uitlander had come of it. But a decided, firm declaration that the war +could only end in British sovereignty--that was news that thrilled the +heart of every Anglo-Saxon colonial in the republics and the adjacent +colonies. + +Other articles and official notices of the first interest or +importance were as follows:-- + + THE HUMOROUS SIDE OF THE CAMPAIGN. + + War is grim and fearsome and horrid as we know, or rather as + we are being continually told, but nobody seems to have + noticed that there is a humorous side to it, and sometimes + the spectre Death wears the cap and bells. Up to the present + the campaign has not been without its little amusing + incidents. In the camp they have been quite numerous, and + even on the battlefield itself they have not been + unfrequent. The story of a private at Paardeberg who lay + behind one of those ever-to-be-blessed antheaps, and + contemplating a shattered tibia, exclaimed, addressing the + injured member, "Well, you ain't done me badly after all. + You 'elped to carry me 'ere, and now you've got me a life + pension and free baccy from the parson," has the merit of + being true. One cannot refrain a smile at the soliloquy of + another private who wished to exhibit a bullet-riddled + helmet to his friends at home. He was firing from behind a + big boulder on which he placed his helmet. The inevitable + shower of bullets followed, but, as has been so often the + case with Boer marksmen, not a single one touched the + helmet, but one "fetched" its owner in the shoulder, + whereupon he took the helmet from its exposed position, and, + looking at his bleeding shoulder, remarked, "that comes of + cursed pride and nothing else." + + The removal of all badges of rank from officers has been the + source of many amusing mistakes. On the march from Poplar + Grove here, it is related that a certain general officer was + returning to camp after a terribly hard, dusty, dry day. A + subaltern of the A.S.C. sat under his canvas awning, and + thus addressed this distinguished general, "Now look here, + if this happens again I'm d--d if I don't report you. For + the last two hours you have been away, and heaven knows what + the mules are up to." It is true it was dusk, but that was + hardly a sufficient excuse for mistaking General ---- for a + conductor. "I say, old cocky," was the remark made once by a + captain to a full colonel, "hadn't you better see about + getting some grub?" Apologies followed, of course. + + Then who can resist laughing at the tale of woe unfolded by + one of our most distinguished correspondents who dined one + night with the ---- Guards and slept in the tent of his + host? The next morning he walked into the mess hut and sat + down to breakfast. But imagine the trembling horror which + seized hold of him when he looked round at his hosts of the + night before and failed to recognise a single one of them. + Was it a failure of memory, or was it incipient paralysis of + the brain?--it could not, of course, have been the whisky. + And so he sat in a bath of hot and cold perspiration, + thinking that the blow which had so often attacked and + destroyed fine intellects had reached his. But sudden as a + straw is whisked past the drowning man by the fast current, + so there passed through his brain one ray of hope. He + remembered the name of his host, and turning quickly to his + neighbour, fearing lest his brain might again fail him and + he should forget the name, asked, "Where is ----?" The + answer was a relief and yet a horror, "---- is having + breakfast in the mess tent of his battalion,"--and, pointing + through the door, "there it is over there." It was with + slow, sobered steps that our correspondent left the table + and made his way to the hut of his host. He had made what, + after all, was not an uncommon error, and had mistaken the + S---- Guards' hut for that of the C---- Guards. + + * * * * * + +FACTS AND OTHERWISE. + +Mr. Arthur Barlow has resigned his position as Editor of THE FRIEND. + + * * * + +Original contributions and correspondence are invited from all ranks +of the Field Force. + + * * * + +As in all probability the territory hitherto known as the O.F.S. will +in the near future be designated by a different title, the Committee +of Management offer a prize of £5 for the best suggestion for renaming +this country. + + * * * * * + +CANADIANS ON MAJUBA DAY. + +On the afternoon of Monday, the 26th February, the 6-in. howitzers +bombarded Gen. Cronje's laager at Paardeberg with Lyddite shells. The +effect of the salvos viewed from a distance of 3,000 yards was +terrific. What the occupants of the laager felt cannot be told, for +the reason that no truthful account is obtainable. The explosions in +appearance were not unlike the great dynamite explosion in +Johannesburg in 1896, only the great cloud of smoke was +greenish-yellow instead of grey. An air of expectancy pervaded the +British camp, every one knowing that the morrow was Majuba Day, and it +was thought that something decisive would be done. Early next morning, +about 3 o'clock, the silence of the night was broken by the softened +spit-puff sound of the Mauser rifle, and immediately after the firing +became a fierce fusillade, the sharp crack of the Lee-Metford joining +in. The crackling concert lasted about an hour, rising and falling +with sudden acute crises like a passage of Wagner's music. Bullets +were falling around the camp at distances up to 3,000 yards, from the +Boer laager, and it was evident that the firing was wild. + +At first streak of dawn a ride to the advanced trenches of the +Canadians on the river bank enabled one to learn the wherefore of the +night's disturbance. The ambulance waggons were already proceeding +quickly up the south bank of the river. A pontoon ferry was plying +from bank to bank bringing across wounded Canadians, nearly all +suffering from bullet wounds, but some few had by accident been struck +by the bayonet. + +The Canadians occupied trenches on the both banks of the river, and +were within about 500 yards of the enemy. On their left--that is some +distance north of the river--were the Gordons, and further to the +south the Shropshires. The orders were that the four companies of +Canadians on the north bank should advance under cover of the darkness +and try to gain the enemy's trenches, or at least get nearer. They +advanced in two lines of two companies each, the front line having +bayonets fixed and the second carrying rifles slung with picks and +shovels in their hands to dig an advanced trench, should it be thought +advisable to go right to the trenches. + +When the Canadians left the Gordons were to occupy the left of their +trenches, and the Shropshires placed in advance in a position to +command the Boers, should they rise in their trenches to fire on the +Canadians. They were told to hold their fire until the Mausers first +spoke. The Canadians and Gordons were not to fire at all. The +operation was one requiring coolness, nerve, and pluck, and the +Canadians did it magnificently. They advanced as quietly as possible +about 400 yards, and then halted, the order being conveyed by pressure +of the hand from one to another. Every one thought that the second +line would now dig the trench, but another pressure ordered a further +advance. Five paces had been covered when Mauser bullets hissed past, +and the men, as ordered, fell flat, just in time to avoid the terrific +fire that was immediately poured from the Boer trenches. A minute or +two elapsed, and the order came to retire. Not a shot was fired by the +Canadians, and they quietly crept back, gaining their trenches with +comparatively little loss. Meanwhile the Shropshire men, who had +carefully taken the range and direction before dark, opened fire on +the Boers, and at the end of an hour put them to silence. A bugle +sounded "cease fire," and all was still again. That morning (Majuba +Day) Cronje surrendered. + + * * * * * + +PROCLAMATION + +TO THE BURGHERS OF THE ORANGE FREE STATE. + +The British troops under my command having entered the Orange Free +State, I feel it my duty to make known to all Burghers the cause of +our coming, as well as to do all in my power to put an end to the +devastation caused by this war, so that should they continue the war +the inhabitants of the Orange Free State may not do so ignorantly, but +with full knowledge of their responsibility before God for the lives +lost in the campaign. + +Before the war began the British Government, which had always desired +and cultivated peace and friendship with the people of the Orange Free +State, gave a solemn assurance to President Steyn that if the Orange +Free State remained neutral its territory would not be invaded, and +its independence would be at all times fully respected by Her +Majesty's Government. + +In spite of that declaration the Government of the Orange Free State +was guilty of a wanton and unjustifiable invasion of British +territory. + +The British Government believes that this act of aggression was not +committed with the general approval and free will of a people with +whom it has lived in complete amity for so many years. It believes +that the responsibility rests wholly with the Government of the Orange +Free State, acting, not in the interests of the country, but under +mischievous influences from without. The British Government, +therefore, wishes the people of the Orange Free State to understand +that it bears them no ill-will, and, so far as is compatible with the +successful conduct of the war and the re-establishment of peace in +South Africa, it is anxious to preserve them from the evils brought +upon them by the wrongful action of their Government. + +I therefore warn all Burghers to desist from any further hostility +towards Her Majesty's Government and the troops under my command, and +I undertake that any of them who may so desist and who are found +staying in their homes and quietly pursuing their ordinary occupations +will not be made to suffer in their persons or property on account of +their having taken up arms in obedience to the order of their +Government. Those, however, who oppose the forces under my command, or +furnish the enemy with supplies or information, will be dealt with +according to the customs of war. + +Requisitions for food, forage, fuel, or shelter, made on the authority +of the officers in command of Her Majesty's troops, must be at once +complied with; but everything will be paid for on the spot, prices +being regulated by the local market rates. If the inhabitants of any +district refuse to comply with the demands made upon them the supplies +will be taken by force, a full receipt being given. + +Should any inhabitant of the country consider that he or any member of +his household has been unjustly treated by any officer, soldier, or +civilian attached to the British Army he should submit his complaint, +either personally or in writing, to my Headquarters or to the +Headquarters of the nearest General Officer. Should the complaint on +enquiry be substantiated, redress will be given. + +Orders have been issued by me prohibiting soldiers from entering +private houses or molesting the civil population on any pretext +whatever, and every precaution has been taken against injury to +property on the part of any person belonging to, or connected with, +the Army. + + ROBERTS, + Field Marshal, + Commanding-in-Chief, South Africa. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +WE PUBLISH A "CURIO" NUMBER + + _Also a Kipling Poem, a Bogus Love-letter, and other + Novelties._ + + Cue Tips and } THE FRIEND. { Playing Cards. + Wafers } { All Qualities at + at Barlow's. } 3d. 3d. { Barlow's. + + _(Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force.)_ + + +The above was hereafter to be the wording of the full title of the new +paper. It was again of the small size, necessitated by the infirm and +petty possibilities of the dust-heap in which it was produced. + +In this second number appeared a verse of a poem by Rudyard Kipling, +who, unknown to us and unsuspected by himself, was soon to be so +closely connected with our enterprise. As soon as we agreed to take +control of the new paper, Mr. Landon had wired the news to Mr. +Kipling, then in Capetown, with a request for a contribution for the +first number. The fact that the poetic reply reached Bloemfontein +twenty-four hours later was a matter of delight and surprise to all of +us, for the chained lightning of the wired highway of correspondence +loses its chief characteristic of speed where the military make first +use of it in time of war. + +I should not like even to imagine the disgust with which some of the +lower order of censors, at terminal and junctional points, viewed this +bit of poetry as it crawled along and they were called upon to approve +it, perhaps, as "unseditious matter not calculated to give information +to the enemy." But then I do not like to think of that breed of +censors under any circumstances. It wrinkles my temper. + +Mr. Landon's journalistic enterprise not only turned the eyes of all +the Kipling collectors of the world upon our newspaper, but, because +our printers left the date line "March 16" unaltered on an inside page +of this number of the 17th, that issue became a curio among our +readers. On the next day copies of the first hundred papers, which +were issued before the mistake was noticed, fetched five shillings +each. Within a month their price was twenty-five shillings. But that +is only a twentieth part of what an odd and not specially +distinguished number of THE FRIEND sold for at a bazaar in London last +summer (1900). + +Mr. Landon wrote a notable and brilliant editorial on "The Collapse of +the Rebellion"; General Smith-Dorrien replied to the remarks about the +Canadians at Paardeberg in the previous day's issue; Lord Roberts's +congratulation to the Army was published in this number; and there +also appeared my "love letter to Miss Bloemfontein." + +As this love-correspondence attracted great interest then and was +peculiar in its commencement, continuation, and end, I will tell, +briefly, what the facts are concerning it. I was invalided and +confined to my bedroom in the Free State Hotel, and, being advertised +as a contributor, bethought me that it would be a graceful and +pleasant thing to act as spokesman for the army in praising the +pretty town, and acknowledging the gratitude we felt to the people for +their friendly behaviour to us conquerors. + +I did not know at that time that the town was a pestilential, +bacillus-soaked headquarters for disease, or that far too many of +those who smiled upon us hated us bitterly, and were even then engaged +in encouraging the Boers, conveying information to them, and sneaking +out at night to fight with the enemy or to snipe our outposts. In a +word, though I had studied the Boer more closely and longer than any +other London correspondent, I had not measured the breadth and depth +of his contempt for truth, honour, and fair play. Therefore I wrote +the letter to Miss Bloemfontein which, with certain other +contributions to that day's paper, is herewith republished. + +On this day the advertisements for what were then called "lost" horses +already numbered three, and, already, we published a communication +headed "Loot News" in which was stated the fact that the +horse-stealing had become so bold that a horse had actually been taken +from in front of the Club. + +"Please note the following," the reporter wrote, "Section I, clause 1, +of the newly promulgated constitution of the city without a Steyn--A +man may kill a man and live, but a man who steals a horse may not +live." Whether there will occur an opportunity in this book to explain +how the neighbourhood of the Boers affected the moral atmosphere and +demoralised our earlier views of property rights, especially in +horse-ownership, I cannot yet say, but whenever the tale is told it +will be discovered to be extraordinary. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + +BLOEMFONTEIN, SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1900. + +LINES BY RUDYARD KIPLING. + +MARCH 17, 1900. + +ST. PATRICK'S DAY. + + Oh! Terence dear, and did you hear + The news that's going round? + The Shamrock's Erin's badge by law, + Where'er her sons be found. + + From Bobsfontein to Ballyhack + 'Tis ordered by the Queen, + We've won our right in open fight + The wearing of the Green. + + * * * * * + +THE STEYNLESS CITY. + +_Loot News._ + +Absent-minded beggars please note following intimations displayed at +the Club House, Market Square:-- + +Taken from a boy in front of the Club on 15th inst., about 7 p.m., a +bay gelding, about thirteen hands, star on forehead, white patch on +top lip, tick marks on hind quarters, long tail trimmed square, +branded R G off forehoof. A 15 near forehoof. + +Will the gentleman who took a brown pony _by mistake_ from a boy at +the door of this Club-house on March 15 kindly return it to manager? + +Also please note following:-- + +Section I, clause I, of newly-promulgated constitution of the City +without a Steyn--A man may kill a man and live, but a man that steals +a horse may not live. + + * * * * * + +THE LATE PRESIDENCY. + +The official Headquarters of Field-Marshal Lord Roberts and his staff +are at the Residency. + + * * * * * + +TO MISS BLOEMFONTEIN. + +A LOVE LETTER. + +Come, little Miss Bloemfontein, sit down beside me and let me hold +your dimpled hand and look into those eyes which have caught the +wonderful blue of these heavens, and the tints of your gardens and +your bowery streets. I think our whole army likes you, you belle of +the Boer aristocracy. You certainly change your lovers easily and +lightly, but soldiers are reported not to mind a little coquetry when +they are far from home. You have tripped out to meet us so enticingly, +you have so led us into your bower with your warm little hand, and you +have spoken so kindly to us, that we dislike to think you were quite +the same to your earlier beaux in their homespun suits, their flapping +hats, and their lavish indulgence in whiskers and beards, which, as +you must know, are the cheapest of luxuries--prodigalities in which +misers indulge to make a show and save a barber's bill. + +You might have been hateful to us and we could not have blamed you, +for we came too nearly, as certain other soldiers came to the Sabine +sisterhood, with blood in our eyes and weapons in hand, fancying that +you would cling to your old love, and never dreaming that he would run +away and leave you unprotected in this placid and pretty little +boudoir that you have set up here. You won't forget that little +episode, will you, Miss Bloemfontein? And you did take note, didn't +you, my dear, that when we found you deserted, all forlorn, we changed +from lion to lamb, from blustering warrior to soft-spoken wooer? We +spoke no harsh word to your people and did their goods no violence. +Even now, we stand aside in our own place, crowding none of your +servitors, but smiling back the smiles you bathe us in, and breathing +our admiration softly--for you are a pretty miss and gentle--and we +are not so stupid as to fail to see that you are no Boadicea, but a +lover of peace and concord, if ever one has lived on earth since the +Muses took to the clouds. Sweetness of loving sighs its soft song of +delight in every breeze that rustles the leaves of your tree-garlands. +Domesticity asserts its command, by your order, in the aspect of every +cottage in your park-like nest. Homely comfort radiates from the +hearths and the faces of all who live under your delightful rule. + +I never anywhere saw a prettier or a more astonishing scene than I +witnessed in your market-square on the second night of the stay, which +we hope you will invite us to prolong to eternity. We sent a few +greasy and stained melodists with pipes and drums to play in the +square, partly to show you that we had dethroned Mars and substituted +Pan in the best niche in our hearts, and partly to set our own +pleasure tripping to gay tunes. And lo! out you came with your maidens +and their lovers, your old men and matrons, and the children within +your gates. And we all forgot that we had quarrelled with your +cast-off favourite, that each of us had shed the other's blood, and +that we had come to you with an anger that we supposed you matched +within your own fair bosom. Your people and ours touched elbows and +laughed and sang together. For one I was amazed. Of all the sharp +contrasts of strife I know of none so bold and strong as that scene +when it was compared with the scenes of only a few days back at +Paardeberg and Driefontein. + +It was your magic, your witchery, your tact that brought it about, you +South African beauty. Without these helps we never could have enjoyed +that evening as we did, and that evening was the bridge that spanned +the gulf between the angry past and the happy future in our lives, +little miss. + +Draw closer, Miss Bloemfontein. Let our arms touch, and the thrill of +ardent friendship vivify our new relation. You do like us British, +don't you, dear? You don't have to be British yourself, you know. You +can stay on being Dutch and piously Presbyterian and all the rest. We +will respect whatever you admire, and we will promise to make you +richer, freer, happier and even more beautiful--with the ripened +charms of a long-assured content, if only you will let your chief +predikant publish the banns next Sunday--or sooner, if you will. + + JULIAN RALPH. + + * * * * * + +A RECENT EXPERIENCE. + +A recent experience of Mr. Bennet Burleigh and his colleague, Mr. +Percy Bullen, of the _Daily Telegraph_, affords a fitting illustration +of the dangers to which those attached to Field Forces are exposed. +These two gentlemen left Poplar Grove last Saturday with the object of +reaching General Kelly-Kenny's column, which had preceded them by +several hours travelling along the high road running almost parallel +with the Modder River. Near Abrahamskraal they caught sight of the +central division fighting the Boers along the kopjes lying to the +right. Mr. Burleigh, who was travelling in a Cape cart drawn by four +horses, stepped down to survey matters, and while looking through his +glasses along the high road he saw a party of Boers digging trenches. +Some of them wore khaki, others were dressed in a style of the +country, which betrayed their identity to the experienced eye. It was +decided to return by the same road, further progress being obviously +very hazardous, as the enemy was within a distance of 500 yards. The +two carts occupied by the correspondents had barely turned round when +a shower of bullets was sent in their direction, several striking Mr. +Burleigh's vehicle, and others falling immediately in front of Mr. +Bullen. A desperate race followed over a distance of several miles, in +the course of which a convoy of several mule waggons was met. The +officer in charge ordered the convoy to return immediately, and his +instructions were quickly followed. Meantime a messenger was sent +across to the central division to ask for assistance, as the Boers, +though a considerable distance behind, were still shooting. By dint of +hard work and much lashing of horses and mules, every one got safely +away, but one of Mr. Bullen's team fell a victim to the enemy's fire. +Fortunately the shot came from across the river, and the remaining +animal, though sorely tried by the boulders and sluits of a bad road +over which the whole of the convoy and escort had likewise proceeded +at a break-neck pace, was able to pull the cart out upon the veldt and +so elude further damage. By this time some of Rimington's scouts +appeared, and one of the number kindly lent the correspondent his +horse, by means of which he was able to rejoin his colleague at Poplar +Grove, where the entire party passed the night. It was an exciting +chase extending over several miles, and the safety of the +correspondents and convoy was largely due to the zeal of the native +drivers, who worked as if life as well as liberty depended on the +result. The huge column of dust thrown up by the carts and horses was +sufficient to baffle even the most expert riflemen, and the Boers who +pursued were certainly not good shots even at close quarters. In order +to assist his flight Mr. Bullen jettisoned a large quantity of horse +fodder, whereas his experienced colleague, Mr. Burleigh, arrived in +camp with all his goods intact, including a live sheep. It transpired +subsequently that the messenger despatched for assistance, as well as +two others who followed him, were captured. The correspondents state +that the skill displayed by their drivers in avoiding the huge +boulders which lined the high road, and especially in descending and +ascending the banks of a very precipitous sluit with a twelve feet +dip, was a most creditable performance, reminding one of the wonderful +exercises of our artillery drivers at the Islington Military +Tournament. + + * * * * * + +CORRESPONDENCE. + +CANADIANS ON MAJUBA DAY. + +BY MAJOR-GENERAL SMITH-DORRIEN. + +BLOEMFONTEIN, _March_ 17, 1900. + +_To the Editor of_ "THE FRIEND." + +DEAR SIR,--I have read your account of "The Canadians on Majuba Day" +in your issue of yesterday. It is correct up to a certain point, but +the last part of it is quite erroneous. + +In justice to this gallant corps, and to the Company of Royal +Engineers who were with them, I trust you will publish this +letter--which recounts what actually happened from the moment the +Royal Canadians advanced from the trench, 550 yards from the enemy, +until they established themselves and made a new trench within 93 +yards of the Boer trenches. + +At 2.15 a.m. (on the 27th February), the Royal Canadians with 240 men +in the front rank, the latter with rifles slung and entrenching tools, +and about 30 officers and men, Royal Engineers under Lieut.-Colonel +Kincaid forming the right of the rear rank of the Canadians, moved +steadily from the trench, shoulder to shoulder in the dark night, +feeling their way through the bushes, and keeping touch by the right. + +At 2.50 a.m. they were met by a terrific fire from the enemy's trench, +now only 60 yards in front of them. + +The line was forced to fall back, but only a very small distance, the +right of it under Captains Stairs and Macdonell, Royal Canadians, some +twenty yards, where they lay down in the open and returned a steady +fire--mostly volleys--for the next one and a half hours; the left had +had to fall back rather further. + +Under cover of these two Captains, Lieutenant-Colonel Kincaid and his +R.E. officer and men, and the Canadian working party in that part of +the line constructed trenches in spite of the galling fire, and by +daylight had completed a most admirable work which gave grand cover +against fire in all threatened directions, and was so well traversed +with banks and sand-bags that not a single casualty occurred after it +was occupied. + +As day dawned a ruined house was noticed on the opposite bank of the +river, from which this work could be enfiladed, and a party from the +reserve was sent up the left bank to occupy it. + +To cover the early morning attack as soon as the fire opened at 2.50 +a.m., the Shropshires, in order to hold the enemy in the main laager, +engaged them with long-range volleys, whilst the Gordons remained +partly in the open and partly in the most advanced flank trench, which +latter they lengthened and enlarged, ready to move forward in support. + +Shortly after daylight a white flag was flying in the Boer trench, +which was 93 yards from our newly-constructed trench, and soon the +Boers came trooping into our line. They stated that they had no orders +from General Cronje to surrender, but that they heard he intended to +give in on the 28th February. + +The result, however, of this gallant operation was that General Cronje +altered his date one day earlier. + +Your account says that our losses were comparatively small; so they +were for the results gained, and considering the heavy fire which +continued for nearly two hours at 80 yards' range. They only amounted +to 45 casualties in the Brigade--thus, 12 N.C.O.'s and men Royal +Canadians killed, 30 N.C.O.'s and men Royal Canadians wounded, and 3 +officers wounded, Major Pelletier and Lieut. Armstrong, Royal +Canadians, and Lieut. Atchison, King's Shropshire Light Infantry--a +fold in the ground exactly covered the spot where the party was +working, hence the absence of casualties in the Royal Engineers, and +the slight losses in the working party of Royal Canadians. + + Yours faithfully, + H. L. SMITH-DORRIEN, + Major-General, Commanding 19th Brigade. + +(We are glad to be able to supplement our contributor's account of the +gallant action of the 27th by General Smith-Dorrien's categorical +letter, which supplies details which could hardly be obtained +accurately at second-hand.--EDS. FRIEND). + + * * * * * + +A COLONIAL HERO. + +While scouting at Makouw's Drift, two troopers of Rimington's Guides +were fired on from a small kopje at close range. One had his horse +shot, and the other, young Ewan Christian, son of Mr. H. B. Christian, +of Port Elizabeth, rode back to bring him away. As he was bending down +to help his comrade up behind he was himself fatally shot, the bullet +passing through his back and out through his chest. He rolled off his +horse and told his comrade to mount and ride away. Shortly afterwards +Major Rimington and more men came up and heard the last words of the +dying hero: "Tell my old governor I died game." On retiring the party +were under a hot fire, several horses, including that of Major +Rimington, being shot. Mr. Christian was buried with military +honours. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +WE BEGIN TO FEEL AT HOME + + _A Strange Editorial Adventure--Lord Roberts's New + Government under Way--The Sin of Horse Theft._ + + +Once, far along the Grand Canal in China, where the people were all +afraid or hostile at the first sight of me, a beautiful girl of +sixteen or seventeen ran along the bank of the canal after my boat, +beckoning to me and to Mr. Weldon, the artist, who was with me, to +disembark and visit her home. She was out walking with her mother. +There was no doubt when one considered how far from any big town she +was, and the fact that she was large-footed and willing to be seen of +men, that she was a poor peasant girl, a farmer's daughter, either +curious to see us strange men, or anxious to prove herself a Christian +convert and to repay the hospitality and kindness she had received at +the hands of Christian missionaries. + +That was what I thought, at any rate, and in that view I told of the +happening in _Harper's Magazine_. At once a cry arose, in the +companies of men I met and even in some newspapers as well, against my +introducing so _risque_ a subject in my account of my adventures. +Until then I had no idea how prone to evil-thinking is the world, how +anxious to twist impurity out of innocence even though it required +violence to do it. + +Once again, and here, I am going to tell of an incident equally sweet +to memory and the reflection of wholesome minds; equally delicate in +the perfume of innocence which it exhales. After the second issue of +THE FRIEND, Sunday gave us a day of rest. We had known and seen no +women for months. They were to us as our homes were, as civilisation +itself was--mere memories, vague and shadowy, beside the substantial +realities of fighting, marching, thirsting, and going hungry in the +company of men--of men by the tens of thousands, but of no women. + +There was in Bloemfontein a very blond young woman of sixteen who +served behind the counter of a shop in the main street--a slight, +sunny-haired, blue-eyed miss, sparkling with fun and excited by the +novelty of waiting upon British soldiers and living in the middle of +what had changed from a dead-and-alive Boer village to a great armed +British camp. The soldiers had noticed her as well. Generals and +colonels compared notes of what gossip she and they had exchanged, and +sent their friends to the shop to see her. The appearance of a few +unattractive women among the soldiers in the village streets had made +a mild sensation; but the discovery of a fair-haired, rosy-cheeked +girl of English blood was the talk of the camp. + +[Illustration: _Julian Ralph._] + +Among the first men in Bloemfontein and the first to make the +acquaintance of this maiden was Mr. Gwynne, of THE FRIEND. Foreseeing +Sunday, and scenting a chance to revive the best memories of +civilised life, he proposed to gather two army friends if she would +invite two of her feminine friends for a drive and a luncheon on the +veldt on Sunday. He invited James Barnes, the talented American +correspondent, and myself. In two Cape carts we called for the young +ladies at their homes. They proved to be the very blond young woman, a +fourteen-year-old friend, and a little girl of ten or eleven years of +age. + +I confess that I never would have asked mere children upon such an +outing; but it is equally true that I could not have experienced +either the same or as great and peculiar pleasure with others of older +growth. They were frank and free, and merry as grigs. They came as +near to having us killed or captured by the Boers as I wanted to be, +and from them we learned most interesting and valuable information +about the enemy and about the town as it was before we captured it. We +proposed to visit the home of one of the girls, a farm which the girls +said was "quite close." It proved to be miles beyond the British +outposts in a country that seemed to us to be uncomfortably peopled +with Boers and which proved afterwards to have been alive with them. +Of the danger to us which lay in such a situation the girls took no +account. They had been born there. They had seen nothing of war, and +did not understand it. The Boers were their lifelong neighbours. And, +in a word, they were going to visit friends and to have fun, and +nothing else entered their minds. + +When we were miles away and among some very suggestive little kopjes +we discovered that our friends had lost their way and that we were +adrift on the veldt. Boers dashed up to the crests of the hills, saw +us and disappeared. Boers were on every hand. Why we were not gobbled +up and sent to Pretoria none of us can explain. Eventually, with only +one mishap--the overturning of one of the carts--which seemed for a +moment more terrible than capture by the enemy--we reached the +farm-house, and aided by several tiny boys and the farmer and his +wife, spent a happy hour and a half. We made our way back to +Bloemfontein in the evening, and within a day or two Colonels Crabbe +and Codrington and Captain Trotter were wounded and the Honourable +Edward Lygon was killed, at the Glen--a rifle shot from where we had +picnicked! + +The adventures and hairbreadth escapes in war are apt to take only +three or four well-ordered forms. This adventure was in no way like +those of the stereotyped kinds. + +Monday came, and, with it, the third number of THE FRIEND. It was now +of the enlarged size, which it retained to the end--a sheet 19 inches +wide by 32 inches in length. We continued to do the editorial work in +the old dustbin, as at first, but we had discovered that the _Express_ +works were more modern and capable of turning out a paper of the size +we preferred. The _Express_ works were two blocks away from our little +den, in a side street behind the main thoroughfare of the town. They +belonged to Frau Borckenhagen, but had been seized by order of Lord +Roberts and sealed up. The printing office and engine and press rooms +were afterward made over to us, the bindery was used by the military, +and only the office of the departed editor, whence had proceeded the +most mischievous reflections of Krugerism and the policy of the +insidious Afrikander Bond, remained sealed. Frau Borckenhagen sent +her agents to the military to ask leave to recover some of her +husband's private papers. By this means she showed us that, like all +other Boers, she put the very lowest valuation upon our intelligence. +But in this case she only succeeded in turning the attention of the +military to her husband's papers without getting the shading of a +degree nearer to the possession of what must have been--and I think I +have heard, really proved--of the utmost interest to us. + +However, we were able by using the commandeered property of the Boer +frau, to produce a newspaper of pretentious size and considerable +importance. + +THE FRIEND now began to bristle with proclamations, and their number +appeared to be doubled because each one was repeated in the Taal +language under the heading "Proclamatie." In one "I, Frederick Sleigh +Baron Roberts of Kandahar, K.P., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., V.C., +Field Marshal and Commanding-in-Chief the British forces in South +Africa, appoint George Anosi Falck Administrator of the Civil Posts +and Telegraphs in such portions of the Orange Free State as have been +or may hereafter be occupied by British troops." + +Another proclamation related to bills of exchange and promissory +notes; and a third, by General Pretyman, appointed James Allison +Collins as "Landdrost of Bloemfontein to administer the ordinary civil +and criminal laws." In this proclamation the landdrost's court was +ordered to resume its work on Monday, March 19th. A district surgeon, +clerk, receiver, and second clerk to the landdrost's court were also +appointed. + +General Pretyman extended his original market proclamation so that it +established the ruling prices of cattle, meat, breadstuffs, and +groceries. In the Field Marshal's proclamation as translated into the +Taal, Lord Roberts was declared to be "Ik (I), Frederick Sleigh Baron +Roberts van Kandahar, K.P., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., V.C., +Veld-maarschalk, Opperbevelhebber van de Britsche Krijgsmachten in +Zuid-Afrika." + +In a notice to the Army we said that our chief aim was to make the +paper welcome to and supported by all ranks, and we invited all in the +Army to write for us. It is true that when, in the previous day's +issue we published a poetic contribution by a kind friend, who was the +first to come to our assistance; we did not precisely encourage others +to follow his example. On the contrary, we accompanied the verses with +the remark to the writer, "Your verses are execrable. See for yourself +in print." But this was merely one of the many interesting +peculiarities of the paper. We published the fact that Miss Elliott, +daughter of the General Manager of the Cape Government Railways, +arrived with her father by special train on the previous night, and +was the first lady to cross the Free State border and to visit +Bloemfontein. The editorial of the day was by Mr. Buxton, and was +entitled "Uitlander or Rebel, Subject or Burgher." + +The most notable article was called "The Confession of a +Horse-stealer," and was written by one of the editors. In the same +number another member of the editorial quartette wrote a strong little +article calling attention to the prevalence and brazenness of horse +thieves, and deploring the facts in earnest and indignant language. I +was now at work at a desk in the editorial room, and was forced to +act as judge between the outraged virtue of my colleague who detested +horse-stealing and the pained surprise of my other colleague who +(shall I say pretended or) confessed in writing that he was an expert +at the crime. + +"Surely you agree with me that this thing has got to stop?" said the +one editor. + +"Surely you will not allow such canting nonsense to go into the +paper?" said the other, "especially where the entire army has become +adept at the practice of looting Boer horses or exchanging worn-out +steeds for the fresher ones of friends." + +Being a born diplomat I agreed with both my colleagues, praised both +their articles, and voted that both should ornament the columns of THE +FRIEND. + +I was in a position to behave with this impartiality. My character and +reputation at home forced me to the side of the indignant moralist, +and yet, on the other hand, certain episodes in my recent experience +inclined me to view the confessions of the horse-stealer with +leniency. More than once I had been forced to choose between walking +for days in the enemy's country or utilising horses that had been +abandoned by the Boers. If I were again placed in such a position I +would surrender myself a prisoner to the Boers rather than touch even +a little thing like a horse that did not belong to me. I have had time +to reflect, and I see how weak I was; but at that time I was in the +Boer country where stealing is called "commandeering," and seems a +trifling thing, rather creditable if practised successfully and with a +high hand. In justification of my course in commending the high, moral +view of my other colleague, I could say with pride that the horses I +had taken were both dead, and with them also disappeared the former +stain upon my character. + +The happy combination of these points in common with both my +colleagues, enabled me to publish both their articles and bring them +back to the friendliest terms. So successful was I that we allowed our +feelings to carry us beyond the bounds of reason--that is to say, we +agreed to go to the Club and take a drink. It was a thing which no +intelligent man would lightly agree to do. The only liquid +refreshments then obtainable at the Club were enteric germs in water, +gin, vermouth, and port wine. It required an occasion of the first +importance to induce any of us to go to the Club, which was always as +crowded as an egg is with meat. All day, and until late in the +evening, the principal apartment barely afforded standing room. The +porch was equally well filled, and horses in dozens were tethered +before the house. It was the social exchange and rendezvous of the +officers of something like 80,000 men, and I can hardly believe that +anywhere in the world was there a club-house so constantly crowded. + + +THE FRIEND. + +_(Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force.)_ + +BLOEMFONTEIN, MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1900. + +PROCLAMATION. + +Whereas it is deemed expedient and necessary for the welfare of the +Orange Free State that Postal and Telegraph Services shall be resumed +in the aforesaid Republic, as far as circumstances permit, + +NOW THEREFORE + +I, FREDERICK SLEIGH BARON ROBERTS OF KHANDAHAR, K.P., G.C.B., +G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., V.C., Field Marshal and Commanding-in-Chief of the +British Forces in South Africa, do hereby nominate and appoint David +George Anosi Falck Administrator of the Civil Posts and Telegraphs in +such portions of the Orange Free State as have been, or may hereafter +be occupied by British troops. And I do hereby order that the Postal +and Telegraph services shall be resumed in the portions of the +aforesaid Republic already referred to, from the nineteenth day of +March, 1900, under the existing Laws and Conventions of the Orange +Free State, subject to such alterations as may from time to time be +notified. + +Given under my hand at Bloemfontein this Seventeenth Day of March, +1900. + + GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. + + ROBERTS, + Field-Marshal, + Commanding-in-Chief British Forces, South Africa. + + * * * * * + +ARMY ORDERS--SOUTH AFRICA. + + ARMY HEADQUARTERS, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, + BLOEMFONTEIN, _March_ 15, 1900. + +I. _Civil Population to be unmolested._ + +It being desirable and in the interest of both the British Government +and the inhabitants of this country that all residents should be +assured that, so long as they remain peaceably disposed, their civil +rights and property will be respected, it is strictly forbidden that +any private property should be compulsorily taken possession of by +other than the authorised Supply Officers. + +All articles required by the troops must be obtained and paid for in +the ordinary way, and no trespassing or interference with the +inhabitants will be permitted. + +These instructions apply to detached bodies of troops as well as to +the Force generally, and it is especially the duty of all officers to +put a stop to all attempts to infringe them. + + By order, + J. W. KELLY, + A.-G. for C. of Staff. + + * * * * * + +ARMY ORDERS--SOUTH AFRICA. + + BLOEMFONTEIN, _March_ 14, 1900. + +It affords the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief the greatest pleasure +in congratulating the Army in South Africa on the various events that +have occurred during the past few weeks, and he would specially offer +his sincere thanks to that portion of the Army which, under his +immediate command, has taken part in the operations resulting +yesterday in the capture of Bloemfontein. + +On the 12th February this force crossed the boundary which divided the +Orange Free State from British territory. Three days later Kimberley +was relieved. On the 15th day the bulk of the Boer Army in this State, +under one of their most trusted generals, were made prisoners. On the +17th day the news of the relief of Ladysmith was received, and on the +13th March, 29 days from the commencement of the operations, the +capital of the Orange Free State was occupied. + +This is a record of which any army may well be proud--a record which +could not have been achieved except by earnest, well-disciplined men, +determined to do their duty and to surmount whatever difficulties or +dangers might be encountered. + +Exposed to extreme heat by day, bivouacking under heavy rain, marching +long distances (not infrequently with reduced rations), the endurance, +cheerfulness, and gallantry displayed by all ranks are beyond praise, +and Lord Roberts feels sure that neither Her Majesty the Queen nor the +British nation will be unmindful of the effort made by this force to +uphold the honour of their country. + +The Field Marshal desires especially to refer to the fortitude and +heroic spirit with which the wounded have borne their sufferings. +Owing to the great extent of country over which modern battles have to +be fought, it is not always possible to afford immediate aid to those +who are struck down; many hours have, indeed, at times, elapsed before +the wounded could be attended to, but not a word of murmur or +complaint has been uttered; the anxiety of all, when succour came, was +that their comrades should be cared for first. + +In assuring every officer and man how much he appreciates their +efforts in the past, Lord Roberts is confident that, in the future, +they will continue to show the same resolution and soldierly +qualities, and to lay down their lives, if need be (as so many brave +men have already done), in order to ensure that the war in South +Africa may be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. + + By order, + (Sd.) W. F. KELLY, + Major-General, + Deputy-Adjutant-General, for Chief of Staff. + + * * * * * + +ARMY ORDERS--SOUTH AFRICA. + + ARMY HEADQUARTERS, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, + BLOEMFONTEIN, _March_ 16, 1900. + +1. _Telegrams._ + +The Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief has great pleasure in publishing +the following telegrams which have been received:-- + +(_a_) From Her Majesty the Queen: "Accept my warmest congratulations +for yourself and those under you on your great success. Trust all +wounded doing well."--V. R. + +(_b_) From His Excellency the High Commissioner: "In a spirit of deep +thankfulness I congratulate you and your gallant Army on the rapidity +and completeness of success which has attended the recent +operations--crowned by the occupation of the enemy's capital."--MILNER. + +(_c_) From the Rear Admiral Commanding-in-Chief, Simonstown: +"My personal and Navy's heartiest congratulations on your +success."--ADMIRAL. + +(_d_) From Chairman of the London County Council: "On behalf of +Metropolis, whence many of your brave soldiers have been drawn, I +congratulate your Lordship's having gloriously reached a point which +brings you one step nearer towards final success and peace."--DICKINSON, +Chairman of the London County Council. + +(_e_) From the Lord Provost of Glasgow: "The Corporation of Glasgow in +Council assembled offer you and Her Majesty's troops under your +command their hearty congratulations on the success of your +operations, culminating in your occupation in the Capital of the Free +State, and their earnest hope for a speedy termination of the +War."--LORD PROVOST. + +2. _Distinction._ + +Referring to Army Order (of March 11, 1900), it is notified for +information that Her Majesty orders that all Irishmen, whether serving +in Irish Regiments or not, shall be allowed to wear the Shamrock on +St. Patrick's Day. + + By order, + W. KELLY, + Major-General, + Deputy-Adjutant-General. + + * * * * * + +NOTICE. + +The first hundred copies of our last issue--Saturday, March 17, were, +by accident, wrongly dated under the title on the front page. + +The Editors are willing to pay Five Shillings each for a few clean +copies of this portion of the issue. + + * * * * * + +THE CONFESSIONS OF A HORSE-STEALER. + +(_N.B.--This article is privileged. The Provost Marshal cannot, +therefore, take proceedings against the author._) + +When somewhere about the beginning of December I arrived at Modder +River, I think I may say I was as honest as the generality of +mankind. I do not remember any incident in my early childhood and +youth which could in any way have been cited as a proof that I had +predatory instincts. At home I never stole, at schools I never stole, +at Colleges I never stole, and during several years of wandering about +the face of the globe I never stole. But since I accompanied Lord +Roberts' force from Enslin to Bloemfontein I have stolen freely, and I +as freely admit it. Why? Ah, the answer to that question involves deep +ethical considerations, and cannot be answered right off. Let me tell +my tale, and I fancy that I shall receive the sympathy of most members +of the force, and even the Provost Marshal will no longer pine to hang +me. + +When I left Enslin I was the proud possessor of three fine +saddle-horses and two decrepit-looking but sturdy cart-horses. Now I +have to hire a man to repeat daily to me the number of my +riding-horses, and I drive about Bloemfontein with a spanking team. I +am aware that this confession will make the Provost Marshal's hair +stand straight on his head; but let him have a little patience. Let +him think what a glorious thing it is to find the one horse-thief in +the army. I calculate that about 5,000 horses have illicitly changed +hands during the advance from Modder River, and yet I have never found +a man who has not most indignantly denied the merest, slenderest +imputation of being concerned in a horse "transaction." Therefore--the +army is honest, and there is only one horse-thief in it. The honour of +the force is saved, and I am the only culprit. This is centralisation +with a vengeance, and no longer need the Provost Marshal send his +myrmidons galloping far and wide in search of horse-thieves. When next +he hears of the loss of a horse, let him come to me--the only thief. I +will let him know my address when Martial Law is replaced by the +ordinary procedure of justice. + +But let me recount, to what, I hope, will be a sympathetic public, how +I fell from honesty into the blackest depths of dishonesty. At +Jakobsdal, Messieurs les Boers shot my finest horse. I was grieved +naturally, and hurt too, that a poor non-combatant should have been +treated so cavalierly. But "à la guerre comme à la guerre," I +whispered to myself, and hoped for better luck next time. I followed +the force from Jacobsdal to Klipkraal and Paardeberg, and at the +last-named camp I awoke one morning to find my sturdy black pony had +been taken quietly from under my very nose. I raved and stamped and +swore at the loss. My sympathetic black boy tried to console me. "If +master like," he said, "I go catch another horse." But so high and +pure was my morality at that time that I almost thrashed him on the +spot for daring to make such a suggestion. I walked away disconsolate, +and sought a friend whose ribboned breast showed that he had seen +service in every quarter of the globe. His answer to my request was +short and simple. "Go and see whether he is picketed with ---- Horse" +(wild rhinoceri will not drag from me the name of that gallant +regiment of M.I.). I went, and there conspicuously displayed in the +front rank of the tethered horses was my black pony. I did not +hesitate, but, blessing the members of ---- Horse for so kindly caring +for my poor wandering pony, I began to untie the ream of the halter. +But the watchful eye of one of the men was open, and I was startled +to hear a noise at my side say, "Well, upon my soul, this beats +cock-fighting. You come to the wrong shop if you think you can steal a +horse from _this_ regiment," and he roughly took the ream out of my +hand. + +I protested. "The horse is mine," I said, "I'd know him anywhere." +"Get on," was the answer, "he belongs to my captain. Why, look at the +brand." And, sure enough, on my poor pony's quarters were three big +letters which represented, I suppose, his initials. + +But I was in no way cast down. To go and explain to the officer that a +little mistake had occurred was, after all, quite an easy matter, and +I approached the gentleman who was sitting under a mimosa bush having +breakfast. I explained the matter to him, and asked permission to lead +my property home. But the captain roared with laughter. "Lead my horse +home?" he shouted in another burst of laughter. "I like that. Why, do +you know that the dam of that horse belonged to my Uncle Jim? He was +the first man in that part of the country. Why," and again he laughed, +"I remember when that black pony of mine was foaled. It was the 7th, +no--the 10th of October. I remember quite well, for three weeks after +we had a big garden party and all the ladies fell in love with the +little beggar because he ate bread and butter from their hands and was +the greediest beggar you ever saw after chocolate creams. Why, damme, +if I didn't take that pony home again, I believe my old governor would +cut me off with a shilling." + +I stood aghast. What a fool, what a sanguinary fool I was to go and +make such a mistake. My apologies were ample, humble and profuse. But +as I passed the horse-lines again I could not help thinking how +singularly like my lost pony was the animal which, as a foal, so +amused the ladies at the garden party. + +And then I did the foolishest thing I ever did in all my life. I +bought a new horse. Twenty-four hours afterwards it was claimed by +four different officers, and I narrowly escaped hanging at the hands +of the Provost Marshal, who at once ordered me to return the animal to +its rightful owner. I gave it up to the four claimants, and let them +decide among themselves the question of ownership. + +And now I had but one pony left--and I guarded it as the apple of my +eye. But again the Fates were against me, and it went off--I do not +for a moment suggest that it was taken off. Again I tried ----'s Horse +and all the Regular and Irregular Corps in the force, and was +indignantly rebuked for daring to look for a stray horse in their +lines. And so I was reduced to walking to and fro at Paardeberg Camp. +But one fine afternoon, returning across the huge endless plain, I was +nearly ridden down by a subaltern, and as I glanced at the reckless +rider I saw that he was riding _my_ pony. I shouted and yelled to him +to stop, which he did. + +"You are riding my pony," said I. + +"I'm not," was the laconic answer. + +"But I'm sure of it." + +"So am I." + +"Well, you're wrong this time. That pony is mine. I've had him for +three months and I know him as well as I know my own boots." + +But there was never a blush on the face of the subaltern. The pony he +rode was, he admitted, of a very common type as regards colour and +height. And he discussed at great length the difficulty of recognising +horses. He told us that one of the greatest horse-dealers in London +failed to recognise a horse that he had himself ridden a whole year. +And then he drowned me in dates. The pony he was riding was bought for +the remount of December 13th, kept at Stellenbosch till January 4th, +arrived at De Aar on January 6th, was used there by a staff officer +who did not like him and sent him up to Orange River on February 1st. +On February 5th he became the property of the subaltern, who appeared +to have tethered the beast at night to his waist, so positive was he +that "he had never lost sight of the pony since." + +What could I say? I couldn't call him a liar, for he was a tall, +well-made subaltern, and he might have knocked me down, so I let him +ride my pony away, and I trudged home to my camp beside the river. + +Early next morning I collected all the servants and I addressed them +as follows: "I have not got a single riding-horse left, and I want +some; go and get some." + +It was a laconic speech, but wonderfully effective. By five o'clock +that afternoon three grand beasts were standing under the shelter of +the river bank close to my camp, undergoing the different processes of +hogging, tail-cutting, dyeing and other forms of transformation used +by horse-stealers. In ten days I could have mounted a whole troop of +cavalry. I will confess that I was a bit frightened, when, at five +o'clock one morning, they brought me two magnificent chargers, for I +recognised them as the property of the Commander-in-Chief. But +although I delayed His Excellency's departure to Kimberley for an +hour, I succeeded in sending them back to his lines unperceived. + +I now possess a splendid stud of saddle-horses. I find it so difficult +to feed them all, however, that it is my intention to offer them for +sale next Wednesday. The conditions of sale are the usual ones, but it +is to be distinctly understood that if any person dares to claim one +of the animals as his own he will be turned out of the enclosure with +ignominy. + + * * * * * + +TO THE SOLDIERS' POET. + +BY B. CHARLES TUCKER. + + So you've come, Mynheer Kiplin', so you've come: + Wot a chap you are to foller up the drum! + S'pose yer's gwine to make some verse? + Well, there's lots wot does it worse, + You'd 'ave made a better Laurrytte than some. + + We 'ave read your latest rimin' in the "FRIEND," + But it's finished up too soon toward the end; + But the paper's raither small, + Sure it's 'ardly none at all, + If 'twere larger now 'twould be the bigger friend. + + Now I arsks yer, Mister Kiplin', ain't yer proud + Of the "absent-minded beggars," how they've ploughed + Through 'ard ground to "Bobsfontein," + Dorp of late departed Steyn, + Ain't yer proud of this great ragged Kharki crowd? + + Glad to see yer, Mister Kiplin' and the "boys." + Old Bloemfontein never knew such times--and noise, + There's paradin', drillin'--and + Every night we gets the band, + And there's nothin' now our 'appiness alloys. + + * * * * * + +A SERIOUS MATTER. + +BY PERCEVAL LANDON. + +Horse-stealing is becoming a grave scandal. It constitutes the one +blemish upon the otherwise excellent military régime that has been +firmly but unobtrusively imposed. From their grazing grounds, from the +rail in front of the Club, from the actual hands of Cape boys leading +them to or from their lines, horses have been stolen with as little +compunction as though they had been found grazing on the veldt. + +In some cases marks have been obliterated and manes and tails cropped +by the thieves in the endeavour to conceal the identity of the animal, +and it is our duty to ask that an example shall be made of any person +found in the possession of a horse not his own, or from which such +marks or brands have been recently obliterated, or upon which others +have been recently imposed. + +It must be apparent to any man of sense that a horse which is offered +to him by any person, white or coloured, for a nominal sum, is a horse +which that boy or person has no right whatever to possess or attempt +to sell, and any man purchasing under these circumstances must be held +to be an accomplice in the theft. + + * * * * * + +It is earnestly to be hoped that, in felling necessary timber for the +use of the troops, all particularly fine or ornamental trees will be +spared. This district is sufficiently well wooded to supply otherwise +all requirements, and depends largely upon its timber for its +attractiveness. + +Mr. Kruger was being sped from the late Presidency when he recently +visited the front near Gallaiskop and Osfontein, and President Steyn's +parting remark was "Mind the British don't catch you, or you'll get a +better place in St. Helena than I." It is hardly necessary now to +remind the late President Steyn that many a true word is spoken in +jest. + +It is not a little offensive to the ordinary British sense of the +fitness of things that a native should be parading the Market Square +in the red tunic of the Soldiers of the Queen. Yet this was to be seen +yesterday afternoon when the pipes were skirling their martial +strains, to the delight of all and sundry. The name of the +regiment--Shropshire--was plainly in evidence on the shoulder strap. + +Lord Roberts's entry into Bloemfontein narrowly missed marking another +of those historical, dramatic episodes such as Cronje's Day afforded. +The British withdrawal from the Orange Sovereignty Territory actually +took place on March 11, 1846, the proclamation being dated February +23rd of the same year. The Queen's soldiers re-entered this town on +March 13th, only missing what would have been a wonderful coincidence +by less than forty-eight hours. + + * * * * * + +PROCLAMATION + +TO THE BURGHERS OF THE ORANGE FREE STATE. + +In continuation of the Proclamation which I issued when the British +troops under my command entered the Orange Free State, in which I +warned all burghers to desist from any further hostility, and +undertook that those of them who might so desist, and were staying in +their homes and quietly pursuing their ordinary occupations, would not +be made to suffer in their persons or property on account of their +having taken up arms in obedience to the order of their Government, I +now make known to all burghers that I have been authorised by the +Government of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen to offer the +following terms to those of them who have been engaged in the present +war:-- + +All burghers who have not taken a prominent part in the policy which +has led to the war between Her Majesty and the Orange Free State, or +commanded any forces of the Republic, or commandeered or used violence +to any British subjects, and who are willing to lay down their arms at +once, and to bind themselves by an oath to abstain from further +participation in the war, will be given passes to allow them to return +to their homes, and will not be made prisoners of war, nor will their +property be taken from them. + + ROBERTS, + Field Marshal, + Commanding-in-Chief Her Majesty's Forces in South Africa. + Government House, Bloemfontein, + 15th March, 1900. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +TREATING OF MANY PEOPLES + + _A Flesh-and-blood Miss Bloemfontein resents my + Love-letter._ + + +"THE FRIEND" of March 20th contained five advertisements for stolen +horses, one of which described the favourite horse of one of the +editors: picturesque justice, some will say, for our light and +trifling attitude toward the growing evil of horse-lifting. The +editorial of the day, "Greater Britain," was one that I wrote, and the +note of it was this: "It has been said that each of the preceding +centuries during a long period of European history has ended in a +great war. This one which closed the nineteenth century is not, and +will not become, great, as wars are measured. But it will be recorded +as phenomenally important in having given birth to Greater Britain." + +We had been offering five shillings each for copies of the "curio" +numbers of March 16th. We now raised the offer to ten shillings a +copy. A paragraph in the paper stated that a native (negro) police +force had been established in town, with badges bearing the letters +"B.N.P." "These police," we said, "have nothing whatever to do with +white people." + +A few words upon the subject of the natives will not be amiss. It will +be remembered that even as the British troops were entering +Bloemfontein the negroes were engaged in looting a semi-public Boer +building. Lord Roberts felt obliged to stop the triumphal advance and +order his staff to drive the ruffians away. Two or more lords carried +out the order. After we had established ourselves in the town the +negroes were included with the white people in an order requiring them +to have passes when they entered or left the town, and in order to be +out of doors after nightfall. They deeply resented this, after making +themselves as obnoxious as they were ridiculous, by their complaints. +They said that they had always been friendly to the English, and had +hated the Boers for the way they had maltreated the blacks, but that +it seemed the English were little better than the Boers. + +The truth is that from Capetown to Bloemfontein they had traded upon a +hatred of their Dutch masters, and, whether this was genuine or +assumed, they had endeavoured to turn it to their account in every +way. Everywhere that I found them they were too much impressed by the +importance which they assumed, and which we too often encouraged. We +paid them many times what was paid to "Tommy Atkins," and employed +them in preference to the poor whites. In return they were often lazy, +often impudent, sometimes treacherous. I know that they were too +freely welcomed when they ran from the Boer lines to ours, and I also +know that they sometimes ran back to the Boers with what they had +learned. The Afrikanders in our ranks and in our employ often knocked +them down for impudence, and the English were horrified; but I fancy +the Afrikander knew what he was about in dealing with this especial +sort of negro that followed the army. + +Mr. Gwynne, in this day's issue, wrote a series of parodies of the +despatches of the correspondents of all the leading London and local +newspapers. It was the purest fun. It caricatured and exaggerated the +methods of each of us so cleverly as to make the series altogether +laughable and yet so as to suggest something recognisable in each +man's style. + +Mr. F. Wilkinson, of the _Sydney Daily Telegraph_, wrote about the +Australians an article that is here reprinted. A correspondent of +whose name I am not certain continued from the previous day an account +of the expedition to the British forces southward of us. The article +was so interesting and full of local and military colour that I wish I +could give the author the credit he deserves. + +The chief event of the day was the receipt of an angry answer to my +love letter to Miss Bloemfontein. Even as we read the copy we supposed +that some wag in the army had tried to perpetrate a joke upon us, but +Mr. Buxton came in and, finding us reading the letter, said that he +had received it from a leading man of Bloemfontein, whose talented +daughter had written it. She was an earnest adherent of the Boer +cause, and expressed her sincere sentiments in this letter, in which +she waived aside my protestations of our friendship with something +painfully like scorn. Her name was given to us in confidence, and we +published her letter with my reply, all agreeing that as she was +certain to write another answer, we would give her the last word, and +then close the episode. + +We were able on this day to announce the establishment of a regular +daily train service to all points south. The country below had been +cleared of Boers, but the bridge at Norval's Pont was still a wreck, +and the trains ran over a temporary structure. Sir Henry Rawlinson +arrived in Bloemfontein and took up his quarters at the Residency with +Lord Roberts, who on this day announced that he would review the Naval +Brigade on the following morning. + +We published these three informing paragraphs:-- + + Note: the price of whiskey is 11s. a bottle, on a rising + market. + + A French Canadian member of the R.C.R. was doing sentry-go + one night at Enslin (Graspan). The countersign for the night + was "Halifax." Presently there came a strolling soldier whom + our gallant Canadian promptly challenged. + + "Who go dare?" + + "Friend." + + "Advance, fren, and pace on--and say 'Haversack'--all is + vale." + +There were many such sentry stories in circulation in the army. +Another one was to the effect that a Yorkshireman having to halt, and +demand the countersign of a man he knew very well, acquitted himself +of his task in these words: "Halt! who goes there. Say 'Majuba,' and +toddle along--isn't it all blooming nonsense?" + +Finally, there was this one other paragraph especially full of the +local colour of our surroundings-- + + A captured Free Stater tried to impress a sense of his + importance upon his captor by declaring that he was a Field + Cornet. "I don't care if you're a field big drum. You're my + prisoner, and you'd better be very civil and come on." + + * * * * * + +THE AUSTRALIAN CORRESPONDENT. + +BY F. WILKINSON. + +For one very obvious reason war corresponding has not had very much of +a vogue in past years with Australian journalists; in fact, the +fighting business altogether has been very much neglected. As a group +of colonies or a nation--which we hope to be almost immediately--we +are not old enough to invite anyone else to put up his hands, and we +are too far away to take more than a languid interest in other +peoples' scraps. We did send a contingent and a few correspondents to +the London Show, in '86 I think it was, but we only got there in time +to return and make ourselves look rather ridiculous. Since then the +"professional correspondent" might have starved and pined comfortably +to death for all the work he would be likely to get. He couldn't have +kept up the lecturing dodge with such long intervals between scraps. +We didn't even think it worth while to send to the Philippine show, +although it occurred almost at our very door. + +You see, in some of our Australian legislatures we groan under the +inflictions of what are known as "labour parties," and labour parties +all the world over have a rooted abhorrence of anything which tends to +the maintenance of law and order. Labour parties, moreover, are +generally made up of men who have before their accession to Parliament +led some big anti-capitalistic agitation and they know what the +sensation is to find themselves confronted with rifles, and even +bayonets. Consequently they dislike the military element with a mortal +dislike. They make a dead set at raw military estimates every year, +and laugh to scorn the military spirit. From all of which it may be +inferred that war corresponding with us has not hitherto been one of +the most lucrative of professions. Rich squatters don't choose it as a +career for their sons, and poor people have still the Banks and the +Church and Parliament to fall back upon. Those of us, therefore, who +for our sins have been sent out of this show, come as mere "rooineks," +or "new chums," to use the Australian equivalent. Strange to say, the +only one amongst us who was also in the Soudan received a mortal wound +the other day near Rensburg. + +There is this to be said, however, in extenuation of our greenness to +the business, that our early training is of the sort which ought to +make for efficiency. The Australian pressman, like his cousin over +here, is a child of the bush. His "beat" covers some thousands of +square, solid, British miles. One day he is out in the wild West among +wilder shearers, beside whom the average Tommy is a mere circumstance. +There is trouble in station sheds, and wild, uncivilised war between +unionists and blacklegs. Blue metal in chunks buzzes past one's ears +as thick as Mauser bullets at Magersfontein; railway carriages are +quickly reduced to ruins, huts and grass fired for miles round; mobs +of unionists carry havoc on the luckless blackleg and let slip the +dogs of war--always blue metal. This is the stuff on which the +Australian pressman is fed up. + +Next day he may be sent up to the flooded north: a river has burst its +banks and submerged some twenty miles of settled country; occupants of +single story houses find themselves high and dry on their roof-tops, +others have sought shelter in trees; their household goods float gaily +downstream alongside dead cattle and horses. Rescue parties in flood +boats pull frantically from house to house carrying provisions and +clothing for shivering women and children. These floods occur quite +frequently, and your pressman soon learns to live for weeks almost up +to his waist in water. He manages to boil his "billy" in the bottom of +his boat without springing a leak. He will make excellent "damper" +with arrowroot and Epsom salts if he can't get flour and baking +powder. He will ride anything which will go on four legs, and after he +has been lost on the trackless bush a time or two, he won't always +travel in a circle. + +He has a standing engagement in an annual encampment where 5,000 or +6,000 troops are concentrated for nine days' continuous training, and +when general orders are issued beforehand notifying the exact time and +spot where an engagement will take place, between so-and-so +representing the enemy, whose position will be indicated by red flags, +and such and such regiments representing the attacking force, who may +be distinguished by blue flags. We manage those things better at +Easter manoeuvres than we do on service. Here, they don't send round +cards of invitation to correspondents when a fight is going to take +place. One has to chase round the country after it, fighting staff +officers on the lines of communication all the way. But that is +another story. Since our present illustrious Commander-in-Chief has +taken over the conduct of the campaign we haven't been able to raise +much of a grumble, and what happened prior to this is forgotten--at +least for the time. + + F. WILKINSON, + _Sydney Daily Telegraph_. + + * * * * * + +MISS BLOEMFONTEIN'S ANSWER. + +TO MR. ENGLISHMAN--A LOVELESS LETTER. + +Come, tall Mr. Englishman, and sit down beside me, but for the love of +heaven, do not look into my eyes, lest they scorch you with a fiery +"hate of hate." The blue of mine eyes may be perilously near that blue +which men have named electric, and such an electric shock of scorn +would they shoot that you would wish yourself amidst the turmoil of +war again, some of whose bolts and bombs have taken the lives of our +fathers, brothers, friends! You will not wonder then that I do not +like your whole army or any part thereof, although it may have done me +the great and unwished-for honour of liking me--or you, the conqueror +of the land, which is mine by the same right as your little island is +yours--the right of old tradition which is so great a factor in the +history of nations, and in which our land abounds; the right of +residence which has been ours since our peacefully ruled and hitherto +prosperous little Free State was created--the right of love for the +land of our birth--the right of pride in our despised beaux, with +their homespun suits and lavish beards and whiskers, who have gone out +to fight with such bravery for their cause and country. + +Surely, Mr. Englishman, you of all men should be able to appreciate +this factor in them, you who pride yourself on being the bravest man +of the bravest of living nations. Were this factor missing in them, +would you not have been here five long months ago? Surely you, I say, +should be able to overlook such small matters as the bad cut of their +coats and the length of their beards. You should know that greatness +does not lie in outward seeming. + +Please do not say "Miss Bloemfontein tripped out to meet us so +enticingly;" say, rather, "little Miss Uitlander," who has, as you +rightly think, by no means hitherto scorned our homespun youths, and +to whom we extended a loving hand when she came, and who now, in +return for this, unnecessarily flaunts your colours in our faces, and +welcomes you too kindly. Much bitter sorrow was there, oh sir, when +you entered this loved home of ours; I and my sisters, who felt as +would your English dames, were another William Conqueror to take their +island home from them, lay in dumb anguish and writhed when the word +went forth, "we have fallen into bondage," "our enemy hath us in his +grasp"--and our cup of bitterness was more than full. + +We do cling to our old love, who left us with much misgiving to your +tender mercies. Mr. Englishman, fain would he have stayed to protect +us, but that he had his command to go;--and this is another thing +which you, who think so much of discipline, should be able to +appreciate. Though for fear of your displeasure we must hide our +feelings, you are hateful to us, oh slayer of our brothers and taker +of our home! + +We will not forget, Mr. Englishman, and are truly grateful to you, +that you behaved to us with common courtesy, and stood aside to let us +pass; but surely you, the politest of polite men, would not take +credit for that, which should be the birthright of all gentlemen. We +dwell not in times of Sabine sisterhoods, good sir! + +And if little Miss Uitlander bathe you in smiles, and lisp pretty +nothings into your much-astonished ear, call but to mind that she +comes from your own "far countree," and has here learned this way of +welcoming the conqueror. + +I am no Boadicea, say you. Oh, sir, you mistake grievously. I would +smite you with mine own hands, were I able. Did you perhaps not catch +a glimpse of me in General Cronje's laager, whither I went to share +the danger with my brother, and cheer him in his arduous task? + +True it is that homely comfort abounds in our cottages, and should it +not be so? Perhaps there was a time too when your stately sister did +not scorn to keep house, instead of attending theatres, soirées, +musicales, at-homes. Evidently, Miss Uitlander forgot the divine music +of Queen's Hall and Covent Garden, when she crowded to do justice to +the awful and untuneful melodies, to which your English bandsmen +treated her on the Market Square. But you see "It is so long since she +left 'home,' and it is sweet to hear those sounds which come straight +from dear old England." I, sir, stopped my ears with cotton wool (for, +whatever Miss Bloemfontein is, she is musical, and even had I been +pleased to see you, I could never have allowed myself to be tortured +with those fragments of the divine art). Poor Pan! he stood afar on +the topmost steeple of the Dutch Church, and played his pipes and +wept, and had you not been so absorbed in "tripping to your gay +tunes," you might have heard faintly stealing over our ancient towers +"Heeft burghers t'lied der Vrijheid aan," while the organ within our +"piously Presbyterian" edifice echoed the anthem, which was caught up +by the instrument in your exclusively English cathedral, and Miss +Bloemfontein heard the echo and was comforted. + +And now, Mr. Englishman, do you fully realise that I am not pleased to +see you, that I hate to have you here; I, a real daughter of the soil? +And if to-morrow I could turn you out, I would do so joyously, while +little Miss Uitlander would stand by, her lovely eyes moist with +grateful tears, and whisper, "That is right," or perhaps push you with +her tiny left hand, while she once more extended her right to my badly +dressed brothers, as they came over the top of the Bloemfontein Hill! + +The gulf between the angry past and the still more angry present will +never be bridged, Mr. Englishman. You have made Afrikanderdom by +fighting us, and have awakened in our breasts the knowledge that we +are of another sort than yourselves. Only now, with the "Schwanenlied" +sounding in our ears, do we feel what it is to have a country--to be a +nation! + + MISS BLOEMFONTEIN. + + +OUR REPLY TO THE LADY. + +DEAR MISS BLOEMFONTEIN,--If there is doubt about which young lady it +is who has made us welcome here, there is none at all about the +genuineness of your letter and yourself. Its sheets exhale the subtle +perfume of the mimosa flower, its strong, free writing reveals the +confidence, health, and high spirits of the graceful rider of the +veldt! Thank God (and thank you also, my dear) there is no line or +phrase of resistance to our suit in all your letter but has a tender +phrasing or carries a compliment--so that we know you do not dislike +us a tenth so much as you hate the thought of seeming light-of-love, +of feeling that we have dared to pity you, of fancying we think you +are to be won for the mere asking. + +Sweetheart, that was a clumsy letter of ours if it ruffled your +maidenly sensitiveness with such misapprehensions. Henry V. was not +the only one, or the last, of us Englishmen who could war with men +better than he could woo women. And as Katharine looked through young +Hal's rough armour into his warm and loyal heart, so we ask you to do +with us. + +Well, well! so it was your cousin, Miss Uitlander, whose azure eyes +and twining fingers sent me into my rhapsody of love, while you, the +true Katharine, the real princess, have held back, hid in some leafy +bower of your pretty capital. Ah, well, it was not her hand that took +our heart captive. It was not her eyes that slew us. What we loved was +the essence of your soul and spirit which breathed upon us from your +park-like seat, from your trees and gardens, from the pretty, happy +houses of your subjects. It was you we loved, dear neighbour, you +whom we have admired through all your youth and never quarrelled with +and never known to be at fault. + +As I wrote on Saturday, we still stand aside and look upon your charms +of peaceful domesticity, all garlanded for your bridegroom. Still, +too, we see your selfish, scheming guardian of the past fleeing from +the wreck and ruin into which he has plunged your people. And we see +your sworn champions in similar flight, leaving you forlorn, deserted. +It is eminently womanly of you to defend these faithless gallants +rather than solicit pity for yourself. It is the true maidenhood in +you which makes you retire to your bower until you have forced us to +acknowledge your value and earn your love. If we misjudged you and +fancied you had tripped out to put your hand in ours, it was only +because we were so eager and so smitten. We like you better as you +are, shy and modest, proud and pure. + +That deft touch of your pen upon the quality of our music--it was--I +mean to say we find no fault in you for--but, no, we may not be +disloyal, even to our pipes. It was the best we had to offer, and when +better comes from home we fancy that even you will cease to barricade +your pearly ears against it. We shall enjoy hearing Pan set your sighs +to melody. We promise not to drive him away; he shall ever play your +songs just as he trills the lays of ever so many fair maidens who +throng around our Queen, and who remember the chains she has stricken +from their limbs without for an instant forgetting the traditions +which still knit each to her past and her kindred in so many far +lands. + +You speak of the "great honour" of our liking you. You extol our +bravery. You admit our "tender mercies" and our love of order. You say +you will not forget our courtesy to your people or our modesty. You +call us "the politest of polite men"--ah, dear little Afrikander, we +treasure each word in each of those sentences. We cannot help taking +heart of hope. If you can speak of us so fair to-day, when the +whispers of your old lover still sound in your ears, what may we not +expect in time to come? We will not try to hurry your heart, but we +warn you we shall melt it. For we love you, and there is no selfish +prompting, no hope of mercenary gain in our affection. We love you +because you are irresistible, even with your dimpled little hand +clenched, and, perhaps, partly because of the lightning that flashes +in your pretty eyes. + + JULIAN RALPH. + + * * * * * + +JOINING HANDS WITH GATACRE AND CLEMENTS. + +On Thursday morning last a small force was despatched by train from +Bloemfontein to the South, in order to open up the country, to find +out the dispositions of the enemy between here and the Orange River, +and, if possible, to join hands with the British forces now operating +in the direction of Stormberg and Colesberg. + +The force consisted of 4 guns and 66 men of the 84th Battery, R.F.A., +21 mounted men of Roberts' Horse Bodyguard, 6 Grahamstown M.I., a +section of the M.R.E., and 2 battalions of Guards (3rd Grenadiers and +1st Scots), totalling about 2,100 men and 120 horses, besides vehicles +and mules sufficient to make the force mobile if required. + +We moved off in 5 trains, the first being a short "breakdown" pilot +train in charge of Lieutenant Mozley, R.E., carrying an advanced party +of 51 Grenadiers under Capt. Clive. Ten minutes after, a full train of +Grenadiers, carrying in addition Major-General Pole-Carew, C.B., +commanding the expedition, and his Staff; and the other three trains +carried the remainder of the force. + +We were in hopes that there would be some parties of the enemy between +us and the Orange, especially as Edenburg was reported occupied; and +the country between that and the river ought to have been swarming +with Boers opposing the advance of Generals Gatacre and Clements. But, +as it turned out, we had no chance of loosing off even one round, and +our progress was peaceful and unwarlike in the extreme. + +At Kaalspruit we met Lieut. Russell Brown, R.E., who had just returned +off an adventurous trip per train to Edenburg, which he had +reconnoitred in the dark when it was full of Boers. After that we +steamed slowly along, and reconnoitred Kaffir and Riet River Bridges, +with a view to their occupation if necessary. + +As it was quite possible that stray Boers might walk into the +telegraph offices behind us and read off any messages going through, +we transferred the instruments to the safer keeping of the detachments +of Scots Guards we left at the bridges. The disconnecting of wires at +one of the stations was carried out by a highly distinguished and +zealous party of Grenadier officers, headed by the C.O. himself, but +the result was somewhat unfortunate, as messages refused to pass +through for some considerable time afterwards. Edenburg was +approached at dusk, but, thanks to a friend who told us that the enemy +had evacuated it, we had no need to use caution in so doing. On the +contrary, we were warmly welcomed on coming to a standstill, and found +a deputation of three ready to hand over the keys of the town and to +ask for protection. + +The General received the deputation, consisting of the Landdrost, Mr. +Fourie, Mr. Groenwoud and the Clerk of the Council, graciously, but +demanded, as a guarantee of good faith, that all arms and ammunition +in the town and district should be given up. This was agreed to, and +messengers were despatched to the Commandant and two Field-cornets, +who lived some way off, to come in next morning at 6 and arrange the +matter with the General. A messenger was also sent to warn the +Fauresmith commando of 400 to 500 men, which was approaching the town, +that they had better disperse, as the British were in possession and +might fire on them if they came too near. The commando, had, however, +kindly anticipated the purport of this message, and had already melted +away on its own initiative. + +Edenburg is a pretty little town, well supplied with water and +provisions of all sorts. But its chief possession must be acknowledged +to be a veritable Don Juan, to judge from the number of affectionate +letters addressed to him that were found among the budget seized at +the Post Office. This young man, who shall be nameless, must have +broken the hearts of numberless charming ladies. Letters from every +part of the Free State and a large portion of the Transvaal, some +couched in most amorous language, others upbraiding him for +faithlessness, all signed by names of the fair sex (mostly without +the addition of a surname) brought a hot blush to the brow of the +unfortunate officer whose duty it was to scan their contents. It was +past 1 a.m. before he had finished his work, but the fair writers may +rest assured that their missives will all reach their destination in +time, and their secrets remain locked in the breast of that particular +Staff Officer. + + * * * * * + +_(Continued in the number of March 21st.)_ + +Early next morning the town was awakened by a series of violent +explosions, which caused several timid people to imagine that a +serious battle was raging. It was, however, caused by the burning of +67,000 rounds of ammunition which had been taken from the gaol and +court house and which were being destroyed by order. Five hundred +rifles were also taken, all of them Martinis, except twenty-one. + +After arranging with Commander Cloete and the Field-cornets van der +Merwe and Roule the details of handing over the rifles, &c., to their +districts, the General proceeded on his way, and soon arrived at +Jagersfontein Road. Here we were met by a Union Jack and patriotic +inhabitants, but rapidly steamed on to Springfontein, on hearing that +General Gatacre had crossed the Orange River at Bethulie, and was +expected that morning at Springfontein Junction. + +We arrived at this place at ten o'clock and, to our secret joy, found +no signs yet of a British occupation. We heard, however, that an +engine had brought two English officers thither from Bethulie on a +short visit the night before. + +Shortly after arriving mounted scouts of Montmorency's Horse made +their appearance, and were followed by General Gatacre, who rode up, +somewhat surprised to find us already in possession. Cordial greetings +were exchanged between the Generals, and after a short stay we pushed +on in the direction of Norval's Pont, which we were assured had been +evacuated by the enemy 24 hours before. + +On the strength of this information we left the three rear trains +behind, and pushed on through rapidly steepening country to Prior's +Siding. Here we were enthusiastically welcomed by the only +inhabitants, two Russian Jews, who so far allowed their feelings to +overpower their pockets as to present the General with a box of +excellent cigars in honour of the new flag. + +Another half hour through a horrid defile brought us to Donkerpoort, +and at this uninviting station we found the vanguard of General +Clement's force. These had crossed the Orange River by means of a +pontoon bridge, flung across the river 2-1/2 miles below the great +bridge, and consisted of a squadron of Inniskillings, the 4th Field +Battery, 250 Australians, and some Infantry. + +As we steamed slowly ahead, the extended lines of horsemen advancing +over the plain raised cheer after cheer, and we were moreover honoured +by a patriotic officer dismounting and taking a historical snapshot +with the ever-present kodak at the advancing engine. This latter, one +should add, was adorned by 4 officers sitting just over the +cow-catcher, who obtained an excellent view of the surrounding +country. Their admiration was, however, somewhat tempered by the +knowledge of a widely spread report that at certain places there +lurked under the line masses of deadly dynamite. Considerable caution +was at first observed at the culverts; but when the engine-driver +assured us that dynamite was hidden at one place only, and that place +known to him, we bade him proceed until within 50 yards of the spot, +and then halt. When within half a mile of the bridge, we asked whether +the fatal place was near at hand. Judge of our mingled horror and +relief when we heard that the miscreant driver had not recognised the +spot until within 5 yards of it, and had driven unwittingly over it at +full speed! + +Except for a short glimpse a mile back, one cannot, from a train, see +the bridge broadways on. It was, therefore, difficult to estimate the +exact damage that had been done as we approached it, even when we had +walked out as far as we could go, and actually stood over the gap. The +wreck is terrific; 3 spans and one pier had been blown up and lay in +the water 100 feet below, connected with the standing part by a steep +and tangled wreckage of beams, girders, and iron. Three months at +least must elapse before the bridge can be thoroughly in working order +again; but a little bird has whispered in the ear of the writer that +by an ingenious series of connections from bank to bank a very large +amount of stores will shortly be passing across. Those Burghers who +refused twice, when ordered, to blow up the bridge, were wise men in +their generation, for its destruction will mean a much more serious +loss to the Free State than to the British troops. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +OURS WAS NO BED OF ROSES + + _Kipling's regard for "Tommy Poetry"--Our English as it was + set up by Boer compositors._ + + +"THE FRIEND" was an afternoon paper published at three or four or five +o'clock in the evening, according as the Dutch compositors chose to +get it out. We editors went to our tiny editorial room between nine +and ten o'clock in the morning, and worked until lunch time--one +o'clock--writing, seeing visitors, correcting proofs, and reading +manuscripts. What I have called "seeing visitors" mainly consisted in +turning away private soldiers who came for copies of the paper. Though +we posted notices that ours was the editorial room, and that papers +were to be had at Barlow's stationery shop, "Tommy" would insist upon +coming to us; therefore we gave up a large part of our time to sending +him away, now yelling at him, now bursting into expletives, and anon +pleading most politely that we were neither newsboys nor railway +bookstall keepers. + +What I have called "reading manuscripts" was largely the work of +examining the poetry of this same Mr. Atkins, who, fired by the genius +of Mr. Kipling, is sometimes a better poet than you would think, +sometimes a worse poet than you can imagine, but is generally a +poet--of one sort or another. + +We had good "Tommy" poets in our ranks; wherefore, when Mr. Kipling +came, he insisted that all soldier poetry should be religiously read, +and the best of it published. He pored over miles of it. At the idea +of re-writing and improving Tommy's verse he was pained, and when Mr. +James Barnes, on one occasion, spent half a day in putting a "Tommy" +poem into Queen's English, Mr. Kipling was righteously indignant, and +spent an hour in getting it back to Tommy's vernacular. But we are +coming to Mr. Kipling presently. + +The rest of the time of all except the man who wrote the leader of the +day was spent in correcting the typographical errors of the Dutch +compositors, who, by the way, could make more numerous and more +dreadful mistakes in type than ever an intelligence officer made in +getting news of the enemy. The consequence was that we often took up +the first paper that reached us from the presses, and with a sigh +assured each other that it was almost wholly given up to bad verse and +printers' errors. + +At noon during these early days one of us would gather up all the +proofs that we could get from the printers, and march over to Lord +Stanley's office to have them censored. He was so considerate and +liberal that this soon proved a mere formality. I think he must have +regarded the eccentric but interesting journal as a child of his own, +or at least as one whose parentage he would be too polite to dispute +if Lord Roberts claimed it. We used to hear how very much the great +Field Marshal, also, was interested in it; how eagerly he secured his +copy every day, and how much he liked all that it contained. A visitor +at the Residency told us that one afternoon Lord Roberts saw an +officer reading THE FRIEND, and called to one of his staff: "I see a +man in there reading THE FRIEND. How is it I have not had my copy?" +The officer's paper proved to be a copy of an earlier number, so that +the Field Marshal's wounded pride was healed. But we liked that story; +we liked it very much indeed. + +Our fifth number, published on March 21st, began with Mr. Gwynne's +hearty leader on Rudyard Kipling, who was expected to reach +Bloemfontein on that day. Mr. Gwynne also wrote one of his +characteristic satirical articles on "The Soberest Army in the World." +Mr. Landon contributed a lively and picturesque narrative of the +principal feat our despatch riders had performed up to that time, and +I perpetrated a modest bit of reporting on South Africa's +attractions--an article of greater interest here and now than it was +then and for our army readers. + +We had made it known that private soldiers would be charged only a +penny for the paper, the original threepence being demanded solely of +officers. In this way we hoped to earn a greater profit than by +shutting out of our trade the humble private, to whom a threepence (a +"ticky," as it is called in Africa) sometimes appears as big as a +cart-wheel. But our new plan brought us a lot of trouble--especially +of the kind you feel when you know you are being done out of something +and yet cannot help yourself. The fact was that the officers encamped +at a distance sent in their servants for their papers, and these +messengers, being privates, only paid a penny for each paper. Then, +again, the officers were dressed so nearly like the men that the +newsboys and assistants in Barlow's shop could not distinguish them +apart, and charged many of the officers the penny of the private. This +annoyed us, because we were intent upon making as much money as +possible in order to turn over a handsome sum to a soldier charity +when we should end our stewardship--for not a penny did we mean to +keep for ourselves. Mr. Landon wrote a strenuous appeal to the +officers to help us to get our just dues. To the same paper Mr. A. B. +Paterson, of the _Sydney Herald_, contributed a very clever bit of +verse, entitled, "Fed up." He was one of the contributors of whom we +were most proud--and justly so. + +In this day's paper there were seventeen notices of horses +lost--presumably stolen, but a close scrutiny of all horseflesh was in +progress, and in the same column with the wails of the robbed was a +notice of the recovery of twenty-one horses--none of them being the +same as any of the lost that were advertised for. The Provost-Marshal, +Major R. M. Poore, on this day announced that every native with a +horse must carry a certificate proving that the animal was his own. He +also declared that every person possessing any property of the Orange +Free State Government--horses, mules, oxen, or anything else--must +quickly hand it up. + +Lord Roberts reviewed the Naval Brigade on the preceding day, and we +had a report of it showing how splendidly Captain Bearcroft's command +appeared. The late Admiral Maxse, out there on a visit, witnessed the +review, and said that it was the first one he had attended since the +Crimea, when he acted as naval A.D.C. to Lord Raglan. This review gave +us all one of our rare chances of seeing Lord Roberts, for he went out +but little, and even at such times hurried directly to his +destination, returning with as little loss of time. Every man, of +every rank, saluted him, and he was scrupulously careful to return the +salute even of the bugler boys. It was said to be surprising to note +how many men he knew of all ranks, and how watchful and observant he +was. "You managed that very cleverly," he would say to a man in +conflict with unruly horses; or he would reprove a soldier for +untidiness in dress. Nothing escaped his restless eyes. + +He wore no decorations of any kind, and I have even heard it said that +not every coat of his was decked with gilt buttons--though this I +repeat only upon hearsay. I can testify, however, that no man more +modest and making less of his rank was in his army. I always saw him +in plain khaki with that badge of mourning upon one sleeve which gave +us all a keener thrust in our emotions than even the hardest felt +losses of comrades and acquaintances which befell us all so +frequently. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + +BLOEMFONTEIN, MARCH 21, 1900. + +RUDYARD KIPLING. + +EDITORIAL BY H. A. GWYNNE. + +To-day we expect to welcome here in our camp the great poet and +writer, who has contributed more than any one perhaps towards the +consolidation of the British Empire. His visit is singularly +appropriate. He will find encamped round the town not only his friend +Tommy Atkins, but the Australian, the Canadian, the New Zealander, the +Tasmanian, the volunteer from Ceylon, from Argentine, and from every +quarter of the globe. He will see the man of the soil--the South +African Britisher--side by side with his fellow colonist from over the +seas. In fact, Bloemfontein will present to him the actual physical +fulfilment of what must be one of his dearest hopes--the close union +of the various parts of the greatest Empire in the world. His visit, +therefore, will have in it something of the triumph of a conqueror--a +conqueror who, with the force of genius, has swept away barriers of +distance and boundary, and made a fifth of the globe British, not only +in title, but in real sentiment. + +We, belonging to that portion of the Press to which is assigned the +duty of witnessing and chronicling the deeds which make history, +extend to the illustrious writer a welcome, sincere and whole-hearted. +We feel, all of us, that his brush alone can do complete justice to +the wonderful pictures of war which we have been privileged to see. +We, who have been with Tommy Atkins on many a hard campaign, have long +ago come to love him for his quiet, unostentatious courage and his +patient endurance of hardships; but we feel that Mr. Kipling alone can +translate to the world the true inwardness of Tommy's character. We +feel sure that the Mulvaneys, the Learoyds, and the Ortherises will +welcome him as heartily as we do, and we are hopeful that this fresh +meeting of Tommy Atkins and perhaps the only man who rightly +understands him, will be productive of fresh pictures of the British +soldier. + + * * * * * + +THE SOBEREST ARMY IN THE WORLD. + +BY H. A. GWYNNE. + +The force which, under the command of Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, left +Enslin and occupied Bloemfontein will undoubtedly be known in history +as the "Sober Army." Never before in the history of campaigning has +there been known such an absence of excess in the way of drinking--and +eating too, as far as that is concerned. Some people have dared to +cast aspersions on the British army by insinuating that drunkenness is +not unknown among its members. They have even gone further and +declared that officers and men are very fond of their "tot" or their +"pint" or their whisky and soda. I only wish some of these +calumniators could have accompanied Lord Roberts' force. They would +have recanted on the spot, and returned home convinced that the +British army was not only the finest but the soberest in the world. + +Their excessive sobriety and wonderful self-restraint in the face of +temptation rather tempts one to delve deep down for the psychological +reasons. I have myself made inquiries, but I must confess that I am at +a loss for a real reason. My firm belief is that the British soldier +is so actuated by a deep sense of duty that, having come to the +conclusion that hard drinking and hard fighting were incompatible, he +promptly dropped the former and devoted all his energies to the +latter. It would have been expected that at the end of a long, dusty +march the men would have, immediately after being dismissed, made a +rush for the canteen. Nothing of the sort. They sat down to tea and +coffee and left the canteen waiters kicking their heels doing +nothing. It is true one or two soldiers have told me that they +couldn't find the canteen; but the majority of the men chose, of their +own free will, to ignore its existence, and actually never looked for +it. But this noble continence, this splendid self-restraint has been +very nearly spoilt by the folly and wickedness of some of the +authorities. They actually issued rum to the men at intervals. Now one +of Tommy's greatest virtues is obedience. He was ordered to drink rum +and he did it--just as he advanced against a kopje spitting forth lead +when he was ordered. But the task of swallowing the hateful stuff was +distasteful in the extreme. I have seen him take his mug and get his +tot and then look at his officer as much as to say, "Must I really +take it?" The officer's answering glance was invariably a command +which poor Tommy could not disobey, and he tossed off the liquor with +one gulp to get it over all the quicker, and then held his mug upside +down to show he had done the deed. + +One would have thought, indeed, that this wonderful self-restraint +would be destroyed in the wild rush of joy with which the army was +filled the night that Cronje surrendered. Not a bit of it. The men +lying on the soaking ground never touched a drop of alcohol, although +many would say that the victory of our arms deserved an alcoholic +celebration. But that night the canteens were as deserted as ever. One +man, and one man only, fell. He was an officer's servant, and was +discovered gloriously happy, delightedly drunk. His comrades kept +hitting and punching him and asking him where he had found the liquor, +it evidently being their firm intention to destroy it. He refused, +however, to answer a word until his master found him and, seizing him +by the shoulder, shook him, and exclaimed with eager face, "Good +Heavens, Jones, where the devil did you get it?" And Jones answered +drunkenly to an eager crowd of expectant officers and men, "Meth'lated +Shpirits, Shir. I'sh found it in waggon." + +Whereupon ten eager voices asked-- + +"Is there any left?" + +"No; finished whole blooming lotsh." + +And then his comrades gently kicked him for a cur. + + * * * * * + +CORRESPONDENCE. + +_To the Editors of_ "THE FRIEND,"--GENTLEMEN,--I have read with much +of interest one article in one of your last issues touching the steal +at the horses. + +As a veteran of the war of 1870, I think that this would be of +interest towards much of your abonnés if I should write some words of +my proper experiences. + +It appears by the article in the number of THE FRIEND of the 19th that +the writer desires to carry to the observation of those who themselves +find in authority, that by their proper negligence he has been forced +to become that which you other English call jail-bird. + +Now I have made the war of 1870. I was dragon. I have suffered the +same privations and I have smelt the same difficulties on the question +of horses, but never I not have failed of myself to find without horse +of war. This without myself to boast. + +I not desire to blame the author of this article praiseworthy, who, as +he appears to wish to himself efface, in myself offering as +counsellor, but since, as to myself seems that he wishes to hold one +sale of his animals that it is all this that he has of most imbecile +of to announce on the roofs his crime. + +An officer of dragons in 1870, I was having at the month of the June +twenty horses of the first quality, grand, strong, majestic animals, +worthy of to carry one officer of dragons in battle against those +canailles of Prussians. + +At the month of September after Sedan he not me was remaining nothing, +and I not was having not even the means of me to save in Belgium. + +What to do!--Officer French not is able not to render himself. Ah! not +know I not the anguish of himself to find without horse. What have I +done? To steal, no! This was indignant of officer. To buy, no! I of it +not was having not of what. I was aperceiving in the distance one +horse of officer of the Estate Major. This was the horse of my poor +friend Gu-gu, evidently killed or gravely blessed. If if not, why not +was he not, the brave gar, mounted on his horse, directing the flight? +In one instant I myself was launched thereon without hesitation. To +save the horse favourite of my poor friend dead Gu-gu was my first +thought. In rending to his corpse this little service I was rending to +my patrie one service again more grand. I myself was reserving for one +death more épouvantable. Then, since that he is possible of to find +the horses of friends blessed, for what himself to submit at the +stigma of to be accused of to be thief. More late, when one wishes to +sell the horses, one himself finds in face of one difficulty +inextricable, if the proper proprietor himself finds upon the market. + +Gu-gu I have found more late in Paris, it is true, but we have eaten +the good horse together like good comrades. + +Agree my compliments most respected, + + M. VOL AU VENT. + +(The Editors, for obvious reasons, divest themselves of any +responsibility for the opinions held by our distinguished Gallic +friend.) + + * * * * * + +"FED UP!" + +_The Cavalryman's Growl._ + +BY A. B. PATERSON. + + I ain't a timid man at all, I'm just as brave as most; + I'll take my turn in open fight and die beside my post. + But riding round the whole day long as target for a Krupp, + A-drawing fire from koppies--well, I'm quite Fed Up! + + There's not so many men get hit--it's luck that pulls us through, + Their rifle fire's no class at all--it misses me and you; + But when they sprinkle shells around like water from a cup + From that there bloomin' pom-pom gun--well, I'm Fed Up! + + We never gets a chance to charge--to do a thrust and cut-- + think I'll chuck the Cavalry and join the Mounted Fut. + But, after all, what's Mounted Fut? I saw them t'other day, + They occupied a koppie when the Boers had run away. + + The Cavalry went ridin' on, and seen a score of fights, + But there they stuck, those Mounted Fut, for seven days and nights-- + For seven solid days and nights--with scarce a bite or sup, + So when it comes to Mounted Fut--well, I'm Filled Up. + + And trampin' with the Footies ain't as pleasant as it looks-- + They scarcely ever sees a Boer, except in picture books. + They make a march of twenty mile, which leaves 'em nearly dead, + And then they find the bloomin' Boers is twenty mile ahead! + Each "Footy" is as full of fight as any bulldog pup, + But walking forty miles to fight--well, I'm Fed Up! + + So, after all, I think that when I leave the Caval-ree + I'll have to join the Ambulance, or else the A.S.C. + There's always tucker in the plate and coffee in the cup; + But bully beef and biscuits--well, I'm fair Fed Up! + + * * * * * + +MISS BLOEMFONTEIN. + +There appears to be some general misapprehension as to the +authenticity of the letter written by "Miss Bloemfontein" in our +issue of yesterday. The Editors wish to state that the communication +in question was written by a lady, a member of a well-known family in +this city, and undoubtedly reflects with wit and frankness the feeling +of many of those to whom the abandonment of this place to the British +forces has been a bitter disappointment. + + * * * * * + +THE GREAT RIDE. + +BY PERCEVAL LANDON. + +The newspapers of the world published a notice of the surrender of +Bloemfontein on the evening of Thursday, March 15th. + +The Boers had wrecked the telegraph line to the south of the town; to +the west the field telegraph was useless; yet perhaps not one reader +in ten millions stayed a moment to wonder how the news had reached +them. + +When Lord Roberts left Doornboom the entire expedition was _en +l'aire_. Telegraphic communication was at the mercy of the passing ox +or the malicious passer-by, rain and wind were almost equally +destructive, and the inevitable breakdown occurred. The wire, aërial +or earth-borne, was useless in forty-eight hours, and, so far as outer +communication was concerned, Bloemfontein and all around and within it +might have been Tristan d'Acunha. + +But the London papers published the full account of the surrender on +the second day after the capitulation. + +The manner in which news was sent to the English papers may perhaps +be of interest. It must be remembered that there was then no +communication with the south. It was impossible to pick up the cut +wire north of Norval's Pont. The line from Kimberley to Boshof lies, +even as we write, in a cat's cradle on the veldt. There was no +option--the telegrams must be sent through Kimberley and by despatch +riders. + +Perhaps it is truer to say that one or two London papers did so, for a +certain number relied--and with justice--on the recuperative powers of +Captain Faussett and his myrmidons of the wire. + +To ride a hundred miles across the veldt against time, and against at +least two other competing riders, through the enemy's country, and at +a moment's notice, is not the least exciting occupation that can be +chosen by a light-weight searching for a new sensation. + +It combines the certainty of hardship and discomfort with the +possibility of being shot; and over and above all is the pressing need +of saving every minute of time. + +Three despatch riders set out from Bloemfontein during the evening of +Tuesday or the earliest dawn of Wednesday. First in order of starting +was the _Times_ messenger, second that of Reuter's Agency, third came +the "angelos" of the _Daily Mail_. + +From Bloemfontein to Kimberley is, as we have said, a distance of a +hundred miles. It is best understood by a Londoner by suggesting the +comparison that he should be compelled to ride to Hereford every time +he wished to despatch a telegram. + +Out from the isolated city the messengers went, making their way in +the darkness or in the dawn over the red slushing tracks that had +suffered the steady downpour of the night's rain, till, by whichever +road they had moved out of Bloemfontein, they met at the battle-ground +of Driefontein. + +From that point onwards the struggle became keen, and the breakdown of +a horse meant a delay that might perhaps be reckoned in days rather +than hours. The public that glances casually at the telegrams of their +morning papers does not often realise the importance of a few minutes +to the correspondents whose work they are reading. In this case, +besides the ordinary delay, the lonely riders that were making way +across the veldt had to spur them on the risk of finding the Field +Telegraph repaired before they could reach the Diamond City, and the +cable blocked with messages sent over their heads from Bloemfontein. + +Early in the great race the _Times_ rider met with disaster. The horse +he rode fell, and, though the injury seemed slight enough at the time, +never properly recovered itself, causing a delay of some hours before +the next relay could be reached. + +But the _Daily Mail_ was still more unlucky. Starting last of all, the +well-known light-weight who carried the fortunes of the "largest +circulation of this earth" made his way forward through the fading +light of Wednesday, gaining rapidly on his predecessors, and, +confident in the excellent provision made for him, was getting out of +his mount the last pound of pace, when a cut corner flung him against +a barbed wire fence, which so terribly lacerated his leg that further +riding was out of the question. + +Binding up his scratches as best he might, he found himself compelled +to walk back thirty-five miles to Bloemfontein, unable to ride, and at +the journey's end almost unable to stand. + +So the _Times_ and Reuter--each armed with a duplicate despatch from +the Commander-in-Chief--were left to compete for the contingent +advantage of getting first into Kimberley. + +And now was done a notable achievement. Browning, in his poem, "How we +brought the Good News from Ghent to Aix," has chosen, by an odd +accident, exactly the distance which divides Kimberley from +Bloemfontein; but we can rest assured that the "good news" of the +capture of the Boer capital sped on as fast as ever went the news +across the flat plains of Flanders. + +Over the grey sage-brush of the veldt, over the high, dry grass, under +the rare shade of poplar trees, where the horse was watered, along the +red crumbling road or the mere beaten wheel track where a thousand +waggons and twenty thousand animals had worn a temporary track, the +hurrying hoof of the courier's mount lessened the long distance +between the capital of the O.F.S. and the end of that wire of which +the other lies in the capital of the world. + +In the afternoon of Wednesday three bullets whistled past the rider of +the Agency, and the newspaper's courier had a similar experience at +the same spot as he passed a little later. + +It soon became obvious that there was no possibility of getting into +Kimberley in time to send the despatches before the office closed for +the day, and the _Times_ despatch rider took the latter stages of the +journey more easily. Reuter's man,[1] however, continued his ride at +his utmost speed, and actually achieved what will long remain a +record, travelling the entire distance on three horses in twenty hours +and twenty minutes. + +[Footnote 1: Gilbert H. Stevens.] + +The need for such lengthy despatch riding luckily seldom occurs, as +the expense is one of the heaviest items that can be incurred by +newspaper representatives on behalf of their papers; only in the very +exceptional circumstances in which the war correspondents found +themselves at the capture of Bloemfontein would the enormous +expenditure be justified. + +[Illustration: Who the deuce set this hash up. Find out. RK Proper +names ought to be capped throughout but it's no use with this staff. + +FABLES FOR THE STAFF. + +THE ELEPHO[A]NT AND THE LARK'S NEST. + +A discriminating b[B]oer having laid a nestful of valuable and +infy[o]rming eggs, fled across the horizon under pressure of necessity +ler[a]ving his nest in a secli[u]ded spot where it was discovered +by a disinterested observed[r] who reported the same to an +i[I]ntee[l]liga[e]nce o[O]fficer. The latter arriving at his leisure +with a great pomposite[]y said "s[S]ee me hatch![;]" A[a]nd sitting down +without reserve convo[e]rted the entire output into i[a]n unnecessaru[y] +omelette. After the mess was removed, the disinterested obso[e]rver +observed:--"h[H]ad you approached this matter in anu[o]ther spirit you +might hu[a]ve obtained valuable information." "That," [quote] replied +the i[I]ntelligence o[O]fficer, "sho[ow]s your ne[a]rrow-minded +prejudice. Besides I am morally certain that those eggs co[a]me out of a +my[a]re's nest." "It is now too late to enquire" said the disinterested +observer, "i[a]nd that is a pity." "But am I not an intelligent +officer?" S[s]u[a]id the i[I]ntelligence o[O]fficer. "Of that there can +be no twe[o] opinions," said the disinterested observer. Whereupon he +was sent down. + +Moral. _Do not teach the i[I]ntelligence to hatch [suck] eggs_ + +_A Corrected "Proof" by Rudyard Kipling._ + +(_Giving a glimpse of the struggle between the editors and the Dutch +compositors._)] + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +RUDYARD KIPLING, ASSOCIATE EDITOR + + _A chapter which introduces a Prince, and tells of our + Appeal to the whole Army to write for_ THE FRIEND. + + +The next day's issue, that of March 22nd, was the best-looking number +we had produced. We dropped those little frames on either side of the +title of the paper which journalists call "ears" or "ear-tabs," so +that the front page looked dignified and ship-shape, and the title +read simply THE FRIEND, without its former addenda of "Playing cards" +and "Cue tips." In place of these we printed the royal coat-of-arms. +This issue contained a heart-felt eulogy of Sir W. S. A. Lockhart by +the Field Marshal. + +General Kelly in Camp Orders declared that hereafter horse thieves +would be severely dealt with, and there appeared a notice by Prince +Francis of Teck, "Staff Captain, Remount Department," that the army +desired horses of certain ages and a certain height, as well as agents +to buy them. + +This reminds all who were at Bloemfontein how the Prince came and put +up at the Bloemfontein Hotel, and began to fill up an immense yard +just on the edge of the town with a marvellous collection of veldt +horses, all of which, I understood, he succeeded in buying at £25 +apiece, though I had just paid £100 for a pair, and most men were +giving £40 at the least for every horse. The Prince worked like a +beaver all the time he was at Bloemfontein. + +There went to the stalwart and kindly Prince one day an artist who +said he desired to surrender two mules which did not belong to him. It +was not the truth that he desired to give them up, nor was it out of +politeness that he told the falsehood. The fact was that the army had +taken his horses and left him a pair of feeble, poorly animated steeds +of the clothes-horse pattern, which gave out on the long road between +Poplar Grove and Bloemfontein. At the same time two healthy mules, +astray on the veldt, evinced a yearning for human companionship, and +insisted upon intruding themselves upon the company of the artist and +his Basuto servant while they were preparing lunch. To go on with his +own weak and sick animals was to invite a loss of locomotive power in +a country infested with Boers. To make use of the fresher mules was +the natural and obvious alternative. Therefore the artist abandoned +his horses and went on with the mules. Arrived in Bloemfontein, he at +once continued his travels by joining the "bill-sticking expedition" +of General French over to Thaba N'chu and the region beyond. + +"Bill sticking," by the way, was how the officers nicknamed the +distribution of copies of Lord Roberts' proclamation calling on the +Boers to lay down their arms and sign a promise not to continue the +war. When the artist returned to Bloemfontein he was met by friends +who said that he would certainly be shot if he was found to be using +animals that did not belong to him. Lord Roberts had grown angry, it +was said, and had exclaimed aloud that no matter who or what the man +might be, the next offender in this respect should be shot. It was +this stentorian cry, and not the still, small voice of conscience, +that sent the artist to the Prince, to whom he told the truth and made +formal surrender of the mules. + +"And very nice indeed it is of you," said the Prince, "very honest and +straightforward. I will send some one to get the mules this +afternoon." + +"But, I beg pardon," said the artist, "now everything's all right, +isn't it? The mules were not mine, and I have surrendered them, and +there's no trouble to follow?" + +"No, indeed," said Prince Francis, "I am much obliged to you. Animals +are very scarce and we need all we can get; so very good of you to do +as you have done." + +"Well, now," said the artist, "won't you please let me keep the mules? +The Army stole my horses and left me a broken-down pair. I had to turn +them loose and take these mules or I should have been killed or +captured by the Boers. I have nothing else to move on with. I wish you +would let me keep the mules." + +"Really," said the Prince, "I cannot do that. I never heard such a +proposition in my life. I have no authority to do as you ask. Upon my +word, this is most extraordinary. Come, I'll tell you what I will do. +I'll see that you get a pair of animals at the Army price. I can't +sell them to you or buy them for you, but I can have a pair put aside +for you to buy of somebody who brings them in to sell." + +No one who was not there can form any idea of the extent to which this +looting or commandeering of horses was then being practised. They were +stolen not only from in front of the Club--the busiest spot in the +heart of the town--but from before the headquarters of Lord Roberts, +and from in front of the hotels. Men were desperate; so many were +without horses. Sicknesses, slaughter, and overwork had left us with +less than half the animals we needed. + +At about this time an American correspondent who was never guilty of +taking even an abandoned Boer horse, but who had purchased a fine +animal of a negro on the veldt for five shillings, became very nervous +over his purchase. He went to the stable and with the help of his +servant clipped the animal close, so that it no longer resembled the +long-haired beast he had bought. Then he went out into the street and +met a Boer, who accused him of having taken his horse and who exactly +described the animal in question. The Boer said he would report the +case to Major Poore, the Provost-Marshal. The now frightened +correspondent came to my room with his burden of sorrows, and stated +his case to the company of officers, correspondents, and +despatch-riders then present. + +"The Boer's name is Voorboom," he said, "and he is in earnest. I +suppose I shall be sent home in disgrace." + +At the mention of the name three men spoke up saying that of all the +rascals in need of a hanging this Voorboom was the sorriest. One had +seen Boer combatants in Voorboom's house, another had seen Voorboom's +brother trundling into a clump of bushes an English carriage which he +had stolen; a third had met Voorboom and his negroes riding far and +wide gathering up loose horses--English or Boer--which he was +undoubtedly now bringing to town to sell to the Army. + +"Give him an hour in which to leave town or go to jail at Simon's +Bay," said a Colonel, ending the incident. + +Mr. Kipling was in town at last and had promised us his assistance, +but we could not then know whether this would be great or little; we +could not have hoped or dreamed that it would prove a quarter or a +third part of all our work, as it did. On the other hand, we were only +too painfully aware that very little aid was being vouchsafed us. We +found ourselves with a great newspaper on our hands, a newspaper with +a gaping void of terrible dimensions. "Reuter" had promised its +despatches to us, but these were not allowed on the crowded telegraph +wires for days at a time, as it proved, and the whole burden was upon +us, joined to the necessity we felt to do our full duty to our +newspapers at home--one at least of which demanded a despatch every +day and four letters a week if possible. The army had been counted +upon for valuable and voluminous help, and it was practically sending +us in nothing. Mr. Landon reminds me that within an hour of Mr. +Kipling's arrival in Bloemfontein he went to him and said (with +considerable trepidation): "We have put you down as an editor of THE +FRIEND, and we have announced it." Then Mr. Landon held his breath and +waited. "Well," Mr. Kipling replied, "I should have been mortally +offended if you had not. Where's the office? I want to go to work as +soon as I have finished my grape jam." He did literally go straight +to work. As he entered our editorial dustbin he sniffed the mingled +odours of ink, wet paper, and dust, and said, "It's quite like old +times in India." It was agreed that I should stir up the consciences +and pens of all our friends and readers in an ink-blast, fierce and +loud. I did this in the editorial of the day entitled, "The Silent +Army":-- + + Other armies (I wrote), have always been distinguished by + brilliant raconteurs. Other armies have always contained a + plenitude of wits and humorists. Other armies have been + noted for the abundance of funny anecdotes with which chum + assailed chum and battalion guyed battalion. Other armies + have taken note of the more striking deeds of prowess, of + valour and of strategy which have been done among their + members; and other armies have boasted poets grave, poets + gay, poets rollicking, and poets who dedicated their verses + to their mistress's eyebrows. + + Alas! none of these things has this poor army--so poor in + wit and literary talent, however rich it be in courage, + patience, dogged persistence and proud victories. + + This army is like a sponge for taking what entertainment the + sweating editors of THE FRIEND will give it. It is like a + barnacle for fastening itself upon us and fattening its dead + weight upon this little literary bark. It is like a horse + behind our waggon, which was built, like most vehicles, to + have its horses in front. It is like the veldt around us in + its capacity to swallow any amount of refreshing rain and + yet appear as dry in four hours afterwards as if it were the + pavement of that place which can only be referred to by the + use of one particular anecdote, which is as follows:-- + + "If I owned Satandom and South Africa," said a Canadian + Tommy at Modder River, "I would rent out South Africa and + live in Satandom." + + But we nearly digressed--a sin unpardonable in an article so + important as this, written hot upon the impulse of suffering + and keen feeling. + + The committee of war correspondents with Lord Roberts' army, + who undertook to conduct, for the first time in history, a + full-fledged complete daily newspaper published in an + enemy's capital two days after the conquest thereof, are all + busy men in their own line of industry. They have constant + daily work to do, they are trusted by their own newspapers + to devote their whole talents and energies to the interests + of the public at home. Nevertheless they have turned aside + to conduct this newspaper, they are doing so, and will + continue to do so to the day the army pushes on and away. + + But in undertaking this task their idea was that they merely + had to start the paper and give it a momentum, after which + the army would turn to and flood the editorial sanctum with + tales of humour, wit, and prowess writ upon sheets + numberless as the leaves of Vallambrosa. + + The reader will gather that this has not yet taken place. He + will infer that the war correspondents are, like the last + rose of summer, left blooming to ourselves. True, two or + three generous and gifted souls in the army have come nobly + into the breach with contributions; but the breach is nine + columns wide--nine columns that persist in emptying + themselves as fast as we fill them; in fact, nine columns + which become fifty-four columns between each Monday and the + succeeding Saturday. It is on this account that when the two + or three generous and talented army men flung themselves in + the breach, the breach was not aware of the fact--and we + have not had the heart to wake it up and notify it that it + was being filled, not caring to tell a falsehood even to a + silly breach. + + Come, then, ye gentles and geniuses, ye poets, ye + anecdotists, ye thrillers and movers with the pen--join our + staff, and put your mighty little ink-damped levers to the + rock that we are rolling up the gigantic kopje of your + thirst for news and entertainment. Your pay shall be the + highest ever meted out to man--the satisfaction of souls + content. Your company shall include a Kipling. Your readers + shall be the bravest, noblest, proudest soldiers who ever + served an earthly race. + + You can ask no more. You can ask nothing else. + + But in the meantime we want "copy." + +We published also a brief communication respecting the Dutch name +Stellenbosch. This needs a word of explanation. It had long been +noticed that whenever an officer was prominently connected with a +losing battle, or exhibited marked incompetence in any field of +military work, he got a billet at Stellenbosch, a bowery village deep +down in the Cape Colony, where was established our base camp of +supplies. The name therefore attained a deep significance and common +usage in the army, and to say that a man had been "Stellenbosched" was +but the ordinary polite mode of mentioning what might otherwise have +had to be said in many harsher-sounding words. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + +BLOEMFONTEIN, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1900. + +PROCLAMATION. + +Whereas it is considered necessary in the interests of the Orange Free +State, and until arrangements may be made, that the provisions of the +Customs Convention existing between the said State and the Colony of +the Cape of Good Hope, and the Colony of Natal, shall be duly +observed, and the Laws and Regulations appertaining thereto shall be +enforced as soon as communication between the said Colonies and such +portions of the Orange Free State as have been or may hereafter be +occupied by Her Majesty's troops is restored, and the customary +commercial relations are resumed; and whereas it is expedient that the +necessary officers for the control and management of the Customs +Department of the Orange Free State shall be appointed, + +NOW THEREFORE + +I, FREDERICK SLEIGH BARON ROBERTS OF KHANDAHAR, K.P., G.C.B., +G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., V.C., Field Marshal, Commanding-in-Chief of the +British Forces in South Africa, do hereby nominate and appoint the +following officers, to wit:-- + + _Collector of Customs_--Johannes Henricus Meiring. + _First Clerk_--Albert C. Woodward. + _Second Clerk_--Frederik Blignaut. + + * * * * * + +A WARNING TO NATIVES. + +EXEMPLARY SENTENCES. + +It is evident from the sentences inflicted by the Provost Marshal that +the military authorities are wisely determined to repress all forms of +lawlessness and unruliness on the part of native boys with a firm +hand. Take the following three cases by way of illustration:-- + +No. 1. Boy: 28 lashes for resisting Military Police in discharge of +their duty while arresting him. + +No. 2. Two Boys: 25 lashes each for being drunk and fighting. + +No. 3. 27 Boys: 5 lashes each for being disorderly and having no pass +after 9 o'clock. + +At the conclusion of the above cases of the day the Provost Marshal +called the native police before him and complimented them on the good +work they had done. + +When the British entered Bloemfontein there was general rejoicing in +the native "location," but it is impossible to insist too plainly that +the clemency of British rule will not extend to violent, drunken, and +disorderly persons, whether they be white or black. + + * * * * * + +ARMY ORDERS, SOUTH AFRICA. + + ARMY HEADQUARTERS, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, + BLOEMFONTEIN, _March 20, 1900_. + +1. _Death of Commander-in-Chief in India._ + +It is with deep regret that the Field Marshal, Commanding-in-Chief, +announces to the Army in South Africa the death of His Excellency Sir +W. S. A. Lockhart, G.C.B., K.C.S.I., Commander-in-Chief in India, +which occurred at Calcutta on the evening of the 18th of March, 1900. + +Lord Roberts is sure that his own feelings will be shared by every +Officer and Soldier who has served under Sir William Lockhart's +command, and more particularly by those who have been personally +acquainted with him. + +After a long and varied Military career, which began in Abyssinia, +time of the Mutiny, and which included war service in Acheen, +Afghanistan, Burma, The Black Mountain, Wazeristan, Isazai, and +finally the command of the Tirah Expeditionary Force, Sir William +Lockhart was appointed to the Chief Command in India. Possessed of +exceptional ability, he distinguished himself alike as a Staff Officer +and as a commander in the field, and by his uniform kindness and +consideration he endeared himself to all who came in contact with him. +In the late Commander-in-Chief the Soldiers in India, both British and +Native, have lost a friend whose only thought was to further their +interests and promote their welfare, and the Indian Empire has lost a +trusted Counsellor who, on account of his intimate knowledge of the +Native races, and his acquaintance with Eastern affairs, cannot soon +or easily be replaced. + + +2. _Amendment._ + +With reference to Army Order No. 5 (b) of 4th March, for Captain R. H. +Hall read Captain R. H. Hare. + + +3. _Telegrams._ + +The Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief has great pleasure in publishing +the following telegram which has been received:-- + +From Sirdar Khan, Bahadur Casim, Haji Mahomed Khansahib, Kazi Mahommed +Ali Murshaj. Bombay Mahomedans offer your Lordship, your gallant +Officers and Soldiers hearty congratulations on brilliant success +Transvaal, and pray Almighty crown efforts greater success and +honours. + + By order, + W. KELLY, M. General, + D. A. General. + + * * * * * + +THE WEARY TREK. + + Trek, trek, trek, + On the wild South African veldt, + With anthills here and anthills there + And holes and ruts, you're inclined to swear, + For your mokes will religiously take you o'er + These impediments by the score, + But you trek, trek, trek. + + Trek, trek, trek, + With a heart as heavy as lead, + For the comrades who have bit the dust + Whilst fighting for a cause that's just, + With bootless feet and clothing torn, + From chilly night to dewy morn + You trek, trek, trek. + + Trek, trek, trek, + There's nothing to do but trek, + While your mules half starved and done to death, + And yourself ditto and out of breath, + You wish to Heaven the war was o'er + And you say sweet (?) things of the cunning Boer, + But you trek, trek, trek. + + * * * * * + +GO TO ---- STELLENBOSCH!! + +_To the Editors of_ "THE FRIEND," SIRS:--In the course of a lengthy +experience I have heard many quaint conceits and many hard swear +words, and have kept a small notebook in which I have jotted down +anything especially new. I was the unwilling auditor the other day of +a quarrel between two individuals whose rank and profession shall be +nameless. The conversation became very animated, and finally one +exclaimed with savage irony, "Oh, go to Stellenbosch!" Fortunately +some passers-by interrupted the fracas or else I verily believe blows +would have been exchanged. Now you, sirs, with your opportunities of +knowing many lands and varied languages, may perhaps be able to inform +me where this place is and why the request to go there should have +caused such fury and such agitation on the part of the individual +addressed. It will be a relief to the consciences of Her Majesty's +lieges if the time-honoured "D----" can be relegated to the limbo of +forgotten oaths in favour of such an apparently innocent expression. I +write in all innocence, as no man likes to use a phrase, especially +such a potent one, without understanding its meaning.-- + + Faithfully yours, + CHIRIOGICUS. + +[We believe that the place mentioned was located somewhere in the +Arctic Regions by the Jackson expedition.--EDS.] + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +LORD ROBERTS'S HEADQUARTERS + + _Like a beehive for industry when Rudyard Kipling went to + lunch with the Field-Marshal._ + + +Rudyard Kipling was paying visits and getting acquainted with the +local situation. He had left his wife and family at the far-famed +Mount Nelson Hotel--the "Helot's Rest," as a statesman had called +it--with its strange assembly of Rand and Kimberley millionaires, and +other refugees from the two republics, its army officers, both of the +invalid and the idle class, its censors, war correspondents, +sight-seers, and ladies longing to get to the more exciting front. + +I first saw Mr. Kipling there, and now found him tenanting a bedroom +across the passage from my own in the Free State Hotel at +Bloemfontein. When I went to shake his hand he was in the room of W. +B. Wollen, the artist, and one of those men who having nothing good to +say, are never content to stop there, was exclaiming, "Is it possible +that I have the honour to meet the author of 'The Absent-Minded +Beggar'?" + +[Illustration: _Field-Marshal Earl Roberts, V.C., K.G., K.P., G.C.B., +G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., Commander-in-Chief._] + +"Yes," said Kipling, "I have heard that piece played on a +barrel-organ, and I would shoot the man who wrote it if it would not +be suicide." + +A man of such broad build and short neck that you do not realise him +to be of the average stature, wearing a broad-brimmed, flat brown hat +of Boer pattern, and below that a brown short coat and very full +trousers to match; a vigorous figure, quick in movement as a panther, +quicker still in speech; a swinging and rolling figure with head up +and hat well back out of the way of his sight which is ever thrown +upward as if he searched the sky while he walked. His face is quite a +match for his body, being round and broad as well as wide-eyed and +alert. His eyes are its most notable features, for they are very large +and open, and each one is arched by the bushiest of black eyebrows. +They are habitually reflective and sober eyes, but, like a flash, they +kindle with fun, and can equally quickly turn dull and stony when good +occasion arises. It is not the typical poet's or scholar's face so +much as it is the face of the man among men, the out-of-door man, the +earnest, shrewd observer and the irrepressible hard worker. + +It happened that both of us were to pay our respects to the +Field-Marshal at the Residency on the same day, and both were invited +to lunch. Of course, Mr. Kipling knew Lord Roberts very well--had seen +much of him in India, where they had been both friends and mutual +admirers. We went to the Residency together. There we met a very +kindly and hospitable young gentleman who asked us who we were and +offered us a visitors' book in which to record our signatures. To him +we were presently introduced and found him to be none other than the +Duke of Westminster, who, as Lord Belgrave had at an earlier stage, +been with Sir Alfred Milner at the Cape. The Duke proffered us +refreshment of the coveted sort, which, as we have seen, was quoted at +11s. a bottle "on a rising market," and then he conducted us to the +great drawing-room with its strong suggestion of the grandeur of a +ruler's residence, despite its garish wall-paper and its puckered-up +carpet. + +The whole Residency was like a beehive for industry. In the +dining-room privates were hammering away upon typewriters, and +officers were supplying them with copy. We peeped into the large +ball-room, and lo! it was appointed with many desks at which members +of the illustrious and aristocratic staff of the Field-Marshal were +hard at work with pens and ink. Even in the drawing-room, the merely +ornamental desks and tables were strewn with documents at which far +from merely ornamental lords were writing. + +When lunch was announced we found the dining-hall set with two +tables--a very long one for the staff, and a very small one at its +head for Lord Roberts. Mr. Kipling sat with the Field-Marshal, while I +was placed between Lord Stanley and Lord Herbert Scott at the big +table. I was not impressed by any unlooked-for excellence in the +simple meal with which we were served. I had lived better on the open +veldt whenever I had been able to get at my Cape cart, and the boxes I +had stored in it. But the flow of wit and the hospitality and courtesy +that were shown to me would have rendered worse fare beyond reproach. + +After the meal Lord Stanley introduced me to the Field-Marshal, and my +very first words caused those who do not know how great and broad a +man he is, to think that I had offended Lord Roberts. + +"I am very proud to know you, General," I said. + +We talked for a few moments of trifling things, merely by way of +making acquaintance. + +"You called him 'General'; you should have said 'Sir,' or 'Lord +Roberts,'" said those who were concerned about the episode. + +"The highest rank and title in the American Army is 'General,'" said +I; "and in that way Washington, Grant, and all our leaders were +saluted. Lord Roberts spoke of my being an American. I am sure he +understands how I came to make a mistake, while, at the same time, +paying him the highest respect." + +Our newspaper showed that we were getting on rapidly with the new +forces of administration--the outcome, first, of Lord Roberts's brain, +and, next, of the extraordinary industry at the Residency. That most +skilful of military railway engineers, Colonel E. P. C. Girouard, who, +while head of the Egyptian Railways was also restoring our wrecked +lines and manning them efficiently, announced in our 6th number (March +23rd), that the daily train to the south would leave at 7 a.m., and +the train from the south would arrive at twenty-six minutes after +midnight each day. + +The Gordon Club opposite the Cathedral was to be reopened next day. +The Wesleyan Church announced a parade service for the coming Sunday. +The Presbyterian Church announced its meetings for the week. Services +at the English Cathedral were also advertised. The Army Sports began +on this date. Major Lorimer, of the Cape Police, came with a trooper +and some despatch riders and was taken on the strength. C. V. F. +Townshend, A.A.G. to the Military Governor, grappled with the negro +problem in a warning notice that all natives must be indoors by eight +o'clock p.m. unless possessed of a special permit, and that dancing +and drunkenness in the streets would meet with severe punishment. + +We published a very informing and authoritative editorial upon martial +law, which one of the editors was at some pains to secure. I have a +strong idea that it was written either by General Pretyman or Major +Poore, but I have no means for making certain. + +James Barnes, the distinguished American correspondent, who very +kindly and with able results, took my place as correspondent of the +_Daily Mail_ when I was invalided home, wrote for this number a +comparison between this and some recent American wars. + +We led the paper with the full text of Mr. Kipling's poem, only one +verse of which had reached us a week before. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + +BLOEMFONTEIN, MARCH 23, 1900. + +POEM BY RUDYARD KIPLING. + + (Owing to the exigencies of war, we were unable at the time + to print more than one stanza of Mr. Kipling's poem, which + we now present in its entirety.) + + Oh! Terence dear, and did ye hear + The news that's going round? + The Shamrock's Erin's badge by law + Where'er her sons are found! + + From Bobsfontein to Ballyhack + 'Tis ordered by the Queen-- + We've won our right in open fight, + The Wearin' of the Green! + + We sailed upon commando + To vierneuk our Brother Boer-- + A landlord and a Protestant, + What could the bhoys want more? + But Redmond cursed and Dillon wept, + And swore 'twas shame and sin; + So we went out and commandeered + The Green they dared not win. + + 'Twas past the wit of man, they said, + Our North and South to join-- + Not all Tugela's blood could flood + The black and bitter Boyne; + But Bobs arranged a miracle + (He does it now and then), + For he'll be Duke of Orange, sure, + So we'll be Orange men! + + Take hold! The Green's above the red, + But deep in blood 'tis dyed, + We plucked it under Mauser-fire + Along the trenched hill-side: + Talana's rush, the siege, the drift, + The Fight of Fourteen Days, + Bring back what's more than England's rose + And dearer than her praise! + + God heal our women's breaking hearts + In Ireland far away! + An' Mary tell the news to those + That fell before this day-- + + Dear careless bhoys that laughed and died + By kopje and fontein-- + Our dead that won the living prize-- + The Wearin' of the Green! + + RUDYARD KIPLING. + +[_Copyright in England and the U.S.A._] + + * * * * * + +MILITARY LAW. + +(_Editorial._) + +In times like the present when military matters are discussed by all +classes of society, both by soldiers and civilians, the question of +the law, by which discipline and law, not only among the troops, but +also the civil population in the country they occupy are maintained, +frequently arises, and the terms "Martial Law" and "Military Law" are +often made use of as if they meant the same thing. It is to explain +this that the following is written. + +"Military Law" is the Law which governs the soldier in peace and in +war, at home and abroad. It is administered under the Army Act which +is part of the Statute Law of England, and which, by special +provision, must be brought into, and continue in force, by an annual +Act of Parliament. + +With an army in the field, certain persons, not soldiers, are also +subject to the provisions of "Military Law," such as civilians serving +with the force in an official capacity; persons accompanying the +troops with special leave, such as newspaper correspondents and +contractors; persons employed with the troops, such as transport +drivers; other persons known as followers who accompany the troops +either as sutlers or on business or pleasure with the permission of +the commander. + +"Martial Law," on the other hand, is only operative in war. It is in +fact no law at all, and has been accurately defined as the "will of +the conqueror." The expression "Customs of War" would perhaps better +define what is meant by "Martial Law," because the word Law conveys +the idea to most people of an enactment containing a fixed and rigid +rule which must be obeyed, and which, if disobeyed, will involve +punishment. + +This "Law" or "Custom" is applicable to all persons and inhabitants +not subject to "Military Law" residing within the foreign country or +that portion of it occupied by the troops, and also within districts +under British rule abroad, which, in consequence of riot or rebellion, +are so declared to be subject to "Martial Law" by proclamation. + +It will thus be seen that a commander of troops in time of war acts in +two distinct capacities. First, he governs the troops by "Military +Law" only; secondly, in his position of governor of the country he +occupies, he imposes such laws or rules on the inhabitants as in his +opinion are necessary to secure the safety of his army, and also the +good government of the district which, by reason of the war or +rebellion, may for the time have been deprived of its ordinary rulers +and the machinery for maintaining order. + +For the purpose of administering "Martial Law" or the "Customs of War" +no rules or regulations are absolutely laid down, but certain customs +exist among civilised nations which are generally recognised. + +At the present time the practice in force is that, when practicable, +"Martial Law" should only supplement the civil procedure, but when the +civil Government is absent or, in consequence of war, is paralysed, +"Martial Law" must of necessity replace the civil. + +In administrating "Martial Law" by a Military Court the ordinary +procedure recognised by "Military Law" is followed. This is done +because the Military Court would be composed of military officers +whose training would make them conversant with such procedure, and +because some uniformity in administrating justice would thus be +ensured. + + * * * * * + +FACTS AND OTHERWISE. + +We wish to draw the attention of the troops of all ranks to the +benefits which the use of the Public Free Library offers. + +A Branch of the Standard Bank is being opened in Colonnade Buildings +under the direction of Mr. M. D. Savory, late Manager of the +Oudtshoorn Branch. + +The _Powerful's_ contingent of the Naval Brigade, consisting of +twenty-nine men and four officers, left by yesterday's train for +Capetown. Mr. Midshipman Lewin, who is in command, has the honour of +carrying despatches. + +The great want of Bloemfontein just now is some place of light +recreation and refreshment to which weary soldiers and civilians can +repair after the labour of the day is ended. It is premature, of +course, to expect anything so pretentious as the Alhambra or Tivoli of +London fame, but the resources of the capital of the Orange Free State +should be at least equal to the provision and equipment of a hall +where songs and various forms of light entertainment might be +presented nightly. Already there is talk of an enterprising agent +proceeding to Capetown with the object of retaining the necessary +artistes, who may be expected here as soon as the railway +communication is open to the general public; but for present purposes +there is sufficient talent amongst our soldiers and sailors and the +townspeople to tide over the emergency. A committee of amusement with +a good man as chairman is required, and the rest, with the permission +of the military authorities, should be tolerably easy. The drums and +pipes of the Highland regiments continue to do valiant service in the +market square, but the time is surely come when entertainment on a +more ambitious programme might be contemplated. + + * * * * * + +THE PROMOTION OF BINKS. + +"Know Binks? Of course. Everybody does--local major, staff something +at Headquarters of 10th Division--devilish useful chap to know." + +Yes, Major Binks; but three short months ago I was only young Binks of +the Buffers, arriving at Blankfontein to take charge of a Transport +Company; I had no experience, and no instructions, except to "lick 'em +into shape," and I felt like the title of a book, "Alone in South +Africa." Not quite alone after all, for I had Wopples with me; Wopples +being the servant my old uncle, Major Stodger, had found for me. +"He'll kill your horses, of course, and lose your kit, but he was our +mess corporal in the Blazers for fourteen years, and he'll pull you +through." + +After asking many questions and getting no answers, I found a seething +mass of mules, waggons, and blacks, which turned out to be my company, +and in the midst of it was a person of evidently some importance, who +turned out to be the conductor. His natural perimeter was nearly +doubled by the packets of papers which bulged from every pocket, and +he was addressing the crowd in a variety of bad languages when I +introduced myself, not without trepidation, as his new C."C."O. His +smile was reassuring and patronising. "Oh, that'll be all right, sir; +we're getting along nicely--but the Major's coming round +to-morrow--commands the station, he does--and wastes a lot of time. +Now, if you could offer him a bit of breakfast--" + +Next morning the Major rode up; he was a melancholy-looking man with +an absent manner. Before I could introduce the subject he said he +would not interrupt me if I were having breakfast; I begged him to +join me, but he said he never could eat at that hour, but he might as +well come in--perhaps he might manage a cup of tea. He managed one +cup, and then another, after which he brightened up a lot and managed +porridge, fried liver, curried mutton, and half a tin of jam. After +one of my cigars (also selected by uncle) he rode away, remarking that +he was glad to find they'd sent up somebody at last who had a grasp of +things--he felt he could rely on me. + +Next day I was appointed his assistant. When I reported myself he said +he wanted somebody whom he could leave in the office in case he had to +go out--there was no other definite job for me just then; meanwhile I +might as well look after the mess. I did so, or rather Wopples did so. + +One evening the Major seemed somewhat upset, "Look here, Binks, the +Brigadier is coming round to-morrow to discuss a defence scheme; he's +inclined to fuss a lot; I've got to go out myself on duty, but you'd +better stay in and have a lot of breakfast ready; I think you might +almost run to a tin of sausages." Next morning the Brigadier rode up +all alone at full gallop, scrambled off his horse, and began to shout, +"Come along, come along; mustn't waste time on active service; got +fifty things to settle to-day! Here's my brigade on this side of the +river--now tell me at once where every man on the other side is +posted"--here he fell over Wopples. "Who the deuce!--what, breakfast, +eh? Well, well, must eat, even on service. I can spare five minutes. +Come along." He rushed into my tent and spared five minutes. The five +minutes prolonged themselves to ten minutes, then to an hour and a +quarter, after which the Brigadier slept so sweetly that I had no +heart to waken him. About 3 o'clock he woke with a sort of explosion, +shouted for his horse, and galloped off talking as hard as ever. + +Next morning I was appointed his extra A.D.C. with rank of Captain. +"There'll be a lot of work for you later on," the Brigade-Major said, +"but no bustle just now; meanwhile you might look after the mess." +Again we did so. I was left in camp one day when the Brigade had gone +out to do something--"Somebody must be left in charge, and, by the by, +have a bit of something ready in case we come back hungry." I was +reading the advertisement sheets of a paper six weeks old when Wopples +rushed in. "Lord Upington, sir, staff boss at Divisional +Headquarters, just a'comin' up the road! _Wot_ a chance it is! Why, if +he don't know what good living means--well, I'm a Boer!" + +Wopples was too much of an artist to overdo things--there was just a +taste of porridge--not enough to spoil one's appetite, a partridge +with full complements of bread-sauce and red pepper, marrow-bones with +hot toast and a nip of whisky, black coffee and cigars; where it had +all sprung from goodness only knows. + +When his lordship departed he said he would not forget me; his heart +and other organs were so full that he quite forgot to mention the +pressing business on which he had come. + +Next morning I was appointed signalling officer to the Division. I had +never done a signalling class, and pointed this out to the D.A.G., but +he said it didn't matter, what they wanted was a really useful man to +supervise generally the signalling business. Of course, just at +present there was no signalling as we were on a wire; meanwhile I +might take over the mess. Before the words were out of his mouth +Wopples had taken the mess over; he had sacked two black cooks, +discarded the mess pots in favour of his own, taken the measures of +the mess stores, and was getting on with lunch. By that evening my +position as an ornament to the staff was secure. + +It was at something drift that we gave our first official dinner; we +had secured a roomy farm-house with some bits of furniture, so, +relying on Wopples, we launched into hospitality. And Wopples had +surpassed himself. There was a haunch of venison which brought tears +of joy to the five eyes of the three generals who partook of it--no +mere common haunch, there were several such in camp that night--this +was a haunch that had been through the hands of Wopples. Then there +was his extra special _entrée_--but that is another course. + +It was a dinner that might be eaten, but could never be described. + +Next day I was gently approached by many red tabs. The Provost-Marshal +said I was just the sort of chap for his department if I'd care to +come; a R.E. enthusiast told me that a balloon was the only place for +a real good view of a show and "he'd work the matter for me"; somebody +on the intelligence said there was a real well-paid billet he'd been +keeping open on purpose for me; and two of the generals declared +piteously that they could not get on without my services. The third +general had not recovered the dinner, but sent a grinning A.D.C. to +represent him. + +After that his lordship shut me and Wopples up together in his own +room and kept guard outside himself. "We'll take care of you, Binks; +we'll get you made a local major, and you shall ride the general's +horse as you've lost all your own. I'll find you a Tommy's blanket, by +Jove I will! and demme, I'll give you my own second shirt; but I'll be +shot if you leave our camp, my boy--shot and starved!" + + ANONYMOUS. + + * * * * * + +SOLDIERS' BATTLES AND GENERALS' CAMPAIGNS. + +BY JAMES BARNES. + +The writer, an American, who served during the Cuban war, has been +asked to compare the present heated argument with the late +unpleasantness in the Antilles. + +It is rather difficult to draw any comparisons between this war in +South Africa and the late conflict in Cuba. It is like comparing two +games differing in rules and methods, and resembling one another only +in the fact that they are played with bat and ball. + +One of the strange things about the war in the West Indies was +this--when it was over the world waited for the lesson, and there was +none in the proper sense of the word. The God of battles must have +been with America from start to finish; ours was the good fortune; we +had all the luck. It was a series of miracles. Naval men waited to see +the great things torpedo-boats would accomplish, and two of the +much-dreaded machines were sunk by a millionaire's pleasure-craft +transformed into a gun-boat. Vessels with armoured belts and +protective decks were set on fire in the old-fashioned way by +exploding shells igniting their wood-work. Dewey's victory at Manila +was accomplished without loss of life on the American side, and +Sampson's victory at Santiago was almost as wonderful--but one man +killed and a few slightly wounded. + +Army experts waited for the results of the use of long-range magazine +rifles, smokeless powder, and high explosives, yet trenches and hills +defended by men with Mausers were stormed and taken by men with +Krag-Jorgensens in their hands in the old-fashioned way--a steady +advance and a rushing charge to clinch it. Caney and San Juan Hill +were old-fashioned fights with the exception of the fact that men were +killed miles in the rear by the straying droves of bullets and never +saw an enemy. + +As in this war the losses did not compare to those of some +hand-to-hand conflicts of the Rebellion, and many wounds that in the +old days would have proved fatal, thanks to the merciful Mauser, +amounted to very little. Perhaps to offer explanation of some strange +occurrences of the Cuban war would be disparaging to the Spaniards. +Perhaps the least that can be said is that in the main the Dons were +shocking poor shots, and they had been so weakened by disease and +hunger that they had not much fight left in them when it came to cold +steel and clubbed muskets. The great losses in Cuba were from fevers, +not from bullets. It is in the conditions and environments that the +chief difference lies between the war here and the war over there. And +it is from this present conflict that the world will learn. The +Philippine war, costly as it was in life and money, was nothing but a +series of victories over a half-civilised enemy. The interest in it in +America, strange to say, dwindled to little or nothing after the first +gunshot in South Africa. + +Here was a different state of affairs. Cuba (for Puerto Rico was a +"walk over") was a country full of dense forests and tangled +undergrowth, offering a screen as well as a hindrance to the movements +of an army. South Africa is the greatest defensive country in the +world, and the Boer is trained by nature and inheritance to make the +best of it. Yet it took time to teach some of the English military +leaders to adapt themselves to the new conditions--it was hard for +them to break away from the traditions of Waterloo and Badajos. The +Mauser began to correct the old ideas of warfare in a way that it had +failed to do in Cuba. The prophecies in Bloch's remarkable book were +fulfilled almost to the letter. Proper scouting in an open country is +a dead department of military service. How long did we lie at Modder +River without knowing anything of value of the movements of the enemy? +A series of kopjes might conceal a few sharpshooters or an army--at a +mile's distance scouts were under the fire of an invisible foe. A good +shot ensconced between sheltering rocks discounted four men advancing +in the open. In Cuba the American troops were harassed by marksmen +concealed in tree-tops who often fired upon them from the rear, but +the forces opposed to them in front were mostly infantry, and the +problem resolved itself into a contest between individual soldiers as +fighting units. It was a soldiers' conflict. + +A war in a country such as we have been fighting over for the last +five months admits of one thing only--the strategic movements of a +military genius. The generalship of a great leader is a necessity. +Bravery is well-nigh wasted and courage almost discounted. Mobility of +force is essential, forces operating at great distances but under one +central head are a _sine quâ non_, and in long-range artillery lies +the preponderancy of power. More and more does the great game +approximate the moves in a chess problem. It must be admitted that in +Cuba there were no such scientific movements, and it has taken the +march of Lord Roberts from Enslin to Bloemfontein to prove the fact +beyond question that soldiers' battles, where one side is entrenched +and invisible and the other advancing in attack, are things of the +past, except in a wooded country or where all preliminary movements +are concealed. We had soldiers' battles here, but by fighting them +the lesson has been taught which the world will learn. + + * * * * * + +AN OFFICIAL DINNER AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE. + +On Tuesday, March 20th, Lord Roberts entertained the following +Military Attachés, accredited by the Great Powers to his staff, at +dinner at Government House: + +Colonel Stakovitch, Russia; Commandant d'Amadi, France; Major Esteben, +Spain; Captain Baron V. Luttwitz, Germany; Captain Slocum, America; +Captain Hieroka, Japan. + +There were also invited the following to meet the distinguished +guests: Lieut. General Sir H. Colvile, Lieut. General Kelly-Kenny, +Major General Sir W. Nicholson, Major General Pretyman, Major General +Wood, Major General Marshall, Major General Pole-Carew, Major General +Gorden, The Very Revd. Dean of Bloemfontein, The Honble. Mr. J. G. +Fraser; the Private Secretary; the Military Secretary; Major General +Kelly, Colonel Richardson, Mr. Justice Hopley, Colonel Stevenson, +Colonel Viscount Downe, Lieut. Colonel Otter, Captain Bearcroft, +Lieut. Colonel Ricardo, Colonel H. C. Cholmondeley, Colonel Lord +Stanley, Reverend H. J. Coney, Lieut. Colonel Byron, A.D.C., Captain +Lord Herbert Scott, A.D.C. + +After the Queen's health had been drunk, Lord Roberts, in a happy +little speech in which he proposed the health of the foreign Attachés, +said that he had much regretted while in Capetown not having been able +to entertain the Attachés, but now he felt some satisfaction at not +having been able to do it, as he was able to entertain them as +comrades, while at Capetown they would only have been representatives +of foreign Powers. He had often been distressed at seeing the Attachés +undergoing many discomforts on the march. But it had shown him that +they were officers devoted to their duty, and regardless of all +discomforts. He had not heard complaint or murmur of discontent at +their want of comfort, in fact, the only complaint made was one to +Lord Downe in which Attachés represented to him that he, with a regard +for their personal safety, had not allowed them to go as close as they +could wish to the passing line. It had been a great pleasure to see +them there that night, and he hoped before long to be able to +entertain them again in Pretoria. + +Colonel Stakovitch, the Russian Attaché, replied, saying how pleasant +it had been for him and his comrades to accompany the British Army on +their great and successful march. He thanked the Field Marshal for his +kindness and courtesy to them, and wound up by proposing the health of +Lord Roberts and his army, to which Lord Roberts made a suitable +reply. + +The band of the Buffs played a selection of music during dinner. + +The Austrian Attaché was unavoidably absent, having left on a short +visit to Capetown. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +"OH, HOW GOOD IT WAS!" + + _All Ranks join our Corps of Contributors, and the Oasis of + Literature sparkles like a Fountain in a Desert._ + + +Generals, colonels, majors, captains, subalterns, privates, war +correspondents who had not connected themselves with our venture, +naval officers--all ranks and all sorts, suddenly rushed to our +support, in consequence of my wail for help, and THE FRIEND took on an +interest and importance proportionately greater, I think, than that of +any newspaper then published in the language. Its circulation rose +among the thousands whereas the largest daily distribution had been +only 400 copies before the war. + +We numbered the paper of March 24th "No. 6," though it was in reality +the eighth copy we had published, six being the number since we had +enlarged it to its final size. I marvel at our success as I look back +upon this number. + +Sir William Nicholson, K.C.B., wrote an appreciation of the character, +life, and work of the late Sir William Lockhart; General Sir Henry E. +Colvile sent us a double acrostic, which the Dutch ones among our +eccentric compositors ruined so far beyond repair that it would not +be just to reproduce its mangled remains; Mr. Lionel James, who had +come over from the Natal side to further distinguish the staff of the +_Times_, wrote upon the death of our gifted colleague, George W. +Steevens. Rudyard Kipling contributed to this number the first of his +delicious "Fables for the Staff"; a distinguished officer, who shall +remain nameless in this connection, contributed an article on "Beards +in War"; and Mr. Gwynne began a series of letters entitled "Is the Art +of War Revolutionised?" written solely to interest the Army and spur +its thinking men to respond. + +Mr. H. Prevost Battersby, of the London _Morning Post_, was another +distinguished contributor to this number. + +Mr. Kipling now became a regular harnessed member of the four-in-hand +team that pulled the paper. With pen in hand and pipe in mouth he sat +at the larger of the two tables in our editorial poke-hole, and +beginning with a "Now, what shall I do? Write a poem, fill out cables, +or correct proofs?" would fall to and toil away with an enthusiasm +born of the long time it had been since he had "smelled the sawdust of +the ring." + +"Oh, how good it is to be at work in a newspaper office again!" he +exclaimed on the first day, doubtless with recollections of the +sanctum of the _Allahabad Pioneer_ strong upon him, and the memory of +the time when the precursors of the "Plain Tales" and of the Barrack +Room Ballads were demanded of him almost every day, and gave him the +practice to produce the carefully finished and matured work we are now +seeing in the novel "Kim," at which he was at work--in the laboratory +of his mind--even as he sat with us in Bloemfontein. + +We wondered at his enthusiasm, and, perhaps, had it not been of his +doing, we should have resented the impetus it gave us to toil as never +war correspondents worked before--all day for THE FRIEND and far into +the nights to catch the mails with our home correspondence. But we +soon came to see that the same tremendous energy and ceaseless flow of +wit and fancy were his by nature, and would have found expression as +well in a tent on the veldt as in that office. He was always while +with us like a great healthy boy in spirits and vitality, good humour, +and enterprise. + +With us he yelled "Haven't any; go to Barlow's shop around the +corner," to the Tommies who trod on one another's heels to get copies +of the paper from us who had not got them. With us he consigned the +Dutch compositor to æons of boiling torment for the trouble his errors +gave us. With us he entertained Lord Stanley, who now came, out of +kindness, at noon every day, to save us the trouble of sending our +proof-sheets over to him at his office. And from us he insisted upon +taking all the "Tommy poetry," as we called it, that came to the +office. When we derided much of it as outrageous twaddle, he praised +its quality. On this day, I remember, we were belittling a particular +poem that he was reading, and he called out, "Why, that is splendid +stuff! Listen to these lines--'Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the +waves: Britons never, never, never shall be slaves!'" The reader will +not find this particular poem in this book, though it was put in THE +FRIEND by our distinguished poetry editor. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + +SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1900. + +FABLES FOR THE STAFF.[2] + +[Footnote 2: Copyrighted in England and America; used here by Mr. +Kipling's leave.] + +KING LOG AND KING STORK. + +BY RUDYARD KIPLING. + + +I. + +Certain Boers, having blown up a Bridge, departed in the Face of the +British Army, which, arriving at that dynamited Place, made Outcry to +the Gods, saying, "Oh, Jupiter, these Ruffians have blocked the +Traffic, and we are vastly incommoded. Is there Anything worse than +the Boer?" + +This being reported to the Railway Authorities, they caused a Railway +Staff Officer to be sent to that Bridge with Instructions to +facilitate Matters by all means in his Power. + +Later on They picked up What was left of the British Army in those +parts--one dusty Shovelful, and its Lamentations were louder than +before. + +"Ungrateful Wretches," said the Military Authorities; "what would you +now have?" + +And the Remnant of the British with one Accord answered, "Give us back +the Boer!" + + * * * * * + +COMMANDEERING. + + Our hero was a Tommy, with a conscience free from care. + And such an open countenance that when he breathed the air + He used up all the atmosphere--so little went to spare. + You could hardly say he breathed,--he commandeered it. + + For, nowadays, you'll notice when a man is "on the make," + And other people's property is anxious for to take, + We never use such words as steal, or "collar," "pinch," or "shake:" + The fashion is to say he "commandeers" it. + + And our simple-minded hero used to grumble at his lot; + Said he, "This commandeerin's just a little bit too hot. + A fellow has to carry every blooming thing he's got, + For whatever he lets fall they'll commandeer it." + + So, at last in desperation, this most simple-minded elf, + He thought he'd do a little commandeering for himself; + And the first thing that he noticed was a bottle on a shelf + In a cottage, so he thought he'd commandeer it. + + "What ho!" says he, "a bottle! and, by George, it's full of beer! + And there's no commandin' officer to come and interfere. + So here's my bloomin' health," says he; "I'm on the commandeer." + And without another word he commandeered it. + + ANONYMOUS. + + * * * * * + +SIR WILLIAM LOCKHART. + +BY SIR WILLIAM NICHOLSON, K.C.B. + +Sir William Lockhart's death, as recently announced in Army Orders, +will be deeply deplored by his many friends in the Army in South +Africa. It was known that he had been seriously ill last September, +but he had seemingly recovered when he visited Burma in December. On +his return to Calcutta in January, symptoms developed themselves which +caused great anxiety, and, although he telegraphed to the effect that +he hoped soon to be all right again, the end was not far distant. + +Apart from his ability as a soldier and administrator, Sir William +Lockhart endeared himself to all who had the privilege of his personal +acquaintance by his charming manners, his genial hospitality and his +kindness of heart. Born in 1842, he joined the Indian Army in 1858, +and during the Mutiny he was attached to the 7th Fusiliers. He +afterwards served with the 26th Punjab Infantry, the 10th Bengal +Lancers, and the 14th Bengal Lancers. He was employed on the Staff in +the Abyssinian Expedition. + +When the Acheen War broke out he was attached to the Headquarters of +the Dutch Force, where he made himself extremely popular. It was +interesting to hear him describe the Dutch method of fighting, which, +as might be imagined, led to no decisive result. The climate being +tropical, the Dutch would only attack the enemy in the early morning; +the rest of the day being spent in camp. The enemy were more active, +and caused the Dutch much annoyance by frequently disturbing their +afternoon siesta. As no means of transport were asked for or provided, +the campaign was of a purely defensive nature, and at the end of it +things were virtually in the same state as at the beginning. + +After remaining in Acheen about eighteen months, Lockhart returned to +India, where he joined the Quartermaster-General's Department, and at +the beginning of the Afghan War he was chosen to take charge of the +line of communications up the Khyber. He afterwards joined Lord +Roberts' Staff as Assistant Quartermaster-General at Kabul, and for a +short time acted as Chief of the Staff on Charles MacGregor being +selected for the command of a brigade. In that capacity he had hoped +to accompany his illustrious Chief in the march from Kabul to +Kandahar, but General Chapman being his senior on the staff, it was +decided, much to Lockhart's disappointment, that he should return to +India as Chief of the Staff with the troops under Sir Donald Stewart's +command. + +He received a C.B. and brevet Colonelcy for his services in +Afghanistan, and was afterwards appointed Deputy Quartermaster-General +for Intelligence at Army Headquarters, where he remained until 1886, +when Lord Roberts became Commander-in-Chief in India in succession to +Sir Donald Stewart. He was then sent on an exploring expedition with +the late Colonel Woodthorpe, R.E., to Chitral and Kafiristan, and the +admirable report which he drew up was of the greatest value to the +Government of India in considering what steps should be taken to guard +the northern passes between the Pamirs and the Peshawar Valley. + +On his return to India, Lockhart was offered the +Quartermaster-Generalship in that country, but he preferred the +command of a Brigade in Burma, where he greatly distinguished himself +by his activity in pursuit of Dacoits. His health, however, was +undermined by continual attacks of fever, and he had to be invalided +home, where, after a short interval, he became Assistant Military +Secretary for India at the Horse Guards. + +After holding this post for a couple of years, he accepted the command +of the Punjab Frontier Force, which was offered him by Lord Roberts, +and in that capacity he commanded a brigade in the Black Mountain +Expedition under the late Sir W. K. Elles, and held the chief command +in the Waziristan and Isazai Expeditions. No abler or more sympathetic +general ever commanded the Punjab Frontier Force; he was beloved alike +by the British officers and the Native ranks; he maintained the +traditions of the Force and raised it to the highest standard of +efficiency; and when he left it he had good reason for regarding it, +as he always did regard it, as the _corps d'élite_ of the Indian Army. + +In April, 1895, the Presidential Armies were broken up and the Army +Corps System was introduced, Sir William Lockhart being nominated to the +command of the Forces in the Punjab. In this appointment he displayed +administrative talents of a high order, his main object being to +decentralise responsibility and authority, and to diminish office work +and official correspondence. It was in a great measure due to his +efforts in this direction that the new system worked so smoothly. When +he became Commander-in-Chief he kept the same end in view by granting +the fullest possible powers to the Lieutenant-Generals of the four +Commands and to the General Officers commanding Districts, and by +insisting on their making use of those powers to the fullest extent. + +In March, 1897, Sir William Lockhart went home, having been advised to +undergo a course of treatment at Nauheim. Meanwhile, disturbances took +place along the North-West Frontier, which culminated in an outbreak +of the Orakzaia and Afridis, and the capture by the latter of our +posts in the Khyber Pass. In September he was hurriedly recalled to +India for the purpose of commanding the Tirah Expeditionary Force. +This is not the place to discuss the operations in Tirah, which were +much criticised at home. The fact is that the British public had +become so accustomed to almost bloodless victories over savage enemies +that they failed to appreciate the extraordinary difficulties of the +Afridi country, and the advantages to the defence which the possession +of long-range rifles and smokeless powder confers. Moreover, there are +no better marksmen in the world than the Afridis, who are born +soldiers, and the mobility of hardy mountaineers in their native hills +necessarily exceeds that of regular troops encumbered with baggage and +supplies. + +Anyhow, the result of the expedition fully justified the choice of its +commander. The Afridis acknowledged themselves to be thoroughly +beaten; and Sir William Lockhart's tact in dealing with them after +they had submitted has led to the re-establishment of friendly +relations between them and ourselves on a firmer basis than before. +What their present attitude is may be judged from the fact that Yar +Mahomed, the head of the Malikdin Khels, recently petitioned the +Government of India to be allowed to raise 1,500 tribesmen for service +in South Africa. + +On the conclusion of the Tirah campaign Sir William Lockhart took +leave to England, and came out again as Commander-in-Chief in India in +November, 1898. He died on the 18th of March, 1900. In him, as Lord +Roberts has remarked in his Army Order of the 20th inst., "the +soldiers in India have lost a friend, and the Indian Empire a trusted +counsellor who cannot soon or easily be replaced." + +The late Commander-in-Chief was one of the few remaining +representatives of the Quartermaster-General's Department in India, +and to the admirable training which that department afforded much of +his success as a soldier must be ascribed. No better school of +practical instruction in Staff duties could be desired. Among its +pupils may be mentioned Lord Roberts himself, Sir Charles MacGregor, +Sir Herbert Stewart, Sir William Lockhart, and Sir Alfred Gaselee. +Now, alas! it has been abolished, or, at least, incorporated in the +Adjutant-General's Department. + + * * * * * + +THE QUARTERMASTER'S YARN. + +E. J. K. NEWMAN, LIEUT. R.N. + +DEAR MR. EDITOR,--The following lines were written by me on board the +mail steamer, about two young soldiers now serving with the army:-- + + 'Twas on the deck, that around our ship, from the mast to the + taffrail ran, + I saw alone, in a chair (not their own), a tall young girl and a man. + Her hair was light and fluffy and swarthy and dark was he, + And I saw the coon, one afternoon, a-spooning that girl quite free. + + So I spotted a Quartermaster bold as he went from the wheel to tea, + And I asked that Jack, if upon that tack, the passengers went to sea. + "Lord love yer honour, we often sees that, the stewards and the + likes of us; + There's always couples a-spooning there, but we never makes no fuss. + + "If you look around, you'll see, I'll be bound, each day at a + quarter to three, + A tall young fellow with curly hair and a girl in black, quite + young and fair, That's another couple," says he. + "And every night, I assure you it's right, straight up on this + deck they'll come + And spoon around, till it's time to go down. One night 'twas a + quarter to one." + + "Now it suddenly struck me early one morn, this might be a + serious thing. + Perhaps they loves, these two little doves, and has offered + them the ring. + So I leaves them alone in the world of their own; and this + 'twixt you and me, + I hope I shall, by each little gal, to the wedding invited be." + + LATER. + + Then the Quartermaster brushed away a tear with his horny hand, + The last couple now have had a row, and don't speak, I understand. + 'Tis not a fable, she won't sit at his table As she used to do of old; + But has taken up with a married man, At least, so I've been told. + + OLD SALT. + + * * * * * + +THE SECOND RELIEF OF KIMBERLEY. + +DEAR FRIEND,--I suppose that General French and his lot think they +relieved Kimberley? Well, that's all right, and in spite of his name +being forrin, he's a good chap; so, as Billy the Sailor says, let's +make it so. But I should like to know where would French be now if it +wasn't for Billy and the Yank? + +Now, you being an up-to-date paper, we thought you might like to have +an account of the battle which hasn't ever yet appeared in any paper +in the world, yet, as our Adjutant would say, was the most +strategically important part of the whole blooming show. + +It was me and Billy and the Yank. Billy's a sailor--says he was +leftenant in the Navy, and I really believe he might have been--he +couldn't have learnt to ride so badly anywhere else, and how he faked +himself through the riding test is a miracle--then his langwidge is +beautiful. The Yank's a Yank; you can tell that by his langwidge, too, +and me being an old soldier (12 years in the Buffs and discharge +certificate all correct), I was made No. 1 of our section; our No. 4 +was an Irishman we left behind at Orange with a broken head, all +through fighting outside the Canteen. + +Well, when French left Modder, February 15th, we hadn't a horse among +the three of us fit to carry his own skin; so there we was left. Our +troop leader said he hoped to Heaven he'd seen the last of us, but all +the same he gave us a written order, correct enough, to catch up the +squadron as soon as possible. There wasn't much doing all day, barring +a bit of cooking, but that evening we was sitting round the fire when +an M.I. chap comes round and says he's heard there'd be free drinks +for the Relief Force in Kimberley, and perhaps our pals was drinking +'em now. That was the first time our Billy really woke up all day. +"Free drinks," sezee; "that's my sailing orders." Me and the Yank +didn't mind, so we sounds boot and saddle to ourselves in the dark, +and off we slips without a word to nobody. My horse seemed cheered up +by the day's rest, but before I'd gone half a mile I found I got the +wrong horse by mistake! and you'll hardly believe that both Billy and +the Yank had made mistakes too! Lor', how we did laugh! but there, +there ain't no accounting for horses in the dark. + +We each had our own notions of the road; the Yank swore he was +tracking the big English cavalry horses; Billy was steering Nor' Wes' +by Nor' on some star or other; and I didn't want to argufy, so I just +shoves on a couple of lengths and marched on the Kimberley flashlight. + +We was going a fair pace too ("making six knots"), and had done near +two hours, when all of a sudden we comes over a kopje right on to the +top of a bivouack, fires and all. + +"Let's get"--"Go astern"--"Sections about"--and we did so, back behind +the kopje, linked horses, and crawled up again on our hands and knees. + +"First thing," says I, quoting our Adjutant, "is to kalkulate the +numbers of the enemy." + +"Twenty thousand," says Billy, who always did reckon a bit large. +"Make it hundreds," says the Yank, sneering--"and I wouldn't mind +betting a pint myself that there was the best part of two dozen of +'em." + +"Next point," says I, "who are they?" + +"I bleeve they're Highlanders, after all," says Billy; "see the way +they're lowering whisky out of them bottles." + +"Well then," says the Yank, "you'd better ride up and say you're the +General, and they'll drop the whisky and run." + +"Highlanders," says I, "don't care a cuss for Boers nor Generals, but +say you're the Provost Marshal and they won't stop running this side +of Kimberley." + +"Those men, sir," says the Yank, "air not Highlanders. Billy's eyes +was took with them bottles and got no further. Those men don't wear +leg curtains, nor even loud checked bags. They air Boers." And by +Jove he was right. + +"Well then," says I, getting back to point three, "what's their +position?" + +"Straight there," says the Yank. "Mostly lying on their stummicks," +says Billy. + +"My friends," says I, "if your Adjutant should hear you now he'd break +his blighted heart. Look here, there's General French lowering free +drinks in Kimberley, ain't he? There's the British infantry at Modder, +ten miles back, ain't they? And there's twenty thousand Boers plunk in +the middle, ain't they? That means, as Adjy would say, General French +is busted. Vaultin' ambition! Another orful disaster!" + +"My friends, we must reskew General French." + +"General be blowed!" says Billy; "let's reskew the whisky." + +"Well, bein' agreed on reskewin', wot's our plan of battle? A frontal +attack is always to be depre--well, something that means it's a bally +error." "Take 'em on the starboard quarter, then." + +"But the first principel of tactics is to mystify and mislead the +foe." + +So far the Yank had been lying rather low, but now he chips in-- + +"Say, chum, you've pegged it out straight there, and if it ain't +jumping your claim, I'll carry on the working." He did know a bit, the +Yank did, and we'd fixed up the job in no time. He'd a bag of about a +hundred loose cartridges he'd been carrying for days, and in two +minutes he'd a nice hot glowing fire right down in a cleft behind the +kopjy where it didn't show a bit. "Now boys," says I, taking command +again, "that bag of cartridges on the top of that fire will make as +much musketry noise as a brigade fits of joy. We'll let them have a +few real bullets bang in the middle to help out the illooshun. We're +three full battalions advancing to attack, and mind you let them hear +it; not a word till the first cartridge pops off, and then all the +noise you know." + +We extended to fifty paces. Billy said it would come more natural if +he was the Naval Brigade, and we puts him on the right. The Yank +wanted to be the "Fighting Fifth," it reminded him somehow of fighting +Stonewall Jackson down South; and the old Buffs was good enough for +me, and I took the left. When we'd fixed our places up nicely and +charged magazines, the Yank slips back to our fire and plunks the bag +of cartridges down in the middle. Then we waited what seemed like a +year. + +"Bang!" from the fire. + +"At 'em, my hearties!" roared the Naval Brigade; "broadside +fire--don't lay on the whisky--well done, _Condor_!" + +"Steady the Buffs," says I; "volley firing with +magazines--ready--fixed sights--at that fat old buster next the +fire--present--Fire!" and sooting the action to the word I let the old +buster have a volley in the fattest part. + +The Fighting Fifth didn't make much noise, but was shooting straight +enough. + +Those cartridges went off so quick, once they'd started, that I knew +they couldn't last long, so I gives 'em one more file of my magazine +and then whistles on my fingers, "Cease fire!"--pop went the last +cartridge on the fire--"Who's that silly blighter firin' after the +whistle goes?--take his name, Sergeant-Majer--Now, Buffs, fix +bayonets--prepare to charge!" + +"Avast heaving, full speed ahead and ram them!" yells the Naval +Brigade. But the Boers didn't wait for that--what with the dark, and +surprise and noise, let alone a few real bullets, they had gone for +their horses and were moving hard. + +"Now then, Lancers!" I holloared, "round our left flank and pursue +them to the devil!" That was just enough to prevent them turning their +heads for the first mile or so. Then our brigade reforms and went down +the hill to tally up the loot. There was half a dozen cripples, none +of them bad, half a dozen knee-haltered horses, a pot of stew on the +fire, and half a dozen black bottles. The Fighting Fifth, who was a +kind-hearted chap in his way, turned over the wounded, gave them a sup +of water, and tied them up with bits of their own shirts. The Naval +Brigade had sweated through everything it had on, barrin' its rifle, +just out of pure excitement, and it went for the bottles like a +cartload of bricks. Blessed if they weren't _Dop_![3] "Never mind," +says the Naval Brigade, "if the quality ain't up to Admiralty pattern, +we'll have to issue a double ration"--and he did--so help me! +Meanwhile the Buffs had collected the horses and picked out a nice +little chestnut for myself. After that the Brigade fell out and +enjoyed itself. + +[Footnote 3: Cape brandy, also known as "Cape smoke."] + +But we couldn't waste too much time, so after half an hour we changed +saddles, packed the _dop_ in our wallets, and hoisted the Naval +Brigade on board. The whole way to Kimberley he was fighting the +_Condor_ against the combined land and sea forces of all +creation--even the Yank laughed fit to burst. I do believe Billy might +have been a commander--one can't learn langwidge like that, even in +the Navy, under a longish time. + +Well, we fetched Kimberley about reveille after falling off our horses +now and then, and we gives the Sergeant-Major half a bottle to look +pleasant. Up we goes before the troop leader, who looked a bit glum at +his own written order, but cheered up when I hands over three spare +Boer horses we'd brought along. + +"If I hear any more of this damfoolishness," sezee, "I'll hang the lot +of you; so you'd better take care that nobody knows of it." He's +almost as hard as the Adjy. + +Well, that's why we don't say what Regiment we belong to. But just to +give the devil his jew we don't see why General French gets all the +telegrams from the Queen and Lord Mayors--and we ain't even had our +chocolate served out yet. + +But this is the truth--Billy and the Yank'll both swear to it. + + Yours truly, + NUMBER ONE. + + * * * * * + +IS THE ART OF WAR REVOLUTIONISED? + +BY H. A. GWYNNE. + +1.--_Infantry._ + +Since the days of bows and arrows the art of war has been gradually +developing. The arquebus followed the silent bow, and perhaps it may +be said that this change was the most revolutionary change ever +experienced in the history of warfare. But the arquebus could not +effectively prevent the opposing forces from coming to close quarters, +and therefore the strong man with a thorough knowledge of the use of +the _arme blanche_--be it pike, sword, or spear--was the mainstay of +their armies. With the successive introduction of the matchlock, Brown +Bess, and the host of old muzzle-loading rifles, up to the time when +the Snider rifle came into use, still the same conditions of fighting +remained. By the same conditions I mean the following:-- + +(1) The enemy, when firing at an effective range, was visible to the +naked eye of his opponent. + +(2) Even when concealed behind cover the smoke of his rifle easily +disclosed his position. + +(3) Neither the accuracy nor the rapidity of fire was sufficient to +make an attack across open ground by a slightly superior force +impossible. + +The introduction of the Martini-Henry completely altered at least the +third of these conditions, but owing to the fact that no European war +of great importance was fought with Martini-Henrys, the change was not +brought home to military theorists. It is true that the Turks fought +the Greeks with the Martini and the Gras rifles, but the war was not +serious, and the Greeks never held even their entrenched positions +with sufficient tenacity to bring home to the world the fact that an +advance across the open towards an enemy under cover was becoming more +and more impossible. + +But smokeless powder and the long range rifle brought with them +changes which do not appear to be properly understood. In the first +place, it may be laid down as an axiom of warfare that the area of +effective rifle fire (and indeed of any fire) is restricted by the +areas of vision. During the present war it has become evident to those +who have studied the question, that the dangerous zone of fire with +modern rifles is not, as was at first supposed, within the 1,000 yards +range, but within 1,500 or even 1,600 yards. + +To advance in the open against an enemy, even when that enemy is not +under cover but simply lying on the ground, involves one of two +alternatives. Either the advancing force is annihilated by the time it +gets to within 500 yards of the enemy, or it is forced to lie down +1,500 yards away or less and return the enemy's fire. But the latter +alternative produces a state of things which has never been known in +the history of war. Both the advancing and the expectant forces are +put out of action. Neither can advance and, what is more serious +still, neither can _retire_. + +This contingency opened up an entirely new field of tactics. The +general who can, with a smaller force, succeed in putting out of +action, at least for the time being, a greater force of his opponent, +is more likely to win his battle. In the future, the curious sight +will be seen of regiments or even brigades lying flat on the ground, +doing little damage to the enemy and suffering little loss, and yet +being as useless to their general as if they were snoring in their +barracks at home. Perhaps this is too sweeping, for their presence in +front of the enemy will have the advantage of containing him, but in +the open, across which an enemy has to advance, a containing force of +a proportion of one man to five of the enemy is quite sufficient. +Therefore the use of a brigade to contain a brigade would be a waste +of material. Even those of us who have followed closely and carefully +all the stages of the campaign do not yet perceive the magnitude of +the changes involved by the use of modern rifles, but they appear to +me to be so radical that instead of describing them as fresh +developments, I would prefer to give an affirmative answer to the +title of this article. + +But there yet remains to be discussed the question of the _arme +blanche_--the bayonet, the weapon with which our gallant army has won +so many of its victories. I have heard not a few officers declare that +this war will be known in history as the last war in which a British +soldier carried a bayonet. But is the discarding of the bayonet to be +one of the results of the use of the new rifle and the smokeless +powder? When fighting against an enemy who does not carry it, the +force which is armed with a bayonet has a tremendous moral +superiority. In the present war, there have been one or two +cases--one, particularly, at Slingersfontein--where the Boer has made +a frontal attack on a prepared position held by us. The attacks have +always been made along the tops of kopjes which afforded excellent +cover for a stealthy advance. The obvious way to meet such attacks was +to wait until the enemy came close enough to allow the use of the +bayonet, and this was done with great success at Slingersfontein. So +that it may be laid down that in cases where one only of two opposing +forces is armed with the bayonet, it is obviously to its advantage +that the enemy should in attacking come to close quarters. + +It is, equally, to the manifest advantage of the defending force, if +unarmed with the bayonet, to prevent, with heavy rifle fire, the +enemy from being able to use the bayonet. But in my humble opinion, +the bayonet will not be discarded for a long time. In the first place, +the best tactician in the world cannot always prevent, even with +modern rifles, such things as surprises, and small bodies of men might +still, even under the new conditions, be able to get unperceived into +close quarters with the enemy. But the greatest reason for its +retention is that night attacks are still possible, and in night +attacks the bayonet is undoubtedly the weapon to be used. The very +mention, however, of night attacks opens up a long vista of discussion +and arguments which I do not wish to raise. I am aware that there are +many prominent soldiers who will have nothing to say to night attacks +and condemn them lock, stock and barrel, but they can never be +eliminated from the already long list of the contingencies of warfare. +Until something is mooted which will render night attacks absolutely +impossible, so long will the bayonet be retained. + +But perhaps the most radical changes effected by the use of the long +range rifle will be in purely regimental organisation. A company now +extends for the attack over a space of over half a mile. The ordinary +complement of officers assigned to a company can never hope to control +the whole of it. What is the remedy? And how are we to bring up +ammunition to the firing line, or carry away our wounded from it? Can +a regiment extended for the attack eight paces apart act as a +regiment, or in the future is the company to be the biggest infantry +unit in action? All these questions spring from the experiences of the +present campaign, and it is to be hoped that they will be answered by +those whose experience in the many engagements against the enemy will +give value and force to their words. + + * * * * * + +FROM ENSLIN TO BOBSFONTEIN. + +BY H. PREVOST BATTERSBY. + +Received orders at 10 a.m. to proceed at once to Ram Dam and to join +the main column as soon as possible. Requisitioned for transport +immediately and supplied at 6 p.m. with about four dozen small +dilapidated hair trunks, misnamed mules, which looked as if they +required three square meals rolled into one, and a fortnight in bed! +No self-respecting cat would have looked at them twice, even cold on a +wooden skewer! + +Made a disastrous stand at 8 p.m., as we succeeded in losing our way +in the record time of fifteen minutes, thanks to having no guide and +to a flighty and uncertain young moon, which insisted on playing hide +and seek at the most awkward times. However, we struck the wire at +last, not the barbed variety fortunately, and had brief periods of +comparatively smooth going, variegated by such trifling mishaps as a +broken trace, falling mule, or mule and harness so mixed up that we +couldn't distinguish which was harness and which was mule and +requiring careful sorting out! Veldt stones were also somewhat +inconvenient, as they vary in size to anything above or below a +Pickford van. However, it was a fine night and the mules almost seemed +to warm to their work, racing along in great style at fully three +miles an hour on a smoothish bit of road and appreciably downhill! + +What rapture to be out on the starry veldt and to have left that +Enslin "News"--the transport lines--miles (five and a doubtful bit) +behind us. Shortly afterwards the moon again appeared, and we +proceeded to negotiate a very promising nullah with gently sloping +sides. Full speed ahead and up we go, but, alas! the latter part of +our programme was somewhat disarranged, like Labby's furniture at +Northampton, owing to the fact that buck waggons and mule transport +are not adapted to racing through a truckload of sand of uncertain +depth but of certain difficulty! However, "man the wheels and shove +behind" was the natural sequence of events, and when the mules ceased +pulling in every direction except the right one from sheer exhaustion, +a few judicious cracks of the sjambok, together with a few different +languages, mostly bad, and up we eventually did go. + +A wide stretch of perfectly flat veldt lay before us, and we shortly +lost both moon and wire simultaneously. Some one suggested "follow the +track": valuable advice, but difficult to carry out, as there happened +to be about fourteen of them, and all in different directions. +Pleasant predicament to be in: 1 a.m., cloudy sky, and lost on the +anything but trackless veldt! Feel about as comfortable as the man who +was going to be hanged at 8 a.m. Finally decided to proceed at right +angles, and return our wrong way if necessary, and succeeded in +finding that precious wire at last. Persistency is the road to +success, but what about an old hen sitting on a china egg? + +Moon on the wane, but reached Ram Dam at 3 a.m., and all of us +surprised and delighted to get there, as it would have very shortly +been a case of the "light that failed!" Ram Dam itself looks like a +remarkably _low_ Thames somewhere near the Isle of Dogs, but glad to +get anywhere, and ready to eat or drink anything. + + * * * * * + +G. W. STEEVENS. + +BY LIONEL JAMES. + +(_With an Original Verse by Rudyard Kipling._[4]) + +[Footnote 4: Copyrighted in England and America, used here by +permission.] + + Through war and pestilence, red siege and fire, + Silent and self-contained he drew his breath. + Too brave for show of courage--his desire + Truth as he saw it, even to the death. + + RUDYARD KIPLING. + +There is a pretty little cypress grove nestling under the shadow of +one of the Ladysmith defences. A peaceful oasis--green where the land +is parched and dry. It is God's acre. Before shaking the dust of +Ladysmith from off my feet for ever, I turned my pony's head towards +the green. The little animal seemed to know the way, and well he +should, for the melancholy journey to the cemetery had been frequent +during the latter period of the siege. I tied the pony to the rail and +passed in under the shadow of the cypresses. The interior of the +enclosure was one stretch of new-turned earth. The turf seemed all +exhausted. The dainty cemetery of three months ago had now the +appearance of a badly harrowed field. In places a rough cross marked +the last resting-place of the victims of war and pestilence, a few had +the names just scrawled upon a chip of wood; the majority lay +unnamed--the price of Empire keeping: a nameless grave! + +I passed down the clay trodden pathway. The brief legends +ran--Egerton, Lafone, Watson, Field, Dalzel, Dick-Cunyngham, Digby +Jones, Adams--but why name them? They were all men whom three months +ago I had called my friends. Then I found the spot for which I +searched--a plain wooden cross inscribed G. W. Steevens, and a date. +What an end--six feet of Ladysmith's miserable soil! It was too cruel. +My memory carried me back to the brave companion and upright colleague +who was gone, and to the manner of his death--the man who had raced +with the Cameron Highlanders for Mahmoud's zareba; who had stood with +his hands in his pockets when it seemed that it must be but a matter +of minutes before Wad Helu swallowed up Macdonald's Soudanese brigade. +The man who had scorned death on Elandslaagte's crest lay there a +victim to pestilential Ladysmith. If the spare frame had been as stout +as the heart which it contained, that miserable rat-hole could not +have brought about the end. Poor Steevens--how he strove to live! For +a month he lay and fought the battle for life. And then when all +seemed well, and we looked for the day that we should have him back +again, he quietly faded under a relapse. + +Doctors could do no more, and at four in the afternoon of the fatal +day it was evident that the end was near. Maud, who had nursed him +with a devotion unsurpassed, was deputed to break the news. He came to +the bedside and suggested that Steevens should dictate a wire to his +people at home. The patient looked up suddenly, and in a moment was +conscious of the sinister purport of the request. The conversation +which ensued was something of the following:-- + +"Is it the end?" + +Maud nodded assent. + +"Will it be soon?" + +Again Maud nodded assent. + +Steevens turned wearily, and remarked, "Well, it is a strange sideway +out!" Then there passed over his face an expression which plainly +read, "I will not die!" + +He turned to Maud and said, almost gaily, "Let's have a drink." + +Maud opened a new bottle of champagne and poured out half a glass. +Steevens sipped it, and noticing that Maud had no glass, remarked, +"You are not drinking!" + +He seemed better after the wine, and when the last message was +dictated he was still struggling for life; but the disease had the +upper hand, and he sank into unconsciousness which was never broken +until he passed away in the evening. + +We buried him at midnight. As we took him down to the cypress grove, +it seemed that the enemy paid tribute to our sorrow, for their +searchlight played full upon the mournful cavalcade as it wound into +the open. + + * * * * * + +SHOULD BEARDS BE WORN IN WAR? + + BLOEMFONTEIN, _March 23, 1900_. + +DEAR SIR,--A distinguished General Officer--who is also an exceedingly +clever man--was issuing orders on one occasion. "I have no wish," said +he, "to interfere with the time-honoured Custom which ordains that +heroes may be dirty; but, until they become heroes, I see no reason +why they should not try and look like soldiers. The troops under my +command will, therefore, shave until they arrive at the actual front." + +This witty sentence provides me with an admirable text for a sermon on +a subject very near my heart. Our troops have, indeed, proved +themselves heroes. Whatever may be the opinion expressed now and +hereafter upon many things in the conduct of this war, upon one thing +there can be no dissentient voice--I refer to the splendid heroism of +our troops. Yes, sir, they are heroes. But why, oh! why do they not +try and look like soldiers too? Why should the erstwhile smart +Guardsman, the dandy Highlander, the dapper Horseman, adopt the facial +disguise of a poacher out of luck, or rather--for the beard is not a +good one--of a member of the criminal classes previous to the Saturday +evening's ablutions? Surely soap can be purchased, razors ground, and +water heated. + +It is universally admitted that one of the chief duties of a soldier +is to be smart in his appearance, and the fact that on active service +there may be some difficulty is surely no excuse for its neglect. In +all other periods of the world's history shaving was looked upon as +one of the chiefest necessities in time of war. Napoleon's Old Guard +shaved, as is well known, throughout the entire retreat from Moscow; +there was not a hair upon the faces of Hannibal's legions the day +after the famous crossing of the Alps, while Caesar's well-known +order, "Ut barbas tondeant," must be familiar to every schoolboy. I +might come down to our own times and quote the Queen's Regulations, +but I refrain from doing so lest I should be accused of priggishness. + +It is, I do not hesitate to say, horrible to me to see the unkempt +appearance of those who might be--and are at other times--the +finest-looking troops in the world. I feel inclined to say, in the +words of Scripture, "Tarry ye at Jericho until (and after) your beards +be grown." + +I hope, sir, you will forgive this somewhat lengthy letter, but the +subject is, as I have said already, very near my heart. No one ever +has looked well in a beard, and no one ever will, and until our +officers recognise this fact and set an example of spruceness for +their men to follow, the army in South Africa must remain an eyesore +to all who share the opinions of + + Your obedient servant, + FIELD OFFICER. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +I VISIT MISS BLOEMFONTEIN + + _And I also here discuss that irreconcilable maiden, Lord + Stanley, and our own behaviour._ + + +We published in the next issue, No. II, of March 26th, a letter by +"Miss Uitlander" (pronounced in that country "Aitlander"). It was as +genuine a production of the young womanhood of the town as that of +"Miss Bloemfontein" had been, and it would have been wholly to our +liking had it been as exceptional and bold a bit of work as the other, +for it was, naturally, very pro-English. Suffice it to say that it +answered and contradicted the Boer sentiments with vigour. + +[Illustration: _Miss Bloemfontein._ + +(_A Portrayal of a Type, by Lester Ralph._)] + +This reminded us that we were to enjoy no more communications from the +sprightly and talented Miss Bloemfontein. Most gallantly we had +resolved to allow her the last word and there end the correspondence; +but she had remained silent, leaving us with that "last word" which +we, like simpletons, had never doubted that she would claim as hers by +right of her womanhood. She was laughing at the predicament in which +she had abandoned us, for she was wide awake at all points. + +She had done me the honour to ask me to call upon her and--in this the +laugh was on my side--then had repented of it. She repented because, +in my reply to her communication, I had addressed her as "sweetheart" +and had called her "dear." It had happened that when she wrote to the +paper she let a few close friends into the secret, and these, when +they read my lover's terms addressed to her, made haste to twit her +upon the publicity of these verbal caresses, so that from +rose-and-pearl she became peony red and hot of cheeks, and not nearly +as desirous of seeing me as before my second letter saw the light. + +However, I went to her home and found it very prettily appointed and +comfortable, with an admiring family gathered around their girlish +idol who had been to London, and who sang sweetly, played the piano +deftly, and seemed to have read at least a little upon many subjects. +She was, I should say, seventeen or eighteen, a pure blonde, still +very girlish both in face and figure. I spent a pleasant hour in her +company, and an English officer who called there at the same time +endeavoured to persuade her to make up a party for afternoon tea at +his regimental camp near the town. But her mother had announced that +she could not bear to walk in the streets and see the British soldiers +disfiguring the once hallowed scenery of the place, so it was perhaps, +no wonder that Miss Bloemfontein declined to take afternoon tea with +those enemies. + +"I will not do anything to encourage or recognise their presence," she +said. + +"When your mother is not looking, I am going to whisper something to +you," I remarked. "Now is my time. It is this: You are a little +fraud; you are no Boer at all." + +I intended to continue by explaining that a girl so clever and well +read, and who lived amid such refined surroundings, could not possibly +sympathise with the rude and ignorant people of the veldt. But she +suspected that I meant something different. + +"You mean because I am a Jewess," she said. + +And then came the most comical closing of this very peculiar episode. +She, who elected herself to be the champion of the Boers, was a +Jewess, and I, who wooed her supposed sisterhood as an English adorer, +am an American. + +Ah, well, little Miss Bloemfontein, I was at least genuine in standing +up for liberty, justice, and the highest principles of good +government. They are the prizes that are guarded by my flag as well as +by the one which floats over your town. And if you were as earnest in +your sympathy for the Boers it was either because you had been +deceived by them as to the causes of the war and the issues at stake, +or else it was because your loyalty to the friends of a lifetime +outweighed all else. May we not, then, part here with mutual esteem +and respect? + +In this number we published two contributions by Mr. Kipling, a second +one of the "Fables for the Staff" and some "Kopje-book Maxims." All of +us tried to assist at the framing of these maxims, but, though we +suggested two or three (Mr. Landon being the most fertile at the time) +Mr. Kipling shaped them all in his own way and with a readiness and +ease which excelled any work of composition that I have ever seen done +by any writer in all my experience. It was said of him three or four +years ago that he was then writing too much, but it will always seem +to us that his difficulty must be in restraining himself, and in +publishing only the best that wells from his mind. + +Another peculiarity that we noticed was that he would, by preference, +carry forward two or three manuscripts at once and would write, now at +one, and presently at another. The "Kopje-book maxims" reveal this +breadth and variety of his mental processes to whoever is able to +understand the fine shadings of the meanings of them all, and to those +who can comprehend the fact that they were literally "dashed off" hot, +like sparks under a smith's hammer. If these mere playthings of his +pen, done as part of our merry and careless morning's work, were +forced to stand as specimen products of the methods of this master +writer, an injustice to him would follow. The point is that his +methods are the same, and his mind works with similar freedom and +celerity, at all times, and at whatever he does; at least so far as we +were able to judge. But what he wrote for THE FRIEND was finished and +published on the instant without the after-polishing and refinement of +the flawless work which has made him world-famous. + +In this same number we printed an interesting forecast of the future +of the Free State by Mr. Fred J. Engelbach. An officer sent us a +jocular account of the amazingly plucky work being done by the +Ordnance Survey--and particularly of one feat by Major Jackson, R.E. +We also published, from my pen, a short warning to the soldiers not to +drink the water out of certain wells which had for years been known to +contain the germs of enteric. I learned the fact during my visit to +my "sweetheart," Miss Bloemfontein, and as I look back, now, upon +that paragraph I almost shudder to think how little we dreamed that in +a few weeks 7,000 men of our force would be down with that dread +disease. + +I have referred to the fact that Lord Stanley came every day at noon +to overlook what we had done. I would ask for nothing more amusing +than to have heard his gossip at the Residency upon the manner in +which he found THE FRIEND to be conducted and produced. The truth was +that we had finished everything for the day, except the interminable +proof-reading, by the time he reached what the country editor +grandiloquently refers to as "our sanctum sanctorum." In consequence +he always caught us just as we were looking up from our desks and +taking a deep breath of relief. + +We who have been bred in this profession may not realise just what +applause is to an actor, or what there may be to a mariner in the +movement and breath of the ocean; but we fully realise that journalism +is perhaps the only calling that men find as full of fun as it is of +hard work. The company of bright minds, certain to be sanguine and +optimistic, the excitement produced by unexpected news, the rush to +prepare it most attractively and against time, the thousand +unpublishable conceits and views and arguments that leap to the mind +and are discussed in council, the freaks and blunders of the reporters +and contributors--all these elements are in the cup of joy that a +journalist drinks off every day. + +Therefore when Lord Stanley came he was certain to find us merry and +voluble and prankish. He may have imagined that we must perforce be +grave--we to whom was given the high and almost religious right to +speak for an empire and an army, and to conduct a British organ in so +delicate a situation as was ours among the Boers--neither offending +them nor giving them a chance to find a flaw in the practice of our +principles. Grave enough was that part of our work which we meant to +be so. + +Serious in its strain upon us and important in its effort to rest and +inform and recreate the soldiers, was most of what we did. But it is a +habit of the journalist's mind and a result of his work that he shall +be or become a philosopher, viewing the world as it is, no matter how +differently he may present it to a duller and more conservative +public. + +Therefore Lord Stanley found us declaiming soldier poetry, writing +nonsense verses, drawing caricatures of one another, telling stories, +behaving like men without a care on their minds. We realised that he +must be shocked at us--and we voted that he behaved very well under +the circumstances. He usually came in with a quick step and an air of +business. We delayed him with chaff which he seemed always at a loss +to understand at first. He got at our bundles of proof-sheets and he +applied himself to them most gravely. By and by he began to catch the +contagion of our spirits, his eye wandered from the sheets, he +wavered--he began to join in our talk. "Is there anything else--or +anything you are in doubt about?" he would ask. He believed us when we +answered him, for he knew that we understood what not to publish. In +that mutual trust and confidence there grew up a relation between us +and himself which was dearly prized by us, and which we hope he +esteemed as highly. + +Once he told us that there had been complaint of a mock-speech by the +German Emperor which some one had written among a lot of pretended +cablegrams avowedly fanciful. Once he declined to publish a mild +attack of mine upon Mr. Winston S. Churchill for finding fault with +our army chaplains. At another time, upon the ground of prudence, he +threw out an article upon our treasonous colonists which we copied +from an Afrikander exchange. Apart from these slight exercises of his +power he passed all our work, though it was as big in bulk as the +"Newcomes" and "Vanity Fair" rolled together--300,000 words--ten +columns a day for nearly thirty days! + +I have called the censor's office a "hole in a wall," but our +_sanctum_ was not half as neat or presentable. Whoever has carried the +collecting mania into the study of country newspaper offices has +noticed how one never differs from another. The greasy smell of +printer's ink, the distempered walls stuck over here and there with +placards and the imprint of inky fingers, the gaping fireplace, the +bare, littered floor, the table all cut on top and chipped at the +edges, the bottomless chairs with varying degrees of further +dismemberment, the "clank--clank" of the press in the next room--these +are the proofs positive of genuine country newspaper offices the world +around--from Simla to Bismarck, Dakota, and back again. And the office +of THE FRIEND was like all the rest. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + +BLOEMFONTEIN, MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1900. + +FABLES FOR THE STAFF.[5] + +[Footnote 5: Copyrighted in England and America. Used here with the +author's permission.] + +THE ELEPHANT AND THE LARK'S NEST. + +BY RUDYARD KIPLING. + + +II. + +A discriminating Boer, having laid a Nestfull of valuable and +informing Eggs, fled across the Horizon under pressure of necessity, +leaving his Nest in a secluded Spot, where it was discovered by a +Disinterested Observer who reported the same to an Intelligence +Officer. The Latter arriving at his Leisure with a great Pomposity +said: "See me hatch!" and sitting down without reserve converted the +entire Output into an unnecessary Omelette. + +After the Mess was removed, the Disinterested Observer observed: "Had +you approached this matter in another spirit you might have obtained +Valuable Information." + +"That," replied the Intelligence Officer, "shows your narrow-minded +Prejudice. Besides I am morally certain that those Eggs come out of a +Mare's Nest." + +"It is now too late to inquire," said the Disinterested Observer, "and +that is a pity." + +"But am I not an Intelligence Officer?" said the Intelligence Officer. + +"Of that there can be no two opinions," said the Disinterested +Observer. Whereupon he was sent down. + +MORAL. _Do not teach the Intelligence to suck Eggs._ + + * * * * * + +KOPJE-BOOK MAXIMS.[6] + +[Footnote 6: Copyrighted in England and America, and used here by +permission.] + +BY RUDYARD KIPLING. + +(_With suggestive help from Perceval Landon._) + + +HORSE. + +Two Horses will shift a Camp if they be dead enough. + +Forage is Victory; Lyddite is Gas. + +Look before you Lope. + +When in doubt Flank; when in force Outflank. + + +FOOT. + +Take care of the towns and the Tents will take care of themselves. + +Spare the Solitary Horseman on the sky-line; he is bound to be a +Britisher. + +Abandoned Women and Abandoned Kopjes are best left alone. + +Raise your hat to the Boer--and you'll get shot. + + +GUNS. + +The Dead Gunner laughed at the Pom-pom. + +"I Bet I killed 'Eighty,'" roared the 4·7. + +"I have buried my three," snapped the Lee-Metford. + +"It is well to keep your hair on; it is Better to take out your +Tompion." + +A shell on the Rand is worth ten on the veldt. + +There are ninety and nine roads to Stellenbosch, but only two to +Pretoria. Take the other. + +(_Kopjeright in all armies and standing camps._) + + * * * * * + +MISS UITLANDER REPLIES TO MISS BLOEMFONTEIN. + +DEAR MADEMOISELLE,--I pray that you will excuse me for venturing to +set you right upon one or two matters which I noticed in your reply to +Mr. Ralph. Miss Uitlander did, indeed, with joy and pride, trip out to +meet Mr. Englishman, though, as a matter of fact, she is as much Miss +Bloemfontein as yourself. In reality, your correct name is Miss +Free-Stater. But that is a trifle which may pass. The "loving hand" +you boast of having extended to us has long since been covered by an +iron glove, the weight of which we have daily been made to feel, and +to that you must associate the joyful flaunting of our colours in your +face. His coming meant freedom--the sweetest thing in the world--to +us. You called our brothers and sisters cowards as they fled your +oppression and bitter and openly expressed hatred. You threw white +feathers into the carriages as they passed you by. You loudly bemoaned +your fate as a woman and longed to don masculine garments to aid your +beaux in exterminating the hated English. Could we remember a "loving +hand" then? + +You were quick to tell us that there would be no room for us to live +beside you so soon as Mr. Englishman was driven back to the sea. "The +hated English had never been wanted and would not be allowed to stay." +And since you continue to make no secret of your hatred, the same +remedy is now in your own hands. But it will be difficult to find a +spot where Mr. Englishman is not _en evidence_. + +To use Mr. Chamberlain's famous phrase, "There is a point where +silence is weakness." That point has been reached. You seem to forget +that you simply and generously, of course, gave away your town and +State without the faintest shadow of a cause, to the nation who never +had the remotest idea of coming near you or troubling you. You were +eager to cross arms with the most powerful nation in the world, +knowing as you must have done, deep in your sensible mind, that you +would lose in the fray. + +You hint at our ingratitude. How about your own? Had it not been for +England your land would never have had a place in the existence of +South African territory from the days of long ago. + +Who has helped to uphold the dignity of your land? Mr. Englishman. + +Who has helped to fill your coffers, public and private, with wealth? +Mr. Englishman. + +Who has been the chief spirit of commerce within your gates? Mr. +Englishman. + +And whom has it been your greatest pride to imitate in manner, in +dress, and in speech but Mr. Englishman? + +Nay, had he withdrawn his patronage as he might have done, your land +would have collapsed like a bubble. + +Mr. Englishman is too valuable a factor in the world's history to be +easily discarded. + +Yours is thus the debt of gratitude. + +You speak hastily when you gibe at the "awful and untuneful melodies" +with which Mr. Englishman deigned to soothe your heaving breast; and +would lead one to suppose that you had ever been used to the most +exquisite of public music, when in truth your town has scarcely ever +been privileged to listen to such. Its own band in the days that are +past can hardly compare favourably with even the recent melodies which +compel you to close your ears with cotton wool, and even your musical +ear must have been satisfied had you listened to the band and music at +Government House a few nights ago. But doubtless the cotton wool had +not been taken out. + +I beg leave to contradict your statement that Miss Uitlander would +"push" Mr. Englishman out of your land while welcoming your brothers +back to their country. Miss Uitlander has discovered too certainly the +real truth of your "loving hand" ever to trust in it again. And if you +could so joyfully turn Mr. Englishman out of your borders, rest +assured Miss Uitlander would most certainly accompany him. She does +not, as so many have done, paint one colour one day and another the +next. And if Mr. Englishman only waits a little longer he will win not +only the country but yourself as well. + + MISS UITLANDER. + +(With this final word from the fair Miss Uitlander, who has been +discussed, yet has not before spoken for herself, the Editors decide +to end this interesting series of letters.) + + * * * * * + +CAPE MARKETS. + +Market slightly weaker this morning. Sales: Bantjes Deeps, 11s. 6d.; +Benons, 43s.; Mains, 43s.; Randfonteins, 60s.; Vogel Deeps, 27s. 3d.; +Wit Deeps, 45s. + + * * * * * + +IS THE ART OF WAR REVOLUTIONISED? + +BY H. A. GWYNNE. + +II.--_Artillery._ + +"When a battery comes under rifle fire it becomes worse than useless," +once said a well-known foreign military expert. And if this statement +is to be accepted, as we accept Euclid's axioms, then indeed I should +be inclined to say that the art of war has become revolutionised +completely. But having seen G Battery at Magersfontein practically +silence at a range well within 1,500 yards (I believe at one time it +was only 1,200 yards) a strong force of the enemy's riflemen firing +from good cover on an undulating plain, it becomes apparent that the +military expert's dictum is incorrect. I cite the instance of G +Battery because, perhaps it is the best known in the operations in the +Western Frontier, but I could, if necessary, give twenty cases where +both Horse and Field Batteries have worked magnificently and +effectively under a galling fire. + +At the same time I do not wish, for a moment, to lay it down as one +of the rules of modern warfare that guns can be worked with impunity +within 1,500 or even 2,000 yards of the enemy's rifle fire, for the +danger of being put out is so apparent that it needs no demonstration. +But artillery must have a good "position." Batteries cannot be hidden +behind boulders as infantry soldiers can. Gunners must have an open +field and more or less a commanding point from which to lay their +guns. This necessity--a necessity to which no other arms are so +completely subjected--has entailed, during the course of the present +war, the risk of whole batteries being under rifle fire. Before the +introduction of the long-range rifle, there were but few instances +where guns, in order to take up proper positions, were forced to come +under effective rifle fire. Now, however, we have to face this risky +possibility. And in this respect, and this respect only, can the use +of the modern rifle be said to have made any change in the rules of +war laid down for the use of artillery. + +The present campaign, if viewed from the point of view of the +artilleryman, is an abnormal one. Field and horse batteries have had +to face what has been practically siege artillery. In Natal we have +been outranged by the use, by the Boers, of guns of great calibre and +no mobility. We have faced the difficulty--and successfully too--by +bringing on to the field naval guns of equal calibre to the enemy's. +And, although we have been surprised at the rapid way in which the +Boers have shifted their heavy guns, I still dare to think that we can +move our 4.7 guns with greater rapidity. My intention, however, is not +to discuss the use of the naval large calibre guns in field +operations. Such a discussion would be outside the scope of this +article. I prefer to look upon their use in this campaign as an +abnormal episode--which, perhaps, may never again occur in civilised +warfare, except in case of sieges. + +Artillery in operation in the field is represented by Horse and Field +(Howitzers and ordinary) guns. Now what lessons have our artillery +learnt from the engagements of the present war? That is the most +important question, and I propose to answer it to the best of my +ability, feeling and hoping that my answer will induce abler answers +from other pens. + +It is impossible, in discussing the uses and abuses of any particular +arm, to dissociate that arm from the whole to which it belongs. A +complete modern force should consist of a proper proportion of horse, +foot, and artillery. The three form the whole, the perfect machine. +The parts must fit into each other as the cogs of one wheel fit into +those of another. In the war of the future infantry will be used for +two purposes--to contain the opposing infantry, and to hold positions +seized by the mobile portion of the force, be it cavalry or mounted +infantry. There will be very little preparation by the artillery for +infantry attack, for the simple reason that I am convinced that +frontal attacks are things of the past. Not the modernest of modern +artillery, lyddite, melinite, or whatever high explosive is used, can +by frontal concentration move or weaken infantry sufficiently to +destroy their defensive power against an infantry attack. + +There will, therefore, be in the next war between European or +civilised military Powers grand artillery duels between the opposing +artillery, while the mounted force of one is trying to outflank the +other. The obvious necessity, therefore, is the highest development +of the most mobile portion of the artillery--the R.H.A. Flank +movements must necessarily be the tactics of the future. Battles will +be, as they always have been, won by strategy, but for modern strategy +and modern tactics the great necessity will be the greatest mobility +of the greatest force. But the British Army, as it certainly possesses +the finest material for infantry in the world, also possesses, I feel +sure, as fine an artillery as any. I am not talking now of guns, but +of the men who work them. In attempting to outflank an enemy with the +mobile portion of his force, the general of the next war will find his +flanking movement met by the mobile portion of his opponent's army. +The result is to be either a return to the old cavalry charges against +cavalry or an artillery duel. The latter, I believe, will be the case. +The cavalry of the future will be a mixture of the mounted infantry +men and the cavalry men, and as such will be able to stop with rifle +fire any attempts at the old-fashioned charge, and the verdict will be +pronounced by the gunners. Then, indeed, will the better-trained, +better-equipped, better-handled horse artillery be able either to +drive back the attack and so save the whole situation, or to force in +the defence and win the whole battle. Wherefore it would appear to me +that we should improve and improve our horse artillery until we have +the best guns, the best gunners, and the best organisation in the +world. I know we have the best material. + +Exactly the same thing applies to the Field Artillery, which I, for +one, would like to see done away with. That is to say, that the +distinctions between Horse and Field Artillery should be removed. I +would give a heavier gun and a better gun to the Horse Battery, and +make the Field Battery men mobile. This would give us an uniform +artillery, in which the mobility of the Field guns would be increased +and the range of Horse guns improved. After all, the difference in +weight of a Field and a Horse gun is not so great. We must be prepared +to provide some means of moving it more rapidly. The advantages of +this change appear to be self-evident. The quick and rapid movement of +artillery is bound to be the great factor in future battles. We are +making our infantry men mobile, every day; why not do the same with +the artillery? If we can bring up a gun of equal calibre to that of +the enemy, the issue will be to the better-manned, better-handled gun. +To be able to rapidly throw a great force on any given point of the +enemy's line is to ensure victory in infantry tactics. The same thing +applies, surely, to the artillery. Why have a slow and a rapid moving +artillery? Why not make the whole of it capable of rapidity? + +This campaign has been the first between two civilised nations where +high explosives have been used in the bursting charges. I have made +careful inquiries from Boer prisoners as to its effect, and the only +conclusion that I have come to is that veracity is not a virtue of the +burgher. Some have spoken of the bursting of a lyddite shell as the +most terrible experience they have ever had, and have compared its +action to that of an earthquake. But I must confess that on pursuing +my inquiries further I have generally found that these vivid +portrayers of its awful effects have been attached to some hospital in +the rear. The prisoners taken at Paardeberg were singularly divided +as to its destructive power. Albrecht is said to have declared that +it was a pure waste to drop a lyddite shell into soft ground, and to +have admitted that on rocky ground it had a most demoralising effect. +On the whole, however, I am inclined to say that the effect of lyddite +is certainly not as great as we expected, and I cannot help thinking +that time-shrapnel well burst and well aimed is more dreaded by the +Boers than lyddite shells. + +And now I am going to tread on delicate ground. We have all our little +idiosyncrasies, and gunners are not without theirs. They will have +nothing to say to the Vickers-Maxim. "It is a toy and not a gun," I +have heard many a gunner declare. But I contend that we have never +used it properly. Lord Dundonald's galloping Maxim was intended to +accompany cavalry. Why not have a galloping "pom-pom"? It can be +brought into action with great speed, it has a great range, and +everybody will agree that it is a most accurate gun. It would have +been most useful against the Boers when they fled from Poplar Grove, +and its effect upon a battery coming into action is not to be +despised, as the gallant T Battery will testify from their experiences +at Driefontein. Again, its use on kopjes held by cavalry pending the +arrival of infantry would surely be beneficial. It has a demoralising +effect; even more so than a percussion shrapnel, and our enemy in the +present campaign is particularly susceptible to demoralisation when +operating in open ground. + +One of the difficulties with which the artillery in the present +campaign has had to contend has been to find out the extent of our +infantry advance for which they are preparing with a bombardment. As +the Mauser and Lee-Metford render early cover necessary for infantry, +it has come about that our infantry, while seeking to render itself +invisible to the enemy, has succeeded in making itself almost entirely +invisible to our supporting artillery. On many occasions our artillery +has ceased fire long before it was necessary, because it became +impossible to tell how far our advance extended, for no artillery +officer--and rightly so--will run the risk of inflicting damage on his +own infantry. The remedy for this state of things has yet to be +discovered. + +In making public opinions such as these--the opinions of a mere +layman--I should feel inclined to make some kind of apology, knowing +as I do that they are liable to be read by men whose whole life is +devoted to the practice as well as the theory of the use of artillery +in the field, were it not for the fact that I am optimistic enough to +believe that my remarks will provoke criticism. I am aware that the +British officer is not much given to rushing into print, but I am also +convinced that he will not sit tamely by when heresies are propagated. +If, therefore, the views I have enounced are unsound and unpractical, +it is his bounden duty to contradict them. And in doing so he will +probably contribute his own views, which will undoubtedly receive far +greater attention, from the fact that they are set forth by men +actually serving in the field, than if they are kept back till the end +of the war, when a successful issue will probably bring with it apathy +on the part of those in whose hands rest the destinies of the British +Army. + + * * * * * + +THE NEW MACHINE GUN. + +Rarely, if ever, in the annals of the Ordnance Survey has the British +Government sent out a fully equipped Survey Section, for the purpose +of reconnaissance duty, previous to the present war. During the march +from Modder River to Bloemfontein, they have had plenty of scope for +displaying the special training received, necessary for successful +sketching, surveying and reconnoitring an enemy's position. + +At Paardeberg a very successful and complete sketch to scale was made +of the Boers' laager by Major Jackson, R.E., who, whilst exposed to a +hot fire every day and within 800 yards of the enemy's trenches, and +where men were falling every minute, nevertheless completed the whole +sketch within four days. + +This part of the warfare, where you walk well within the enemy's +firing line with only a revolver, the Boers continually sniping and +potting, no cover, and no chance of a "kick or hit back," makes you +feel as though you would like to charge into their midst, get hand to +hand, and at least have one shot or hit, in return for the compliments +and salutes they pay you. But no, you must stand still in the open, +coolly go on with the sketching, and not mind the bullets, even if +they take a leg off the plane table or knock the pencil out of your +hand. The only thing that is to be feared seriously is the rain, and +that may make the ink run, spoil the sketch, and cause a lot of +trouble and annoyance. + +The Boers may "knock spots off you," but the sketch is the principal +thing; another R.E. Surveyor may be obtained, but not another plan, +until probably too late for practical use. + +Presumably the burghers mistake the tripod and plane table (used for +the purpose) for a new kind of machine gun, or some other deadly +weapon, from the way in which they bang away when it is erected, and +it does, no doubt, surprise them when they find it does not spit fire +and lead, and probably they put it down as a "Rooinek" risking a +snapshot at close quarter; but they are very restless "sitters" and +resent the intrusion of Mausers, although never asked to pay for a +proof in advance--proof positive of a neglected education. + + * * * * * + +ADVICE TO AN OFFICER ON GOING TO THE WARS. + + 'Twas well remarked by Mack-Praed, + In wise and witty lay, + "We're known to be extremely brave; + So take the sword away." + + Aye, let the sword and feather go, + Bright belt and glitt'ring braid; + Assume a sad and grub-like hue, + For battle or for raid. + + No more in steel the warrior gleams, + In scarlet cuts a dash; + The hero now may scarce permit + His eagle eye to flash. + + For glint and gleam and flash and flare + Will all afford a mark; + The better plan, in modern days, + Is just "to keep it dark." + + We ask no more that you shall shine; + Be dull if you would win. + I mean, of course, in outward show-- + Lucidity within. + + For "slim's" the word now most in vogue + (That's "sly," if read aright); + From head to heel be dull and dim, + Your brain alone be bright. + + It is no joy that you should smash + Your head against a wall; + "We're known to be extremely brave," + So pray be wise withal. + + Be lion-mettled--as you were; + But not too proud to scout; + And if the foe is right in front, + Why, go a mile about. + + Go forth in strength of intellect, + Shining with all your wit; + So shall you baulk the wily foe-- + Unhit, shall make a hit. + + E. T. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +OUR VERY MIXED PUBLIC + + _A Study of Tommy Atkins, the Inscrutable--Our Dutch + Compositors Arraigned._ + + +The lady who signed herself "Miss Uitlander" was also kind enough to +write for us an article on "Tommy in a Lady's Eyes." It was clever. +She said that Tommy walked the streets looking as if he always had +walked them--and that was true. It is also true that Tommy did +everything else in the same way. Wherever you put him or he found +himself he uttered no comments or exclamations, but at once adapted +himself to the situation. During the seven months I was with him I +never could fathom the operations of his mind. Sometimes I suspected +that he had none; at other times I envied him the kind of mind he had. + +Our lady reporter said that Tommy "loves to make an impression on the +feminine heart--but, alas! his khaki uniform does not suit him. Like +country, like dress. We now see ourselves as others see us, a +khaki-coloured people in a vast khaki-coloured land." Of the officers +she said, "their amiability, patience, and high breeding are a treat +to come in contact with in a country such as this, where Jack is +considered as good as his master; in his own estimation, a very good +deal better." + +"Bloemfontein is khaki-mad," she concluded; "Tommy is everywhere. The +shops overflow with him--and _how_ he spends his money! It will be an +object-lesson to those who, a few short weeks ago, were sure that +England was on the verge of bankruptcy. The streets abound with him. +The place is a beehive of soldiery, and never again will be any other, +I most fervently hope and trust." + +I copy this bit of a long article because it brings strongly to mind +and in full swing and colour the daily scenes in the streets of +Bloemfontein. Whenever we ran out of THE FRIEND office to the hotel or +the printing works or the Club, we saw the same endless parade of +soldiers up and down the pavements, the same motley cavalcade of +mounted men in the streets. At the sound of drums we all ran out--for +civilisation was far away, and the natural man was welling up strong +in us--to see a regiment marching in, or out--or, too often, to view a +funeral procession leading a poor bundle of the dust of a hero +strapped upon a gun-carriage. + +In the shops we found a wall of soldiers before every counter. They +were in swarms like flies in all except the drinking places. There +they could not go; poor fellows, to whom a drink would have seemed so +much more than to us, who could have it whenever and wherever we +wanted it. + +I will say again, here, as I have said elsewhere once before, that +though we underwent more danger than many of the soldiers (who were +not sent, as we were, into every battle), and though we endured +hardships sufficient to break many strong men, we correspondents had +this advantage over the rest--that, no matter how light was the +marching-kit ordered for the troops, we were usually followed by our +carts, and when these came up with us, we had abundance--and some +luxuries. + +It was my good fortune to be able to replenish the larder of one +regiment more than once when, between battles, it entertained a +general or the Commander-in-Chief. We in Roberts's and Methuen's army, +were never criticised for living as well as we could, but there is a +story current in army and war correspondent circles to the effect that +the hero of Omdurman severely rebuked certain correspondents for +living on a scale which provoked the envy of the officers, and +demoralised them. One correspondent of the little mess that was thus +criticised--a man who drank very little himself--is said to have +utilised one camel solely to carry the champagne with which he +entertained his friends among the officers. I do not say what I might +have done had this story been told me earlier, but, as it was, I had +no camel, and the champagne that kind friends sent me from England +never reached me. + +My stores consisted of poultry in tins, puddings, jams (how good those +Cape jams are, by the way; they should have a great sale in all +civilised parts), tinned vegetables, bully beef and bullier tongue and +ham, preserved fruits, biscuits, figs, cigarettes, cigars, and a +little most evanescent whisky. + +But to get back to the streets of soldier-burdened Bloemfontein; how +surely, as we assembled in the corner by the office, did the soldiers +recognise their poet and friend. He looked at all of them in general, +but all of them stared at him in particular. They passed the word +from rank to rank, "There's Rudyard Kipling!" and then marched on, +leaving their eyes on his face while their bodies passed along, until +it looked as if they must dislocate their necks before they had their +fill of seeing him. + +He was like a comrade when he talked to a private, and talk to them he +did. Jack tar, Colonial, regular, and Pathan, he talked to all alike. + +"How are you getting on? Is your camp all right? Near here? Where was +your last fight?" So he both introduced himself and set them talking +and at ease--all in a breath. + +But, as I have said, "Tommy" is inscrutable. I stepped one day into a +German tobacconist's across the street from, and farther along than, +the Club, and found it packed by soldiers who were being served by an +insolent German with a portrait of ex-President Steyn in his coat +lapel. + +"Take that picture out of your button-hole," said I. "What do you mean +by wearing a thing like that when you are under British rule, and have +been both protected and generously treated?" + +"I vill vear vot I shoose," said he. + +I made a mental promise to see that he did not wear that emblem much +longer, and then turning to the soldiers I said, "Men, did you not see +what this man is wearing? Why do you spend your money on a man whose +sympathies are with the Boers? Give his shop the cold shoulder, and he +will soon see that he is making a mistake." + +The appeal was in vain. The men instantly began to look very +uncomfortable. They rolled their eyes up to the ceiling or pinned +their gaze on the floor. No one said a word or even shot a glance of +approval in my direction. They did not care. Tommy does not +care--never cares--about anything, apparently. + +I tried to keep my promise. Search was made for that tobacconist, but +he never served behind his counter after that visit of mine. He saved +the military the trouble of sending him to Capetown. + +Lively days were those for rebels and irreconcilables. The men who had +most ardently furthered the cause of the Bond and the Transvaal war +party, and who had the indecency to loiter in the town, were quickly +weeded out and sent to the Boer prison camp near Capetown. If we could +not always tell who were our friends, these mischievous wretches were +worse off, for, ofttimes, their old neighbours, tired of the war and +awake to the folly of keeping it up, pointed them out to the military, +and retailed their nauseous histories. + +"I feel a little like a lieutenant of Fouché," said one correspondent +to me. "I had pointed out to me a former editor of one of the local +papers whose pen was used with vitriol and who did as much as any man +to degrade and spoil this little country. I was told that he is still +talking angrily and abusively of us, and I was indignant. I mentioned +the case to a prominent military officer and in three hours the man +was a prisoner on his way to Capetown. I feel as if I was living in +Paris in the French revolution--very creepy and uncomfortable. I shall +keep my discoveries of such rascals to myself after this." + +In this number mine was the leader entitled, "Do we Spare the Rod too +Much?" A friendly visitor, whose signature "L. D.-J." unfortunately +fails to recall his full name to my mind, wrote a very interesting +sketch called "Towards War," which shows with fidelity to the truth +how the mere process of going to war prepares one for the war itself. +Mr. Landon wrote the first true account most of us saw or heard of the +mishap at Karree Siding, where four of our officers were shot, on +March 23, while riding over the country on a search for forage. Lieut. +Lygon, who was one of the killed, was an intimate and beloved friend +of Mr. Landon, who mourned him deeply and most lovingly looked after +his burial and the proper marking of his grave. Death had come too +close to all of us far too often, but never quite so close to any one +of us as in this instance. + +Mr. Gwynne's thoughtful essays on the revolutionised science of war +produced a first reply in this number, from an officer competent to +discuss the subject. General Sir Henry Colvile wrote with much good +humour twitting us for the blundering of our compositors, who had made +a botch of the double acrostic he had so kindly sent us some days +before. The fact that we were as much to blame as the compositors he +managed, with extremely clever wording, to make us feel, though he did +not say so. Those compositors!--were ever men so badly served as we +were by them? They doubled our work, and though we corrected every +error they made they often spoiled our efforts at the last by failing +to carry out our corrections. They were so ingenious as to spell +struggle "strxxlg," and then to insist that it should appear so in THE +FRIEND. They invented the new rank of "branch colonel" to take the +place of brigadier-general or lance-corporal, I cannot remember which. +I used to think they made this trouble on purpose, for I knew that +some were Dutch and all had been with the Boers before we came. And +when secret pro-Boer circulars and incentives to disorder were found +to have been printed in the town, I had a sneaking suspicion that I +could guess who were the printers. + +We cut the Gordian knot of one of our troubles in this number by +reducing the price of THE FRIEND to one penny to men of all ranks +alike. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + +BLOEMFONTEIN, TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1900. + +BY THE EDITORS. + +_To Correspondents._--Please do not write on both sides of your letter +sheets when you contribute to THE FRIEND. + +It's all right to take a kopje on both sides, but you should not send +it in on both sides. + +Some of the Editors are sufficiently profane already. + + * * * * * + +CONCERNING ACROSTICS. + +BY MAJOR-GENERAL SIR H. E. COLVILE. + +SIR,--"We don't hexpect hart and we don't hexpect hacting, but yer +might jine yer flats." + +It is perhaps too much to expect that the gentleman who sets up the +type of THE FRIEND should know the usual structure of a +double-acrostic, or that he should trouble himself with such details +as my punctuation and spelling; but he might have let my lines +continue to scan and retain some germ of meaning; and, even if he did +not realise that the _proem_ was intended for verse, he might have let +it stand as English prose. His statement that "according to the +writer" the answer gives "the most appropriate cognomen," &c., is +interesting, as anything must be that falls from his stick. It further +reveals a wealth of imagination of which his previous efforts gave us +no hint. + + H. C. + Writer of the Double Acrostic + in Saturday's issue. + +_Bloemfontein, 24th March, 1900._ + +(Please don't shoot the Editors, they are doing their best.--ED., +FRIEND.) + + * * * * * + +TOWARDS WAR. + +BY L. D.-J. + +The crowded platform at Waterloo, the groups of men in great-coats +gathered round figures in ulsters with travelling rugs upon their +arms; the long train with its dirty painted boards above the carriages +inscribed "Aldershot," "Basingstoke," "Southampton"; the last joke, +the last catchword, the last farewell grip of parting hands; the +sudden remembrance of need of newspaper or sandwich; the bustle and +hurry of railway officials, servants, late voyagers, or later friends, +thronging the platform from refreshment-room to bookstall: these tell +little to the observer of war and its alarms. Only at either end of +the platform where the great doors of the baggage-brakes yawn upon +piles of valises, beneath whose white-painted rank, name, regiment, +the bold initials "S.A.F.F." catch the eye, guarded by soldier +servants, field-service cap on right eye, uniform hidden under +collared great-coat; or on the racks of the compartments, where +curiously shaped tin cases cover the cocked hat or the helmet, and +where, showing through a bundle of canes, golf-clubs, and polo sticks, +is seen the clumsy brown leather shape of a sword case, is there a +hint of military significance, a clue to the tension of the thronged +faces, taking a farewell under circumstances not of the ordinary. + +The Saturday afternoon in December, yellow and dull under the bitter +black frost which has gripped the heart of the land, as the ill news +has gripped the heart of the people, which comes to round off a week +whose despatches have announced the disasters of Stormberg, +Maghersfontein, Tugela, the threefold defeat on hill and plain and +river--is no day for cheerful leave-taking. Although every lip is +silent on the subject of the morning's news, latest and worst of all; +although the spoken word is all of a brilliant campaign, a stroke of +luck, a speedy and safe return, there looms before each mind the +coming list of casualties, the thought of war's inevitable chances, +the possibility that here and now are some who may never be seen again +firm-footed on a metropolitan causeway, whose trick of a smile, twist +of a moustache, and cock of hat upon forehead must become a slowly +dimming memory through the remnants of a life. + + * * * * * + +The fire blazes against the frosty draught in the hall of the +Southampton Hotel. Baggage is piled upon baggage half-ceiling high in +every corner. Hungry men are hurriedly moving along the corridors +towards the dining-room, in their travelling suits of tweed or serge. +At two or three tables family parties are dining together for the last +time; the women silent, quiet-eyed, smiling but momentarily at the +sally of light-hearted youth, a sigh ever held in suspense behind kind +lips and white teeth. The writing-room holds a group of scrawling men, +finishing final letters, re-iterant of parting phrases, enforcing last +injunctions, expressing forgotten behests. And at the foot of the +stairs stand two officers in uniform, both in peaked caps, one +military, one naval, with white bands upon their sleeves. They are the +Embarking Staff Officers; they are the first visible sign of war. + + * * * * * + +Grey fog upon the waters, grey fog hanging round the sheds upon the +wharves, a grey transport with red funnels, towering above the levels +of water and quay. Cranes rapidly sling guns, wagons, cases, with +creak, shout and thud over the grey bulwarks. Lines of uncouth figures +in grey great-coats, and blue red-banded sea-caps, pass +sight-protected rifles from hand to hand up the steep gangways and +along between rows of boxes and baggage to the armoury. The saloon is +filled with lunching officers, their friends and relatives. The last +toast is lifted in silence to the last lips; and eyes looking over +brim of wine-glass are eloquent of more than speech is master of. The +harsh clang of the warning bell, speaking full-voiced the words of +Destiny, transfers to the grey quay groups of dispirited, saddened +women, and of men stern-eyed and holding between their teeth and +under the cover of moustache or beard, minute bleeding portions of +their inner lips. + +On the promenade deck, gay in a scarlet jumper, over-weighted a little +by his large khaki-covered helmet, leans upon a stanchion a very +junior subaltern. His boyish, hairless face is blue with the cold +frost-fog, he is biting very rapidly and nervously at the end of a +cigar that went out ere half its length was smoked. Looking up at him +from the wharf below, a group isolated from other groups holds a tall +lady clad in furs, heavily veiled, her handkerchief peeping from her +muff, and one arm resting heavily upon that of a grey-haired military +man, while son and daughter, or nephew and niece, perhaps, gather +protectingly to her side. + +There is still delay. The gangways are removed, but still the hawsers +hold. The cold compels the watchers on the wharf to take a few +hurried, swiftly-turned paces up and down its length. The voyagers +stamp upon the deck, or beat a furtive arm across a swelling chest. +But they do not turn even for a second from contemplation of that +shore they may never see again.... A whistle blows, there is the sound +of a cable slipping through the water, the lady in the furs comes +hastily forward, puts up her veil a little way and tries to shout. The +youthful subaltern leans out perilously over the side. The words come +faintly up.... "Goodbye! Rex.... God bless you!... I know I shall see +you again...." The lady beats her hand desperately upon her muff, and +dabs her handkerchief unknowingly against her veil.... + +The band aft is playing "Auld Lang Syne," a stretch of greenish water +spreads between ship and shore, a few half-hearted cheers are rising +through the grey fog, and the sound of a melancholy chapel bell in the +distant town tells of a half-forgotten Sabbath.... The subaltern's +eyes no longer see things clearly, and the handkerchief he waves as +answer to those fluttering along the grey length of the quay is heavy +and damp.... + +So we come a little closer to the realities of war. + + * * * * * + +Lights flicker and gleam in the dark shade of the poplar trees +fringing the platform. There is a hush over those who hold space upon +the gravel before the station-master's office. In the darkness it is +difficult to see who one's neighbour may chance to be. But voices +betray the presence of the P.M.O. and half a dozen officers from the +Field Hospital behind the church. At the other end of the platform lie +the sinister stretchers of a bearer company laid out in an +interminable row. Up to the line comes the low melancholy whistle of +the armoured train.... + +All day from far beyond the ring of hills that cages the camp upon the +plain has come the dull booming of heavy guns. There has been a battle +and there have been losses: this we know. The approaching train is +bringing in the wounded from the scene of action, but who they may be +who suffer we have yet to learn. As the light comes round the bend +above the water-tank, there is a stir among the waiting groups. A +command rings out, and is followed by the shuffle of feet as the +bearer company stands to its stretchers. The train glides slowly, +looming up in its solid armoured squareness between the goods sheds +and the rolling-stock upon the sidings. It draws into the little +colonial wayside station with a flash of its headlight that renders +the platform darker than ever. The form of its commander drops from +the rear carriage, with its maxim-portals, and its loop-holes for +rifles, all sliding by dim and grey and sinister. In a low voice he +tells the P.M.O. "six killed, fourteen wounded. I have brought down +eight." "Any officers?" questions some one in the background. "Jones +is killed, and Spindrift missing," comes the response, "and young +Michael is here, shot in five places." ... + +Lanterns swing back and forth, the doctors get into the carriage, +there is a low, subdued murmur of voices from within; a breath of some +antiseptic comes from the interior; a groan is audible. Then the +Bearer Company marches slowly along the edge of the platform. Four men +enter with their stretcher, and after a painful lapse of time, the +lanterns swing again, the group stands back a little, and slowly, +carefully, feet foremost, the first wounded man is brought out, and +lowered upon his stretcher to the ground. While his blankets are being +arranged there is time to see him indistinctly: a bandage round his +head with a dark, tell-tale patch soaking through it, a pale face with +closed eyes and a pale moustache disarranged across his mouth. Last +night we dined and drank together. Now, as he is borne off out of +hearing, the medical officers whisper, "poor chap, there is no hope +for him; he cannot last the night." + +Gradually the armoured train disgorges its unhappy load, the +stretchers receive their burdens, the marshalled procession goes +slowly over the line towards the hospital, the medical officers in +close attendance, and the engine pushes and pulls its bullet-proof +trucks back through the night to fetch another cargo. + +War and its horrors are with us now, and are scarcely so terrible +after all. Our gradual approach has softened them or possibly hardened +us--who shall say which? + + * * * * * + +KARREE SIDING. + +BY PERCEVAL LANDON. + +There has been so much misrepresentation of the facts connected with +the unfortunate incident at Karree Siding on the 23rd that the +following brief description of what actually occurred may be of +interest. + +A military camp had been formed at the Glen--the point at which the +railway crosses the Modder River, thirteen miles north of +Bloemfontein--on the previous day, and Colonel Eyre Crabbe, of the +Grenadier Guards, had been appointed commandant, with his adjutant, +Lieutenant Edward Lygon, as his staff officer. + +Forage was scarce, and it became necessary to collect a small amount +from the neighbouring farms. Colonel Crabbe, accompanied by Colonel +Codrington of the Coldstream Guards, Lieutenant Lygon, Captain +Trotter, and one orderly, set out after luncheon on Friday for this +purpose, and, moving out in a northerly direction, visited three +farms, and then, finding themselves close to the railway office at +Karree Siding, entered the telegraph room at that place and found that +the instruments had been removed. + +On riding out from the station they saw on a ridge to the north four +mounted Boers against the sky-line, and Colonel Crabbe, calling out +"Come on, let us round them up," set out at once in their direction, +followed by Colonel Codrington and the others. A slight protest was +made against the danger of the attempt. + +The Boers had ridden away to the west, but were still in sight, and +they were seen attempting to double back over a slight rise in the +ground strewn with boulders that scarcely deserves the name of a +kopje. + +Believing that the enemy had ridden over and away, the small party +moved on and divided at the base of this fold, Captain Trotter and +Lieutenant Lygon moving off to the right, the two Colonels and the +orderly keeping to the left. + +The Boers, however, leaving their horses at the back of the rise, took +up positions behind the rocks, and opened a well-aimed and constant +fire upon our men. Colonel Crabbe, whose horse had fallen at the first +shot, was struck through the forearm and thigh, Colonel Codrington +received a bullet as he lay on the ground attempting to return the +fire, and the orderly was wounded in the ankle. Meanwhile firing on +the other flank continued for two or three minutes, until Lieutenant +Lygon, who had dismounted and was running forward to gain the cover of +an anthill, was shot through the heart. Death was instantaneous, even +Captain Trotter being unaware of it until he turned round, receiving +at the same moment an expanding bullet through the elbow. + +Thus the whole of the small force was now either dead or wounded, and +Colonel Crabbe surrendered. The Boers instantly came down into the +open, and, expressing their regret, did all they could to dress the +wounds, Captain Trotter undoubtedly owing his life to the tourniquet +applied to his arm. + +The wounded men were afterwards carried by the Boers with great care +to Mr. Maas' farm, and the news was sent back to the Glen by a Kaffir. + +Lieutenant Lygon's body was borne back on the following morning, and +was buried near the small white kraal a hundred yards to the east of +the railway bridge. The funeral, which took place at sunset on +Saturday, was most impressive, the entire battalion attending the +voluntary parade and lining the path between the camp and the grave. + +Little comment is needed. Clearly the virtue that runs to a fault has +here been to blame. The same unquestioning pluck that impels an +officer in leading his men on the field of battle prompted this +careless enterprise, with the miserable result we have recorded. We +have lost--and the loss is the loss of the whole force--one of the +best and most popular of our younger officers, and of the other +casualties one at least may prove more serious than was anticipated; +but at least it is a compensation to remember that, however +unfortunate the issue, the quiet pluck and discipline of the army have +been once more tried and not found wanting. + + * * * * * + +DON'T. + +_Advice to Looters._ + +BY H. A. GWYNNE. + +Don't call on the Provost Marshal with a couple of live chickens on +your saddle bow. + +Don't attempt to carry off a grand piano on an ammunition waggon; it +might be noticed. + +Don't cook sheep's kidneys ostentatiously in camp; you may be asked +where you found the sheep. + +Don't load your horse with flannel petticoats when carrying a message +to a general; flannel petticoats are not a part of military equipment. + +Don't swagger about camp with an air of repletion when the force is +subsisting on quarter rations. + +Don't try to stuff a pillow into your helmet; it only spoils your +appearance and gives the show away. + +Don't "pick up" anything with the broad arrow on it. + +Don't steal a horse from the Club railings when its owner is having a +whisky and soda; it is distinctly dangerous. + +Don't "steal" a horse at all, but let it "wander into your lines." + +Don't drive a flock of sheep across the pond of the Headquarter Staff; +they might delay the Commander-in-Chief and make him angry. + +Don't wear a bunch of false hair in your hat; it was never served out +to you. + +Don't carry ladies' silk stockings in your wallets; they won't fit +you. + +Don't shout out in camp, "Who's stolen my silk umbrella?" People might +ask you where you got it from. + +Don't avoid ostentatiously the Provost Marshal as he rides along; +greet him kindly and openly and perhaps he will not suspect you. + + * * * * * + +SMALL AMMUNITION. + +At Colesberg, in one of the numerous cavalry fights, an old Boer was +held at mercy by a lancer who had his lance ready to strike. "Moe nie! +Moe nie!" cried the old man, which, being translated, means "Don't, +don't!" The lancer, however, didn't understand Dutch, and replied, "I +don't want your money, I want your life," but the renewed appeal was +too piteous, and the old man was taken prisoner. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +"VIVE LA COMPAGNIE" + + _Four Correspondents Dine the General, the Governor, and + Rudyard Kipling, and Produce_ THE FRIEND _as well_. + + +"Alles zal recht komen" were the words of the late President Brand, +true friend of the English, which were graven on the pedestal of his +statue before the doors of the Residency. We repeated them in new +"tabs" beside the heading of our paper on March 28th, with an amended +English translation facing them: "All has come right." + +"All shall come right," we said, in our editorial, "was the motto of +the late Orange Free State. What a prophet was he who conceived it, +and how quickly has come the fruition of his prophecy! All has come +right." + +We published an appreciative editorial upon Sir Alfred Milner, who had +come on the previous day upon a visit to Lord Roberts. It was written +by Mr. Landon. Mr. Kipling contributed more "Kopje-Book Maxims," and +bore a heavy hand in the production of an amusing column, entitled, +"The Military Letter Writer." + +This was the way that column came into being. Mr. Landon, Mr. Kipling, +and I were in the poet's bedroom when Mr. Landon produced a model +letter-writer which he had found somewhere. I take great credit for +the phrase "found somewhere"; it might, with any other man than Mr. +Landon, be so full and rich in meaning. The book professed to be a +sober guide to the young and the ignorant in the paths of epistolary +literature; therefore it was bound to be supremely funny. We screamed +over what Landon read to us out of it. + +Said Mr. Kipling: "Let's write some model military letters," and, as +was his wont, he seized a pencil and paper and began to write No. 1, +reading as he wrote. He urged us both to contribute, and Mr. Landon +tried with much good intent, while I wished to do so, but could not +begin to keep pace with the poet. Instant collaboration is almost +always impossible, especially where the inspiration comes to one man +who is seized by it, and begins to give it expression before his +companions can match their minds with his. Therefore Mr. Kipling went +on and on, and Mr. Landon took the block and pencil and wrote as Mr. +Kipling talked. Thus were produced letter No. 1 and the italicised +introduction to No. 2; the rest Mr. Landon arranged and edited out of +his book. + +The column was pieced out at the end with No. 3 of Mr. Kipling's +"Fables for the Staff," which was, therefore, hidden in a bottom +corner of the page--a stroke of genius on the part of those whom we +anathematised collectively in the singular number as "The Dutch +Compositor." + +Mr. Buxton had been called away to Capetown just after Mr. Kipling's +arrival, and my associates, hag-ridden by the confusion and annoyances +consequent upon the lack of a practised head to the little +institution, had thrust upon me the honour and hard work of what may +be called the managing editor's place. Thenceforth it was my duty to +deal with the gnomes in the dust hall, the retiring and reticent +cashier in another building, and the inmates of the Home for Boer +Compositors, otherwise known as the office of the late unlamented +_Express_. When I saw the genius of the Master thrust to the bottom +corner of the paper, or made grotesque by mis-spelling and exhibitions +of "pi," I felt that I alone was to blame, and hid myself and vowed to +produce better results if I had to set up the type myself. + +From an able major of Engineers we received for this number a +confident and well-studied reply to Mr. Gwynne's articles on the +effects of the war upon military science. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: The Dinner of the 28th of March 1900 At Bloemfontein. + +_1st page of Menu._] + +[Illustration: _2nd page of Menu._] + +[Illustration: MENU. + + Tomato Soup. + + Boiled Salmon. + Parsley Sauce. + + Fricassee of Chicken. + Braized Ox Tail. + + Roast Sirloin of Beef. + + Roast Turkey. + + Salad. + Potatoes. + French Beans. + + Cabinet Pudding. + Blanc Mange. + Jellies. + + Anges a Cheral. + + Cheese. Coffee. + + _3rd page of Menu._] + +[Illustration: Alles zal recht komen. + +_4th page of Menu._] + + * * * * * + +This was the day upon which Mr. Landon, Mr. Gwynne, Mr. James Barnes, +and myself were to entertain at dinner Sir Alfred Milner, Lord +Roberts, and Rudyard Kipling. The _menus_ had been printed under the +eye of Mr. Landon, and were very distinguished examples of plain +typography. As twenty-four were to be used, we gave twelve each to Mr. +W. B. Wollen, R.I., and to Mr. Lester Ralph, war artists with the +army, requesting these able friends to do their best to produce on +each guest's _menu_ a picture illustrative of some exploit or leading +characteristic of the recipient. A very notable series of drawings +resulted--so notable that the Field-Marshal, whose own card showed him +in the act of receiving the Keys of Bloemfontein, asked to see them +all. When, toward the end of the repast, each man wrote his name +on every _menu_, you may be certain those bits of pasteboard bearing +the simple words, "The Dinner of the 28th of March, Bloemfontein, +1900," leaped high in value, and in the jealous pride of every man who +had one. + +That was a dinner! An affair as unique and as singular an episode of +war as--as, let us say, THE FRIEND itself. Beside the great General, +the High Commissioner, and the Poet of the Empire, we had with us +General Pretyman, Military Governor of the town; General +Forestier-Walker, the courtly commander of the Lines of Communication; +the gallant, debonair Pole-Carew; the redoubtable flashing-eyed Hector +Macdonald; the polished Sir Henry Colvile; Colonel Otter, the leader +of the men with the maple-leaf; Lord Stanley, diplomat and censor; +Lord Kerry; Colonel Girourd, binder of new Empire-fractions with +threads of steel; Colonel Hanbury Williams, the High Commissioner's +right hand; Colonel Neville Chamberlain, veteran at Empire +building--and then our comrade-historians of the pen and pencil, W. B. +Wollen, R.I., Lester Ralph, H. F. P. Battersby, A. B. Paterson, H. C. +Shelley, and W. Blelock. We had invited Lord Kitchener, but he was +away at Prieska. On his return he expressed his regret that he had not +participated in this historic gathering. Excepting Lord Kitchener, +whose field of endeavour was so ably represented, only Mr. +Chamberlain, of all the great empire builders of the day, was missing. + +We dined at the railway station, because it had the largest room and +best cook in the new colony. + +I hear the band outside. I see a carriage roll up, and Sir Alfred +Milner springs out, spare-framed and visaged like an eagle. The +Field-Marshal follows him, precise in movement, gentle of mien but +erect and firm as steel, with long usage of command resting as light +and firm upon him as if he was born with it. I see the two leaders +halt and urge one another to take the lead, but Lord Roberts is the +firmer and will not go first. Again at the door of the dining-hall the +two great men halt and dispute with pantomimic gestures, each anxious +to honour the other. When the toasts came, and Mr. Landon told Sir +Alfred Milner that he was to be toasted first, the High Commissioner +exclaimed, "It's absolutely wrong." Mr. Landon replied, "I am under +orders. I must obey Lord Roberts," for the Field-Marshal had already +been consulted. All the others are in the room, under the flaming flag +and the huge paper roses. We dine--better than at the Residency--upon +several courses and with good wine a-plenty. + +I see my handsome and gifted colleague, Mr. Landon, rise to toast the +High Commissioner. What's this we hear? He is welcoming the Viceroy as a +brother in journalism, a newspaper man like ourselves. Up rises the man +who lives in the heart of care and the furnace of dissension--pale, +grave, concentrated, like one who thinks of but one thing and has but +one thing to do--and that a thing gigantic. He replies that it is true +that he was once a writer like ourselves; that he enjoyed those days; +that he made delightful friends and spent glad hours in them; that he +has had much to do with the gentlemen of the Press in Capetown, and that +his relations with all have been without a flaw. After that he speaks +but little of the heart of care where his official bed is laid, or of +the furnace blasts of treason and of discord round his chair at the +Cape, but, with unassumed modesty, calls our attention to the military +magician across the table and to what he has done. + +It is Mr. Gwynne who rises next--one of the very best-equipped war +correspondents with the British forces, both as a campaigner and a +critic of war, and high among the best as a writer. It is fitting that +he should introduce the Field-Marshal, for he is liked and trusted by +his distinguished guest, who has discovered, I fancy, that under the +correspondent's khaki beats the heart of the soldier. + +Lord Roberts replied that he was very proud to be the guest of the war +correspondents. He liked to have them with him, and he was glad when +they criticised whatever was amiss, for he profited by reading what +they said. Turning to us, the Field-Marshal remarked, "You share all +our hardships and exposure. All the troops do not engage in every +battle, but you go to all, so that you experience even more danger +than most of us. May I call you 'comrades'?" + +I remember that he spoke earnestly of the work Sir Alfred Milner was +doing, and credited that statesman with the most difficult task of any +man who served the Empire. One other bit of his address I recall--a +mere phrase, but a remarkable one: "The gentlemen I command--my +gentlemanly army." + +It was my good fortune to introduce Rudyard Kipling--a delicate as +well as a proud task, because I knew that fulsome praise, or even the +most honest appreciation, would make him uncomfortable. I remember +that I spoke of the narrow compass of Shakspere's renown in his day, +and the world-wide fame of a man like Kipling in these days of +multitudinous newspapers and telegraphs and cables. + +"Gentlemen," said the poet, "you remember the story of the artist +Whistler in Paris. An admirer came to him and said: 'Master, you and +Velasquez are the greatest exponents of the art of painting.' 'True, +true,' said Mr. Whistler, 'but why drag in Velasquez?' (A pause.) In +all sincerity I ask you why need you drag in Shakspere? There is not a +name in all literature more disheartening to those who try to do a bit +of earnest work at writing. There is not a thought, an emotion, a +picture, a bit of description that has not been written before--and +written much better than we can write it--by William. We found a +volume of his works in the office of THE FRIEND. Take war. In 'Henry +V.' you will find all that can be written--all the glory and all the +shame, all the valour and the sordidness, the excitement and the +pomp--you will find it all in 'Henry V.' better than any one can write +it now. In all sincerity, then, I ask you, why drag in Shakspere? + +"I propose to you to-night, gentlemen, the health of the man who has +taught the British Empire its responsibilities, and the rest of the +world its power, who has filled the seas with transports, and the +earth with the tramp of armed men, who has made Cape Town see in Table +Bay such a sight as she never saw before and, please God, will never +see again; who has turned the loafer of the London streets into a man, +and called out him who led our fathers to Kandahar, and who knew not +what he did; who has made the Uitlander of South Africa stand shoulder +to shoulder with the boundary rider of New Zealand, and taught the +men of New South Wales to pick up the wounded men who wear the maple +leaf--and all in support of the mother-country. Gentlemen, I give you +the name of the Empire-builder--Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger." + +After the great guests went home a dozen or fifteen of us remained and +enjoyed an impromptu little sing-song, when this to me touching and +singular incident occurred. General Pole-Carew came to me and said, +"Your son Lester should go home and to bed. He is in a high fever. I +know what it means, for I have had it six times. Look after him well." +My son was then in the thirteenth day of an attack of enteric, about +which he had said not a word to any one. In that condition he had +drawn the pictures on the _menus_ of Lord Roberts, General Pole-Carew, +General French (who could not come), Lord Stanley, General Colvile, +Colonel Otter, Mr. Kipling, and others. Lester, on hearing what the +General had said, declared it was no news to him and, after thanking +the General, went home and to bed. There, until we could get him to a +hospital, Mr. Kipling nursed him with consummate skill and the +gentleness of a woman; interesting and, to me, precious memories of a +world in which some of us find too few of such suggestions of the +better world to come. + +In this "Free State Hospital," with the ministrations of the matron, +Miss Young, and her devoted lady nurses, the same strong essence of +unselfishness made the siege of sickness a period of pleasure. +Generals, colonels, correspondents and all of the salt of the army +went there often to cheer the patients--one of whom was Mr. Oppenheim +of the _Daily News_. + +We four private men, who gave this dinner in our own name to our own +friends, have been a great deal criticised, but it is a noticeable +fact that the only critics are the men who were not invited to the +feast. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + +No. 10] BLOEMFONTEIN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1900. [Price One Penny. + +GOVERNMENT NOTICE. + +Notice is hereby given that, communication with the Cape Colony having +been restored, the Laws and Regulations of the Customs Convention have +been put into force by virture of the proclamation of Field-Marshal +Lord Roberts, dated the 20th instant, and that from and after this +date Government Notice, No. 106, published in the "Gouvernements +Courant" of the 27th October, 1899, by which the Customs dues on +provisions and merchandise were temporarily suspended will be +considered null and void, in so far as those portions of the State now +occupied by Her Majesty's troops are concerned. + + By order + J. H. MEIRING, Collector of Customs. + Customs' House, Bloemfontein, 24th March, 1900. + + * * * * * + +PROCLAMATION. + +Whereas it is necessary that all State and private property in the +South African Republic and the Orange Free State shall be protected +from wanton destruction and damage, + +NOW THEREFORE; + +I, FREDERICK SLEIGH BARON ROBERTS OF KHANDAHAR, K.P., G.C.B., +G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., V.C., Field Marshal, Commanding-in-Chief the +British Forces in South Africa, do hereby give notice that all persons +who, within the territories of the South African Republic or the +Orange Free State shall authorise or be guilty of the wanton +destruction or damage or the counselling, aiding, or assisting in the +wanton destruction or damage of public or private property (such +destruction or damage not being justified by the usages and customs of +civilised warfare), will be held responsible in their persons and +property for all such wanton destruction and damage. + +Given under my hand at Bloemfontein, this Twenty-sixth day of March, +1900. + + GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. + + ROBERTS, + Field Marshal, + Commanding-in-Chief Her Majesty's Forces in South Africa. + + * * * * * + +SIR ALFRED MILNER. + +BY PERCEVAL LANDON. + +The High Commissioner of South Africa left Bloemfontein after the +mercifully abortive conference on June 6th of last year. Yesterday he +re-entered the town. The interval has been for some a time of hard +fighting, for all a time of anxiety, and amid the enthusiasm of his +welcome to the capital, his strong confidence during the darker days, +his unswerving fidelity to the high ideal of his Imperial work, must +be in the minds of all. + +His entry into Bloemfontein, the capital of one of the two colonies +destined to fall into line with the progress of United South Africa, +is an occasion that will be recognised by the historian of this war as +closing one "swelling act of the Imperial theme." + +Half--perhaps more than half--of Lord Roberts' work has been done; the +greater part of Sir Alfred Milner's task lies still before him. In +welcoming him within its walls Bloemfontein does not forget that long +after the transports have sailed with the last of the troops of the +expedition, the High Commissioner will still be confronted with a +gigantic work, requiring alike foresight, tact, and strength of will. +And Bloemfontein, like the rest of the Empire, is well content to +leave in the hands of Sir Alfred Milner the solution of the problem +upon the right interpretation of which the fortunes of this enormous +federation must depend. + + * * * * * + +"DRIVING THE OX." + + Sing they who will of the Yeomen Imperial, + Gillies, Scouts, "Tigers," and bold C.I.V.; + Others may hold to more usual material, + Horse, Foot, and Rifles, and Artillerie. + But there's a corps with its name writ in History-- + Bold they as lions and steadfast as rocks-- + Gaily we'll troll our song, + Slow as we stroll along-- + Trickle and roll along-- + Driving the Ox! + + But when the war-cloud frowns thicker and lowereth, + When the quick-moving battalions are met; + Not where the soft-hissing bullet most showereth, + Not in the forefront our places are set. + Still drive we on, though a day's march in rear we be, + O'er veldt and vlei, with the mud to our hocks-- + Still will we push along, + Nor sadly hush our song, + Though we don't rush along, + Driving the Ox! + + Fill, then, a cup to the Beeves of Her Majesty, + Long in the rear may their colours be seen! + Heavy their loads, but their hearts light as anything, + Doing strong work for their country and Queen. + What though they jeer who sweep by with the mounted troops? + Treat we as nought all their jibes and their mocks. + Though ne'er a fight we'll see, + Cheerful and bright we'll be, + We're a grand sight to see, + Driving the Ox! + + "OLD MAN." + + * * * * * + +FABLES FOR THE STAFF.[7] + +[Footnote 7: Copyrighted in England and America. Used here by +permission.] + +THE PERSUASIVE POM-POM. + +BY RUDYARD KIPLING. + +III. + +A Field-Artillerist passing a newly-imported Pom-pom overwhelmed it +with Contumely, saying, "What has a Gunner to do with an Unqualified +Sewing-machine?" + +To this the virtuous Mechanism returned no answer, but communicated +these Atrocious Sentiments to a fellow Pom-pom in the Opposing Army +which, later, catching the Field-battery crossing a Donga, gave it +Ten-a-penny for two Minutes to the Confusion of all concerned. + +"Alas!" said the Field-artillerist as he watched his Leg disassociate +itself from the Remainder of his Anatomy, "Who would have thought that +an Implement officially rejected by the War Office and what is more, +damned by Myself, could have done so neat a Trick?" + +MORAL. Do not condemn the Unofficial. It hits hard. + + * * * * * + +THE MILITARY LETTER WRITER. + +FORMS AND MODELS. + +BY TWO OF THE EDITORS AND THE AUTHOR OF A GUIDE TO POLITE LETTER +WRITING. + +No. I. + +(_From a General of Division unshaven for eight days who lost his +horse, which he had lately commandeered from a subaltern of transport, +after having dined not wisely but too well at a Cavalry Camp, five +miles from his own tent, to which he was conducted through a +rain-storm by an inebriated signaller, to Captain Vanderbyl of the +Ninety-Third Field Hospital, given by voluntary subscriptions, of +which the larger part remain to this day unpaid, so that the hospital +is without bandages, lint or beds, whom he suspects of being accessory +to the animal's disappearance._) + +RESPECTED SIR:-- + +It is with deep pain that I take my pen in hand to trespass on your +valuable time, but the imperative needs of the case must be my +justification. + +Twelve happy hours ago I was the proud, and I may add, the lawful +possessor of a bay mare, off fore foot white, white blaze and snip, +near hind pastern marked by heel rope, unshod in front and ear nicked, +which I think I left with a man with two heads but that may have been +on account of the sherry and bitters and she was tied up to the +railings because my boy forgot the blanket and I borrowed one from the +hospital but anyhow I know that when I came out she was a lousy mule +and the saddle cost £6 10s. at the Army and Navy Stores and I may as +well tell you at once if you have tried to dispose of it that they are +marked all over with my name and rank. Therefore, Augustus Burstem, +General of Division presents his compliments to Captain Vanderbyl and +everybody in the camp knows the mule is yours and besides your boy was +seen grooming her at the back of your tent this morning. I want it +back by bearer. + + Yours sincerely, + AUGUSTUS BURSTEM, + General. + + +No. II. + +(_From a saddle-chafed officer of the Staff with Evangelical +convictions and a rooted distaste for Scouting, who has just come off +a 10 days' march on quarter rations and has lost half his transport +and 7 men by advancing in close order upon the white flag to his +General, who has a taste for horse-racing and profanity and a good +seat across country, seventeen and a half hours after his return to +camp, and seventeen and one quarter hours after the General had +expressed his (the General's) opinion upon his (the Captain's) facial +peculiarities, mental attainments, moral rectitude, birth, parentage, +and probable future._) + +MY DEAR SIR,-- + +I have been much perplexed for some days, in consequence of a growing +conviction--which has indeed been deepening for some weeks--that we +are each of us conscious that we have made a mistake in becoming +engaged. I believe you have this conviction, as I am obliged to +confess I have. Now it is infinitely better that we face it at once. I +would gladly be convinced that we have not been mistaken; and if I am +wrong in believing that this thought has been in your mind as well as +my own, pray forgive me for having misjudged you. How else can I +account for the depression which seems to rule you when in my company, +and for the apparent relief which parting seems to bring you? Now, +will you do yourself and me the justice to ask yourself seriously +whether or no (I) have at all correctly gauged your feeling? If so, I +would wish to release you, for your own sake as well as for mine. It +really seems that we have each discovered that our ideals are not to +be found in each other. If so we shall respect each other none the +less in future years that we had the courage to confess to each other +that we have been mistaken. Kindly write when you are sure of the +answer which you are sending. + + Faithfully yours, + WALTER. + +It is interesting to note that this and the following letter are taken +literally word for word from a well-known "Letter-writer." Thus we see +the adaptability of these invaluable helps to the epistolary art. It +will not be necessary to suggest the original suggested circumstances +of this correspondence. + + +No. 3. + +THE GENERAL'S ANSWER. + +DEAR WALTER,--I have taken a few days to sift my thoughts on the +subject of your last. The conclusion that I have come to is +practically the same as yours. I have no blame to lay on you; on the +contrary, you have been most kind and considerate in all things. No +doubt, without intending it, we have been both mistaken; and although +we have honestly tried to be all to each other, yet that mysterious +something which is perhaps best expressed by the word "affinity" has +been lacking. So, without in the least losing my respect for +you--rather it has increased--I accept the proposal contained in your +last, viz., that our engagement should cease. + + Sincerely yours, + B. I. TUMEN, Genl. + + * * * * * + +UNITED WE STAND. + +BY TROOPER G. SIMES, F SQUADRON, ROBERTS' HORSE. + + Who are these hasting with speed o'er the ocean, + Meeting together in one common cause, + Proving by deeds and a whole-souled devotion, + Their love for our Flag and contempt for the Boers? + + These are the oversea sons of one mother, + Some bred in sunshine and some bred in snow; + Meeting together as brother with brother, + One common kindred 'gainst one common foe. + + Bright sunny land in the far-off Pacific, + Fit habitation for men such as these, + Proving their birthright in battle terrific, + Sons of the Mother though bred overseas. + + Grand snow-clad land on the stormy Atlantic, + Home of our brothers who fight with us here-- + Proving by deeds most high-souled and romantic + Their love for their country we all hold so dear. + + This be our comfort and this be our beacon-- + Blood that was shed has but bound us together, + No power can conquer, no quarrels shall weaken + The Rose and the Maple, the Wattle and Heather! + + * * * * * + +TEN-A-PENNY'S.[8] + +[Footnote 8: "Ten-a-Penny" was a soldiers' nickname for the Pom-pom. +"The ----y Doorknocker" it was christened in the Highland Brigade. The +word "Pom-pom" came first into use immediately after the battle of +Modder River.] + +A certain General has breathed vengeance against two of the Editors of +THE FRIEND, threatening to put them in his guard-room if he finds them +within his lines. They are not afraid of him, but prefer to admire him +as of old. They scorn his threats but will welcome an invitation to +lunch. + + * * * * * + +A linesman describing the arrival of the Guards Brigade at +Bloemfontein after they had covered 41 miles in 22 hours: "An' they +come in the last mile like a lot o' bloomin' Park hacks, steppin' 'igh +an' dressin' most particular." + + * * * * * + +A French waiter at a Parisian café recently heard the news of +Kimberley's relief, and observed joyously: "Bon! Fashoda finds itself +avenged. Behold, ze English again in the consommée, for ze French are +in Kimberley!" + + * * * * * + +"Look here! You get away from this antheap. This is my antheap. There +are plenty around, and you find one for yourself." The hail of Mauser +bullets from the kopje was pretty heavy, and the nearest antheap at +least fifty yards away, so the other Grahamstown man disputed the +uitlander theory of his comrade, and insisted on staying. "Confound +you, get away I tell you; your big feet are drawing the fire; if you +don't I'll break your neck." "You shut up," said the other, "this +antheap is as much mine as yours, besides if you talk of breaking +necks, well----" There appeared to be no further conversation, but the +officer observed the two men suddenly arise and a hot set-to followed. +The fire was too hot for immediate inquiry, but after a prolonged +round one man was knocked down, the other drew him behind the disputed +shelter, and resumed patient firing at the enemy. + +Later a request was made for orders regarding the possession of +antheaps by irregulars. + + * * * * * + +A well-known scout returning from Kimberley last week was taken +prisoner at Modder River by a party of eight Boers. He was sent in +charge of two burghers to the Boer camp near Brandfort. On the way the +Boers off-saddled and their horses strayed. Leaving their prisoner +alone with their guns and ammunition, which they had laid down, they +went after the horses. Here was an excellent opportunity. Both Boers +were at his mercy, but it looked too much like murder, so awaiting +their return, the scout, who could speak the Taal, appealed to them +to let him go, telling them that he could easily have shot them, but +the war was nearly over, and he would not take men's lives in that +way; further, that it would greatly inconvenience him to be taken +North, and he might be able to put in a good word for them soon, if +their farms should be in danger. After an hour's palaver they agreed +to give him a show, and told him he could go. They then escorted him +to the river and showed him the road to Bloemfontein. + + * * * * * + +PONT FILLED WITH BULLION. + +This is the story of two men who, unarmed, and without a guard brought +£25,000 in bullion from Capetown to Bloemfontein, through a country +still seething with dangers of war. The men were L. L. Michell, +general manager of the Standard Bank of South Africa, and W. Munro du +Preez, formerly of the National Bank of Harrismith, now teller of the +Standard Bank's new Bloemfontein branch, which opened to-day in the +building on Market Square, formerly occupied by the Café Royal and +later by the Military Post Office. + +They left Capetown on Thursday a week ago, with twelve boxes of +specie, each one of which weighed eighty pounds. For six days they +lived, ate, and slept on those boxes. Their only holiday was at +Naauwpoort, when they paid a high compliment to six A. and S. +Highlanders by putting the boxes in their charge and going out to +stretch their legs. For hundreds of miles the train ran through +desolate karoo in which a band of train robbers would have stood a +fair chance of success. At Colesberg the twelve heavy boxes were +piled out again on the platform and into the ladies' waiting-room and +the weary bankers stretched out on them, for the night. + +There was to have been a military guard for the gold at Norval's Pont, +but somehow the guard did not connect. The bank men found themselves +stalled at a broken bridge, with the choice of trusting their bullion +to a thin wire rope slung across the broken spans, or putting it on a +pont that formed a rope ferry across the river. They chose the pont. + +The train from Capetown reached Orange River at 2 o'clock on Tuesday +afternoon. The train on the north side of the river had to wait until +7 o'clock for the gold. + +The transfer across the river was the most interesting part of the +journey. Messrs. Michell and du Preez deny that their interest had +anything of anxiety in it. They trusted the twelve sweating volunteers +who wandered wide from the train to the pont with its 960 pounds +avoirdupois and 25,000 pounds sterling. Du Preez walked at the head of +the volunteers and Michell at the tail. The volunteers seemed to be +walking all over the country. + +So the twelve boxes were finally slammed into the guard's van on the +north side of the river, and the bank manager and his teller clambered +in on top of them. If there was a military guard on the train they +didn't have the comfort of knowing it. They had been told that all the +Boers were giving in their arms and that the country through which +they rode was thoroughly pacified, but then, as du Preez said, "when +you are travelling with twelve boxes of bullion you can't be dead sure +of anything." + +When the train reached Bloemfontein on Wednesday, the boxes were +taken at once to the vaults of the National Bank of the Orange Free +State, and the two men, wearied by their six days' vigil, went at once +to bed, and to sleep. + +Mr. Michell, who manages the Standard Bank affairs in all parts of +South Africa, is only temporarily in Bloemfontein. Mr. D. Savory, +formerly of the branch bank at Oudtshoorn, will be manager of the +Bloemfontein branch. Mr. A. S. D. Robertson, formerly in the branch +bank at Ceres, will be accountant, and Mr. du Preez will be teller. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +WE LEAVE "THE FRIEND" TO SEE A FIGHT + + _The Thirteenth Number, produced by Mr. James Barnes of New + York._ + + +The last of the dinner was still in our mouths, the last words in +answer to the toasts had not been spoken five hours when, at daybreak +on the 29th, we were all, except Mr. James Barnes, on the way to the +battle of the Glen (or of Karree Siding, as it is sometimes called). +Mr. Barnes most kindly remained to take entire control of THE FRIEND, +which is to say that he undertook the work of four men, and had as his +only assistant a bright young American journalist from Philadelphia, +Mr. Joseph W. Jenkins. This young gentleman had worked hard and +gratuitously for us from the first as the gatherer of the news of the +little capital, and very fertile and versatile he proved. + +Mr. Bennet Burleigh took Mr. Kipling to the fight in his Cape-cart, +and they started out with more style and comfort than an Oriental +general swaying on the cushioned howdah of his elephant charger. But +the course of a day in war is as uncertain as that of love or as the +nature of the white men, and, early in the day, the Poet of the Empire +was under a hot Mauser fire. Far from being nervous or regretting the +experience, he seemed to feel only the tingle of the excitement. If +you could get him to refer to it you saw that he rejoiced to have felt +the breath and heard the weird, low song of the leaden rain. + +For myself I had such an inglorious escapade as no man would care to +dwell upon who was in a war to get the best or the worst, but not to +be incapacitated by what could have happened at home. In a word, I +went into a wire fence off the back of a frightened racehorse, and was +obliged to go on to the battle, belated and with both fore-arms torn +into strips, not to speak of injuries which must stay by me as +mementoes of the day so long as I live. + +Mr. Barnes's number of THE FRIEND was a good one. His editorial, "As +to the Future," was very vigorous, and must have pleased Sir Alfred +Milner, who did us the honour to say that he valued the paper as a +most efficient arm of the effort to pacify and reconcile to their fate +our neighbours of the Free State. He suggested to me that we should +address ourselves more directly to the Boers, and always with a view +to impressing them with our magnanimous intentions, and the benefits +and advantages of enlightened British rule. It was his suggestion, +also, that all articles calculated to encourage resignation on their +part should be duplicated in the Taal language, and this wise plan we +began at once to endeavour to follow. We succeeded but feebly, because +we did not know the Taal ourselves, and we could not trust the +majority of the sometimes "slim" ones among the few who were able to +perform the work of translation creditably. + +In this number of the paper Mr. Barnes published No. 4 of Mr. +Kipling's "Fables for the Staff," and the poem by Mr. Kipling on +Perceval Landon's birthday. "A Realistic Comedy," by an anonymous +writer, the third of Mr. Gwynne's articles on the art of war, and a +bit of a brief correspondence between the army telegraphists and Mr. +Bennet Burleigh were also in this entertaining number. + +Mr. Barnes was exceedingly well liked by all who knew him in the army, +and was much sought as a companion, for his unvarying good humour and +for such a fund of anecdotes, songs, and imitations as was possessed +by no one else of our acquaintance. I think the best of his anecdotes +of his own experiences in the war was concerning the Boer losses at +Driefontein. The British had found more than sixty bodies, and knew +that fifty other Boers had been killed. (I will not say that these are +the exact figures, but they give a just idea of the actual losses of +the Boers.) Nevertheless, when Barnes questioned a Boer prisoner taken +at that battle, the man said that his force had suffered a loss of +only eight killed. + +"Then who is it that gets killed by our bullets in all these fights?" +Barnes asked. "We fight you, and after each battle we see the dead +being carried off; we find other dead on the field, and we see the +loose mounds of earth under which you have hastily buried others. Who +are these dead men?" + +"I don't know," said the prisoner, "our commandant said we only had +eight men killed at Abraham's Kraal (Driefontein)." + +"I understand," said Barnes. "He must know how many you lost. But we +saw over sixty dead bodies where you had been fighting. Whose bodies +do you suppose they were? Not Boers, of course, but still, they +belonged to some people who had been shot. There seems to be in South +Africa a mysterious race of people who follow you around in this war +and persist in getting in the way of our bullets. I should think you +would warn them of their danger, or give orders for them to stop +coming to all the battles. They may have wives and children who mourn +them; at all events, they are not needed as filters in all the rivers, +or for starting informal cemeteries all over the veldt as they have +been doing ever since the fighting began. I wonder what people they +are." + +"I don't know. We only lost eight," said the Boer. + +"And we buried sixty," said Barnes. "Really you ought to find out who +these bullet-stoppers are, and warn them not to be always getting +killed by us who have no quarrel with them and are only trying to +shoot Boers." + +Another of Mr. Barnes's tales is of that awful daybreak massacre at +Maghersfontein. Mr. Barnes was forging ahead to learn what had +happened when he met three men in kilts dashing over the veldt, away +from the battle. + +"Here," Mr. Barnes cried, "who are you? Where are you going?" + +"Oh, mon," said one of the poor unnerved chaps, "we are a' that's left +o' the ---- ----." + +In defence of themselves against some inconvenience which Mr. Burleigh +had complained, some telegraphers of the R.E. Corps declared that the +staff in Bloemfontein "performed seventeen hours last Sunday in order +to remove pressure produced to a great extent by work other than +military. Whilst every other arm of the service had been enjoying a +brief and well-earned rest, our portion has consisted of at least +twelve hours' hard work at the instrument, cooped up in a room reeking +with a pestilential atmosphere which has, in several cases, produced +violent vomiting. + +"After all, we can nurse to our breasts the satisfaction that our +gallant Commander-in-Chief has been pleased to specially thank the +much-despised corps for the indispensable services rendered by it." + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + + No. 11.] BLOEMFONTEIN, THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1900. [Price One Penny + +GOVERNMENT NOTICE. + +By order of his Lordship the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief the +British Forces in South Africa, it is notified that Quit Rents on +Farms should now be paid in to the Receiver at the Landdrost's Office. +Amounts not paid on or before the 31st May, 1900, are liable to be +doubled. + + JAMES A. COLLINS, Landdrost. + Landdrost's Office, Bloemfontein, March 26, 1900. + + * * * * * + +FABLES FOR THE STAFF.[9] + +[Footnote 9: Copyrighted, used by the author's permission.] + +VAIN HORSES. + +BY RUDYARD KIPLING. + +IV. + +A Cavalry-horse of indubitable Valour, carrying a complete Wardrobe +Office and Housekeeping Apparatus on his back, met by chance a Boer +pony of unprepossessing Exterior. + +"My ungroomed Friend," said the Horse, "let me draw your attention to +my Master's portable Bath, Umbrella, Typewriter, Hair Brushes, +Dressing-case, and complete Service of Plate; also to my own spare +Shoes and cold Collation for the next Week. Few I opine enjoy such +luxurious appointments." + +"They are indeed _fin de siècle_ and _non-plus-ultra_," remarked the +ewe-necked Son of the Veldt, "but You must excuse Me for I see my +Master approaching. He does not use Hair-brushes, and I have neither +spare shoes nor curry combs." + +"Then I must trouble you to return as my Prisoner," said the Horse. + +"On the contrary," replied the Child of the ungrassed Kopje; "it is a +condition and not a theory that confronts us. Let me draw your +attention to my scintillatery heels." + +So saying the Unkempt Equine departed in a neat cloud of Dust, from +the Centre of which his Master scientifically shot the Cavalry Horse +in the Abdomen. + + * * * * * + +A BIRTHDAY GREETING.[10] + +[Footnote 10: The birthday of Mr. Perceval Landon. Copyrighted, and +used here by permission.] + +(29th March.) + +BY RUDYARD KIPLING. + + Tell the smiling Afric morn, + Let the stony kopje know, + Landon of the _Times_ was born + One and thirty years ago. + + Whisper greetings soft and low, + Pour the whisky, deal the bun, + Only Bell and Buckle know + All the evil he has done. + + * * * * * + +FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. + +In accordance with the public notice printed in this journal, a +meeting of war correspondents was held yesterday afternoon at the Free +State Hotel, Bloemfontein, when the arrangements for a concert to be +given in the Town Hall "in aid of widows and orphans" were discussed. +Messrs. Bennet Burleigh (_Daily Telegraph_), Pearse (_Daily News_), +Maxwell (_Standard_), and Haarburgher, were appointed members of the +Executive Committee with power to add to their number, and it was +decided that the proceeds of the concert should be divided equally +between the London and Bloemfontein funds. The date, which remains to +be fixed, will probably be Friday of next week, and the prices of +admission 5s., 3s., and 1s., the latter for soldiers in uniform. + + * * * * * + +A REALISTIC COMEDY. + +I haven't often been really defeated, but I felt very like it that +Black Monday. + +My convoy consisted of self and Jimmy (my subaltern), two conductors, +100 native drivers, about 500 oxen, and 40 waggons. We were hundreds +of miles from the front so had no escort, and were fifteen miles from +anywhere. The country was simply a succession of kopjes as like each +other as a pair of ammunition boots, the map was much too small a +scale to be of any use, and our native guide had lost the way! + +We ought to have struck water about dawn, after trekking all night, +but there wasn't a sign of it. The heat was awful as we toiled our +dusty way between those glaring kopjes, until about noon we sighted a +stagnant dam, half full, and we went for it like savages, men, oxen +and all. + +It must have been absolute rank poison. In a couple of hours two men +were writhing on the ground, a score more, blue and shivering, were +feeling touched, and the whole lot were thoroughly funked. It was just +like a native cholera camp in India, and to those who have experienced +that I need say no more. + +We sent out our most useful men on our best horses, to hunt the +country, five miles round for a farm or well; we started fires to boil +water and worked our wretched little filters for all they were worth. +Jimmy and I had a bottle of chlorodyne apiece, but they were empty in +an hour or so and our whisky was finished soon afterward. I had meant +to trek again as soon as it got dark, but before the sun touched the +horizon all our scouts were back--not a drop of water anywhere! Had +there been any, I doubt if we could have got to it--half our oxen were +incapable of moving and the blacks were simply off their heads. But I +noticed that our chlorodyne, either by its own power, or by the belief +they put in it, had really done good. So I made up my mind to a night +there and called up one of the conductors.--"Take the native guide and +bring me two of the best horses you can find--ride straight on for all +you are worth--find a farm--offer them any sum to send on this note +of mine to Viten Siding for a doctor and medicines--bring back any +drugs they've got and brandy or spirits--come back as hard as you +can." + +Then we settled down to the most ghastly night I've ever spent; we +walked the bed cases up and down--don't know what good this is but had +seen it done in India--put on mustard poultices till we fairly took +the black's skins off--and knocked down a few who were howling about +the camp in sheer panic. I don't know what I should have done without +Jimmy, but even his chaff couldn't keep the poor devils amused. About +midnight I had a bad turn myself and Jimmy put me to bed, but it wore +off, and I fell into a nightmared slumber. Just before dawn I awoke; +Jimmy was brewing coffee and whistling: "When we are married." + +"How do you feel?" he said. + +"Perfectly fit again. Any dead?" + +"Only two, but they were sick before. All the lot in blue funks +still." + +"Conductor back?" + +"No." Then we strained our eyes in the direction where he had +disappeared. + +I remember wondering dreamily why Jimmy whistled so damned out of +tune, and whether any of us would ever get out of this death-trap, +when we saw a speck far up the road. Jimmy stopped in the middle of +"Dolly Day Dreams," spilt his coffee, and dashed off up the road. + +The conductor had killed his own horse and the guide's; had found a +farm ten miles away; had sent on my note but Doctor could not arrive +till to-morrow; there were no drugs at the farm, but he'd brought us +two bottles of Dop[11] and four loaves of fresh bread done up in a +brown parcel! + +[Footnote 11: Cape Good Hope brandy.] + +A crowd of niggers were hovering round as near my tent as they dared +come, hoping to catch an inkling of the news, and I could tell from +the tone of their low mutterings that they expected nothing good. For +a moment I was badly defeated. + +Then a Heaven-sent inspiration seized me--"Well, Brown," I said, +raising my voice, "So that's the chlorodyne is it?"--I seized the big +brown-paper parcel--"It's five o'clock now; tell every Jack man in +camp he's to fall in here sharp at six for a dose of chlorodyne." + +The conductor stared at me; I suppose he thought I was mad. + +"Don't you hear," I cried; "go off at once, and don't let anybody +interrupt us while we have breakfast." And I managed to give him the +faintest wink--in another minute I heard him shouting my order through +the camp. + +"Jimmy, let's make chlorodyne." Jimmy grinned. "Collis Browne's is the +best," he said; "twenty drops for an adult." + +Then he started whistling again while we shut up the tent and went to +work. + +"Small bottles are no use," I said, "must have wholesale manufactory; +we'll find that demi-john." + +We started with two tins of condensed milk--to give it a bit of +body--and a tin of Van Houten's cocoa made a grand colouring. Two big +spoonfuls of red pepper, "to ginger it up." "Must mix our flavour," +said Jimmy, "or they'll recognize the brand"--so in went Bengal +chutney and strawberry jam. We were rummaging out our grocery +box--"Sardines ain't much use, nor cheese, nor Danish butter; but +here's a bottle of the nastiest pickles I ever tasted, let's give them +the juice of that; they won't believe it's medicine unless it tastes +bad." + +"My tooth powder is nasty enough," said Jimmy, "Carbolic something, +and warranted to do no harm--in it goes." + +The two bottles of Dop were chucked in as a finish and the mixture was +nasty enough for anybody--rich brown, creamy, and fiery hot. + +Jimmy had entered heart and soul into the business.--"None's genuine +without the label," he cried, and rushed at our small stationery box. +"Hullo, sealing wax, here, you find a cork and seal it up; these cards +will do for labels. Some of these niggers can read and write, so we +must play the game right through. If they spot us we're done. Now, +men--Genuine Chlorodyne--for coughs, colds, &c.--every three hours +till the pain ceases; to be well shaken before taken. And another +label--To O.C. No. 2, General Hospital, Viten Sideing,--On H.M. +Service--free--franked. Dirty the paper a bit to show it's come a long +way--then when we throw the jar away they'll see it's genuine." + +"They don't have chlorodyne in our hospitals," I suggested. + +"Go to blazes! the niggers aren't cute enough for that. But look here, +old chap, you look a bit cheap; we'll resurrect you to start with. I'm +afraid you'll have to take some, but I'll make it as small a dose as I +can." + +Then I lay down huddled up in a corner. The opening tableau was ready, +and we rang up the curtain, or rather the tent-flap. Jimmy was as +serious as a judge: "All present, conductor? All right; where's that +medicine got to? Oh, there; now then, anybody got a corkscrew?" A hum +went up from the figures squatting round. Jimmy held up his hand: +"Quiet there, the captain is very bad; I must see to him first." He +lifted my drooping head and forced a spoonful of the filth between my +teeth. + +I heaved a sigh, patted myself below the belt, rolled my eyes open, +and stood up, fully recovered! + +Astonishment mingled with applause! + +We selected a hulking, big brute as the next victim. He was palpably +shamming; he spluttered a bit over his dose, but took the cue from me: +patted himself, rolled his eyes, and was recovered. + +Genuine plaudits. + +"Next," said Jimmy. It reminded me of the brimstone and treacle at +Dotheboys Hall. + +Applause gave way to regular hilarity, and the blacks were soon +ragging each other on the faces they made. + +"This is the biggest thing of modern times," said Jimmy as the last man +went off grinning and spluttering. "Talk about faith-healing--well, +either it's an absolute fact, or else we two are the leading medical +stars of the new century." + +Then Jimmy and I shook hands, and he tried to whistle "Dolly Day +Dreams" again, but couldn't manage it for a minute or two. + +There were a few real bad cases still, but they all pulled through. + +Then we served out to the men the best rations we could raise and a +bit of 'baccy apiece. They cooked away with a will, filled themselves +out with breakfast, lay down beneath their wagons, and went to sleep. + +Jimmy and I went to sleep too. At sunset we inspanned and made the 10 +miles to the farm early. Our doctor met us there. + +But I shall never hear "Dolly Day Dreams" again without thinking of +bare veldt, black faces, and chlorodyne. + + ANONYMOUS. + + * * * * * + +THE "N.C.O." + + There's some one in the Army that I'd like to write about, + For it's seldom that he gets his share of praise; + He's as gallant as most lions and you can always hear him shout, + Through the rattle of the battle now-a-days. + + When we read in all the papers of the Comp'ny officers killed, + We don't stop to think who has to take their place; + But if we knew, our hearts with admiration would be filled + For the N.C.O. with grim and grimy face. + + His language on the barrack square, ain't quite what it should be, + And it's probable he likes his whack of beer, + But there's nothing like that voice of his, and never yet will be + To steady the young soldier when he's feeling "Bullet-queer." + + He's ahead in all the rushes, he's the last one to retire, + And in battle's got a joke for every one; + He doesn't seem to mind a damn, when under Mauser fire, + And he don't forget the wounded when the day is fought and won. + + Then, Mr. Rudyard Kipling, here's more work for you to do, + You've sung of gallant "Tommies" and their deeds, + Just write about their N.C.O.'s and give them all their due, + For good N.C.O.'s are what the Army needs. + + C. + + * * * * * + +IS THE ART OF WAR REVOLUTIONISED? + +BY. H. A. GWYNNE. + +III.--_Cavalry._ + +The "Art of War," which, I must confess, is but a feeble equivalent +for the _art militaire_ of the French, covers strategy and tactics. In +discussing the duties of any particular arm in warfare it is obvious +that the discussion must necessarily deal with tactics rather than +strategy, which, I take it, will not undergo any great change as long +as human nature remains subject to its present limitations. But the +arm which I am now discussing has been and will be in the future even +more the chief instrument used by a general who wishes to carry out +big strategic movements. Wherefore cavalry must, above all things, be +mobile, ready to move at the shortest moment, prepared in every +respect to carry out quickly the ideas of the commander. + +The "strategic arm," as the cavalry has been styled, has been called +upon, during the present campaign, to face difficulties which have +been almost unknown in former campaigns. First and foremost it has had +to operate against an army of mounted infantry, more mobile than +itself. Waterless plains, heat, and short rations, have been +difficulties which in Europe would be absent. Foreign criticisms on +the operations of our cavalry in the present campaign are based on +false premises, inasmuch that their authors assume a plentiful supply +of water, an equable climate, an easy transport, and a fair amount of +supplies. They have not taken into account the fact that our cavalry +have had to cut themselves off from all supplies in what, for all +practical purposes, is a howling desert, for the English horses have +steadily refused to touch the veldt-grass. If there is one criticism +on the operations of our cavalry which can in any sense be justified, +it is that in many cases we have made it an objective of our movements +to charge the enemy. By doing so, we have perhaps sacrificed +opportunities of outflanking the Boers for the illusive chance of +proving the efficiency of the _arme blanche_ on an enemy, whose only +weapon is a rifle. I once heard a distinguished cavalry officer +declare that it was his conviction that in a two-mile race, starting +fair, the Boer, mounted on his little African pony, would outpace our +troopers riding a big English horse and carrying an equipment which +reminded him of the picture of Father Christmas. But as over two +million people have at different times criticised the weight of +cavalry equipment, and nobody, except the Boer, has given us a remedy, +we may leave this portion of our subject to lecturer--the U.S. +Institute. + +The great question which will have to be answered in the near future +is whether the mounted force of an army is to be cavalry or mounted +infantry. To my mind there can be no doubt about the answer. The +mounted forces of the future will be cavalry, and in much greater +proportion to infantry than at present. The great force of mounted +infantry which we have raised in the present war is intended to cope +with an army of Mounted Infantry opposed to us. Whether they will ever +be used again is doubtful. But what certainly will be the case is that +the cavalry of the future will have to know how to shoot, and must be +provided with something better than a carbine to shoot with. And +practically they will then be Mounted Infantry with an _arme blanche_. +"Shock tactics" will have to give place to long-range firing, and the +cavalrymen of the future will be seen digging and holding trenches, +holding kopjes, and _repelling with rifle fire the advance of the +enemy's Cavalry_. This indeed will be a revolution. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +MY HORSE OFFERED FOR SALE + + _Kipling at last writes something that pleases the Boers--A + Predikant's letter._ + + +In the paper of March 30th we offered as complete and--you may be +sure--as unique a newspaper as it was possible to produce. It +contained the fresh news of the world, and it was at the same time +full of the atmosphere of the army and the battlefield; of the +outpourings of men who had laid down the sword and rifle to take up +the pen. I wish I could reproduce the entire paper, but after all it +was like many that followed, and to reproduce them all would make a +book too cumbrous to handle and too full of warlike and military +subjects to interest at least half of the public. Practically the +entire first page was given up to proclamations, and looked like a +miniature hoarding hidden under miniature posters. These crowded over +into two columns of the second page, which also contained the still +swelling display of advertisements of lost horses and horses for sale. +Among the latter was this-- + + FIRST-CLASS HUNTER FOR SALE. + + Julian Ralph desires to sell his blooded hunter + "Rattlesnake," a superb horse with noted pedigree. He is in + splendid working condition (_aside--has caused his owner to + wear a casing of lint, and to walk with difficulty on a + heavy stick_.) The horse can be seen at the Red House behind + the Dutch Reformed Church. + +The italics in the above advertisement are inserted here, and were not +in the newspaper. They suggest what novel forms advertisements would +often take if the advertisers always truthfully explained why they +wished to part with their property. + +W. A. Koller, the town clerk, notified all residents to call upon him +and make a true statement of the _bonâ fides_ of all their possessions +in horseflesh. Captain P. Holland-Pryor, A.A.G., requested every +burgher who had not given up any Government horse in his possession to +do so without delay. Truly, the horse occupied a large share of +interest and attention--much larger now that we were in need of horses +than when they had come in abundance from every corner of the earth. + +We published a remarkable address to the Free Staters by the Rev. A. +A. Van der Lingen, once a candidate for the Presidency. He asked them +if it was right for them to assail the peaceful territories of the +British when thousands of their kith and kin are enjoying a full and +perfect measure of equality and justice. He demanded to know "what you +think seriously, in your own minds, will become of you if you +prosecute the war and lose." The "old soldiers of Bloemfontein"--it +seems there were eight retired veterans--cheered the Field-Marshal +with an address. + +[Illustration: _Julian Ralph and his horse "Rattlesnake._"] + +Our five-guinea competition for the renaming of the Colony went on +apace, and we recorded a great day of sport among the men of the Sixth +Division, who enjoyed the band of the Buffs and the pipes of the +Seaforths, Gordons, Black Watch, and Argyle and Sutherland +Highlanders. Major the Honourable Robert White directed the sports +with greater success than had attended anything of the kind among our +troops on this side of Natal. + +The soldiers still filed into our bare and dirty quarters asking for +the paper, and one of them complained that it was not sent out to his +camp, and that he had to come in and get it. + +"Canadian, aren't you?" Mr. Kipling asked, "from out on the wheat +belt?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Why, man, then what are you talking about? You'd ride in to Winnipeg, +twenty miles, to get a paper if you were at home." + +Mr. Kipling on this day wrote a tribute to General Joubert, whose +death had just been made known to us. Hours after he wrote the poem, +when tired of waiting to see the proof, he walked over to the +printing-office, broke in by way of a window, and set up the last line +of it at one of the printers' cases. What the printers thought of him +we never knew, but he never forgot that the first bit of paper he +picked up from the floor of the editorial room, when he was looking +for something that had fallen from the table, was a violent attack +upon himself in a piece of a Free State newspaper. + +The only bit of all our work that our compositors saved was this poem +to Joubert. That and a portrait of the late firebrand, Borckenhagen, +were the only ornaments they deemed worthy to decorate their +composing-room walls. + +There were at least two English-speaking men among them. I grant to +them the benefit of the doubt whether my reflections should extend to +them also. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +_(Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force.)_ + + No. 12] BLOEMFONTEIN, FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1900. [Price One Penny + +LORD ROBERTS AND THE LATE GENERAL JOUBERT. + +LORD ROBERTS' TELEGRAM OF SYMPATHY. + + BLOEMFONTEIN. + +_His Honour President Kruger, President of the South African +Republic, Pretoria._ + +(Clear the line.) I have just received the news of General Joubert's +death, and I desire at once to offer my sincere condolence to your +Honour and the Burghers of the South African Republic on this sad +event. I would ask you to convey to General Joubert's family the +expression of my most respectful sympathy in their sad bereavement, +and to assure them also from me that all ranks of Her Majesty's forces +now serving in South Africa share my feeling of deep regret at the +sudden and untimely end of so distinguished a General who devoted his +life to the service of his country and whose personal gallantry was +only surpassed by his humane conduct and chivalrous bearing under all +circumstances.--ROBERTS. + + * * * * * + +GENERAL JOUBERT.[12] + +[Footnote 12: Copyrighted in England and America; used here by +permission.] + +(Died March 27, 1900.) + +BY RUDYARD KIPLING. + + With those that bred, with those that loosed the strife, + He had no part whose hands were clear of gain; + But, subtle, strong and stubborn, gave his life + To a lost cause, and knew the gift was vain. + + Later shall rise a People, sane and great, + Forged in strong fires, by equal war made one-- + Telling old battles over without hate, + Not least his name shall pass from sire to son. + + He shall not meet the onsweep of our van + In the doomed city where we close the score; + Yet o'er his grave--his grave that holds a Man-- + Our deep-tongued guns shall answer his once more! + + * * * * * + +_(Editorial.)_ + +DEATH OF GENERAL JOUBERT. + +No words of ours are needed to supplement the telegram of Lord ROBERTS +and the three stanzas by Mr. RUDYARD KIPLING, which we print to-day, +upon the news we have received of General JOUBERT'S death. We feel +that we are but giving expression to the feeling of every man in the +army of occupation in expressing our most sincere regret in hearing of +the sudden decease of the great leader of our enemy. + + * * * * * + +FABLES FOR THE STAFF.[13] + +[Footnote 13: Copyrighted; used here by permission.] + +BY RUDYARD KIPLING. + +V. + +A General, having offered libations to Fortuna, went out to fight a +Battle in the course of which his Frontal Attack developed into a Rear +Guard action, and his left Flank became a Modulus of varying +Elasticity for several hours, owing to his right Flank having wandered +towards the Equator. + +The Enemy seeing these Inexplicable Evolutions, were so overcome with +Amazement that They retired in large Numbers and left the General a +complete Victory. + +A week later, the General, learning from the Reports of his Staff that +he was a Heaven-born Strategist, diligently read a Book and gave +Battle upon the lines therein laid down. + +After this he was never seen to smile but frequently heard to murmur: +"If I had only trusted my bally Luck instead of a bally Book, I should +not be now travelling first-class to Stellenbosch." + +MORAL.--Invention is a good servant, but the Letter killeth. + + * * * * * + +A BRAVE CANADIAN. + + BLOEMFONTEIN, _March 28th_. + +DEAR SIR,--In answer to a paragraph appearing in your paper of a past +date under the heading of "Acts of Bravery performed during the War," +allow me to quote one which I witnessed at Paardeberg on the morning of +Cronje's surrender on February 27th. Every one knows of the gallant +display made by the Royal Canadians on that never-to-be-forgotten +morning, and how, as daylight broke, they had again occupied their +trenches, leaving sixty killed and wounded on the field. As the sun came +up behind the kopjes, revealing once more to Cronje and his men the +exact position of our trenches, they opened a heavy fire upon them, and +woe to the man who was indiscreet enough to show his head and shoulders +over the earthworks! Between the trenches and the Boer position lay +Canadian dead and dying. About 5.30 a wounded man about five hundred +yards away was seen to be trying to make for our trenches under a heavy +fire, but was at last observed to fall. Now and then, between the +volleys, he was seen to wave his hands as if for assistance. Suddenly +from the left of us a form was seen to climb the earthworks in front of +our trenches, jumping down to make straight for the place where the +wounded man lay, about ninety yards from the Boer trenches. Utterly +regardless of the scathing fire which hissed about him, he ran on, and +at last reached the wounded man and tried to lift him, but it was too +late, for the poor fellow had breathed his last. Seeing it was of no +avail, his would-be rescuer walked back over the ground he had covered, +and although bullets whistled around him and tore up the ground in every +direction, he coolly regained his trenches with a pipe stuck between his +teeth. I have since ascertained his name was Private Thompson, of the +Royal Canadians, and although I do not know whether his case is one +_recommended_ for distinction or not, still I have never during the +campaign seen a case of such coolness and pluck as that displayed by +Private Thompson. Considering the galling fire that swept the distance +of four or five hundred yards which he covered in his endeavour to reach +the wounded man, also his close proximity to the Boer trenches, it seems +marvellous that he ever lived to get within four hundred yards of him, +not to mention getting back without a scratch. His case is one of the +most deserving of recognition, coming, as it does, from amongst the +ranks of the gallant Canadian Volunteers, by whose side we have fought +and marched since we left Graspan, and than whom a jollier or pluckier +lot of boys never lived. + + ONE OF THE GORDONS WHO WAS THERE. + + * * * * * + +THE EMPIRE'S DEFENDERS. + +BY B. CHARLES TUCKER. + + See, they come marching over the plain, + Cheerfully bearing their wounds and pain, + Soldiers and sailors alike to the work, + Never a man of them doing a shirk. + These are the men that you owe a debt; + England, remember it; never forget. + + Scorched and parched 'neath the broiling sun, + Not a word of complaint, work _must_ be done. + Wounded and shattered, bespattered with blood, + Drinking of water akin to mud. + These are the men you owe a debt; + England, remember it; never forget. + + Ponder it well in your leisured ease, + These, the soldiers of lands and seas, + Building the Empire hour by hour, + These, the foundation of all thy power. + These are the men whom you owe a debt; + Empire, remember; you dare not forget. + + * * * * * + +THE SILENT ARMY. + +BY A. E. C. + + The Silent Army 'as its work, + Duties that it cannot shirk, + Six days a week; then there's kirk + For us in the Silent Army. + There's guards ter mount, fatigues to do, + Bread ter make an' meat ter stew. + If yer think there's time ter write to you, + Well! strite! yer must be barmy. + + Yer says yer owns as we can fight, + Able to read, but not to write; + We tries to fly our own kite, + Us chaps in the Silent Army. + We're glad enough ter git your print, + Glad enough when bound with lint, + Y're dull if yer can't take the 'int; + Indeed! yer must be barmy. + + It isn't always that us men + Finds the time to use a pen, + For we've work to do, sir, when + We are in the Silent Army. + We 'as our duties to attend, + Food to cook and clothes to mend; + Arsk Kiplin', he's the sojers' friend-- + The friend of the Silent Army. + +[The hint has been taken as far as the hospitals are concerned. They +get THE FRIEND on application.--THE EDS.] + + * * * * * + +GRUMBLES FROM THE RANKS. + + That a soldier's life is a merry one + Is what some people say, + But when you're on short rations, + Well, it isn't half so gay; + And you can't "live fat" in Bloemfontein + Upon a bob a day. + + _Grumble No. 1._--This is a recognised fact with bread at + 1s. per loaf, tea at 6d. per cup, and sugar at 1s. 6d. per + lb. + + If you've had a present sent from home, + You can take the tip from me, + It's been "commandeered" by somebody, + And it's one you'll never see, + So as each mail arrives you ask, + "Where can that parcel be?" + + _Grumble No. 2._--Almost every man has a complaint to make + regarding the non-receipt of parcels despatched from home. + + Then when you see the water-cart, + You rush up for a drink, + You're going to get a "quencher," + At least, that's what you think; + But it's only there for ornament, + And you're threatened with the "clink." + + _Grumble No. 3._--According to some authorities, the + soldier, like the camel, can go for lengthened periods + without water. The soldier himself thinks otherwise. + + By night we had to stand the cold, + By day we stood the heat, + And we got lots of duty, + But not too much to eat; + We had two biscuits daily, + Some tea(?) and half-cooked meat. + + _Grumble No. 4._--Some one having said that eating was a + habit, it was decided that several experiments should be + tried. The first (half-rations) having proved an unqualified + success, should be followed by another of a more exhaustive + nature. Tommy suggests that this one (no rations for a + fortnight) should be tried upon the officers. + + We're rugged in appearance, + Of a tint distinctly brown, + We're bearded and we're dirty, + As well as broken down: + So why the dickens don't they send + Our kit-bags from Capetown? + + _Grumble No. 5._--This is what we would like to know. + + PLUNGER. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +GENERAL POLE-CAREW IN WAR + + _A Visit to his Headquarters, and a Feast of "Tommy" + Poetry._ + + +At this time--on the very night before this, if recollection serves me +right--I went up to the quarters of the Staats Artillerie, and there +found General Pole-Carew in his headquarters. It was always like a +breath of new life to see him, to hear his vigorous views on the war +he believed in conducting against the Boers, and to note how +thoroughly he was the master of all the information of value that +could be obtained wherever he was. + +His headquarters--remember he was the dandy of the army as well as one +of its shrewdest and bravest men--was a bare-walled building that a +monk would have considered cheerless. The dining-room, where his +guests were received, was not as attractive as any dining-room in any +Tommy's barracks at home. It contained a little table heaped with +papers and a large table set with kitchen knives and forks, enamelled +iron mugs, and sparklet bottles by way of combined service and +ornament. I stayed to dinner of beef and potatoes, bread and butter, +and whisky and water, and sat next to Colonel Crabbe, of the +Grenadiers, with his arm in a sling from his second wounding in the +war. A brave and gallant company was there--of beaux sabreurs and +veterans who took life as it came and enjoyed its every phase. + +Two titled ladies had been the last guests of that mess. I wonder what +they thought when they realised how their idols of the Guards were +living. And what they would have thought had they farther realised +that these officers were really feeling up to their knees in clover, +being vastly better off than they had been at any time in the previous +five or six months. When they were enjoying the serious phases of +campaigning--out on the veldt in tents, or oftener still with no +shelter at all--the ladies would have found them just as spirited and +gay--except that no ladies could ever have found them at all or +ventured where they were. + +Those men of the Guards have long been called the "London Pets" and +"stay at homes" and "feather-bed soldiers," but they very quickly +lived down their nicknames in South Africa. There nobody petted them; +they had no beds (or even tents) between Modder of evil memory and +Koomati Poort some six or seven months distant, in time, nor did they +manage to get sent home--or want to do so, either. Lord! what brave +chaps they are! and what fighters! I saw them fight at Belmont, at +Modder, and at Maghersfontein, and I know. Through all the killing and +wounding and sickness, the forty-four miles of marching in one spell +of twenty-two hours, the half-rations, the tropic heat and the intense +cold, the officers were ever jocular and spirited. One said to me, as +he pointed at Maghersfontein Kopje, "Set a brewery up on top of that +and my regiment will take the place in a romp." But the most +characteristic anecdote I have to tell of one of these West-end London +dandies is told by himself in a letter he sent to me: "It is cold and +wet here now. I have got a bad attack of lumbago, and it took me ten +minutes to straighten up and get on my feet when I woke this morning. +I went off on outpost duty, and some Boers began sniping at my men +until we could not put up with it any longer, when I gave the order to +rush over to where they were and do them up. The devils ran away +before we could kill them. I am sorry you are down with that leg. You +should be here, enjoying all the fun." + +We published the sixth of Mr. Kipling's fables in this number, among +scores of articles most interesting there and then, but not repeatable +to advantage here and now. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + + No. 13.] BLOEMFONTEIN, SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1900. [Price one penny. + +FABLES FOR THE STAFF.[14] + +[Footnote 14: Copyrighted; used here by permission.] + +BY RUDYARD KIPLING. + +VI. + +An Intelligence Officer, meeting a strayed Kaffir without visible +Means of Subsistence, reprobated him for a Spy and Forthwith cast him +into Jail, where he languished for two Days. + +At the Expiration of his Incarceration the Kaffir fell into the hands +of a Discerning Colonial who filled him with Cape Smoke and engaged +him in idle Persiflage for three Hours. + +"My Word!" said the Colonial when the grateful Son of Ham had +departed, "that Ethiop is full to the back Teeth of most valuable +Information! Let us give him a new Coat and a Pound of Tobacco." + +"On the Contrary," said the I.O., "He is a Wastrel and a Stinker. He +cannot reply to Direct Questions and habitually contradicts himself." + +"That," said the Discerning Colonial, "is just It! I am about to act +upon his Inaccuracies." + +This the Colonial did with great Success, and wiped up Seven of the +Enemy advancing up a Spruit in the Cool of the Evening. + +On reporting his Achievement, the Intelligence Officer reported the +Colonial for supplying the Kaffir with Illicit Liquor. + +MORAL. Oh Cæsar! + + * * * * * + +KOPJE-BOOK MAXIMS. + +BY RUDYARD KIPLING, PERCEVAL LANDON, AND A. H. GWYNNE. + +_Various._ + +You cannot argue with a Shell, a Mule or a Press Censor. + +The nearer to the Press Censor the further from Truth. + +(N.B.--This is generally guaranteed by the Press Censor.) + +It's a wise Field Marshal that knows his own Generals. + +It's a long front that has no turning. + +"A shell in time saves nine," as the 4'7 said when it opened on the +sniper. + +"Heaven helps those who help themselves," as ----'s Horse said when +they found the poultry yard. + +Providence and the Company Officer have a great deal to look after. + +Between two rivers, drink Modderietly. + +It's always the next shell that will do the trick. + +Five under cover is fifty in the open. + + * * * * * + +PRICES IN BLOEMFONTEIN. + + When you've tightened up your waistbelt just a pair of holes or so, + When you've tackled your last bit of armoured "duff," + Then you put your bally pipe on, and you puff and spit and blow, + And you realize half ration ain't enough. + You go into the market and you purchase lots of grub + Off the farmers whom friend Steyn has done a scoot from, + And when you ask the price of it, that's where you cop the rub, + For it takes away your breath just like a pom-pom. + + Duke's son, Cook's son, all of 'em want their scoff, + Fifty thousand horse and foot struggling to get some grub, + Each of 'em doing his country's work, and each being _done_ in turn, + If you want to buy things in Bloemfontein you must pay! pay! pay! + + When they charge a "bob" for hair-cut and a tanner for a shave, + It makes you say things that you didn't ought, + And the 'umble loaf of "rootey" costs a tanner, or a bob, + Is this the kind of sympathy they're taught? + There's a luxury called butter that Tommy likes to buy, + And he'll have it if he's got the oof, you bet, + But three bob a bloomin' pound makes a hole in Atkins' pay + 'Cos he ain't paid C'lonial wages (not just yet). + + Clerk's son, Grocer's son, son of a Haberdasher, + All the Gents in Khaki chucking their pelf away, + Each of 'em's done his country's work, + It's hard to be done in turn, + If you want to buy grub in Bloemfontein you've to pay! pay! pay! + + When you've tightened up your waistbelt just a pair of holes or so, + When you lay yourself out flat and go to sleep, + Then you dream of home and mother and some glorious feasts to go, + And you wake up, pray, and find you've done a weep; + For you've dreamt that bread and butter's gone up 3d. more in price, + (These loyal (?) folks charge really what they choose, sir), + Then you say, "Well, roll on, England," where there ain't no + bloomin' lice, + And where there's many a cheap and comfy booser. + + Merchant's son, Cook's son, sons of the plebs galore, + Rushing, in ragged Khaki, anxious to spend their brass, + Each of 'em's done his country's work, but the extra bob a day + Don't go far in Bloemfontein, where you've always to pay! pay! pay! + + "BLOBSWITCH." + + * * * * * + +SONS OF BRITAIN. + +BY W. BLELOCH. + + When the bugle call to battle sounds + Afar in the land of our birth, + In the cause of race and Queen to fight, + We rise from the ends of the earth. + Wherever the battle may be + We rally by land and by sea + To join in the fight of the free, + And our foemen have Britons to face. + + CHORUS: + + Then Britain's sons again + Fill up the ranks with men, + Who'll fight! who'll die! + Whose battle-cry: + "True Britons we remain." + + We are sons of Britain every one + With pride of the blood of our race, + And we'll carry Britain's story on + As our fathers did in their place. + Whatever the work to be done, + We seek a full share, every one, + And fighting till victory's won + Of the burden and glory we claim, + + CHORUS: + + Then Britain's sons again, &c. + + The glorious deeds her great have done + Are ours, whether Saxon or Celt, + As heirs of their name and fame we come + From snows and from bush and from veldt. + Our honour we'll ever keep bright, + By holding the front of the fight, + And jealously guarding the right + For our sons and their sons again. + + CHORUS: + + Then Britain's sons again, &c. + + * * * * * + +ORANGE PEEL. + +It may interest our friends at the Cape to know that a certain doctor, +who lives not 1,000 miles from the Paarl--and who came on ambulance +business to the Free State--was very busy on his arrival here, giving +it out as the news of the day that "officers of the English Army were +busy with sjamboks driving Tommy off the boats as Tommy did not want +to fight." This statement was made in the Bloemfontein Club before +several witnesses and is quite authentic. + + * * * * * + +"THE BRAVEST DEED." + +It was at the battle of Abraham's Kraal. The Boers had fled from a +position which we now occupied. They, in their flight, had to cross +the open veldt to another kopje three-quarters of a mile from the +first. We fired volley after volley into their huddled masses. My old +friend standing by me noticed a wounded Boer trying to escape. He +immediately dashed out amid a perfect hail of bullets, caught the +escaping Boer, threw him across his shoulders and dashed back to +cover, the bullets falling all round him. Unscathed himself, his +burden was shot to death. + + Private A. J. HARD, + N.S.W. Mounted Infantry, Australia. + + * * * * * + +DEAR SIR,--The bravest deed I witnessed while with the 6th Division +was the following:-- + +It was at Paardeberg on Sunday, 18th February, about 5 p.m. We were +watching a hill overlooking Osfontein farm-house, when some of the +enemy were seen to enter the garden surrounding that house. So an +order was given by Second Lieutenant Romilly for No. 1 section of the +above-named company to advance and try and drive them out. We +commenced the advance by short rushes, meanwhile the enemy sending +down a few shots. We succeeded in getting to within four hundred yards +of the house when a perfect hail of bullets came, both from the house +and hill. Then the order came to retire, as the fire was becoming too +hot to attempt to get any closer. It was during this retirement that +what I saw happened. One of our men, Pte. Driscoll, was shot in the +back, and down he fell, badly hurt, when Second Lieutenant Romilly, +on seeing him fall, at once knelt down and dressed his wound, doing it +as coolly as if on a drawing-room floor. After doing this, with the +help of Pte. Brown of the same Company, he hurried the man back to +safer quarters, having to go a distance of over four hundred yards +before being out of danger. The bullets fell all around them quite +thick. How they managed to escape is quite marvellous, as several +bullets went through their clothing, and one, as I heard the officer +say, went between his lips--a close shave indeed! + +Whether any recognition will be forthcoming for the above gallant +deed, I cannot say, as there were none of those who occupy higher +positions to testify as to its correctness; but the men certainly +deserve something for so brave a deed. + + I am, Sir, yours faithfully, + AN EYE-WITNESS. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +OUR LOSS AND THE ARMY'S + + _The Departure of Mr. Kipling, leaving_ THE FRIEND _vigorous + with the Impetus he gave it._ + + +Rudyard Kipling left Bloemfontein for Capetown on the night of April +1st, in the same train that bore away Sir Alfred Milner, Colonel +Hanbury Williams, and Colonel Girouard. The High Commissioner had been +declared to be leaving a day or two later, but started at once in +order to avoid giving the Boers notice to prepare mischief. + +Of the happy days of boyish delight we editors spent with Mr. Kipling +many brought incidents too trifling to be noted here, yet which went +to fill a heaping loving cup of pleasant memories. "Heavens!" he once +exclaimed, "how good it is to be with men who are doing things!" There +was, for instance, the day when--as the reader may have perceived--two +poems bore a note of merely suggested complaint from the sick in the +hospitals. That note struck Mr. Kipling's sensibility, and he and Mr. +Landon and I seized armsful of FRIENDS and set out upon a tour of the +hospitals--then far too numerous in the public and semi-public +buildings of the place. Mr. Kipling went ahead and distributed the +papers, and we followed and whispered who he was to the sufferers in +the cots. I never shall forget the look that came in each man's eyes, +or how every one of them who was able raised himself upon an elbow to +stare after the poet as he passed from room to room. + +"God bless him," they said; "he's the soldier's friend." + +And surely a blessing proceeded from him, in response to that which he +received, for, at the knowledge of his presence, a new vigour and a +sense of delight, such as they had almost forgotten how to feel, came +to the sufferers. He had nothing of the theatrical about him, made no +speeches, conversed in hushed tones, halted nowhere, posed not even to +the slightest extent--but went on with doctor or nurse through the +wards, listening and looking. I think that Mr. Landon and I were more +conscious of the reflection of his fame than was he from whom it +proceeded. + +At one stage of our adventure we determined to cross from one hospital +to another, over some intervening gardens. What an unsuspected +wildness lay among those walled enclosures in the confines of a +nation's capital. Little hills, little rivers, marshes, precipices, +walls on the edges of tiny cliffs! It proved a better feat for Italian +cavalrymen than for a stout poet, a man with a game leg and arms in +lint, and a third one who did not know it, but who was already +poisoned with fever germs. However, we had set it for ourselves to do, +and we did it--without any more serious mishap than a kick in the +equatorial region which I bestowed on the poet in dropping over a +wall. + +Mr. Kipling had other experiences with hospitals when we were with him +and when he was by himself. He was qualified to testify as he did +before the Commission that looked into the manner in which the care of +the sick and wounded was bestowed. + +While I was in Capetown I heard a story of an adventure of his, in +which the parts played by him and by the hospital people were +eminently characteristic of both. To begin with, he discovered that +there were no bandages in a certain hospital! The reader imagines that +such a state of things must have been most extraordinary--but it was +not. Why should we conceal facts or mince words if we are earnestly +endeavouring to probe our own weaknesses and mend our faults? I knew +of hospitals without cots, without sheets, without pillows, without +measuring glasses, without thermometers. These "hospitals" must have +been little more than mere surgeons and staffs, for they applied to +the Red Cross people for nearly everything--except medicines--which is +required in the care of the sick. Thus Peter was robbed to pay Paul, +for Tommy's "comforts" were swallowed up in getting him his +necessaries. This was the case in Kimberley after the relief of the +town, and it was again the case in Bloemfontein. But to return to +Capetown. There Mr. Kipling discovered a hospital without bandages, in +desperate need of bandages, in a city containing stores of bandages on +sale in many places. + +Mr. Kipling mentioned to an acquaintance that he was going to supply +that establishment with bandages, and this acquaintance, who was +connected with the _Daily Mail's_ "Absent Minded Beggar Fund," at once +offered to pay for all that Mr. Kipling would buy and take to the +hospital. A cart was quickly loaded with bandages, and then Mr. +Kipling was told that under the army rules the hospital authorities +could not receive supplies from a private individual. "Well," said he, +"I will dump the packages on the pavement before the door, and then +tell them to come out and clear up the litter. They will get them into +the building that way without tearing any red tape, I hope." + +He drove off with the bandages, I am told by the gentleman who footed +the bill, but how the supplies were smuggled in I have never heard. I +suspect that the rule against receiving supplies from civilians got a +great many wrenches and fractures. But for civilians such as at least +one Red Cross Commissioner of my acquaintance, Heaven only knows what +these hospitals, that consisted of little else than a corps of men, +would have been able to do. I asked my friend how it could be possible +that an arm of the Government of Great Britain could find itself in +such helpless and pitiable plights, and he replied that red tape was +the root of the evil. Nobody dared to buy a measuring glass or a +pillow-case or a cot for fear that his enterprise might bring him a +reprimand and his bill might be repudiated. The hospitals had made +demands outmeasuring the supplies, or the supplies had not come up +from the Cape, or to the Cape from London. If private generosity was +not appealed to circumlocution must be resorted to by means of +requisitions which would be slowly forwarded to London and there +passed upon. By this means the supplies would reach the front within +three months after the patients were dead--provided that all should go +smoothly with the circumlocution machinery. + +Mind, I know how extraordinary, excessive, and sudden were the demands +made upon the Medical Corps after such a shocking affair as the Sunday +fight at Paardeberg and during the enteric epidemic at Bloemfontein. I +am in no position to say that any one was blameable or that better and +ampler means of caring for the disabled could have been arranged. But +let us not deny the facts or try to deceive any one with regard to +them. That is no way for an earnest and ambitious and healthy people +to meet an unpleasant situation. + +On the contrary, that is the very way to make certain of a worse +"breakdown" of the hospital service in the next war. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + + No. 14.] BLOEMFONTEIN, MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1900. [Price One Penny. + +A SONG OF THE WHITE MEN.[15] + +[Footnote 15: The poem by Rudyard Kipling which we publish in this +issue was written some time ago to be read at a dinner in Canada and +then published in the _Toronto Globe_. It has never been read in +public, and it has never before been published. Like all his poems and +writings, it is for all time--as good next year as to-day and always +excellent in all seasons. It is copyrighted in England and America, +and used here by Mr. Kipling's permission.] + +BY RUDYARD KIPLING. + + Now, this is the cup the White Men drink + When they go to right a wrong, + And that is the cup of the old world's hate-- + Cruel and strained and strong. + We have drunk that cup--and a bitter, bitter cup-- + And tossed the dregs away, + But well for the world when the White Men drink + To the dawn of the White Men's day. + + Now, this is the road that the White Men tread + When they go to clean a land-- + Iron underfoot and levin overhead + And the deep on either hand. + We have trod that road--and a wet and windy road-- + Our chosen star for guide. + Oh, well for the world when the White Men tread + Their highway side by side. + + Now, this is the faith that the White Men hold + When they build their homes afar:-- + "Freedom for ourselves and freedom for our sons + And, failing freedom, War." + We have proved our faith--bear witness to our faith, + Dear souls of freemen slain! + Oh, well for the world when the White Men join + To prove their faith again! + + * * * * * + +RUDYARD KIPLING. + +(_Editorial._) + +Mr. Rudyard Kipling left Bloemfontein for Capetown last night to +rejoin his family and, presently, to sail with them to England. +Believing that the arrangement of terms of settlement with the people +of the Boer Republics will be the next important work for the British, +he desires to be in London, there to speak and write for such a finish +to the war as he deems best for Britons and Boers, for Africanders, +for intending new settlers, for the future quiet and prosperity of +South Africa, and for the honour and glory of the Empire. + +The editors of THE FRIEND bade him God speed and knew, when they +wished him health, prosperity, and a long life, that there is not a +man in the British Army or man or woman in the Empire in whose name +they could not have warmly and sincerely repeated their own hearts' +utterances. + +Mr. KIPLING came to the editorial rooms of this unique journal with an +offer to assist us War Correspondents who are in charge, but he +quickly and easily led us in the clearness of his views upon the +paper's policy, in the wealth of talent he lavished upon its columns, +and in the enthusiasm with which he collaborated with us. He evidently +enjoyed this brief return to his old profession--as what man would not +who ever fell under its exciting and fascinating influence? We do not +doubt that he found an added and a powerful charm in the peculiar +conditions under which we work--upon a journal created by and for a +conquering army and published in a conquered capital. + +But it is of the pleasure we have known in being co-workers with him +that we would write if it were fit that we should share our emotion +with the public. Pleasure would be a trifling word to use were we to +let our emotions flow. Honour and Pride were better terms, expressive +of our stronger feelings. + +We can congratulate the friends of THE FRIEND that they shall read his +work again in these columns before he sails for home. They have not +lost him, but we have lost his company, we who knew his genius so well +yet could not conceive it possible that to his talent he joined a +personality so rich in varied charms as we have found it. For we have +learned that he is sweet to the core, lovable, magnetic, modest, and +sincere. He has the crystal frankness and the tireless enthusiasm of +ever fresh and unsullied youth. Great as our readers know him to be in +literature, we know him to be even greater as a man. + +Good luck to RUDYARD KIPLING, always, everywhere, to the end--and, +then, to eternity. + + J. R. + + * * * * * + +THE LATE COLONEL HON. G. GOUGH. + +BY BENNET BURLEIGH. + +And thou also hast gone over to the majority! To God's rest, most +honest English gentleman. I saw thy bier go by but the other day in +the streets of Bloemfontein. They gave thee, rightly, a soldier's +funeral, and for love of thee many sorrowed and followed afoot to +God's acre. Troopers with arms reversed were thine escort, our band +played the "Dead March in Saul," and behind thy coffin, covered with +the Union Jack and set upon a gun-carriage, walked that British +Paladin, Field Marshal Lord Roberts, accompanied by a long concourse +of all ranks--comrades of thine, men of distinguished service. +Veterans and juniors were there, and besides these, for further token +of the affection and esteem in which thou wert held by all who knew +thee, a throng of the rank and file of the army. + +All was as it should be, for we had come to say our English "Goodbye; +God be with thee." Sprung from the loins of a race of soldiers, thou +wert all a true soldier should be, tender, brave, and true, a +gentleman above gentlemen. + +It seems but a breath or so that I was wont to meet thee almost daily +in London at the War Office. Lord Wolseley will miss thee, for he will +never find a better Military Secretary than thou. Thy courtesy was +uniform to all, thy frankness beyond question, as was thy readiness to +do kindnesses; whilst thy fidelity to thy Military Chief was to thee a +sacred duty. + +Cheery and pleasant, Gough of the 14th Hussars was a "beau sabreur," a +man who inspired friendship and commanded respect. I could recall many +incidents in all of which thou acquitted thyself like a Gough. There +was the morning of Abu Klea in the Soudan, after the night of alarms +that found thy fortitude undisturbed. I stood beside thee by the screw +guns when the Dervish bullet smote thee upon the head and thou wert +felled to earth as with the blow of a hammer. None who saw thee as +thou lay unconscious doubted but that thou had been killed outright. +Even when we learned that thou survived we held to the conviction that +to the weight of such a stroke thou must succumb. But thou recovered +and we rejoiced. Yet such a blow must have left its impress. + +None can ever know how in secret thou must have stoically suffered, +for thy patience was as afore, unwearied, thy fondness for work and +duty as untiring, and thy Christian spirit as unbounded. We, thy +friends, thank thee for thy life of gallant bearing, thy sympathies, +thy uncomplaining bearing of burdens. + +I deplore that I was not permitted to meet thee again in thy new +office, a member of the Staff here in South Africa, serving under the +worthiest of leaders, the chivalrous Field Marshal, Lord Roberts. Thou +art in God's hands, most excellent Gough. There mayst thou abide. So +let it be. + + * * * * * + +FOR FREEDOM'S CAUSE. + +BY TROOPER G. SIMES, ROBERTS' HORSE. + + Not with vain boastfulness, careless, unheeding, + Left we our homes and prepared for the fray. + Sadly we answered our wives' gentle pleading, + Hearing the summons we turned to obey. + + Not for the worth of the Rand's golden treasures, + Neither dominion, nor riches, nor power, + Ever had moved us to leave city pleasures, + Ever had held us together an hour. + + 'Twas not for this that we turned to assail you, + 'Twas not for this that we entered the strife. + Loud though your country with tears may bewail you, + Can she blame us for this waste of young life? + + What we have asked of you that we have given. + Down in the South you may live and be free. + When we have gained that for which we have striven, + Then we will come and will share it with thee. + + Freedom you value but hoard as a miser; + Freedom we value but offer to all. + But of the conflict now sadder and wiser, + Blame you not us, but yourself, for your fall. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE CENSOR AS AN EDITOR + + _Finding us without a "Leader" for the Day, Lord Stanley + writes one._ + + +"The Friend" of April 3rd began its reading matter with a leader by +the Censor. When he came to look over our proofs on that day he +learned that we had not been able to find time to write an editorial. +The value of a series of leading articles calculated either to inspire +the army or to pacify or instruct the Boers had been newly impressed +upon us by Sir Alfred Milner, and had, without doubt, been discussed +at the headquarters of the Field Marshal. + +"I will see if I can write one," said Lord Stanley, and, seating +himself by the smaller table, where pens and paper were at hand, he +began and finished the editorial here reproduced, without even one of +the "false starts" which even we who are most practised so often make; +and, so far as I recollect, without more than two or three erasures of +words. This gave me a new view of the capabilities of our censor--a +view in which he appeared more than ever the fittest man in all the +army for his exacting post. + +[Illustration: + + Mr. Ralph, + Mr. Scull, of Chicago, + Mr. Buxton, of _The Friend_ + are the 3 men behind the Censor. + Mr. Pearse, _Morning Post_. + Mr. Bennett Burleigh, _Daily Telegraph_. + W. B. Wollen, R.I. + Mr. Maxwell, of the _Standard_. + Mr. Melton Prior. + Mr. Rennet, of "Laffan's Bureau." + +_Lord Stanley Censoring Reports of a Battle. Photographed by Mr. H. +Mackern, of "Scribner's Magazine."_] + +Perhaps the reader will see at this date and stage of the discussion +over the lessons of the war that the practical, and with him wholly +original, words spoken by Lord Dundonald in London on December 15th, +were in some measure anticipated by Lord Stanley in this editorial. +Both these noblemen set the same high value upon the services of the +men of England without regard to class. Lord Dundonald said they would +fight when called upon, but the best of them would not willingly or +comfortably undergo the exactions of long-sustained military +discipline. Our Censor was, at that time, for making their service an +instantly ready organised source of strength to the Empire. + +Though there is little to republish from the columns of THE FRIEND of +that day, the newspaper was a very complete and excellent collation of +news of South Africa, the war, and the world. On this particular day, +April 3rd, we published one of Mr. G. W. Steevens's artistic letters +from the Natal front, taken from the _Daily Mail_; we copied an +important article on the lessons of the war written by Mr. Amery for +the _Times_, and altogether the army found the number very readable. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + + No. 15.] BLOEMFONTEIN, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1900. [Price One Penny. + +A LESSON LEARNED. + +BY LORD STANLEY. + +This war, with the opportunity it has offered to all branches of the +service to see how the military machinery works when running at high +pressure, must teach not only those who are out here superintending +and running the machine, but also those at home who are paying for its +running, many a useful lesson. + +That the machine has worked smoothly nobody for one minute will +assert--but it certainly has run sufficiently smoothly to show that, +with some alteration which experience alone could suggest to be +desirable, our military engine may very easily be made as perfect as +those of the Continental Powers are popularly supposed to be. + +But it is not our intention to show what failings have been +discovered, and what lessons in manoeuvring--in transport--in +equipment--are required to be learned. Our object to-day is to +congratulate ourselves that one lesson at least which had to be +learned has been partially learned--and that is that England must look +not to one class or two classes of men for her soldiers and sailors, +but must be able to draw upon all sorts and conditions of men, the +rich alike with the poor, when she has to defend her honour at home or +abroad. + +The first part of the lesson has been learned, and men of all ranks in +life are vying with each other in their desire to serve their country +in any capacity, however humble. This is good, but the lesson has not +been entirely taken to heart yet. It will not do for England to have +to wait for an hour of danger before these men come to the front. They +must always be there at hand when required, and it behoves the +Government at home to so legislate as to make permanent in the ranks +of our army those classes of men who are now in it temporarily. + +Conscription may be a nasty pill for some to swallow. But what is in a +name? Let us call it universal service, and let us ask our fellow +countrymen at home to be prepared to emulate the example of those who +are on service here and to be ready at all times and in all places to +guard and defend the national flag--the symbol of British prestige and +integrity. + + * * * * * + +POOR OLD CRONJE. + + Driven from pillar to post, + Battered with shot and shell, + Knowing full well his cause was lost, + When the last of his burghers fell. + Surrounded on every hand, + He and his Army lay, + Determined to make a final stand, + Like a wounded stag at bay. + + When the British guns belched forth, + The burghers held their breath, + And down in the trenches deep they hid + From these Messengers of Death. + But the British had the range, + And their lyddite and shrapnel fell + Into their trenches till they thought + We'd opened the gates of hell. + + Then Cronje had enough, + And a message came to say + That he and his army surrendered, + And this on Majuba Day: + The day that the Boers held + And rejoiced with might and main, + The day they laid their arms on the veldt; + The day they'll ne'er hold again. + + For Cronje's day is done, + The despot's rule is o'er, + Their hell-fire on the Women + And the Red-cross is no more. + For under escort he jogs along + With never a word to say; + He and his army four thousand strong + All bound for Table Bay. + + And Cronje can pray as long as he may, + Till his poor old knees are sore; + But it seems Lord Roberts has found the way + To outwit the wily Boer, + And St. Helena is his quarters + Till the Transvaal War is o'er. + + JAS. L. WATSON, + _1st Scots Guards._ + + * * * * * + +REMARKABLE COINCIDENCE. + +Below we give a translation of a Dutch proclamation issued by Sir +George Cathcart nearly half a century ago. The Capetown _Argus_ says +that it shows a marked similarity to Lord Roberts' recent proclamation +explaining the cause of the present war, but this we confess we are +not so certain of, as that the proclamation is of interest in and for +itself. + +PROCLAMATION. + +By His Excellency Lieutenant-General the Hon. George Cathcart, +Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope in South +Africa, and Territories and Dependencies thereof, and Vice-Admiral of +the same; and Her Majesty's High Commissioner for the execution and +adjustment of affairs of the Territory in South Africa bordering on +and annexed to the Eastern and Northern Boundaries of the said Colony, +and Governor of the Orange River Territory, &c., &c. + +Be it hereby made known to all leaders and people of all classes and +nationalities within Her Majesty's borders of the Orange River +Territory that I have come amongst you to offer equal rights and +justice to all in the name of Her Majesty. I have come not to make +War, but to settle all disputes and to establish the blessings of +Peace. + +I therefore instruct and command all of you to remain quiet, every one +of you in your own territory, and to await my judgment and decision. + +I have with me a sufficient number of troops of the Queen to command +obedience, and to punish severely and punctually any Leader, Class, or +Tribe who would dare to resist my lawful authority. + +All loyal subjects of Her Majesty will be prepared to join me, if I +deem it necessary to call upon them for co-operation against any +stubborn culprits. + + GOD SAVE THE QUEEN! + +Given under my Hand and Seal, at Graham's Town, this 15th day of +November, 1852. + + GEORGE CATHCART, + Lieut.-General, Governor. + + By order of His Excellency the Governor, + WM. F. LIDDLE, + Secretary. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +OUR CHRISTENING COMPETITION + + _I declare the Original War ended and a New One + begun--Enteric's ravages._ + + +"The Friend" of April 4th contained a column of offers of a new name +for the Orange Free State in response to our promise of a five guinea +prize to the propounder of the most suitable new title for the +country. We published a ballot form for use by our readers in voting +for whichever five of the proposed names they preferred. All our +readers were asked to vote, and it was to be our part to discover what +person was the earliest to send in either the five most popular names +or the greater number of them. This gave us such an addition to our +labours that I suspect we were all as sorry as I know that one of us +was for having gone into this gift enterprise. + +I was the author of the "leader" of the day upon "The End of the War." +In this I said that the war first planned by the Boers was already +over and won by the British. That was a war of extermination of the +British in Natal and the Cape, which two colonies were to be the scene +of the fighting, and to be captured by the Dutch. "It was to be +fought out on British soil to the damage of British property and the +slaughter of such British as did not flee from their homes. That war +ended quickly in a complete failure. Now," I continued, "another +struggle is going on to settle whether the two races are to live in +peace together, whether the Boers are to continue to obstruct modern +progress, and whether white men who live in South Africa are to enjoy +white men's rights and white men's liberty." + +We published an interesting review of the life of the late Sir Donald +Stewart, who had just died in England. + +Mr. Landon wrote an editorial requesting the editors of the +mischievous Capetown organ of the Bond, _Ons Land_, not to send their +wretched paper to our office, and he added that if we could have our +way no such publication would exist. + +Mr. Gwynne was the author of the witty paragraph on "How History is +Made." + +Enteric, the ravages of which were assuming extraordinary proportions, +now began to exact attention from our contributors. One of these wrote +recommending the transfer of enteric patients to a building put up as +a retreat for lepers six miles away, at Sydenham. He argued that it +was "not fair" to mass the fever patients in the buildings of +Bloemfontein. I cannot have seen this article at the time, or it would +have been either left out or answered by me with a modest suggestion +that the "unfairness" might possibly be in allowing those of us who +were well and strong to remain in the hotels, all of which, together +with as many dwellings as were needed, could, perhaps, be turned into +hospitals. To leave the fever-stricken men out in rain-soaked tents +set up on muddy ground, where the most ordinary demands of nature had +to be met at a risk of death--if this could be avoided, this was the +unfair thing. I would have proposed that the sick soldiers and the too +vigorous pro-Boers of Bloemfontein change places, putting our enemies +in the tents, if such a course were possible. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + + No. 16.] BLOEMFONTEIN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1900. [Price One Penny. + +TO THE INHABITANTS OF BLOEMFONTEIN. + +NOTICE. + +There is a great want of bedsteads for the use of the sick and wounded +in the various hospitals here. + +An appeal is hereby made to the charity of the general public. All who +can possibly spare any single bedsteads with mattresses and pillows +complete, are earnestly requested to communicate with Colonel +Stevenson, Principal Medical Officer, Maitland Street, who will +arrange to receive them. Labels, with name and address of owner, +should be affixed to each bedstead lent, so as to ensure its return +when no longer required. + + G. T. PRETYMAN, + Major-General, + Military Governor. + April 3rd. + +PROCLAMATION. + +WHEREAS: it is deemed expedient and necessary for the welfare of the +Orange Free State that the Railway Service shall be resumed in the +aforesaid Republic as far as circumstances permit, + +NOW THEREFORE, + +I, FREDERICK SLEIGH BARON ROBERTS OF KANDAHAR, K.P., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., +G.C.I.E., V.C., Field Marshal and Commanding-in-Chief of the British +forces in South Africa, do hereby appoint Lieutenant Colonel Edouard +Percy Cranwill Girouard, D.S.O., Director of Railways, South African +Field Force, Administrator of the State Railways in such portions of +the Orange Free State as have been or may hereafter be occupied by +British Troops. And I do hereby order that the Railway and Railway +Telegraph Services shall be resumed in the portions of the aforesaid +Republic already referred to, from the nineteenth day of March, 1900, +under the existing Laws and Conventions of the Orange Free State, +subject to such alterations as may from time to time be notified, and +to the requirements of the army. + +Given under my hand at Bloemfontein, this Thirtieth Day of March, +1900. + + GOD SAVE THE QUEEN! + + ROBERTS, Field-Marshal, + Commanding-in-Chief British Forces + in South Africa. + + * * * * * + +"THE RUSSIANS CAPTURE LONDON." + +BY H. A. GWYNNE. + +BLOEMFONTEIN, Thursday, received Friday. + +Kruger is reported to have proclaimed the annexation of the Free State +to the Transvaal. + +It is also reported that he is circulating a proclamation that England +is in dire straits, the Russians have occupied London and proclaimed +it Russian territory (Reuter). + +It is painful to think that Lord Roberts is totally unaware that he is +fighting for a country that has ceased to exist, that St. Paul's is +now a Greek Chapel, that the Thames is called the Temsky River, that +our beloved Queen is a prisoner at Moscow, and that Lord Salisbury is +already trudging on the weary snow-bound way to the mines at Kara, in +Siberia. + +Why do you laugh? + +To us it seems awful! + + * * * * * + +CAUGHT BY THE BOERS. + +After three weeks spent in "bluffing" the Colesberg Boers, by holding +various kopjes with a half company at the bottom, I found myself one +fine February morning seized with a sudden attack of "Mauseritis," and +so forced to watch the rest of a disastrous rear-guard action without +taking part in it. + +My company and one other, having spent a very cold night on a kopje +N.W. of Rensburg, came down at 5 a.m. to find our other companies "not +lost but gone before" to Arundel, and a sudden and unexpected Boer +cross-fire brought on the aforesaid "attack." From 6 to 8 I lay +watching little puffs of dust in the immediate vicinity, caused by our +men returning the fire, as a lot of the Boers had followed us up and +were lying down about 300 yards from me. + +At 8 our fire stopped, and up galloped batches of the ragged +ruffians, the first two pointing Mausers at me and asking, "Rooinek +wounded?" My answer, "Yes," seemed to relieve them, and they jumped +off their horses, and quickly relieving me of carbine and belt (the +only things they took) galloped on. At intervals of ten minutes all +sorts and conditions followed them with, "Good morning, old chap," and +they seemed very sorry at seeing me wounded. At 10, four of them, +under the guidance of a commandant, carried me in a bit of sacking a +mile to Rensburg Station, to the "Station Commandant's" Room, and I +spent a happy day till 5 p.m. with 11 of our men, all air prevented +from coming in by our inquisitive friends, the enemy, who "held" both +doors and windows with great success, making the place a regular Black +Hole. + +They seemed quite happy, just standing still, staring at us, and never +uttering a syllable, though they would do anything we asked. At last, +after hours of waiting, they moved us to a coachhouse close by and +"dressed" us. We stayed there till 5 the next day, and had many +interesting talks with them. One old man gave us a blessing, with "I +wish Chamberlain was here to see you now." Their sole idea was that +Jos. C. and Rhodes were entirely responsible for the war. Many such +questions as "Were you compelled to fight?" &c., were asked you, and a +small box of "sparklets" cartridges was a source of much wonder. My +next move was to an empty store in Colesberg, where Hofman (of the +Cape Parliament) had a Russian-German and Dutch Ambulance combined +(one of his men had been fighting against us and now, covered with Red +Crosses, helped to carry us about). I stayed there a week, having +devoured more figs and grapes than ever before. + +All the English ladies and the Dutch Minister in particular brought us +fruit, and I should like to thank them personally. Only the Dutch +people were allowed in to see us, and were very keen on getting our +buttons and badges as keep-sakes. + +They turned us out of the field hospital one night at 9, and we were +jolted along in buck-waggons till 5 the next morning, then a halt of 5 +hours, and at last we got to Norval's Pont at 5 p.m., after the worst +journey I ever hope to have. It was quite a treat seeing trees again, +as some of the country we passed through was really pretty. Our +ambulance train consisted of layers of stretchers, one above the +other, on a large "bogey" truck. At Springfontein, we were entrusted +to a German ambulance, from Hamburg, covered with crosses, doctors, +nurses and patient helps, but they were very kind to us. + +We got news daily from the station telegraphist, Mr. Fryer, and Mr. +Shipp, also employed on the station, till the escape from Pretoria put +an end to our visitors. The hospital was half full of Boers, and they +seemed perfectly happy sitting still the whole day long doing nothing, +but smoking hard. Two engines were always left ready for emergency, +the line being 100 yards away, so sleep at night was a matter of +difficulty. Just when I was hoping we should be relieved, they moved +us under the safe keeping of a Bloemfontein policeman in a gorgeous +blue uniform to the Volks Hospital here, passing through hundreds of +sleeping burghers in the station. Here we languished in the utmost +comfort, till the famous Tuesday when little black specks on the veldt +and the arrival here of "Bobs" made our scarce-believing eyes quite +certain that we were no longer Boer prisoners. + + ANON. + + * * * * * + +ENTERIC FEVER. + +BY AN ARMY SURGEON. + +No disease causes such havoc in modern campaigns as typhoid or enteric +fever, and it becomes the duty of every one having authority to +impress this fact upon the men committed to their charge. More +especially is this duty imperative when troops are on the march, for +many a valuable life is thrown away by the want of the strong hand of +a wise discipline. When thirsty, men will drink anything, and it is +here that good may be done. It is reported that one regiment on the +march recently made the use of water-bottles a matter of drill, the +word of command being given every hour for a mouthful of water to be +drunk. As a result, men arrived in many cases at their bivouac with +some water still left from their morning supply, without being one +whit more thirsty than their neighbours. + +Typhoid in the vast majority of cases is waterborne, and hence the +greatest care should be taken to avoid any dubious pan or pool. The +only real preventative of this disease is to boil all water used, and +although this may be impracticable on service, surely discipline will +prevent the drinking of doubtful water. No medical observer can help +wondering why more men were not inoculated on their way out from home. +The inoculation does no harm, its pain is a small matter, and its +utility in modifying the severity of the disease is now well +established. Take a case in point: two officers in the same regiment, +one aged 31 and the other 24, contracted the disease on the same day +from the same source. On the usual lines, the younger man should have +had the worst attack, and yet, although physically the weaker, he +recovered and his senior died. The younger man had been inoculated but +the other had not! Some will say that it was the senior's kismet, but +let that pass. The campaign is now well begun, and it is not too late +even now to furnish supplies of lymph to Medical Officers for use with +their units. + +The disease now so rife is marked by an absence of abdominal symptoms +and may, in its early stage, be overlooked. It is during this period +of uncertainty that harm may be done by a solid diet, and it is safer +by far for any one suspecting himself to be suffering from influenza +or other vague disease to restrict himself for a few days to a milk +diet. Then if the febrile condition passes off, no harm is done, but +it is to be feared that few will take this amount of trouble over +themselves. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +FOOLED BY THE BOERS + + _British Leniency and Credulity abused Past Endurance._ + + +For several days THE FRIEND had been publishing this short but +imperative announcement:-- + +NOTICE. + +From to-day (inclusive) all civilians must be in their homes after 8 +p.m., unless provided with a SPECIAL PASS allowing them to be out. + +The Police have orders to arrest all persons breaking this rule. + +N.B.--This does not refer to civilians who are in the employ of the +British Government, who will have a pass to this effect. By order, + + B. BURNETT-HITCHCOCK, Lieutenant, + Asst. Provost Marshal to Military Governor. + Government Buildings, April 1st, 1900. + +This notice was but one of many of the signs we gave forth that we +were being fooled by the tricky Boers, and that at last we were +compelled to admit it. Far back at De Aar I had seen how +constitutionally unsuspicious was the average army officer, how +certain he felt that, because he would not himself stoop to deception +and treachery, no one else could miss the ennobling contagion of his +example; how set he was upon carrying leniency and magnanimity to +unheard of lengths, even with an enemy which neither practiced nor +appreciated such treatment. + +Back in the days at De Aar the Boer spies were thick among us, +pretending to have horses or forage for sale, but in reality watching +us, and making daily reports to the enemy. Even then I begged my +friends among the officers to observe what was going on, and to take +steps to keep all Dutch-speaking men out of our slenderly guarded +great storage camp of supplies. But the typical officer said then, as +he said afterwards for months, "Oh, there's nothing to worry about. +These people are our friends." And the occasional wide-awake +non-typical officer ground his teeth and whispered, "Lord! Lord! how +we are being played with! They know everything about us at every hour, +in every move--and we not only know nothing of them, but are being fed +up with lies." + +Far from merely keeping the Dutch out of our camps, we engaged the +people of the country as transport drivers and waggon hands, and +even--it used to be said--let them find their way into our corps of +scouts and regimental guides. We demanded that they should know the +Taal lingo and the country, and the result was that when we marched +into a Boer village or hamlet we saw our own people hobnobbing with +the residents, and asking, "Where's Piet? How's Billy? How have all of +you been getting on?"--hail-fellow-well-met with these alleged +"loyalists," who were among the most tricky, shuffling hypocrites I +have ever met in any of my travels. On and on we went, never knowing +anything of the Boers, and the Boers always thoroughly informed about +us. + +Everywhere the slimy, slippery ranchers and tavern-keepers and +merchants welcomed us with the heartiest speech, and always were we +fooled by it. They had been born in the country, half the people or +more in all that great region were out "on commando," no man except a +pro-Boer or a born Boer could have been where we found these +double-faced people, with their Judas-like pretence of friendship. It +was self-evident that they must have been siding with our enemies. Had +they been for us when our backs were turned, the Boers would have +offered them a choice between joining their fighting forces or losing +their property and their right to stay in the land. Capetown, Durban, +and Port Elizabeth were crowded by the refugees who had taken an open +stand for the British side, and been obliged to leave their homes. +Nothing of this needed telling; it was indisputable, it was logical, +it was common knowledge. + +At last we came to fighting battles that were surprises--to meeting +Boer forces where we were told there were no Boers. When, at Modder +River, Mr. Knox, of Reuter's, and I saw a large force of Boers ahead, +and rode back to tell our friends in the army what we had seen, we +were informed that what we announced was ridiculous. There were only +"three hundred Boers within a dozen miles," and these would be quickly +dislodged by our Ninth Lancers. We were to meet the Boers at +Spytfontein, miles and miles ahead. Nevertheless, in fifteen minutes +we began one of the chief battles of the war, against the largest +force that had up to that time opposed our army. + +The next day saw us in the village of Modder River, welcomed by the +men of the place, whose shops and taverns had been preserved in the +very midst of the Boer army by--by what shall we say? It must have +been either by the force of comradeship with the Boers or by +miraculous and Divine intervention; one or the other, for there is no +explanation of the phenomenon outside of these two alternatives. Did a +single man from that village manage to cross the drift and warn us +that six miles of trenches were ready to be filled by Boers when we +should reach there? And why did no single individual among all these +"friends" do us that service? Our guides and others rode far forward, +and were gone for hours. What did they see or find, and why did they +not discover the facts? + +We were fooled! fooled!! fooled!!! + +Without martial law in force behind us, as it should have been in +force from Capetown to Kimberley, at the very beginning of the war, +without maps of the country, surrounded by malignant enemies, who were +the more dangerous in that they declared themselves friends. Knowing +nothing, but betrayed in everything, we stumbled on--into Modder +battle, up against Maghersfontein Kopje--fooled and tricked and played +with for months on end. + +We caught one of two men who fired at us from beneath the white flag +at Belmont. The other one our soldiers killed, but the one we +caught--what of him? The quicker he was hanged and left hanging on top +of a high kopje the sooner would have ended the contempt of the Boers +for our methods, and the sooner would have come the end of the war. +But I never was able to learn that he was treated otherwise than were +the rest of our prisoners. + +When we came to a village like Modder River, where the Boers had been +entertained and assisted in bridge-destroying and trench-digging, did +we _reconcentrado_ the little population? What a lesson to the +disloyal, what a strength to our arms that would have been! We did +nothing; we left them in their homes; we found them with Boer warrants +for pay for forage on their persons; we saw them slipping to and from +our camp at night, while by day they loitered around our headquarters +and told us how loyal they were. Fooled were we--to the brim, up to +our eyes, past all understanding. + +Lord Roberts came, and the Boers tried the same old tricks. It is true +that he maintained the same mistaken course of leniency--making war as +light as possible for the Boers while they heaped its terrors upon +us--but this mischievous, war-prolonging policy was so unvarying from +Capetown to Bloemfontein that I always suspected it to have been +ordered from home--perhaps by whoever it was that "preferred unmounted +men" to catch the De Wets of the veldt. I cannot believe that Lord +Roberts fought England's enemies in India in that way, or that he is +blamable for that policy in South Africa. He was fooled, however, but +not as others had been, nor did he evince the same fondness for being +victimised as did certain of his subordinates. From the outset he took +all ordinary precautions against treachery and double-dealing, and he +was the first general to insist that the coloured native (very often a +Boer spy) should be kept under supervision and should be at least as +orderly, civil, and well behaved as white men were required to be. + +It was while we were at Bloemfontein that the Boers presumed too much +upon our credulity and trustfulness at last. They did this by the most +barefaced and wholesale act of hoaxing ever practised upon a modern +army. We sent out our forces, small and large, over the whole southern +half of the Free State, distributing Lord Roberts' promise of +protection to all who surrendered their arms and signed an agreement +to fight us no more. Gaily and trustingly our troops went here and +there, and everywhere the people came out to meet them in apparently +the same cordial spirit of goodwill. As they handed in their +grandfathers' old elephant rifles and whatever other fire-arm curios +had been thrown aside in their garrets, they assured us that they were +sick of the war, that they had been tricked by Steyn, that they had +only fought to prevent the Transvaalers from confiscating their cattle +and perhaps to save themselves from being murdered. It was a beautiful +spectacle of erring brotherhood repentant--for those who enjoy being +played upon and laughed at. + +Even while the old junk was being brought to the railway we began to +hear that wherever, in isolated cases, a man had honestly given up his +Mauser and signed the British papers he was being plundered and +persecuted by his neighbours, most of whom were still either fighting +or awaiting orders to resume hostilities. My printers told me of +friends whom they believed to have been shot for failing to take part +in the hoax, and for seriously giving up the contest. + +And at Ladybrand the "friendly" and "repentant" Boers, who had been +giving tea and entertainment to General Broadwood to hold his force +until the enemy could capture it, fired on him from the very houses in +which he had been drinking tea, when he got wind of the trap and +slipped away--to Sanna's Post. + +The air began to fill with rumours of murder and pillage, the veldt +again resounded with the hoof-beats of fighting commandos. We had the +affairs at Reddersburg, Wepener, Karree Siding, Sanna's Post. We found +that we were brushing our coatsleeves against those of active enemies +in Bloemfontein--men who were apprising the enemy of our army +movements and plans, who were even said to be slipping out at night, +armed sometimes with messages and sometimes with Mausers. + +Thus the Boer cunning over-reached itself. It was the biggest hoax, +the climax of the long course of hoaxing. It was the first time it had +been practised upon Lord Roberts, but I also believe it was the last +time as well. + +This was the meaning of the notices that now began to appear in +different forms in THE FRIEND: that the Army was to be fooled no +longer by mere lies and Iscariot handshakings. This was the purport of +Lieutenant Burnett-Hitchcock's command that we should all carry +passes; of Town Clerk Koller's order for all the Free Staters to give +an account of their horses with proofs of ownership; of General +Kelly's command that all troops "when out in positions" (around the +town and elsewhere) "should invariably entrench themselves ... being +careful that their flanks are secure"; of Lord Roberts's warning that +our "friends" and others were to be held responsible in their persons +and property for all wanton destruction of or damage to public or +private property, which meant railway-wrecking principally. + +The Army at last was tired of being fooled. + +The editorial of the day was conceived in the same spirit of +resistance to a farther continuance of the experiences of the Army in +the past. It was headed "British Leniency," and was, I am almost +certain, written by Mr. Gwynne under "inspiration." + + What about British leniency and long-suffering? (the writer + asked). Let it be remembered we are still an army on active + service fighting a vigorous enemy. There are people to whom + British magnanimity has always and will always spell + weakness. We cordially welcome and will gladly receive our + new fellow-subjects. We shall not make our welcome depend + upon whether they fought against us or not. Those who stood + in the enemy's trenches and fought bravely for what they + considered to be their liberty will soon be convinced that + their struggle was prompted by men who knew not liberty, and + that Great Britain will extend to them a degree of freedom + which they never knew before. But--and let us here emphasise + the "but"--we will have no half measures. We do not ask the + newly-conquered Free Staters to take up arms against their + kinsmen now fighting against us, but we do ask and shall + maintain, with sternness, if necessary, a strict and rigid + neutrality on the part of those who have promised it by + oath. Let all take to heart this decision, that while Great + Britain will remorselessly punish all and any who interfere + with those who claim her protection, so will she as sternly + and severely bring heavy punishment on those who misuse her + tolerance and leniency. + + The great extent of country through which the British army + has to operate has made difficult to afford that adequate + protection to those who have laid down their arms, convinced + that they were risking their lives uselessly. In some cases + these men have been molested and ill-treated by the enemy. + Full punishment will be meted out to those who have been + guilty of such acts. We have shown an example of leniency + and tolerance towards rebels, taken with arms in their hand, + which we did expect would have been followed by those who + direct the affairs of our enemies, and we shall exact of the + two Presidents a full and complete reparation for acts of + cruelty and inhumanity committed by those under their + control. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + + No. 17.] BLOEMFONTEIN, THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1900 [Price One Penny. + +PROCLAMATION. + +The following Military Officers are hereby appointed Justices of the +Peace for the District of Bloemfontein during pleasure:-- + +Major-General G. T. PRETYMAN, C.B., Military Governor. + +Lieutenant-Colonel C. V. F. TOWNSHEND, C.B., D.S.O., Assistant to +Military Governor. + +Lieutenant-Colonel B. E. B. LORD CASTLETOWN, Special Service Officer. + +Major R. M. POORE, Provost Marshal. + +Captain W. A. J. O'MEARA, Chief Intelligence Officer. + +Captain P. HOLLAND-PRYOR, D.A.A., General. + +Given under my hand at Bloemfontein, this Fourth Day of April, 1900. + + GOD SAVE THE QUEEN! + + ROBERTS, Field Marshal, + Commanding-in-Chief British Forces in South Africa. + + * * * * * + +SOLDIERS OF THE QUEEN. + +BY FRED EYRE, YORKSHIRE GREEN HOWARDS. + + Far in a land so distant, + Out on the battle-field, + Raising the lance or carbine, + Or a sharp-edged sword they wield. + There lie the British Soldiers, + Fighting for home and Queen, + Marching by day, and by night as well, + Hard times are often seen. + + Weary they tramp for their Country, + Marching when only half fed; + He'll rest where he can when they're halted, + Without sheet or blanket or bed. + Dreams of sweet home and of childhood + Will pass through his weary brain, + Restless he'll lie till morning, + Then he'll move on the march again. + + But what of his wife and baby, + That he's left far behind at home? + Where is their love's protection? + Where is his heart to roam? + Urged on by a stern Commander, + Pushed by a Sergeant there, + Bullied by bits of Lance Corporals, + No wonder the poor soldiers swear. + + Now then he's fighting like blazes, + The artillery guns loudly boom, + His rifle comes up to his shoulder, + And another brave Boer meets his doom. + Crack! crack! 'tis the brave soldier's music, + His spirits rise up--he can feel, + It's this music that raises his spirits, + And makes them as fearless as steel. + + He is fighting for Queen and for country, + For his dear little baby and wife, + He knows that the foe must be beaten + And for this end he'll risk his dear life. + At last the day's fighting is over, + The wounded and dead lie around, + All now is quiet and peaceful, + From the guns we can hear not a sound. + + But his poor wounded comrades lie moaning, + And gasping for life's loving breath, + But the great God of Love calls their spirits, + And they're clasped in the cold arms of death. + All things seem so strange and so dreary, + As sadly he gazes around, + He heaves a deep sigh and a tear dims his eye, + As he lies on the cold sodden ground. + + * * * * * + +NEVO! + + But still we are here, what is left of us, + Noble and brave to be seen, + We've proved ourselves brave British soldiers, + _And willing to die for our Queen_. + + * * * * * + +JOKES TO BURN. + +_To the Editors of_ THE FRIEND.--SIRS,--Is it true that a certain +cavalry general, on finding good grass for his horses for the first +time at Koodoesrand, exclaimed, "By Jove, this will supply a +long-veldt want"? + +That, to remind the burghers of the disgrace of Bloemfontein's fall +into British hands, President Kruger has changed the name of the +Transvaal capital to "Oomfontein"? + +That the landdrost has caused to be written on the gates of Kroonstad, +"Nil sine Laboere"? + +That the Welshman called Mr. Kruger's son "ap-Paul" and the son's +father "appalling"? + +That the man who said that President Steyn "showed no signs of +stayin'" when we got near Bloemfontein was shot on the spot by his +rear-rank man? + +That "The Gay Lord Treks" and the "Manoeuvres of Steyn" will be acted +in London in the winter? + +That, in view of the late change of political opinion of the chief +Bloemfontein newspaper, its name is to be changed to "Our Mutual +Friend"? + +An early answer to some of these important questions will oblige, + + Yours truly, + H. ATTER. + Glen Siding, O.F.S., March 30th. + + * * * * * + +ARMY TEMPERANCE. + +BY CHAPLAIN T. F. FAULKNER. + +A most interesting meeting was held at the Town Hall on Monday evening +in connection with the "Army Temperance Association," an organisation +which owes its existence to the efforts and personal interest of +Field-Marshal Lord Roberts which, as one of the speakers on the +platform so rightly said, are always exercised in everything which is +to the benefit of the British soldier. As, therefore, there are at +present with our troops at Bloemfontein the President and Founder of +the Association, two members of the Executive Committee, and many +hundreds of members, it was a happy conception to call a meeting of +those interested in Temperance work under the auspices of the +Association, and one which commended itself to the approval of the +Commander-in-Chief, who, in spite of many things which daily press +upon him, readily consented to preside and speak at the meeting. + +Much is due to the energy of the Rev. Canon Orford for arrangements +made, and the kindness of residents in the city, all of which tended +greatly to the success of the meeting. Disappointments were +inevitable. Sudden movements and the exigencies of the service robbed +us of the company of many who would otherwise have been present, and +we missed the promised help of the band of "The Buffs." + +On the platform were, besides the Commander-in-Chief and his personal +staff, the Very Rev. the Dean; the Venerable the Archdeacon; Mr. +Meiring, of the Customs, Mr. Falck, of the Post-Office; the Revs. T. +F. Faulkner, F. B. N. Norman-Lee, and H. T. Coney, Chaplains to the +Forces; Captain A. H. Webb, R.A.; Mr. Goddard, and R. Grindel, Esq., +2nd Coldstream Guards. + +Lord Roberts in his address expressed his great pleasure in being able +to preside, and sketched clearly and briefly the history of the +beginning of the Association in India, its rapid growth in spite of +antagonism, its ultimate and acknowledged success, and eventually its +introduction into England, where now it can boast of a branch in +almost every regiment and depôt in the kingdom. He particularly +emphasised its being a _temperance_ and not only a "total abstainer" +society, and lastly pointed to the work done by the troops under his +command during the past few weeks as an evidence of what can be done +by temperate, or in this case almost entire non-abstaining, men, than +whom (he said) he had never seen any to march better, endure +privations more contentedly, or to be better behaved. + +Mr. Lodge followed with an excellent song, admirably sung, which +promptly elicited an "encore," which he kindly granted. + +Rev. T. F. Faulkner then gave a short address about the principles of +the Association and how they might affect and be affected by the +exigencies of the march, and expressed the feeling of gratitude and +pleasure which all A.T.A. members must share at the interest shown in +their undertaking by the clergy and citizens of Bloemfontein. + +A treat was then accorded to the audience in two songs sung by Miss +Fraser, who most willingly responded to the vigorous appeal of our +soldiers. Such singing by a lady we had not heard for a long time, +and the men were not slow to detect the high order of Miss Fraser's +powers. The Very Rev. the Dean gave a warm welcome as temperance +workers in the name of those in Bloemfontein who had the work at +heart, and spoke of the encouragement to them which such a meeting +afforded. + +An amusing song by Capt. Webb, R.A., also loudly encored, formed a +pleasing contrast in the programme. Mr. Lodge and Miss Fraser were so +good as to sing yet another song each, much to the delight of our +members. Two short speeches by Mr. Grindel and Capt. Webb on the +subject of the Association's worth and object and the members' duties +in connection with it, brought the programme to a close save for the +few graceful words spoken by Rev. F. B. N. Norman-Lee, in expressing +the thanks of the meeting to Lord Roberts for his presence, and to +those who had, by their kind help, conduced towards the success of the +meeting and the pleasure of those who had attended it. The Rev. H. T. +Coney, who had taken an active part in getting up the meeting, proved +himself an excellent accompanist. The National Anthem closed the +proceedings. + + * * * * * + +_The same by Another Contributor._ + +The presence of the Field Marshal, who may be called the father of the +Association, attracted many who, perhaps, have not been identified +with the movement. All who attended were repaid by getting a sight of +the man of the hour in South Africa, and listening to his speech of +introduction. In well-chosen words he gave a brief outline of the +founding of the Association, its growth from the Total Abstinence +Association first founded in India, and the gradual broadening of its +scope and purposes. He told of the influence of the A.T.A. in the +army, how it was free from prejudice and sectarianism, and he pointed +out to the soldiers the advantages of joining. Every member was known +to his commanding officer, and for important posts men were often +chosen because of this membership. + +The soldiers who filled the body of the hall dwelt on every word that +fell from the lips of the man they loved. When he spoke of the "Army +it was now his great honour to command," the Field Marshal showed his +depth of feeling in his voice. He was proud to be the leader of "the +best-behaved army in the world"; he spoke of the splendid way in which +the troops had marched, of how uncomplainingly they had endured the +hardships of the campaign and how well they had fought. In a +half-joking manner he spoke of them as having all been members of the +A.T.A. Modder River water was all they had to drink, and sometimes +little of that. In a graceful way the Field Marshal thanked the people +of Bloemfontein for the interest shown by their attendance, and he +expressed his gratitude to Miss Fraser and Mr. Lodge for voluntarily +helping the success of the meeting with their songs. Constantly the +soldiers interrupted the speech with applause, and when Lord Roberts +had concluded, it was some time before it died away. + + * * * * * + +VOICES FROM OVER THE SEA. + +BY G. SIMES, OF ROBERTS'S HORSE. + + Though thirteen thousand miles of foam + Divide us from the land + That bred our sires, yet we their sons + With you united stand, + And in this year of warring strife + From over all the earth + We haste to help the grand old land + That gave our fathers birth. + + From inland plain, from mountain height, + From city and from coast, + From divers ends of all the earth, + From the dear land we boast + Our proud descent; and never where + Our language may be spoken + Shall the strong tie that binds us to + Our mother land be broken. + + All round the world we live in lands + Thy enterprise has won, + And when the day with you is past + With us the rising sun + Brings light to carry on the work + Bequeathed to us by Thee; + We make and shape an Empire that + Extends from sea to sea. + + The same clear head, the same firm tread + And independent air + That made all other men seem mean + Who with thy sons compare; + The same cool, prudent common-sense + And strong decision that + Conquer with the tools of peace + Or weapons of defence. + + Nor Greece, or Rome, or France, or Spain + Had at their highest hour + One-half thy Empire, half thy wealth + Or world-embracing power, + And not to any race that lives + In History's wondrous story + Has ever been vouchsafed on earth + Such universal glory. + + And we thy sons as much as those + Who stay at home with thee, + All seedlings planted far away + From the ancestral tree, + Breed true and show in branch and sap + The same old sturdy merit, + And plant our British customs in + The lands that we inherit. + + And now from all your distant lands + With haste we come to show + We do not wait for you to ask + Our help against the foe, + But gather round thee pleased to have + The opportunity + Of proving to the world in arms + Our splendid unity. + + * * * * * + +RECENT ENGAGEMENTS. + +BY MR. LIONEL JAMES. + +I. + +Events have followed each other during the last week in such rapid +succession that it is impossible to give more than a short epitome of +the engagements at Karree Siding and Waterfall Drift. The cavalry +reconnaissance to Brandfort showed that there was a considerable +concentration of the enemy in that town, and as the Intelligence +Department had information that a large force of Boers, re-equipped +and remounted, had come down from Kroonstadt, it was deemed necessary +to occupy the clump of kopjes in which Karee lies. + +The enemy forestalled this move, and on 27th March the hills round +Karee were reported held. As both flanks of the Karee position +presented ground over which it was possible for cavalry to work, a +plan of operations was made by which it was hoped that our occupation +would result in the capture of the enemy's advance guard. + +With this object a Cavalry division under General French, a brigade of +Mounted Infantry and an Infantry division under Lieut.-Gen. Tucker +concentrated at Glen on April 28th. On the following morning the +Cavalry made a detour round the right of the enemy's position, the +mounted Infantry under Lieut.-Col. Le Gallais making a similar +movement round the left. The object of this operation was obvious. The +mounted Corps were to be prepared to come into action at the rear of +the Boer position as soon as General Tucker delivered his Infantry +attack. + +At 10 a.m., having received heliographic communication from Gen. +French, Gen. Tucker put his division in motion--he advanced it across +the four miles of plain leading to the foot of the range of kopjes in +echelon of battalions, Gen. Chermside's Brigade on the right, General +Wavell's on the left. The position which he essayed to attack, in the +vicinity of Karee, may be roughly termed three parallel ridges with a +stretch of valley between each. + +Contrary to all expectation, the first ridge was found unoccupied and +the infantry advanced without opposition, until the leading battalion +(Lincolns) reached the foot of the second parallel. Here they were +fired into by a patrol, which itself fell back at once. Under cover of +a few rounds from the guns which came into action on the left of the +advance, the second range was occupied. Beneath this lay the plain of +Karee, a flat of about 2,000 yards, the station standing in the +centre. + +At first it was not evident that the third parallel of hills was held. +But as the Norfolks, Lincolns, and six companies of the King's Own +Scottish Borderers scaled a considerable kopje which commanded the +left of the final parallel, shrapnel was burst over them from a field +gun which appeared to be in the valley below. The rest of Chermside's +brigade, covered by a few of the C.I.V., were pushing across the open. +The mounted men and two companies of the K.O.S.B.'s advanced to within +200 yards of the final position before the enemy declared their +presence by opening fire. The reception which the advanced line +received from the marksmen lining the hill east and from individuals +ensconced in the bushes on the slopes of the hills was so sharp that +the line was checked and part of it forced to retire. The three field +batteries then came into action against a high tableland kop which +formed the right of the held position, the advance remaining checked +the while. + +A battery was detached to aid the right, as the K.O.S.B.'s were +suffering from a well-directed and well-ranged shrapnel fire. This +battery was not able to come into action, as the teams were unable to +bring the guns up the slope of the position chosen. But three of +Wavell's battalions were brought across the open and an assault was +attempted on the main kopje. + +Matters practically remained at a deadlock until four p.m., when the +sound of French's guns was heard in the rear of the enemy's position. +Three shrapnel burst on the nek connecting the left and centre of the +Boer position. The Mauser fire stopped as if by magic, and the enemy +vacated. The whole line then advanced and occupied the enemy's +position, the latter retreating across the plain in the direction of +Brandfort, taking their guns with them, which they unlimbered at +intervals to shell the cavalry. + + * * * * * + +RICOCHETS. + +Lady Edward Cecil and Lady Charles Bentinck are here on a visit. + + * * * * * + +An amusing incident occurred the other day at the Glen. An officer of +one of the Guards Battalions, whose name resembles that of the +station, was found bathing in the Modder by a flying sentry stationed +there to prevent the men from bathing. The sentry knew his duty, and +unceremoniously ordered the delinquent to come out of the water, +whereupon the gallant captain, in all his nakedness, approached the +bank and indignantly asked the man, "Can't you see I am an officer?" + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +DR. A. CONAN DOYLE CONTRIBUTES + + _And this suggests a few remarks about the much-discussed + Treatment of our Sick._ + + +The editorial in the number of April 6th was written by me, with the +assistance of Mr. Kipling, who aided me in phrasing concisely and with +force the declaration of British principles in the body of the +article. The manuscript was set up and "proved" while he was with us, +and then was sent to the Residency in order that the authorities might +look up some one capable of translating it into the Taal language. It +was the first of our editorials to be printed, like Lord Roberts's +proclamation, in both tongues. In English it was entitled, "to the +People of the Free State," and this line was paralleled in our columns +with this counterpart in Taal: + +AAN HET VOLK VAN DEN (? ORANJE) VRIJ-STAAT. + +Dr. A. Conan Doyle, who has since written so excellent a book upon +"The Great Boer War," had recently arrived in Bloemfontein, and +enjoyed his first welcoming dinner with the editors of THE FRIEND at +the Free State Hotel. He took a keen interest in our strange newspaper +venture, and willingly wrote for us when we asked him to do so. The +ringing, sturdily-phrased article, "A First Impression," which +appeared in this number of April 6th, was by him. + +But he came at the head of the Langman Field Hospital, and was, at +first, busy in establishing that most excellent, much-needed +institution on the cricket-ground; then busier far in looking after +the enteric patients who passed under his care in numbers startling to +record. It fell to me to write a notice of his arrival, in which I +said--and from my heart--"We welcome him to the British Army. We had +hoped to welcome him to the staff of THE FRIEND, but, in view of the +humane and philanthropic work which busies him night and day, we +cannot betray such selfishness as to express any disappointment over +this loss. + +"So true a talent as his compels him to write, whether he will or no, +and he has promised us a thought or an observation, now and then, out +of his golden store. Perhaps at the end of the war he may give to the +world a companion book to his undying 'White Company.' If it is called +the 'Khaki Company,' and deals with the exploits of Englishmen of +to-day, there will be, thank God, no lack of deeds of valour as +stirring, courage as calm, and warfare as enthusiastic as he found to +electrify the pages of the earlier work." + +[Illustration: A first Impression + +It was only Smith-Dorrien's brigade marching into Bloemfontein but if +it could have passed just as it was, down Piccadilly and the Strand it +would have driven London crazy. I got down from the truck which we +were unloading and watched them, the ragged bearded fierce-eyed +infantry straggling along under their cloud of dust. Who could +conceive who has seen the prim soldier of peace that he could as +quickly transform himself into this grim virile barbarian. Bulldog +faces, hawk faces, hungry wolf faces--every kind of face except a weak +one. Here and there a reeking pipe--here and there a man who +smiled--but the most have their swarthy faces leaned a little forward, +their eyes steadfast, their features impassive but resolute. Baggage +waggons were passing, the mules all shin & ribs, with the escort +tramping beside the wheels. + +_A Page of Dr. Conan Doyle's "Copy."_] + +All who were in Bloemfontein spoke as highly of the Langman Hospital +as I have done, and in the same--even in a more ardent manner--had we +all praised the Australian Field Hospital, which we got to know +before Lord Roberts took command. Especially did we exalt these +institutions in our mind, because of the way in which we contrasted +them with the outfits of the R.A. Medical Corps. We could not then see +why it was that private individuals and colonies should surpass the +richest nation on earth in their equipments for the care of the sick +and wounded, or why the richest nation on earth should have to rely on +these outside establishments, and beg of the Red Cross agents and of +the people of South Africa for the means to complete the equipment of +her own field hospitals. + +It is not a pleasant subject. It does not force itself into a book +upon "the brighter side of war" by reason of any especial harmony with +that title. But it suggests a story which England needs to know--which +England must wish to know if she means to keep her place among the +fighting powers by the only means by which that status can be +maintained--which is the stopping of every source of weakness and the +reform of every evil in her army. As I said when I was urged to +testify before the Commission which inquired into the subject, I did +not study the matter when I was with the army. I was conscious of the +general belief that the hospital service did not meet the demands of +the situation either after the awful losses at Paardeberg, or, later, +when enteric claimed between 5,000 and 7,000 victims at Bloemfontein. + +Death was thick in the air. Nearly every correspondent and officer +counted more friends who were sick than he had known to be wounded or +killed in battle. The rains had set in. The veldt was like a marsh. +The nights were bitterly cold. The dead in their blankets pursued us +in the streets of the town and on every ride we took upon the veldt. +My concern for my son took me daily to the Volks Hospital, where the +doctor and nurses said that enteric in Bloemfontein took on so mild a +form that they should "consider it a lasting disgrace to have a +patient die of that disease," and yet every time I went to that +hospital I heard from other visitors how many were the deaths in the +army hospitals. I heard, too, how bad were the sanitary arrangements, +how inefficient were the often untrained "Tommy" nurses, how dreadful +were the risks the patients were obliged to take (in some field +hospitals) in obeying the commands of nature. + +Now that I have returned to England I have had a high official of the +Medical Corps say to me, "It was known beforehand that the service +must break down in war because it was undermanned; it was never made +familiar with its work, it had too few reserves to draw upon; when it +was distended by the sudden and extraordinary demands of war it had to +grow on paper, but not in fit and proper _personnel_ or _materiel_." + +Here, then, is the basis for what must, sooner or later, be exposed to +all the nation. Knowing that things were amiss, and that they could +not have been otherwise, the people need not wait two or five years +for all the facts, or for the creation of a mis-applied "sensation." +Let them doggedly and firmly insist that the loudly promised reform of +the army shall be certain to include the establishment of a properly +trained, equipped, and proportioned R.A.M.C., and that the lingering +prejudice of the regular army officer against this most useful, +economic, and essential corps shall vanish before the will of the +people as stubble is swept up by a prairie fire. + +Mr. Gwynne wrote the obituary notice of Archibald Forbes, Mr. Fred W. +Unger wrote a descriptive article called "The Inexpressible Veldt," +and we were rejoiced once again to publish a contribution in verse by +Mr. A. B. Paterson, of Sydney. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + + No. 18. BLOEMFONTEIN, FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1900 [Price One Penny. + +TAKEN FROM THE OFFICE OF "THE FRIEND." + +Monday or Tuesday, a pair of Field Glasses, a pair of Wire Cutters, +and Leather Pouch. Please return same and claim reward.[16] + +[Footnote 16: The victim of this bold theft out of our sanctum was Mr. +James Barnes, our occasional contributor and assistant.] + + * * * * * + +NOTICE. + +The time by which Civilians have to be in their houses is extended to +9 p.m. on Sundays, to enable them to return from Church. + + B. BURNETT HITCHCOCK, Lieutenant, + Asst. Provost-Marshal to Military Governor. + April 6th, 1900. + + * * * * * + +THAT V.C. + +BY A. B. PATERSON. + + 'Twas in the days of front attack, + This glorious truth we'd yet to learn it, + That every "front" has got a "back," + And French is just the man to turn it. + + A wounded soldier on the ground + Was lying flat behind a hummock; + He proved the good old proverb sound, + "An army travels on its stomach!" + + He lay as flat as any fish, + His nose had worn a little furrow, + He only had one frantic wish-- + That like an ant-bear he could burrow. + + The bullets whistled into space, + The pom-pom gun kept up its braying, + The four-point seven supplied the bass; + You'd think the Devil's band was playing. + + A valiant comrade crawling near + Observed his most supine behaviour + And crawled towards him, "Eh! what cheer? + Buck up," says he "I've come to save yer!" + + "You get up on my shoulders, mate! + And if we live beyond the firing, + I'll get a V.C. sure as fate, + Because our blokes is all retiring. + + "It's fifty pound a year," says he, + "I'll stand you lots of beer and whisky." + "No," says the wounded man, "not me, + I won't be saved; it's far too risky! + + "I'm fairly safe behind this mound, + I've worn a hole that seems to fit me, + But if you lift me off the ground + It's fifty pound to one they'll hit me!" + + So off towards the firing-line + His mate crept slowly to the rear, oh! + Remarking, "What a selfish swine! + He might have let me be a hero!" + + * * * * * + +TO THE PEOPLE OF THE FREE STATE. + +BY MESSRS. KIPLING AND RALPH. + +The British have come to stay. + +Our students of political economy have taught us that the constitution +and laws of the old Free State were as nearly perfect as any that +could be framed for a democracy. + +The basis of the British Government is that of an enlightened and +progressive democracy. + +It is therefore certain that British rule will not bring any violent +or revolutionary changes to the conditions under which you citizens +have been living. + +What are British principles? + +The absolute independence of the individual, so long as he does not +interfere with his neighbour's rights. + +Prompt and equal justice, before the Lord, to all men. + +A natural and rooted antipathy to anything savouring of military +despotism, in any shape or form. + +Absolute religious toleration and freedom of belief for all peoples. + +Prompt and incorruptible justice to all men in every walk of life. + +The right of every man to make his home his castle. + +In view of these things and of the unalterable fact that the country +has passed under a new rule, why should burghers hesitate or delay in +making friends with the new situation? + +We are your friends. We have never felt unfriendly toward you; for +even in war we realised that you were deceived by unwise and selfish +leaders. + +Let us, then, repeat the new motto of the Free State, printed at the +head of the newspaper, "All has come right," for we are certain that +as soon as your people realise what is to be the new rule under which +you are to live, you will know and acknowledge that the right has +prevailed, and that never again shall you stand in fear of a military +oligarchy like the Transvaal; or of tyranny or injustice in any form. + + * * * * * + +A FIRST IMPRESSION.[17] + +[Footnote 17: Copyrighted. Used here with the author's permission.] + +BY A. CONAN DOYLE. + +It was only Smith-Dorrien's Brigade marching into Bloemfontein, but if +it could have been passed, just as it was, down Piccadilly and the +Strand it would have driven London crazy. I got down from the truck +which we were unloading and watched them, the ragged, bearded, +fierce-eyed infantry, straggling along under their cloud of dust. Who +could conceive, who has seen the prim soldier of peace, that he could +so quickly transform himself into this grim, virile barbarian? Bulldog +faces, hawk faces, hungry wolf faces, every sort of face except a +weak one. Here and there a reeking pipe, here and there a man who +smiled, but the most have their swarthy faces leaned a little forward, +their eyes steadfast, their features impassive but resolute. Baggage +waggons were passing, the mules all skin and ribs, with the escort +tramping beside the wheels. Here are a clump of Highlanders, their +workmanlike aprons in front, their keen faces burned black with months +of the veldt. + +It is an honoured name that they bear on their shoulder-straps. "Good +old Gordons!" I cried as they passed me. The sergeant glanced at the +dirty enthusiast in the undershirt. "What cheer, matey!" he cried, and +his men squared their shoulders and put a touch of ginger into their +stride. Here are a clump of Mounted Infantry, a grizzled fellow like a +fierce old eagle at the head of them. Some are maned like lions, some +have young, keen faces, but all leave an impression of familiarity +upon me. And yet I have not seen irregular British cavalry before. Why +should I be so familiar with this loose-limbed, head-erect, swaggering +type; of course it is the American cow-boy over again. Strange that a +few months of the veldt has produced exactly the same man that springs +from the western prairie. But these men are warriors in the midst of +war. Their eyes are hard and quick. They have the gaunt, intent look +of men who live always under the shadow of danger. What splendid +fellows there are among them! + +Here is one who hails me; the last time I saw him we put on seventy +runs together when they were rather badly needed, and here we are, +partners in quite another game. Here is a man of fortune, young, +handsome, the world at his feet, he comes out and throws himself into +the thick of it. He is a great heavy-game shot, and has brought two +other "dangerous men" out with him. Next him is an East London farmer, +next him a fighting tea-planter of Ceylon, next him a sporting +baronet, next him a journalist, next him a cricketer, whose name is a +household word. Those are the men who press into the skirmish-line of +England's battle. + +And here are other men again, taller and sturdier than infantry of the +line, grim, solid men, as straight as poplars. There is a maple-leaf, +I think, upon their shoulder straps, and a British brigade is glad +enough to have those maples beside them. For these are the Canadians, +the men of Paardeberg, and there behind them are their comrades in +glory, the Shropshire Light Infantry, slinging along with a touch of +the spirit of their grand sporting colonel, the man who at forty-five +is still the racquet champion of the British army. You see the dirty +private with the rifle under his arm and the skin hanging from his +nose. There are two little stars upon his strained shoulders, if you +could see them under the dirt. That is the dandy captain who used to +grumble about the food on the P. and O. "Nothing fit to eat," he used +to cry as he glanced at his menu. I wonder what he would say now? Well +he stands for his country, and England also may be a little less +coddled and a little more adaptive before these brave, brave sons of +hers have hoisted her flag over the "raad zaal" of Pretoria. + + * * * * * + +THE MODERATE DRINKER'S LAMENT. + +BY MARK THYME. + +(_From the Household Brigade Magazine._) + +WITH APOLOGIES TO RUDYARD KIPLING. + + When you've done your meat and jipper--when you've 'ad your go o' beer-- + When your duff 'as filled the corners of your shape-- + P'raps you'll kindly spare some sympathy, and drop a silent tear + For a gentleman in khaki at the Cape. + 'E's an absent-bodied beggar--as it's needless to relate-- + An' 'is most frequented pub'll fail to find him, + For 'e doesn't get a chance to chalk 'is drinks up on a slate + 'Cause 'e's left Three-thick and Drug-'ole far behind 'im. + + _Lime-juice mixed with water the colour of mud + (Fifty thousand 'orse and foot, moderate drinkers we), + Bully beef and rooty, and where shall we find a spud? + Pass your tin, for there's nothing to drink but tea, tea, tea!_ + + Now we falls in of a mornin', an' we knows there's work to do + Simultaneous with the risin' of the sun; + We can see 'em on the kopjes, and their numbers isn't few, + An' it's more than rather likely there's a gun. + + When we get within "fixed sights" it's ten to one the blighter's gone, + And an absent-bodied beggar we shall find 'im, + For 'e mounts 'is 'orse an' offs it when 'e finds us comin' on, + An' e' never leaves a drop o' drink be'ind 'im. + + _Pile arms! Lie down! Now let the Transport come! + (Am I 'ungry and thirsty? Wait till I let you see!) + Bully beef and rooty, and somebody's pinched my rum. + Pass your tin, for there's nothing to drink but tea, tea, tea!_ + + There's a chap called Wilfrid Lawson as is always on the squeak, + An' 'e turns the liquor question inside out; + But a bloke can do a gallon--if the tiddley's fairly weak-- + Without actually going on the shout. + But the absent-bodied tippler feels a temporary check + When 'e tastes a kind of something to remind him, + There's a Boer up the river with a stone around 'is neck + 'As a filter what old Cronje's left be'ind 'im. + + _Fill mine! Mine too! (Smells like a bloomin' drain!) + Fill at the nearest water, spite of the M.F.P. + Bully beef and rooty, and something's give me a pain, + Pass your tin, for there's nothing to drink but tea, tea, tea!_ + + Don't you fancy I'm a-grousin'. You can look me in the face + An' judge if I'm a coward or a cur, + When I tells you 'ow I scrambled up each blood-an'-thunder place + Without any 'esitation or demur. + Still, your absent-bodied comrade's got a thirst what's run to waste, + And 'e'll show you in the future, when you find 'im + Back in Wellington or Chelsea, as 'e's not forgot the taste + Of the beer what 'e's at present left be'ind 'im. + + _Wayo! 'Ere's luck! Drink to your sweet-'eart dear + (Fifty thousand 'orse and foot, moderate drinkers we), + Wait till the war is over, then for the pint o' beer, + Pass your tin, for there's nothing to drink but tea, tea, tea!_ + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +LOOT AND LURID CRAZES + + _A chapter in which we also tell of a modest Prince and a + gallant Adventurer._ + + +"THE FRIEND" contained notices of Kruger sovereigns and Transvaal +pennies for sale, of Boer rifles and saddles, but none of the postage +stamps of the former Free State or the newly surcharged ones in use by +the Army. Though Transvaal pennies fetched twenty-five shillings and +were in great demand, the real enthusiasm of collectors was for +postage stamps, and officers and others were busy as bees buying +stamps and having them erased to make them the more valuable. + +South Africa is as bare and barren a place for collectors, and even +for the modest traveller who wishes for merely one trifling souvenir, +as can be imagined. The war provided some trophies in the way of +shells and Mauser rifles, but outside these there was nothing except, +perhaps, the empty ostrich eggs to be found in every Boer house--and +also to be found everywhere else in the civilised world. + +The most coveted war trophies were: first, the Transvaal and Free +State flags; second, the extraordinary waistcoats worn by a few Boers, +and covered all over with cartridge slits or pockets made especially +to hold the Mauser "clips" of five cartridges each; third, old Dutch +Bibles illustrated by quaint woodcuts, and fourth, Boer rifles. +However, even the war trophies were few and hard to get, and the +singular energy of collectors expended itself in the gathering of new +and old postage stamps, at which generals, colonels, and Tommies +busied themselves, and a well-known London man of my acquaintance +cleared a profit of £300, still reserving for himself a handsome +collection. + +The name of Prince Francis of Teck no longer appeared in THE FRIEND +beneath the demand he had been making for horses. I remember that the +circus-ground he had pre-empted for the safe-keeping of his stock was +now full of animals one day, half-empty the next day, and full again +on the third, as he bought and distributed his live stock. I want, +before I forget it, to tell how some of us editors entertained him +without having the vaguest idea who he was. + +He was invited to dinner at the Free State Hotel by Mr. Landon, who +saw him seated and then introduced him to the rest of us, but in so +indistinct a manner that we did not catch his name. We simply saw in +our company a handsome and stalwart young officer of imposing stature, +and evidently profound good-nature. We all conversed upon the current +topics of the day and place, and one of us, I remember, had occasion +to differ with our guest, diametrically, upon some point--doing so as +bluntly, though not at all rudely, as men were apt to do in such a +place and at such a time--when the extra and more elaborate +formalities are apt to be laid aside for future use at the Mount +Nelson Hotel, and later in the routine of life at home. + +After dinner our guest suggested that he should enjoy a chat and smoke +in our company elsewhere than in the noisy dining-room, so we invited +him to Mr. Kipling's bedroom, which was larger than Mr. Landon's or +Mr. Gwynne's or mine. We spent a very pleasant hour in freest +converse, one of us being prone upon one bed and rolling around on it +pipe in mouth, while our guest lolled upon a cot beside the chest of +drawers, and the others held down two chairs and looked after the +distribution of the cigarettes and the less dry refreshments at our +command. + +We were not able, by any means, to agree with some of the propositions +of our guest, but he accepted our views in a spirit of good-humour, or +of a desire to learn what we had seen and studied. He talked a great +deal about horses, and about the fertile ingenuity of the native horse +trader, as well as of his own ability to defeat him at his wiles--but +we took no hint from this. When he had gone we asked Mr. Landon, "Who +was that? We did not catch his name." + +The largest advertisement in the paper was that of Murray Guthrie, +Esq., M.P., whose address just then was "the Railway Station." He was +most generously giving up his time to the receipt and distribution of +those parcels for the troops which were now beginning to come from +England in great and little packing-cases, and large and small bundles +numbering enough to be reckoned by the car-load. + +[Illustration: _The Capitulation of Bloemfontein._ + +_From a painting by Lester Ralph._] + +We had received the news of the killing of Colonel de +Villebois-Mareuil in an engagement with Lord Methuen's force, and +Mr. Gwynne wrote a spirited leader in honour of the Frenchman's +memory. + +We heard some interesting details about the capture of Villebois, +which I think have never been published. His commando threatened +Boshof, and when our force began to attack the kopje where he was +lodged our second shell killed him. He was not the only nobleman in +his commando, for among the prisoners we captured one was a Russian +prince and another was the Comte Breda, a Frenchman, like his leader. +Another prisoner was a stalwart Englishman named Simpson, whose long +beard was braided to keep it out of the way when he was shooting. +Physically, he was the most splendid specimen of manhood our soldiers +had seen in the Boer ranks. Lord Methuen ordered a military burial, +and commanded Colonel Higgins of the Third Welsh Borderers to obtain a +fitting tombstone. The English general attended the funeral, which +took place in Boshof cemetery. "General" Villebois was buried in a +blanket, but this was covered by the Union Jack when the body was +solemnly borne to the grave between the lines of the men of the Loyal +North Lancashire Regiment. No chaplain officiated, but none of the +formalities of a complete military service were omitted. The Comte +Breda made a little speech at the close, thanking the British for +their courtesy and kindness. After that our own dead were buried in +the same little cemetery. + +The affair provoked great and deep discussion, and so many British +officers were displeased by what Lord Methuen had seen fit to do that +THE FRIEND was at pains to try and clear the air of the false +impression that one brave general had not a right to honour another +in this soldierly way. We also pictured Villebois as he appeared to +us, a knight of ancient pattern, a restless, gallant warrior, who had +political reasons for wishing to keep himself in the mind of his +people while waiting for the ripening of his plans. The line on his +gravestone, "died on the field of Honour," was originally written "on +the field of battle," and was ordered to be changed at the last +moment. This phrase also angered many British, who, presumably, +thought that a grand monument had been set up over the unfortunate +Frenchman. In fact, the stone only cost ten pounds when dressed and +inscribed, and in a country where such things fetch twice their value +here. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + + No. 19.] BLOEMFONTEIN, SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1900. [Price One Penny. + +COL. DE VILLEBOIS-MAREUIL. + +BY MR. H. A. GWYNNE. + + (_The following message has been received by F.M. Lord + Roberts from Lord Methuen: "Arrangements have been made for + the burial of Colonel de Villebois-Mareuil this evening with + military honours."_) + +A short, well-built, admirably proportioned man, with quick, +expressive eyes, and an open, frank countenance was the late Colonel +de Villebois-Mareuil. He was a soldier, and a gallant soldier, from +the top of his close-cropped head to the soles of his daintily-shod +feet. Wherever there was war, or the possibilities of war, de +Villebois-Mareuil was on the spot ready to fight for whichever side, +in his eyes, appeared to have the greater claims on justice. Impulsive +to a degree, he was often drawn to conclusions for which he could +never give logical grounds. The picturesqueness of the Boer side of +the war, the presence of old Huguenot names among those of the Boer +leaders, the imagined wrongs of the two Republics, were quite +sufficient to attract the generous and emotional Frenchman into the +struggle. And once in the struggle, he gave the whole of his energy to +it. Not content with drawing the sword for the two Republics, he +wielded a charming pen on their behalf. Some of his letters to the +Paris _Liberté_ prove that if the world has lost a gallant soldier, it +has also lost a brilliant war correspondent. + +To us English, imbued as we are with a full appreciation of everything +which appears manly or sporting, the figure of Colonel de +Villebois-Mareuil is particularly sympathetic. We overlook his +somewhat illogical defence of what appears to us the gross injustice +of the Transvaal's dealings with Englishmen, and we only see a gallant +Frenchman fighting and laying down his life for a cause which he +espoused with the warmth of a generous nature. There is something +touching in a sentence of his which appears in one of his letters from +South Africa. "When I came here I believed I was going to the +sacrifice." Gallant, generous, chivalrous soldier: May God rest his +soul! + +Over his grave we forget that he fought against us, and we think only +of the gallant soldier. A British bullet laid him low, but a British +General lays him to rest with full military honours. + + * * * * * + +A BALLADE OF TEN-A-PENNY. + +BY J. H. M. A. + + Kopjes are steep, and the veldt is brown-- + (Utterly true, if you pause to think) + Biscuits are done and your luck is down; + "Modder" is not an inspiriting drink + (Dead Boers' taint, and defunct mules stink). + Better the sound of the screaming bomb, + Excitement and hurry of Hell's own brink-- + Alas! for a tune on the gay Pom-pom. + + "Action front!"--And the guns are round, + Teams go back with the chains a-clink. + We're reaping the storm that the scouts have sown + (The sun gets red and the clouds are pink). + "Show for the lyddite, that's all"--you think + (Frenchmen would shrug, with a _sacré nom_), + When out in the dusk, in the half of a jink, + Suddenly singeth the brisk Pom-pom. + + "Pom-pom-pom"--and the shells have flown; + "Bang-bang-bang"--without rise or sink-- + Accurate sameness to half a tone-- + Whizzing one-pounders--don't stop to think-- + Open the ranks like a "spieler's" wink. + This is a speedy and frolicsome bomb, + Do not despise it, but do not shrink, + This is a nerve-test, this swift Pom-pom. + + ENVOI. + + Oom, when you sit in the dark and think, + After the war, and your nights are long, + Bitterness sweeten of cups you drink + With a memory sad of your sweet Pom-pom. + + * * * * * + +HOW THE CALF WAS AVENGED. + +BY LEONARDITE, 82ND BTY., R.F.A. + +It happened about the time of the Paardeberg affair, or, to be exact, +at 12.10 a.m. on the 22nd of February, 1900, our battery (the 82nd +R.F.A.) had throughout the day catered diligently and well for the +tastes of Cronje and his followers. They had breakfast betimes in the +shape of shrapnel (unboiled), liberally and impartially distributed to +all and sundry within the laager; luncheon, tea, and supper followed +in due succession, each consisting principally of the same palatable +diet, flavoured at intervals with the celebrated Lyddite sauce. This +same is noted for its piquancy and marvellous power of imparting +elasticity to the lower extremities (gouty and dropsical people please +copy). + +We returned to camp that night pretty well tired out, and hungry +enough to eat "beef" (troop horse, isn't it?), and wondering what our +good Poulter, the battery _chef_, had prepared in the shape of +grub--we had fought all day on a couple of "Spratt's gum-hardeners." +As we neared the camp a most appetising odour smote our olfactory +nerves. "Beef stew," says our No. 1, who has a wonderful nose for +odours. "Garn," retorts Driver Jones, who loves a joke; "more likely +an old goat that's 'scorfed' the inside of one of 'Redfern's trenches' +(this is a battery joke); too strong for beef." Well, by this time we +had arrived, and some one who knew said it was veal, and that Mason, +our Mason, Mason the mighty hunter and what-not, had commandeered it. + +Presently arrived the cooks and camp kettles, and we settled down to a +good "buster." When nothing was left but empty pots and vain +longings, we lit our pipes, and the aromatic fumes of our Boer's Head +_cabbagio_ were wafted heavenwards, our veracious raconteur related +how he had captured the calf. How our pulses throbbed and our blood +rose to fever heat as he told how he tore away his game from under the +very horns of its enraged mother; and how, with the calf on his back, +he had been chased five miles and over a big kopje strewn with +boulders as big as an A.S.C. waggon, and finally, seeing no other mode +of escape, had hurled the animal (the calf, not its maternal relative) +from the top of the kopje, and in sheer desperation had leaped down +after it, breaking his fall by alighting on its body. + +Bidding us good-night, he left us to imagine what he would have broken +had he alighted off its body. + +Feeling the spirit of contentment hovering o'er us, we prepared to +turn in. The guns had previously been unlimbered and were ready for +action, with their muzzles pointing to the enemy. Formed up in rear +were the six gun limbers and six ammunition waggons, each with its +team of six horses still hooked in in case of any emergency. In +addition were the horses of the single riders, tied by their headropes +to different parts of the carriages, making a total of somewhere about +a hundred horses. + +Well, we had comfortably settled down and were enjoying our first +sleep when the sentries were startled by a most unearthly noise from +the vicinity of the camp. It sounded like a dyspeptic groan from a +more than ordinarily cavernous stomach. The horses pricked up their +ears and the sentries clutched their carbines tighter as they peered +into the darkness. Suddenly came the sound again--a mournful, +melancholy, hair-raising sound. Like a flash the whole battery of +horses, as though acting on a signal, stampeded into the night, taking +the waggons with them; over sleeping men they went, stopping for no +obstacles, overturning guns in their mad career, and heading straight +for the enemy's trenches. The outposts, thinking the Boers were trying +to break through the lines, opened fire at nothing. The Boers, +thinking they were attacked, did ditto. It was a perfect pandemonium +for a few minutes. The spiteful spit-puff of the Mauser and sharp +crack of the Lee-Metford, the whole blending with the cries of the +injured and the shouts of the men who were trying to stop the +runaways, made an impression that few who witnessed the scene will +ever forget. + +We had several more or less severely injured, lost about thirty horses +and one waggon, besides several that were overturned and smashed. + +All this damage was caused by the lowing of an old cow who had +wandered through the camp seeking her lost offspring. + +MORAL.--Hanker ye after the fleshpots, commandeer ye not, but buy! +buy! buy! + +NOTE.--Wanted to know--_vide_ the Press report of Paardeberg +action--Since when has the 82nd Battery, R.F.A., become a mule +battery? + + * * * * * + +'ORSE OR FUT? + +BY MARK THYME. + +(_A Song of the Household Brigade._) + + I. + + It ain't a fatigue to see him, + 'E's a taller than usual man, + As 'e struts down the road 'e's as smart as be blowed, + And 'is swagger would stop Big Ben, + 'E's a fair take-in for the ladies, + For of course it's a maxim trite + When a cove's in the Guards, why it's just on the cards + 'E's a bit of the best All-Right. + + CHORUS. + + Whether 'e wears a 'elmet, + Or 'airy 'at on 'is nut, + When all's done and said, 'E is 'Ousehold Brigade, + Whether 'e's 'Orse or Fut. + (_Shouted ad lib._): THAT'S RIGHT + Whether 'e's 'Orse or Fut. + + II. + + O' course 'e's fond of 'is lady, + 'Is lady she doats on 'im, + And it's princip'ly that what's the cause of 'er 'at, + With its feathers and twisted brim. + When 'e takes 'er out of a Sunday + She says, "What a lovely sight! + "Oh! there isn't a doubt, But I'm walking about + "With a bit of the best All-Right." + + CHORUS. + + And when 'e looks in promisc'ous + 'Taint often the door is shut, + For she's fond of a mash, with a curly moustache, + Whether 'e's 'Orse or Fut. + (_As before_): That's Right + Whether 'e's 'Orse or Fut. + + III. + + And then, when the war-clouds gather, + On Service 'e goes away; + And it's "Goodbye, Sal, God bless you, my gal!" + And the woman is left to pray. + Then whether it's toil and 'ardship, + Or whether it's march and fight, + 'E's a joker, we know, As is certain to show + 'E's a bit of the best All-Right. + + CHORUS. + + Whether it's sword or bayonet, + Whether it's lance or butt, + 'E's bound to go large When they're sounding the Charge, + Whether 'e's 'Orse or Fut. + (_As before--only more so_): That's Right! + Whether 'e's 'Orse or Fut. + + * * * * * + +HAS THE WAR JUST BEGUN? + +The Cradock Dutch newspaper, the _Middellandsche Afrikaander_, says: +"Our English contemporaries are greatly mistaken in thinking that the +war has now virtually ended. The Republicans are now going to act on +the defensive, and now one can expect a deathly struggle. The war has +now lasted nearly six months, and, however much we desire it, there is +no prospect of peace as yet." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +IN THE SHADOW OF SANNA'S POST + + _We try to Name the New Colony, and describe the Kornespruit + Fight._ + + +Our ten thousand readers had been invited to send in their suggestions +for a new name for the Free State, and then to express their opinions +upon the names thus suggested. The first person to have sent in the +name preferred by the greater number of readers was to receive five +guineas, and perhaps the honour of naming a new colony of the greater +Empire. The names suggested by the Army and the Bloemfontein readers +of THE FRIEND were as follows:-- + + Alexandra, Adamantia, Albertia, Altruria, Atkinsdom, + Aurania, Brand State, Brandesia, British South Africa, + Britannia, British Colonia, Brandsland, Buckland, Burghers' + State, Central Colony, Centuria, Campania, Carnatia, + Cameraria, Chamberlainia, Cecilia, Crucipatria, Colonia, + Cisvaal, Closer Union, Conquered Territories, Crown State, + Centralia, Capricornia, Cilionia, Concordia, Diamond Colony, + Diadem State, Empire State, Esicia, Empressland, Frere + State, Fonteinland, Fonteinia, Freer State, Frereland, + Federalia, Filia State, Federaldom, Grassland, Gariep + Sovereignty, Guelfland, Helenia, Immigratia, Imperial Orange + Colony, Imperia, Jubileeland, Kandaharia, Khaki State, + Khakiland, Kopjesia, Lanceria, Leonida, Marchland, + Mimosaland, Malaria, Milneria, Midland, Middle Colony, + Mid-South Africa, Modrieta, New Ireland, New Alexandria, New + Victoria, North Cape Colony, New Albion, New Era, New + Canada, New Colony, New Rietana, Northern Province, New + Gualia, New Victoria, New Edward's Land, New Egypt, Orange + State, Orange, Orangia, Orangeland, Orange Colony, Orange + Sovereignty, Provincia, Pasturia, Pastoria, Queen's Free + State, Robertsland, Rietania, Robertesia, Robertsin, + Robertina, Robertonia, Robertshire, Roberterre, Roberton, + Robertsdale, Robertsia, Robiana, Robermain, Reconquered + Land, Regina Land, Stellaland, Stellarland, Sylvania, + Suzerainia, Steyn's Folly, Salisbury, Tableland, Trans + Garep, Transgarepian Territory, Trans Orange, Uitland, Union + Era, United British Empire, Union State, U.S. South Africa, + Victory, Victorialand, Victoria Robertsia, Victoriafontein, + Veldtland, Veldt. + +The voting closed on April 7th, and on April 9th we announced that the +name Brandesia, honouring a late President of the State, an upright +man and a friend of Great Britain, had secured by far the greater +number of votes. Taking the whole vote, and separating from it the +votes for those names which were formed upon or out of the name of +Roberts, it was seen that the desire of the Army to honour its Chief +was stronger than the expression of the Free Staters in remembrance of +President Brand. But "Brandesia" secured the most votes, and Mr. P. +Johnson, whom we were not able to discover afterwards, won the five +guineas. Private W. Cooper, H Company, 5th Regiment of Mounted +Infantry, won the two-guinea prize for guessing nearest to the five +names that secured the greatest number of votes. Now that the +Government has named the country "The Orange River Colony" we see that +whoever sent in the name "Orange Colony" really deserved the most of +whatever credit goes with guessing blindly. + +Coming upon Mr. James' clear and accurate account of the Corne Drift +(Kornespruit or Sanna's Post) ambuscade reminds me of how the heroic +survivors of that red-hot fight drifted back to town, drifted into the +hotel dining-rooms--actually drifted into my bedroom in the case of +Colonel Pilcher--and I missed the chance at the time of looking at +them with eyes that saw the hell they had been through; without the +understanding by which I could measure their pluck. + +There had been a fight at the Waterworks, and we had been beaten, and +had suffered a shocking loss of men and guns--that was all that most +of us knew on the Sunday that followed the fighting on Saturday, March +31st. Afterwards I saw a score of the dare-devils who had squeezed out +between the fingers of Death's clenched hands, and I made the fight my +most serious study in the war--but I missed the chance of seeing it +for myself, and then I lost the glow of knowing what I looked at when +I saw the survivors come in. + +Mr. Gwynne went out to the scene and caught a glimpse of the end of +it. As there are few living correspondents better equipped to judge +events in war, and as it is the pride of more than one general to +obtain his views and accounts of the actions he witnesses, I will +quote a bit of his editorial of April 5th, in which he touches upon +the Sanna's Post affair: "Perhaps never in the history of British +campaigns have our soldiers shown more splendid courage, more dogged +resistance and greater coolness. General Broadwood has covered himself +with glory by the masterly way in which he extricated his little force +from a veritable death-trap. And who is there who can pay adequate +tribute to the behaviour of our gunners, and the gallant band of +British soldiers who held off a greatly superior force under most +difficult and trying circumstances?" + +It was while Mr. Gwynne was at the scene that a Boer suddenly appeared +and advanced toward him unarmed like himself; indeed, Mr. Gwynne +believes the man was a war correspondent. The two talked of the fight: +"Your people showed wonderful courage," said the Boer; "we thought we +had bagged your whole force. I am bound to say that had the Boers been +in such a tight place they would have surrendered." + + * * * * * + +BOER PLANS AND VIEWS. + + "_The following is a literal translation of a genuine Boer + document recently discovered. It has been forwarded to us + for publication by an officer of the Intelligence + Department, to whom we tender our best thanks._" + +OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRESENT WAR. + +BY CAPTAIN I. D. + +(_A Translation._) + +In order to form an opinion on the manner of operations of both +hostile parties, at present or in the future, it is necessary, as far +as possible, to endeavour to obtain an understanding of the different +properties and conditions of both belligerents. + +From a physical point of view, the Boer stands far above his enemy in +respect to bodily strength and perseverance. + +He inherits from his Teuton ancestor a quiet and patient nature, +coupled with a strong frame, which makes him less liable to be +affected by troubles and loss of spirit under the continued strains +which are inseparable from the campaign, while the Huguenot blood +which flows through his veins continually gives him fresh power and +energy, which is much in his favour in a final attack; further he is +filled with an unlimited faith in his God and the assurance of the +righteousness of his cause, which fills him with superhuman strength +and lion-like courage. + +Open-air life has given him a clearness of sight, and perseverance +which is probably without equal in the world's history, while his +monotonous life is the cause that he, though a lower member of the +force, can act independently. By lack of discipline and organisation, +his movements are sometimes clumsy, which, however, tends to his +benefit in an uneven field, and taken altogether are little to his +detriment, as he is not bound by special rules respecting formation or +otherwise. In contrast, the British troops are (notwithstanding there +may be many brave soldiers found among them) on account of their +organisation and equipment, &c., little adapted to keep up their heads +against the mental and bodily strain of a continued and wearisome war. + +They are mostly obtained out of cities and towns, which leaves much to +be wished for in their clearness of sight, steadiness of arm, and +power of self-reliance, while the discipline, organisation, rules and +directions to which they must hold weaken them more, so that they are +merely tools, standing under their officers' commands, of a fighting +machine. The officers in many instances are young and without +experience, and mentally and bodily unfit to fulfil their serious and +responsible duties, chosen to be officers not for their ability, or +natural talent, but because they are sons of the noble, or of the +respected of the land. + +It is, however, not intended here, by any means, to throw the blame on +the valour of the officers or men. + +When the nature of both armies is considered, one comes to the +conclusion that the British troops all gain an advantage in an attack +on equal ground, if a strong force is used in it, while the Boers will +obtain one in case there are fewer attackers brought into the field. +The English will benefit by defending, especially if time be given +them to build defences, and also where towns and camps must be held. + +Over hilly and uneven ground the Boer has by far the best chance to +attack, while in an eventual defence he has everything in his favour, +and is practically not to be got at. + +The British authorities have apparently too much trust in the result +of their Artillery. It is plain that they cherish the idea that it +will have a demoralising effect on the Boers, and therein they have +fortunately been mistaken. They did not calculate that the effect +could not be so great on scattered troops, and that the result cannot +be equal to the expenditure and difficulties of transport. On the +other hand, the Artillery of the Boers necessarily has a powerful +result on troops which, like the British, are formed in close order, +notwithstanding, according to the ideas of the writer of this, enough +use is not made of "black gunpowder" with a view to find the distances +by trial shots with that powder, to be afterwards followed by +burstable shells with "time fuse" to produce great destruction. + +As the ground is mostly soft, shells which burst on impact, so-called +percussion shells, cannot mostly be used with favourable results, +except under special circumstances. To bombard camps or towns +"cordite" or "melanite" should not be used, as both explosives contain +no inflammable properties, which are so necessary to set houses, +waggons, forage, &c., on fire. + +The greatest care should be taken that the mounted Boers should not be +exposed in the open plain to the attacks of the enemy's cavalry, +unless they are protected by quick-firing Maxim-Vickers guns and +shells, seeing that the British Cavalry have a great advantage at +short distances in the use of lances, swords and pistols. + +It is highly desirable that the Boer commandos should not be +accompanied by many commissariat waggons laden with provision, tents +and other things, as they tend to hinder them, and prevent their +executing quick movements. + +In calculating the chances in this war, it has always been considered +that the Boers have their greatest advantage in being independent of +commissariat transport, and although provision must be made to be in +touch with certain points with the necessary provision for the +commissariat, these, notwithstanding, must be viewed as items +wherewith, considering the great interests at stake, too much care is +not needed to be taken. + +On this ground the British troops are far ahead of the Boers, on +account of their proper organisation, and it is indeed to be regretted +that a like department has not been established, especially as the +Boers would be specially fitted for it, and have up to this time made +so little use of their talent in this direction. Herein a serious +instance is brought as an example, namely, the fact that the English +troops could retreat in order from Dundee, without its being directly +known. Also the disaster at Elandslaagte must be ascribed thereto, +where small isolated troops, consisting of a mixed commando, were +surrounded in positions not advantageous to their mode of warfare, +and, even had our troops at that place been in a defensible position, +they were "not in touch" with other troops, who could hasten to their +assistance. + +As to plans which are reckoned to be the best to obtain the victory +for the Republican arms, it is an axiom that the deeper one penetrates +into an enemy's country, the more one's power is weakened by the +necessity for keeping up communication, but there is an exception to +every rule, and this war at the present time makes the exception. The +Boer forces strengthened their resources, instead of weakening them, +by their invasion of Natal and of the Cape Colony. A great proportion +of the inhabitants of these Colonies are friendly, and they will thus +always keep communication open, even when they take no active part in +warlike operations. Taking this as granted, the conclusion is arrived +at that the whole design of the Republican commanders should be to +push their troops as far as possible, until they reach a war basis or +boundary line. + +Our Governments employ too many troops for Bechuanaland and Rhodesia +without obtaining benefit therefrom. A picked commando of 1,000 men +would possibly be sufficient to keep control over Mashonaland, while +1,500 at Mafeking would suffice to cut off the Bulawayo division, and +in that case the troops which are now occupied about Mafeking and +Kimberley could be better employed and with likelihood of good +results, by being pushed South. If a sufficient number of men are left +behind to dispute an eventual sortie from Kimberley and Mafeking, +there is little benefit obtainable in the investment of towns which +probably can hold out six or eight months. As long as they are well +watched they cannot do much harm. + +Much more could have been gained in Natal immediately after the +Imperial troops were surrounded at Ladysmith, by sending a strong +commando at once to the "Town Hill" at Pietermaritzburg, and if that +commando was not strong enough to offer resistance, on retirement it +could have broken up the railway, and thereby the siege of Ladysmith, +which is now being prosecuted, would have been a shorter and less +troublesome task. + +It appears that the Boer forces have not directed their attention to +making a series of attacks in the night. For such a purpose their +troops are specially adapted, and the result on the enemy would +certainly be terrible, as the loss of sleep would weary them bodily as +well as mentally. A certain number of men could be picked to trouble +the enemy every night; for instance, 500 men at Ladysmith, 100 at +Mafeking, and 250 at Kimberley, without doing that injury to the +Republican troops which would tend to weaken the command of British +officers, and make the men grumble and dissatisfied, even if the +number in killed and wounded was not especially great. There should +also be, when British troops are marching, a division of picked +sharpshooters to be used in attacking them on the flanks, without much +damage to the Republican troops, while doing much damage to the enemy. +The killing of a mule or ox belonging to a waggon or gun necessitates +delay and inconvenience. + +Under ordinary circumstances, this war will necessarily continue some +time, possibly even over a year, and seeing that there is such a +number of burghers commandeered, it would be well if the authorities +could arrange a plan to relieve them, say, for instance, ten in each +month per hundred. Some men of every commando will be desirous to +visit their relations in case of sickness, or to rest, or to attend to +private matters. When not relieved it may be that the men may become +listless and dissatisfied; while the force will not be appreciably +weakened by the absence of 10 per cent., such a rule would be pleasing +to the burghers, and in every sense satisfying to their officers. + + * * * * * + +RECENT ENGAGEMENTS. + +BY LIONEL JAMES. + +II. _Corne Drift._ + +The outline of the history of Colonel Broadwood's column appears to be +as follows: When Colonel Pilcher made his dash for Ladybrand, the +place was found teeming with the enemy. In fact, when the Landdrost +was carried away, fire was opened on the abducting _cortège_ from the +very garden gates of professed loyalists. The whole country-side was +so disturbed that it was time for the little column holding Thaba +'Nchu to fall back upon Bloemfontein. Information was despatched to +headquarters and reinforcements urgently asked for. When commenced, +the march from Thaba 'Nchu became virtually a pursuit. The enemy were +reported on the flanks and rear of the column all through Friday, +March 30. + +On Friday night the column arrived at a camp this side of the Modder, +about two miles distant from the Waterworks. The actual rear-guard was +not into camp until after 2 a.m. on Saturday. So anxious was Colonel +Broadwood for the safety of his column that he determined upon a start +before daylight. At 6 a.m. the enemy opened on the camp with rifle +fire. The order was immediately given for the force to stand to their +horses, and in a quarter of an hour the head of the transport column +was leading out of camp. At 7 a.m. "U" and "Q" batteries R.H.A. moved +off in battery column, following the transport. Roberts' Horse, in +fours, moved parallel to them on their left. + +About three miles from the camp the road crosses a drift known locally +as Corne Drift. The approach to this drift is peculiar. The actual +crossing practically lies in the apex of a triangle, the two sides of +which are formed by a railway embankment under construction and a +bush-grown donga. Opposite the drift is a farm-house and some rising +ground commanding, not only the drift itself, but all the approaches. +This drift the enemy had occupied before daylight, and here they lay +in ambush for the advancing column. + +Their dispositions were most perfect, as the head of the column +marched right into their arms, and they were able to take possession +of the transport without a warning shot being fired. When "U" Battery, +which was leading, arrived at the drift it found that it was +surrounded by dismounted enemy. The spokesman called upon the gunners +to surrender. They told the drivers that they might dismount and keep +their coats. The surprise was absolute. Major Taylor commanding the +battery managed to warn "Q" Battery. Then the ruse was "up"--as soon +as the enemy saw this they opened fire from all their points of +vantage. From the rising ground, from the cover of the donga and from +between the wheels of the captured guns and waggons. As soon as the +firing opened, the teams of the captured battery stampeded and added +to the general chaos of the moment. + +Under a blaze of fire, four guns of "Q" Battery and one of "U" trotted +clear, and came into action about a thousand yards away at the tin +buildings which are destined to be the Corne Drift Railway Station. A +few seconds later Roberts' Horse rallied upon them. But here the +nucleus of the front was formed which saved the whole force from +disaster. + +The carnage was ghastly for a few minutes, but as the gunners stood +devotedly to their pieces and Roberts' dismounted troopers commenced +to keep down the fire, Broadwood was able to form dispositions by +which to extricate the force. This was done--the British cavalry were +sent to clear the flank of the donga and, covering each other, the +mounted infantry corps were able to withdraw after the remnants of the +batteries had fallen back. + +The action of the gunners was magnificent. In the face of a bitter +short-range fire they stood to their pieces until, of the five gun +groups, there were only ten men and one officer left unscathed to +serve the guns. Then with dilapidated teams and manual haulage they +dragged the battery out of action, only to come into action again when +Broadwood strained every nerve to regain the baggage and the guns. And +even while this action was taking place the relieving division was +only four miles distant. It was a sad yet brilliant affair. Sad that +the column ever fell into the ambush--brilliant in the manner in which +the force was extricated. + + * * * * * + +BARRACK-ROOM BALLADS. + +_A Recipe._ + +BY MARK THYME. + + The man what writes a poem + In praise of our Tommy A.'s + Ain't got no call to study + Their manners, nor talk, nor ways, + 'E's only to fake up something + What's Barracky--more or less-- + And civilians don't know as it's rubbish and so + The Ballad's a big success. + + Don't 'ave no truck with the drill-book-- + You might get a bit at fault, + It's best to confine your attentions + To simple commands, like "'Alt"; + For a 'aporth of 'Industanie + And a pennorth of Sergeants' mess + (Though the meanin's all wrong) is enough for a song + To make it a big success. + + If you wants to say anything coarse-like, + Well, say it out plain, don't 'int, + And fill each line with expletives + As don't look pretty in print-- + If you sneers at the "Widow of Windsor," + And laughs at 'er soldiers' dress, + And connects the word "'Ell" with an orficer, well, + Your ballad's a big success. + + _Take the slang of the camp + (What's easy to vamp) + And some delicate soldier wheeze, + Call the Guard-room the "Clink," + And describe any drink + As a "Fall in" or "Stand at ease"; + Then you mix the 'ole lot + And you serve it up 'ot; + From ingredients sich as these + Form that singular salad + A Barrack-room Ballad + In Rudyardkiplingese._ + + * * * * * + +THEY WANT MORE OF TOMMY. + +BY W. T. R. + +Being among a group of Australians the other day, I noticed them +watching the Guards drill, and, as they seemed to be interested, I +thought it a good opportunity of getting their ideas of Thomas Atkins. +With the object in view, I engaged one of them in conversation. I +ventured a remark on the drill. + +"Oh, yes, they drill all right," said the Australian, "but you see +they get a bit too much of it, I think; I mean as regards the +goose-step business. You know, we Australians," he went on, "never +have too much of that. It may give a man more steadiness in marching +on parade, but we don't have many show parades during the year, +Queen's Birthday being the most important." + +"How often do you drill there?" I asked. + +"Well, you see--of course I'm speaking of New South Wales. There we +have about twenty-five half day drills during the year. These take +place on a Saturday afternoon. Out of these they take sixteen and give +us an encampment at Easter. It is at this encampment that we receive +the most good as regards learning our work. I was almost forgetting +the annual Musketry Course, when we get through our firing. Of course, +we have plenty of firing practice on our other parades as well." + +"How did you chaps come to be sent to Africa?" I asked. + +"Oh! we all volunteered," he replied, "and a great job they had of it +in selecting the men to come. So many wanted to come and so many were +disappointed, and I can tell you that if they would only send them, +there's thousands who would come. Why, to give you an idea of it, do +you know there are men in the ranks who are worth thousands, and some +of the highest families are represented in the war in the ranks?" + +"How do you get on with the soldiers from home?" + +"Oh, we get on first-class; but what we would like is more opportunity +of mixing with them and becoming better acquainted. You see, there's +so much work to be done that we don't get a chance to mix together. +Down at the Modder where we did get a bit chummy, Tommy would have +done anything for us. He would have given us the shirt off his back if +we'd wanted it, and we can't help liking him, as the song used to say, +because you can't beat him down. No matter in what circumstances you +find him he's always in a good humour and ready for what's coming +next. You can see him in rags that used to be in khaki, and you can +see him just after he has received his kit-bag and he's always the +same. He seems to have plenty of money and spends it just as readily +as if he had the Bank of England behind him. But I think if you want +to see him in one of his happiest moments, you want to look at him +when he is carrying a bag of bread and other treasures out of +Bloemfontein." + +"Then you Australians rather like Tommy?" I said. + +"Like him? Of course we do. We've fought alongside of him, and what we +want is more of him--that's all. You know, we want to show the world +that we are all one, no matter what part of the world we Britons come +from, and we're going to do it, too." + +I was very pleased with my new-found friend and his outspoken way, and +glad to have got rid of an idea that the Colonials didn't take well to +Tommy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +A COMPLETE NEWSPAPER + + _Full of matter which is no longer a tenth as interesting as + it was there and then._ + + +Number 21 of THE FRIEND, dated April 10th, was a splendid number for +Bloemfontein, and for the time, yet there is nothing to reproduce +except an Australian's trooper's poetic salute to the eucalyptus, or +gum-trees, that he recognised as fellow inhabitants of his distant +land, whence they have been sent to cheer the waste places of +California, the American Plains, and all South Africa. + +Three solid columns of the paper were justly given up to Mr. Kipling's +exposure in the London _Times_ of the treacherous element of the Cape +population, and its relations with those neighbours who are honest and +loyal subjects of the Queen and with the army. Two columns of +"Reuter's" despatches from abroad, one column of similar telegrams +from South African points, and a notable leader by Mr. Perceval Landon +on Mr. Kipling's article, made up the contents of the reading page. + +Mr. Guthrie, M.P., now required two columns of the paper in which to +announce the cases and parcels he had in hand for the soldiers. The +railway had just delivered to him five truck-loads of those most +welcome necessaries and luxuries sent out from home. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + + No. 21.] BLOEMFONTEIN, TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1900. [Price One Penny. + +NOTICE. + + The Field-Marshal Commanding in Chief having decided that + twenty Railway Trucks are to be placed at the disposal of + the tradesmen of Bloemfontein for the conveyance of food + necessaries, it is requested that those wishing to take + advantage thereof will communicate with the Director of + Supplies at his office at the corner of Green Street and + Douglas Street, between the hours of 2 and 3 p.m. on + Wednesday and Thursday next, 11th and 12th inst. + + As the amount of truck accommodation will be divided by the + Director of Supplies among the various applicants, a + statement of the Supplies required as a first consignment + must be submitted. When the statements have been received an + allotment will be made among the applicants. + + * * * * * + +OLD FRIENDS. + + Gum trees! Here in the Dutchman's land? + (You'll lie of a kangaroo) + Seen them?--Yes--Well, I'll understand + The truth when I see them too. + Lord!--There they are, by the old brick wall, + Shiny and green and high, + Best of the sights we've seen at all + Is this, to a Cornstalk's eye. + + Back, by the creeks in the far-off plains; + Over the ranges blue; + Out in the West where it never rains; + We whispered "good-bye" to you. + We left you alone on the high clay banks, + On a fringe round the dry lagoon, + Where your white trunks gleam by its empty bed + In the pale, soft summer noon. + + It's carry me back to the Castlereagh, + Or pack me along to Bourke; + On the Wallaby-track to the west of Hay-- + Wherever there's sheds or work. + It's cattle on camp or colts to brand; + It's brumbies about the Peel-- + It's all we've here of our own good land, + And this is the way we feel. + + Oh, hurry the show, and give us a lead, + And march us beyond the Vaal, + For the lambing's near, and the ewes will breed + And it's close up time to "tail," + And we've shearing them, and the wool to load, + And the ships are at Circ'lar Quay-- + So loot it along the red Veldt road, + A sight for Oom Paul to see. + + And when we are back on the Murray lands, + Or up in Mouaro hills, + You may collar the Fonteins, and Drifts, and Rands, + And the Boers will pay the bills. + But we'll be back where the gum-tops wane, + Or the Myall hangs and droops; + With a good veranda round the house, + And none of your dirty stoops. + + So hurry it up, for we've work to do + In a far better land than here. + We will swap the veldt and the parched Karoo, + For the plain and ranges clear. + But we'll never forget, in the days to come, + The friends that we've left behind-- + For the Dutchman who planted yon tall, white Gum + Was a little bit more than kind. + + J. H. M. A. + + * * * * * + +BRAVE YOUNG HIGHLANDERS. + +_To the Editors of_ THE FRIEND,--SIRS,--In your Saturday's issue an +appreciation of the R.A.M.C. appears, in which the _Morning Post_ +correspondent speaks of their services as stretcher-bearers at +Magersfontein with the Highland Brigade, whereas the R.A.M.C. has +furnished no stretcher-bearers to the Highland Brigade, the whole of +this dangerous work having been done by the Regimental bearers, and +"A" Company Volunteer Ambulance (King William's Town), and as this +company--consisting principally of mere striplings--has "faced the +music" right through, and kept shoulder to shoulder with the veterans +of the Highland Brigade, they surely should be credited with the work +they have so gallantly performed. + + Yours very truly, + BRITISHER. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +FALSE HEARTS AROUND US + + _Where only the Women were frank--The art of the War + Artist._ + + +Miss Bloemfontein was not alone in disliking to recognise the presence +of the British army. Her mother was not the only person who could not +bear to see Englishmen marring the scenery of the pest-ridden little +town. Even while the tricky among the people joined in singing +"Soldiers of the Queen," one man in the crowd turned to a war +correspondent and said, "You English are strutting about very proudly +and confidently, and think you own the country, but when you go away +from here you will be sniped at from every bush and spruit wherever +you show yourself." + +I took a little walk up past the English Cathedral one day and saw a +woman seated upon her front _stoep_, sewing. "Good morning," said I, +"do you speak English?" She rose and glared at me with scorn in her +eyes. "No," said she, "but I hate the English." + +A little girl ran out of a doorway a few houses farther along and +called to me, "Mister, mister! Please wear the red, white and blue," +and she pinned a knot of the British and American colours on my coat +lapel. + +"What sort of a lady is it who lives in that house?" I asked; "she +says she hates the English." + +"Oh, she is Dutch," the little girl replied; "almost everybody here +hates you." + +I turned a corner and went down a side-street. Two young women in a +doorway beamed upon me. I was out to study the town and the people, so +I halted and engaged them in conversation. One was married, and her +husband, who was of English stock, had cleverly managed to be away +when the war broke out, after which he found it impossible to return +and join a Boer commando as he would have had to do, being only a poor +working man. + +"We are on the police books as English sympathisers," said one of the +women. "We have had to be very careful, as we were warned that if we +gave further offence we would be punished. What happened was this: You +see the town is full of Germans, who have been most bitter against the +English. We went to the railway station when some English prisoners +were being sent to Pretoria. As the train moved off we waved our hands +to them and wished them better luck. A German saw us do it, and +reported us to the authorities, so we were taken up and examined, and +had our names put in the 'black-book.'" + +A score of the honest people of the town who had been avowedly true to +their English blood, which was by no means the case with all the +British Uitlanders, told me that they suffered petty persecution all +the time until the town was captured. Note what "Miss Uitlander" said +in her reply to "Miss Bloemfontein" in THE FRIEND of March 26th:-- + + The "loving hand" you boast of having extended to us has + long since been covered by an iron glove, the weight of + which we have daily been made to feel, and to _that_ you + must associate the joyful flaunting of our colours in your + face. His coming meant freedom--the sweetest thing in the + world--to us. + + You called our brothers and sisters cowards as they fled + your oppression and bitter and openly expressed hatred. You + threw white feathers into our carriages as they passed you + by. You loudly bemoaned your fate as a woman and longed to + don masculine garments to aid your beaux in exterminating + the hated English. Could we remember a "loving hand" then? + + You were quick to tell us that there would be no room for us + to live beside you so soon as Mr. Englishman was driven back + to the sea. The hated English had never been wanted, and + would not be allowed to stay. And since you continue to make + no secret of your hatred, the same remedy is now in your + hands. But it will be difficult to find a spot where Mr. + Englishman is not _en evidence_. + +Such was Bloemfontein to those who saw into its heart and knew its +temper. Some of us conquerors saw a little way behind the garlanded +curtain the false-hearted pretenders of friendship drew down before +our faces, but for what now seems a long time the Army fed itself upon +the honeyed lying of those people who had not the courage or honesty +to play the part of open enemies to the last. As for Tommy Atkins, he +seemed oblivious of everything but that which he enjoyed--which was +simply to walk about the town spending his money, and taking insults +and bouquets equally as a matter of course, just as they happened to +come. + +Let the reader note two things of the first interest, and of great +human and historic value. The persons who did not come out and pretend +to be our friends were the women. The part of the population that did +not join in singing "Soldiers of the Queen" was the feminine part. The +only person who openly and plainly espoused the cause of the Boers was +Miss Bloemfontein--a woman. The only person who answered her and +proudly asserted her loyalty to Great Britain was Miss Uitlander--a +woman. + +Everywhere in every war it is Lovely Woman who fans the flames, who +urges on the fighting, who charges the men to win or die, but never to +give up; who nurses the hatreds of the strife to her breast and keeps +them hot. Everywhere it is the civilised and the savage woman who does +this, and only the half-civilised have made a contrary record, for I +am told that in one strife there was an exception. That was "the +Mutiny" in India, where the ayahs and other Indian female servants +stuck to their posts in the British households, and played no part in +the awful affair. + +But in the great Civil War in America it was the women who kept the +strife in progress fully a year and a half, if not two years, after +their husbands and brothers realised it was useless, and that the +North must win. "Go, and do not come back while there is a Yankee +alive!" they said to sweethearts, sons, and brothers. So has it ever +been in times of war. The women, roused from their quiet lives and +excited by the animosities which develop war and the horrors which go +with it, remain undisturbed by the considerations which cause men, +with their wider interests and experiences, to waver in their faith. +And among the savage peoples of the earth it is, as a rule, the women +who garnish war with its most fearful accessories. The bucks and +braves do the fighting, the women follow after them to torture the +wounded and mutilate the dead. + +Think you that this is a terrible indictment of a sex? Do you see in +this nothing but the anger and the cruelty that lie on the surface? +Then you are to be pitied, for the moral of these reflections is that +in womanhood are treasured the faith which inspires mankind, the +convictions that nerve our arms in a world which progresses only +through strife, the enthusiasm which not even the hell of war can +destroy. + +The leader of April 14th was my own, entitled "Mr. Lecky on the War." +Again we had a complete newspaper full of the too-often delayed or +strangled Reuter despatches, which told us of other wars, in Ashantee +and the Philippines, of the Queen's visit to Ireland, of the Prince's +narrow escape from an assassin, and of all that was going forward in +our own little contention with the Boers. + +This number was singular in containing no original verse. It did, +however, contain something more full of sentiment, and, if possible, +more unexpected and foreign to war; to wit: a notice of a wedding:-- + + * * * * * + +MARRIED. + + By special license, on the 11th inst., by the Rev. Franklin, + at her father's house, Alexandra Cornelia, youngest daughter + of W. H. v. B. Van Andel, Orphan Master, to Arthur M. Stone, + eldest son of the late T. C. Stone, Esq., from Folkestone, + England. No cards. + +Orange-blossoms might, possibly, be looked for in the Orange State, +but blended with the bandages and laurels of war they seem peculiar. +One cynic asked us, when he read the wedding notice, "Is this +prophetic of concord, or is it merely strife breaking out in a new +place?" He was a soulless man. I am sorry I have quoted or noticed one +so deficient in feeling, poetry, humanity, and sentiment. + +In furtherance of the knowledge that the Army was tired of being +fooled, and growing weary of the upstart behaviour of the too often +treacherous negro natives, we published a notice by Assistant +Provost-Marshal Burnett-Hitchcock: "No pass is sufficient for a native +to pass through the outpost lines unless countersigned by a Staff +Officer, and it should state where and whence the native is going." +Other rigid restrictions upon the freedom of the negroes are enforced +by this order. + +The same energetic officer also forbade the selling of any article +within the town by hawkers and camp sutlers, under a penalty of fine +on conviction. This was in order to protect the local tradesmen from +army competition--including those who barricaded their shops when the +Boer combatants fled from the town, lest we should loot their stores +of goods, who then calmly told us they put up the barricades because +"the Boers were such thieving scoundrels," and who, now that they knew +our temper only too well, regaled us with accounts of how, while they +were in commando, they had fought us at Belmont, Graspan, Modder, and +a dozen other places. + +We published on this day an article by Mr. H. Owen Scott on "The War +Artist of To-day," in which he, a photographer, seriously extolled the +work of the camera as compared with that of the genius and training of +the true artist. We hoped the real artists thus relegated to a +subordinate and vanishing place would enliven our columns by their +replies. + + * * * * * + +THE FRIEND. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + + No. 22] BLOEMFONTEIN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1900. [Price One Penny. + +NOTICE. + +The Bands of the 12th Brigade will play in the Market Square this +evening between the hours of 4 and 6. + + * * * * * + +THE CIRCULATION OF "THE FRIEND." + +The present circulation of THE FRIEND is 4,750 copies daily. + + * * * * * + +WE APOLOGIZE. + +In our modest way as Editors of quite the most extraordinary newspaper +on earth, we endeavoured to publish yesterday, with due credit to the +_Times_, for which it was written, Mr. Rudyard Kipling's masterly +article "The Sin of Witchcraft." We may as well acknowledge here and +now that though THE FRIEND is declared to be edited by a committee of +war correspondents, it is, in fact, the daily product of a struggle +between the correspondents and their printers, the latter being the +more numerous, and, we sometimes fear, the more in earnest in their +determination to keep the paper unique. This results in a paper which +is often as great a novelty to the Editors as to the public, being +like Shakespeare's soldier in "The Seven Stages of Man," "full of +strange oaths," and words of which we never heard, as well as ideas to +which we never gave birth. + +With this by way of preface, will the _Times_ accept our apology for +not crediting it with Mr. Kipling's article, will it believe us that +we really did write in the "credit" after the article, and will it +commission its correspondent with this Army to go to our printing +works and reason with our printers from "the devil" upwards? + + * * * * * + +THE WAR ARTIST OF TO-DAY. + +BY H. OWEN SCOTT. + + The present campaign has undoubtedly commenced a new era in + the history of illustrated journalism, which change has been + brought about by a new school of war artists, whose method + is camera work, and whose aim is to faithfully produce the + actualities demanded by a picture-loving, yet critical + public. + + The artistic value of this means of illustrating is becoming + more and more realised every day, and will prove an + effectual factor in crowding out the old-fashioned war + artist who draws on his imagination. + + The only excuse for artists of any description being at the + front is their capacity for reproducing true and vivid + impressions of what they have seen. + + This is where the importance of the new school is at once + apparent, and as long as the men practising this art are + honest and do not attempt to foist "faked" work on the + public, their efforts are bound to be acceptable and of + artistic value. + + In speaking of camera work as an art and the individuals + adopting it as artists, I do not include the persons who + simply press a button and expose yards of film, regardless + of subject, but the few who make pictures intelligently and + pay as much attention to composition and lighting as a + painter would when commencing a fresh canvas. The camera is + not going to destroy the painter--and I say painter + advisedly--as no black and white artist is any good unless + he is a painter, and has a keen appreciation of colour + value. Nature is teeming with colour, and unless this is + felt how can it be suggested in line? + + Why does Rembrandt stand out as the greatest master of + etchings? Simply because his etched works suggest colour, + and it is this power of suggesting colour that placed + Charles Keene head and shoulders above all other black and + white men. The power of selection of subject is not + developed in all artists to an equal extent, but there is + always room for such men as Melton Prior, W. B. Wollen, + Lester Ralph, and a few others, whose work will always be + looked for as representing actuality. + + If the two schools of artists mentioned work with the full + knowledge of the limitations of their mediums, there will + always be a place for both. + + The mechanical draughtsman is dead. He has been killed by + the camera. + + How would it be possible in Fleet Street or De Aar, quietly + sitting in a little room with a north light, to give a true + impression of Cronje's surrender, or of that wonderful + sight, the approach of the captured army, like a cloud of + locusts, over the expanse of veldt at Klip Drift? + + If ever the surrender at Paardeberg is painted, it must be + done by a man who saw it. + + I shall never forget the defeated General's arrival, or the + solemnity of it: this giant, broken sulky, his career + finished. Everything was shown in the man, and shown in a + way no imagination could possibly conceive. + + I was privileged to view a sketch of Cronje leaving our + camp, the work of Mortimer Menpes. It was a vivid slight + impression. True, yet the economy of means--a few lines + wonderfully placed--was wonderful, showing the artist a + great master of technique. Now, talented as he undoubtedly + is, he could not have imparted such a feeling of actuality + to his work if he had not been present and studied his + subject with the greatest attention. The long-haired, + velvet-coated gentleman of Bond Street is not the man to + depict the incidents of war, or to put up with the hardships + of a great march, and I am perfectly sure that the success + of a war artist depends on physique. He is required to + tackle his subject quickly and vigorously. Trickery does not + help actuality, straightforward manly work being absolutely + necessary to the war artist of to-day. + + (We are sure that if the men in this Army who are engaged as + artists or who feel strongly and lovingly the relation of + true art to war, to photography and to the refinement of + mankind--if these will take the trouble to answer this + letter, we shall have a rich correspondence.--EDITORS, + FRIEND.) + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE END APPROACHES + + _We arrange to retire from our posts, but still possess the + enterprise to start a Portrait Gallery._ + + +"THE FRIEND," No. 23--actually the 25th number we had +edited--contained a notice that Mr. Kipling had sailed for England on +the previous day (April 11th), and we were doing our utmost to get rid +of our offspring, to find some one to adopt it. + +As long ago before this as when Sir Alfred Milner was with us in +Bloemfontein, we had made known to him and to Lord Roberts, through +Lord Stanley, that the employers of certain ones among us were +complaining of our expending part of their time and our energy upon +this outside work. I am certain that no interest with which any of us +were connected suffered the least slight or injury, for the result of +our labour of love for Lord Roberts was simply that we worked twice as +hard--and learned twice as much of what was going on as those +correspondents who held aloof and let the whole burden fall upon us. +My employer, Mr. Harmsworth, uttered no sound of criticism or +complaint, by the way, and the only word about THE FRIEND that +reached me from the _Daily Mail_ was a cablegram wishing us success. + +We were all tiring fast. I was lame with an injury which kept laying +me up, and otherwise my condition was such that for weeks I had not +been able to partake of any food except milk and soda water. I owe a +great deal for moral and physical stimulus to Dr. Kellner, ex-mayor of +Bloemfontein and head of the Free State Hospital, whose services to +the British army should not be allowed to pass into history without +his receiving some substantial honour and acknowledgment from this +government. He told the noble matron, Miss Maud Young, and her nursing +assistants (when they gave notice that they wished to leave at the +outbreak of the war) that he "never heard before that politics had +anything to do with the care of sick and wounded men," and up to that +standard of duty he worked on with them as enthusiastically under the +Union Jack as he had under the four-colour flag. + +I did not know how ill and dispirited I was until one evening I went +to the room of my assistant, Mr. Nissen, of the DAILY MAIL, and heard +through his closed window in the Bloemfontein Hotel the sound of a +banjo. It is a purely American instrument, and the plunk-plunk of its +strings made my heart leap. I threw open the window and heard in nasal +tones, affected by a Yankee colleague for the purpose of his song, a +sentiment like this:-- + + Oh, I want ter go back to Noo York, + Ther "tenderloin's" ther place, + Where the men are square and the women are fair + And I know evurry face. + + I want ter go back to Noo York + Ter hear Gawd's people talk. + Yer may say what yer please + Only just give ter me + My little old Noo York. + +I felt like shouting, "fellow citizens, them's my sentiments." +Suddenly I, too, wanted "ter go back ter Noo York"--with London as an +alternative. I had not known it or felt it before, but that song, as +new to me as any that will be written five years hence, touched the +button that produced a nostalgia which Heaven knows I had good reason +to feel without any such additional or peculiar incentive. + +Mr. Landon was also very ill of what I took to be a slow African +fever. We laid the facts before the authorities, and suggested that +our colleague, Mr. F. W. Buxton, now back at work with us, was able to +promise that the accomplished staff of the _Johannesburg Star_ would +gladly take THE FRIEND off our hands if its members could be passed up +to Bloemfontein on their way to Johannesburg. They were all receiving +salaries though nearly all were idle; the owners had suffered +grievously by the closing of their establishment at the outbreak of +the war, and they certainly deserved well of the British Army. + +With this view our military editorial chiefs coincided, and Mr. Buxton +busied himself in arranging for the coming of the editors, reporters, +and printers, and the transfer of the little Organ of the Empire to +their charge. + +This number of April 12th began with a leader on "The Queen in +Ireland," and this was followed by a play upon the society notes of +other papers, written by Mr. Gwynne. Our prolific soldier-poet, "Mark +Thyme," contributed two sets of verses, and once again we published +the news of the world, like any genuine newspaper at home. + +On this day we printed our first "alleged" portrait, No. 1 of a series +of pictures of the notable characters in town. We selected Mr. +Burdett-Coutts as the leading figure in this gallery, and made a most +modest announcement that we had secured the portrait and were able to +present it to our readers. + +I am quite certain that never before in the Free State had a newspaper +published a portrait made on the spot and of a newly arrived visitor. +There were in the Free State no means for doing such work. But such is +the non-thinking habit of the human race that not a soul questioned +what we announced, or asked how the feat was accomplished. It was +declared to be, in a way, like Mr. Burdett-Coutts, and every one took +it for granted that there was nothing THE FRIEND and its editors could +not do if they tried. + + * * * * * + +NOTICE. + +By kind permission of Lieutenant-General Kelly-Kenny, C.B., the massed +bands of the 6th Division will play on the Market Square from 4 to +5.30 p.m. on Easter Monday. + + * * * * * + +SOCIETY'S DOINGS. + +BY H. A. GWYNNE. + +A most successful dinner was given by ---- Battery on Saturday night. +The A.S.C. awning was most artistically arranged between two buck +waggons and was decorated with much taste, the junior subaltern having +attached to it the fashion-plates and pictorial advertisements from +_The Queen_. The "Maggi" soup was pronounced a success, and it was +evident that the battery _chef_ had put his heart into the work. A +somewhat unpleasant incident occurred soon after dinner, which put +rather a damper on the evening's hilarity and dispersed the party. An +order had come for one of the ammunition waggons to go into +Bloemfontein to fetch ammunition, and the sergeant, wholly without +malice prepense, hitched his horses to one of the sides of the +dining-room and removed it suddenly. We are glad to say that the +collapse consequent upon this manoeuvre, although very disagreeable, +produced no injury, and the company was able to leave sound in limb +but swearing strange oaths. + +---- Horse, always to the fore, whether bullets are about or the +scarcely less dangerous glances of female eyes, entertained at tea +yesterday a great number of guests of both sexes. It is a pity, +however, that their camp is so far out of town, for most of their +gentlemen guests were obliged to walk home, having "lost" their +horses. + +The Naval Brigade gave a _soirée musicale_ on Monday night, which was +perhaps the most brilliant affair of the season. The proverbial +hilarity of sailors induced in their guests a corresponding feeling, +and songs, toasts, speeches made the time pass merrily enough. A new +game, the details of which we hope to give in a further issue, was +played with great success. It is called "Hunt the Tompion." At the +beginning of the evening Captain Bearcroft, R.N., gave a most +instructive and bright lecture on the "New Tactics--Horse Marines." + + * * * * * + +A "small and early" was given yesterday by the Royal Diddlesex +Regiment. Dancing went on briskly until a transport mule came and died +in the extemporised ball-room, causing two ladies to faint. + + * * * * * + +A _conversazione_ was given by the A.S.C. in their camp within the +immediate confines of the town. The novel subject, "When will the War +end?" was chosen for discussion. The arguments, which were often of a +highly intellectual grade, were punctuated by sniping from trees and +bushes on the kopje side. Two of the attendants who were distributing +the choice and light viands to the guests were shot. True, their +wounds were slight, yet the incident interrupted the even tenor of the +_conversazione_. + + * * * * * + +SOCIALISM IN VERSE. + +BY MARK THYME. + + Now, I always was a 'ardly-treated bloke, + I'm a martyr to my cause, as you may say-- + I used to own a barrer and a moke, + And I'd sometimes earn a thick-un in the day. + But them Socialists they comes along our court, + And they says as 'ow all things should common be, + So, to 'elp the cause on quicker, I goes off and lifts a ticker, + 'Cause the bloke 'ad no more right to it than me. + + Well, for that I 'ad to do a bit o' time, + Though I argued it afore the majerstrit + As I'd done it out o' politics, not crime; + But the cuckoo couldn't understand a bit. + So I says when I 'ad left the bloomin' jug, + "I must strike a bigger blow to set us free; + I must play a nobler game." So I forges Rothschild's name, + 'Cause the bloke 'ad no more right to it than me. + + Now, living in a 'ouse acrost the street, + There used to be a very tasty gal; + She'd curly 'air and dainty 'ands and feet, + And was married to my very dearest pal. + 'E says to me, says 'e, "When you're our way + Step in, old cull, and 'ave a dish o' tea." + Thinks I, "My dooty this is." So I offs it with 'is missis, + 'Cause the bloke 'ad no more right to 'er than me. + + But I won't be beat by any bloomin' lor, + To 'ave my rights, I tell yer straight, I'm game; + And, once I gets outside this prison door, + I'll strike another blow in Freedom's name-- + The lor and all its engines I defy, + From the Stepper to the gloomy gallows-tree; + I'll go and get a knife, and I'll take some joker's life, + 'Cause the bloke 'as no more right to it than me." + + _For my motto is: All should be common to all, + This covey is equal to that; + And if I'm short you've no right to be tall, + If I'm thin you've no right to be fat. + To call me a criminal's fair tommy-rot, + It's on principle all what I've done: + Yet, perish me, all the reward as I've got + Is my number_--201. + + * * * * * + +"SMART." + +BY MARK THYME. + +(_Being a few hints to any of the fair citizens of this town who may +contemplate spending a season or two in London._) + + Ye Belles of Bloemfontein, pray hearken unto me, + And I'll show you how to sparkle in polite Society. + Never fear that you'll be visited with contumely or scorn + If you happen not to be aristocratically born, + For mere birth is not essential to means, if only you + Have the luck to be related to a brewer or a few; + And if only you have money, you need never be afraid + To swagger of the swindles of your former days of trade. + And your friends, as they receive you to their heart, + Each to each will the opinion impart: + "She is vulgar, I admit, + I don't like her, not a bit, + But then you know, my dear, she's smart." + + Your dress must be--well--daring! You must have a tiny waist + And the colours must be splashed about in execrable taste. + Your bodice may be decent while you've still the gift of youth, + But must lower in proportion as you're longer in the tooth. + The colour of your hair and your complexion must appear + To vary with the fashionable fancies of the year, + And though your wit lack lustre, the tiara must be bright + That you've hired out from a jeweller's at ten-and-six a night. + And your friends, as they receive you to their heart, + Each to each will the opinion impart: + "Looks quite odd, I must admit, + I don't like her, not a bit, + But then you know, my dear, she's smart." + + Then, as to conversation, let each syllable you speak + Be vehemently vapid or else pruriently weak; + Tell some tales distinctly risky, if not actually obscene, + While artfully pretending that you don't know what they mean. + In the intervals of slander you must prate in flippant tone + On some Theologic subject that you'd better leave alone; + And, though your speech be witless, nay, to some may seem absurd, + It matters not if reputations die at every word. + And your friends, as they receive you to their heart, + Each to each the opinion will impart: + "She's ill-natured, I admit, + I don't like her, not a bit, + But then you know, my dear, she's smart." + + Your parties must be "tidy," so to bring about these ends + Find some lady with a title who likes living on her friends; + Hint that you'll supply the money that's essential to the task, + If only she will condescend to tell you whom to ask. + On your former friends and relatives politely close the door, + Though they may have been of service in the days when you were poor, + Be each guest of yours a beauty, full of pride, + A tiara on her head, a co-respondent by her side. + And your friends, as they receive you to their heart, + Each to each will the opinion impart: + "She's a snob, I quite admit, + I don't like her, not a bit, + But then you know, my dear, she's smart." + + * * * * * + +OUR PORTRAIT GALLERY. + +We have to announce the arrival in Bloemfontein of Mr. Burdett-Coutts, +of London, of whom we have secured a portrait which we present to our +readers. + +[Illustration: THE FRIEND's front page.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +WANTED, A MILLIONAIRE + + _A number as sparkling as a string of jewels--Joke Portrait + Number Two._ + + +A singular thing about THE FRIEND was that the readers could make sure +at a glance, each afternoon, what had been the spirits of the editors +earlier in the day. The issue of April 13th was positively frisky. We +were all in our gayest moods, and the principal page was made to +sparkle with most unlooked-for fun and flashes of wit. + +Mr. Landon set out with his pen in search of an English millionaire +who would supply us daily with a budget of home news cabled direct to +us from London. Continually disappointed by the non-arrival of the +Reuter despatches, he urged that some wealthy man should pay to have a +long special cablegram sent to us daily, with a hint of all the +world's happenings. "To us," did I say? no; for, as Mr. Landon +expressed it, "All there is of THE FRIEND belongs to the Army. Its +existence began for the soldier, and its profits pass back to his +interests. If some of the kind-hearted people in England who are so +ready to put their hands in their pockets in the interests of 'The +Soldiers of the Queen,' only knew what the dearth of news from +England means to the men, they would at once supply the want." It is +too late now. That editorial never was copied in the English papers, I +suppose; but you millionaires who want to reach Heaven--and you others +who want to earn handles to put before your names--remember this in +the next war, and send news to your army wherever it is halted in the +field. + +We found that the newsboys were charging two-pence for THE FRIEND, and +that many complaints were pouring in upon us; therefore, in the +blackest type, I rhymed to the readers--that being the most likely way +to impress them with the truth--in couplets such as this-- + + Who pays a penny for THE FRIEND, + Pays all he needs to gain his end. + +and this-- + + Whoever pays us more than a penny, + Should guard his brains, if he has any. + +Fancy me dropping into rhyme! But, as I have said, the "Tommies" all +did verse--or worse--and the example was epidemically contagious. +Perhaps in another month we should have all turned versifiers, and +produced copies of THE FRIEND wholly in rhyme. + +In this number we published portrait No. 2 of our unique gallery, +selecting Lord Stanley as the subject. My son Lester had made a +cartoon in which the censor figured, and with which, for a very +peculiar reason, Lord Stanley was not pleased, but this second venture +of the family to do him justice in portraiture was eminently +successful. It was precisely the same picture as that which we called +a portrait of Mr. Burdett-Coutts on the previous day, but though Lord +Stanley knew the joke no one else saw it. One of the censor's friends +took from me a damp fresh copy of the paper, as I came out of the +works with an armful, and looking at the portrait remarked, "I say, I +did not know that Lord Stanley had an imperial--'goatee,' as you call +it--funny I never noticed that he wears one. Devilish good portrait; +clever of you to publish it." Mr. Burdett-Coutts was the only other +man beside Lord Stanley to understand what we were doing. He fathomed +the joke because we explained it to him, and I sincerely hope that he +appreciated the pure fun and harmless pleasantry of the spirit in +which it was conceived and carried out. + +We had, from a coloured man, a letter complaining that we declared the +British policy to be "equal rights for all white men, without respect +of race or creed." To this he objected. He said that we were +advocating the policy of the Republics, and added, "I would like to +point out to you that when once your policy is known in this colony by +our people it will cause universal dissatisfaction." He was presumably +one of those natives, most numerous in the towns, who, by reason of +their intelligence and ambition, deserve most helpful, generous +consideration. But the "Universal dissatisfaction" which he threatened +would include a myriad negroes of the Karroo and the so-called "farms" +of the Boers. These form the mass of the natives; clothed in their +complexions and living in huts of twigs and matting. Equality with +white men can be offered to them by statute; but they cannot realise +it, and the world has seen mischief, unhappiness, and perplexing +political problems result from over-haste in this direction. + +We did succeed in arousing an artist to defend his calling against the +boasts of the mechanical manipulation of the camera. Mr. W. B. Wollen, +R.I., was the champion of art, and he spoke for it with the ardour of +conviction, and the force of one who is right and cannot be gainsaid. + +I cannot think why we omitted to call upon Mortimer Menpes, Esq., the +distinguished painter, then in Bloemfontein, to add his views to the +series of letters we hoped to secure upon this subject, the Camera +_v._ Art. Mr. Menpes had come to the war because, he said, nothing +else was talked or thought of in London, and an exhibition of +paintings of ordinary subjects, such as he gives with distinguished +success each year, would have fallen flat. He was very busy, very +popular, and very successful with the army. This issue (April 13) +contained a witty letter by him upon the postage stamp craze. + + * * * * * + + PRICE: PRICE: + ONE PENNY. THE FRIEND. ONE PENNY. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + + BLOEMFONTEIN, GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1900. + +PROCLAMATION. + + TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE DISTRICTS OF ALBERT, STEYNSBURG, + MOLTENO, WODEHOUSE, ALIWAL NORTH, BARKLY EAST AND COLESBERG. + +On the recent retirement of the enemy to the north of the Orange +River, the rebels who had joined them in the Northern Districts of +Cape Colony were treated by Her Majesty's Government with great +leniency in being permitted, if not the ringleaders of disaffection, +to return to their farms on the condition of surrendering their arms +and of being liable to be called to account for their past conduct. + +I now warn the inhabitants of the Northern Districts, and more +particularly those who were misguided enough to join or assist the +enemy, that, in the event of their committing any further act of +hostility against Her Majesty, they will be treated, as regards both +their persons and property, with the utmost rigour, and the extreme +penalties of Martial Law will be enforced against them. + + ROBERTS, Field Marshal, + Commander-in-Chief, South Africa. + Army Headquarters, Bloemfontein, _April 9, 1900_. + + * * * * * + +OUR PORTRAIT GALLERY. + +It is with great pleasure that we present to our readers to-day a +portrait of Lord Stanley, the present popular Press Censor with Lord +Roberts' Field Force in South Africa. The portrait is by W. B. Wollen, +R.I., and is a masterpiece. We like it, but we are surprised that the +censor should wear precisely such an antediluvian collar as we saw on +Mr. Burdett-Coutts in yesterday's view of our Portrait Gallery. + +[Illustration: Lord Stanley.] + + * * * * * + +THE ABSENT-BODIED BURGHER. + +BY A. B. PATTERSON. + + _A Screaming Farce now being played daily with great success + in the Theatre of War near Bloemfontein._ + +CHARACTERS: + +1. JACOBUS JOHANNES VAN DER MAUSER (The absent-bodied Burgher). + +2. KATINKA VAN DER MAUSER (His Wife). + +3. REGINALD TALBOT DE VERE-CROESUS (English Cavalry Officer). + + _Scene_: A Farm in the Free State. Pony saddled at the door. + J. J. van der Mauser preparing to mount. + +J. J. VAN DER MAUSER (_Centre of Stage_). Katinka! Katinka! Bring me +the old rifle that is in the barn among the sheep-skins. The old +muzzle-loading Boer rifle, with which my ancestor, the great +Ten-britches van der Mauser shot the lion in the days of the Great +Trek. + +KATINKA: Nay, Jan! Pause and reflect! 'Twill blow thy head off. It has +not been fired these thirty years. + +JAN: Nay, woman! I purpose not to fire it. I intend to hand it in to +the British--I only wish they'd try to let it off! Then will I return +speedily, provided with a pass, and go up into the laager to do a +little Rooinek shooting. While I am gone, Katinka, be not afraid. The +English will put a sentry on the farm so that not a blade of grass +shall be touched, not an onion taken from the ground. Be diligent, and +sell them all the butter you can. + +KATINKA: The proclamation says the price of butter is to be +two-and-sixpence a pound! + +JAN: Then don't take a penny less than three shillings and sixpence. +If you run short of milk, drive in the cows of our neighbour Smith, +who has fled to the English. And Katinka (_whispers tenderly_), if you +see the Rooineks out in the open, don't stand anywhere near them, +darling! You might get hit! You understand? Now, farewell! + +(_Proceeds to pull on an extra pair of breeches, and so goes off to +the laager, while the band plays "My dear old Dutch."_) + +[Interval of some days, during which the British encamp near the farm, +and Katinka sells them, at famine prices, every drop of milk and every +pound of butter that the cows will yield, and every egg that the hens +can be induced to lay.] + + * * * * * + +SCENE TWO. + +The open veldt. Row of kopjes in the middle distance. Enter cavalry +patrol with Reginald Talbot Vere-Croesus at their head. (Band playing, +"Let 'em all come.") + +FIRST SOLDIER: I thought I heard a rifle shot. + +REGINALD TALBOT DE V.-C.: Nay. 'Twas but a soldier being shot for +stealing a bar of soap from an enemy's cottage. Serve the miscreant +right. Take open order, there. Walk, march! + +_They ride round the stage with one eye on the kopjes and the other +admiring the fit of their breeches. Rifle shots are heard from the +kopjes. Band changes to, "You never know your Luck!" Heavy rattle of +musketry from kopjes. Patrol driven back and retire to pom-pom +accompaniment from the big drum_. R. T. de V.-C. _falls prone from his +charger_. KATINKA _rushes in (r.u.e.) weeping hysterically and throws +herself on his body_. + + * * * * * + +ENTER JACOBUS JOHANNES VAN DER MAUSER _(l.e.), and leans on his +rifle, staring gloomily at the scene._ + + * * * * * + +JACOBUS: Ha! ha! So it has come to this! She secretly loves the young +English officer who reconnoitres kopjes with an eye-glass! (_Sticks +his chin out, claws the air and ambles about the stage à la Henry +Irving._) But I will be revenged! Ha! ha! I have it! I will go and +join the Johannesburg police! False woman, what sayest thou? + +KATINKA (_hysterically_): I am innocent, Johannes. I am innocent! +(_Coils herself round the body of R. T. de V.-C. à la Sarah +Bernhardt._) + +JACOBUS: Innocent! Then why weepest thou? + +KATINKA (_rising suddenly_): Weep! I should think I _would_ weep. +Didn't he owe us three pound seventeen and sixpence for milk! How am I +to make the dairy pay if you persist in shooting my best customers? + + (JACOBUS _embraces her_. REGINALD TALBOT DE VERE-CROESUS + _being, fortunately, shot exactly through the head with a + Mauser bullet, recovers at once and embraces her also, and + joins in a song-and-dance trio, "Be careful what you're + doing with the gun," and the curtain falls to the tune of, + "It mustn't occur again_.") + +NOTE.--This farce will be continued till further orders. + + A. B. P. + + * * * * * + +THE WAR ARTIST OF TO-DAY. + +_To the Editors of_ THE FRIEND,--SIRS,--The present campaign has most +decidedly, as your correspondent in THE FRIEND of the 11th says, +commenced a new era in the history of illustrated journalism, but not +to the extent that he thinks. + +The camera and the pencil can, and will, live together during a +campaign, but I venture to doubt if the camera will be able to do all +that its champion claims for it, and the war artist who knows his +business, which cannot be learnt in a single campaign, will come out +on top. For reproducing and putting before the public scenes +representing the strife and clamour of war, with its accompanying +noise and confusion, the man with the kodak cannot compete for one +single moment with the individual who is using the pencil. + +How can he produce a picture that will show the public at large +anything like an accurate bird's-eye view of what a modern battle is +like? The brain of the camera cannot take in all that is going on. The +man with the pencil does so. A few lines to indicate the background +and the characteristics of it, and he is able to put before the world +what has taken place, that is if he knows and has seen what troops +have been doing. + +In another paragraph there is a sentence which is a very unjust +reflection upon "the old-fashioned war artists, who draw on their +imagination." I should very much like to know who the old-fashioned +war artists can be who are referred to in this manner. The few men who +are still alive, and there never were many of them, are all men who +have seen a large amount of fighting, have sketched and worked under +fire, sent their work home often under enormous difficulties, and been +in very many tight places. Why should these men be referred to in this +way? + +I suppose there has not been one single campaign in which the camera +has been in such frequent use; but is it possible, by this means, to +bring before us the various phases of a battle--a modern battle, I +mean, with its absence of smoke, enormous expanse of front and general +invisibility of both the attackers and defenders? Take a battery in +action. Can it show us the excitement and turmoil round the guns, will +it show us (unless it is a cinematograph) the trouble amongst the +teams when a shell drops near them? I think not. What it can do, and +does, is scenes which are more or less peaceful, such as camp views, +incidents in regimental life and also bits on the line of march, but +of an action--no! None of us artists are at variance with Mr. Scott in +other parts of his very able letter, and we cordially welcome the +camera artist, knowing very well that he has his field of work in +which we cannot hope to compete with him for a moment; but to put the +camera, which, after all, is only a very fine piece of mechanism, on a +par with a sketch is more than most people can put up with, especially + + Yours very faithfully, + W. B. WOLLEN, R.I. + + * * * * * + +CHESTNUTTY--BUT GOOD. + +_To the Editors of_ THE FRIEND,--SIRS,--Is this a chestnut? Johannes +Paulus Kruger sent a commissioner home to England to find out if there +were any more men left there. The commissioner wired from London to +say that there were 4,000,000 men and woman "knocking about the town," +that there was no excitement, and that men were begging to be sent to +fight the Boers. Kruger wired back "Go North." The commissioner found +himself in Newcastle eventually and wired to Kruger, "For God's sake, +stop the war! England is bringing up men from hell, eight at a time, +in cages!" + +He had seen a coal mine. + + * * * * * + +CIRCULATION, APRIL 11, 5,500. + +The circulation of THE FRIEND is as large as that of all the +Bloemfontein papers combined.[18] + +[Footnote 18: This was a transparent joke, as there was no other paper +in the town. But, joking apart, there never had been a newspaper in +that country or region with such a circulation as ours enjoyed; yet it +could have been twice as large had we employed our carts to circulate +it in the outlying camps.--J. R.] + + * * * * * + +DOTS OR NO DOTS. + +_All about the New Stamp Issue._ + +BY MORTIMER MENPES. + + How strange a thing it is that so small a matter as a + general taste for collecting stamps should, as it were, + elevate a man at a single bound into a position where his + slightest tact at discrimination in detecting the difference + of shades between two bits of paper of the same colour will + sway and determine the destinies of a horde of fanatical + collectors! + + That a man should occupy so exalted a position was + accidentally brought to my notice after a return to + Bloemfontein from a run to the Cape, where I found the + Market Square, the club, the hotels and the street corners + grouped with people who appeared to be intensely interested + in the discussion of some all-important subject. Thinking + that some radical proclamation had been issued, I paused to + listen, but instead of legal phrase and technical form + greeting my ear, the only intelligible word which I could + detect in the buzz which emanated from the centre of the + group was "Dot." + + I passed on to another group, where the same "dot" arrested + my attention; then to a third, which was also "dotty," + until, feeble and bewildered, I helplessly wandered about on + the verge of an incurable "dottiness" myself. + + Finally, I pulled myself together again and, blind to all + danger, plunged into a group of "dotters," grasped one of + them by the arm, and in reply to my appeals heard him hiss, + as he roughly shook me off, "Surcharged stamps, you fool, + misprinted, without dots." Then I understood. My curiosity + was stimulated, I soon learned the subtle differences which + add to or subtract value from the surcharged Free State + stamps. Finally I became the proud possessor of a dotless + one myself. That settled it; I became hopelessly "dotty" + myself, and to the end of my natural days will always + realise that affairs of State, literature, art, even money, + are secondary to the importance of obtaining "the entire + set," especially if they are from "the bottom row" and + "dotless." This mania has taken possession of the entire + army. + + From Tommy to General, the last biscuit or a drink of + whisky, or a pass to be out after 8 p.m. can be extracted + after a dozen refusals by producing a dotless stamp. + + Kruger could end this cruel war in an afternoon by simply + sending out a dozen men mounted on swift horses, wearing + white coats with the entire set without dots pasted on the + back. These scouts should be unarmed and should ride in + close to our lines and then turn round showing their backs. + The moment the army would see the set, they would make a + rush, and all the scouts would have to do would be to ride + fast enough and in different directions, and by nightfall + the Imperial forces would be hopelessly scattered, and lost + in the boundless veldt. Kruger's scouts would be perfectly + safe, for no one would dare to raise a rifle in their + direction. Such an act might bring down a set; but imagine + if you can the fate of the miscreant if one dotless stamp + should be punctured or if--horrible thought!--a chance + scattering of the lead should dot some of the precious bits + of paper! + +In my inquiries during the first stage of this disease, I found that +Major O'Meara was the supreme authority on this subject. I found the +Major seated in a small room of the National Bank sorting out from a +huge collection the stamps which were to be surcharged. For three +hours I watched him, as with wonderful skill and discrimination he +picked out bits of paper which were obsolete and which an accidental +surcharging would have made of untold value, and set the whole world +of collectors into a palpitating hysteria of speculation, until +finally catalogued and bought by some multi-millionaire bent upon +ruining himself to appease his craze. That all the legally surcharged +stamps are carefully catalogued in the Major's busy brain will +doubtless surprise at some no distant date a few rascally speculators, +who, possessing obsolete issues, have surreptitiously surcharged them, +in the hope of creating a rarity to sell at fabulous prices. Leaving +the Major's presence, I realised that the last stage of dotlessphobia +had fastened itself on me, and, knowing that recovery is hopeless, +have abandoned myself to full indulgence, hoping to derive at least +some miserable satisfaction before the end. With this one reservation, +I am determined never to surrender to the universal stamp collector's +weakness of stealing. Others may walk uprightly through six days of +the week about their ordinary affairs and turn aside on Sunday +afternoon from the path of blindness to pilfer another collector's +treasure while his face is turned away, out of politeness, to sneeze. +But I; no, I shall never, never, no--I won't steal. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +A NOTABLE NUMBER + + _Captain Cecil Lowther joins the Wits and Poets again. A + Report by Mr. Jenkins, who was "our Staff in himself."_ + + +Mr. Buxton wrote the stern editorial, "Judge ye," with which we led +off the issue of April 14th. He reminded the Free Staters that England +had, at the outset, no quarrel with them, but on the contrary had +given them the "solemn assurance" that their independence and +territory should be respected. The people of the little Republic had +been led astray, had suffered conquest, and now were able to judge +between the wicked whisperings of the two Presidents and the +promptings of common sense and of regard for their future, "for," +wrote Mr. Buxton, "brothers you must be with us, heirs and possessors +of world-wide citizenship and Empire." + +We had recorded our first wedding, and now was the day when we +received the first application from an English firm desiring to +advertise in our columns. A well-known house-furnishing firm were the +enterprising inquirers. They said that they looked for a great +development of the country and meant to send agents there when the +war ended. On our part we made this request the basis of an editorial +in which we said that this business letter "foreshadows the coming +changes in local conditions with a prophetic touch." + +Mr. Gwynne concocted a clever set of quotations which he called +"Gleanings from Great Minds," and we published number three of our +series of home-made portraits, choosing Dr. A. Conan Doyle as the +subject. At this the Army at last began to whisper and suspect, and +many a smile greeted each allusion to our enterprise. + +But our _chef d'oeuvre_ was a second contribution by "Bertie," whom +all our readers knew to be none other than the handsome, the witty, +the travelled, and the popular Adjutant of the Scots Guards, Captain +Cecil Lowther. As the first letter had already been published in the +_Household Brigade Magazine_ I will not repeat it here, but the one +that is now reproduced will give a lively hint of what our readers +missed by the fact that Captain Lowther was away on duty in the boggy, +sodden veldt, and could neither write nor think of writing, even to +THE FRIEND. + +A large collection is made from this issue of the paper of April 14th. +All that is in this book reflects the excitement, the routine, and the +dramatic and picturesque phases of a soldier's life, as well as the +strange situations and conditions produced by the conquest and +occupation of a city in war. If that is true (and it is true in a very +great degree as I believe), then in no chapter are more of all these +novel views of irregular life mirrored than in this. From this you +shall learn what a soldier had in the way of rations, how a great and +majestic mind dealt with the rumours that British prisoners were +being far from generously, or even humanely, dealt with by the +semi-civilised foe; how a polished wit out of his superabundant humour +found time to set down his sparkling thoughts in a soaking wet camp or +a cold, wet plain, within sniping distance of the enemy, and finally, +how drained of almost every line of foodstuffs, medicines, clothing, +and luxuries the over-burdened town we lived in was becoming. + + * * * * * + + PRICE: PRICE: + ONE PENNY. THE FRIEND. ONE PENNY. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + + BLOEMFONTEIN, SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1900. + +SICK AND WOUNDED PRISONERS. + +The following communication has been addressed to President Kruger:-- + + From Field Marshal Lord Roberts, Commanding in Chief in + South Africa, to His Honour the President, S.A. Republic, + Pretoria, + + _April 12, 1900._ + +It has been reported to me that the Non-Commissioned Officers and men +of Her Majesty's Colonial Forces, who have been made prisoners of war, +are treated as criminals and confined in Pretoria jail, where they are +very badly fed. It has also been brought to my notice that at the +beginning of March there were ninety cases of enteric fever and +dysentery among the Non-Commissioned Officers and men in the camp at +Waterval, and that, as Dr. Haylett, the Medical Officer in charge, +failed to obtain from your Government the medicines and medical +comforts which he required for the sick, he resigned, Dr. von Greldt +being appointed in his place. + +It is stated that the prisoners at Waterval have to bivouac on the +open veldt without overhead shelter and with only a layer of straw to +lie on, while the sick are placed under an open shed with iron roof. I +am informed that it was only upon Dr. von Greldt threatening to resign +that medicines and mattresses were supplied for the sick. I can hardly +believe that your Honour is aware or approves of the harsh treatment +of the prisoners belonging to the Colonial Forces, or of the want of +consideration shown to the prisoners at Waterval. The former are Her +Majesty's subjects, are duly enlisted, are subject to military +discipline, and wear uniform. According to the recognised customs of +war, they are entitled to be treated in the same way as any other +soldiers of Her Britannic Majesty, and I must remind your Honour that +all prisoners captured by the troops under my command are equally well +treated, whether they are burghers or foreigners. The utmost care has +been taken of your sick and wounded, and no distinction has been made +in the field hospitals between them and our own soldiers. + +[Illustration: _The Front Page of "The Friend" of April 4, 1900._] + +I invite your Honour's early attention to this matter, and I request +that orders may be given for the Non-Commissioned Officers and men of +the Colonial Forces to be released from jail and to be treated, not as +criminals, but as prisoners of war. + +I also request that the prisoners at Waterval may be provided with +overhead shelter, and that the sick and wounded may be properly +entertained and taken care of in accordance with Article Six of the +Geneva Convention. + + * * * * * + +MY COMRADES' CONVERSATION. + +(ANONYMOUS.) + + When I was quite a young recruit, not very long ago, + My comrades' conversation was a talk I didn't know; + I really thought to some far-distant country I'd been shipped + When they said I was a "jowler," and described me as "just nipped." + If I was "slightly dragged," or with my "praco" couldn't cope, + They said I'd "lost my monnicker" and earned an "extra slope," + And, though I'm known as Ferdinand to all my kin and kith, + They went and dropped my Christian name and called me "Dusty Smith." + They called me "Dusty Smith." + + _But a soldier's life is the life for me, + And the foe shall ne'er alarm me, + For you won't feel queer on "Drug-hole beer," + What's called "three-thick" in the Army._ + + I asked them what my food would be. They said: "Your food? Oh, that's + 'Meat,' 'jipper,' 'spuds' and 'rooti,' with occasional 'top-hats.'" + They said I'd find coal-hugging quite a lively little job, + Then they put me "on the timber" and they called me "Junior Swab." + But when my work was over, after "tapping up" a bit, + I'd take my own "square missus" out--you bet we made a hit. + And when I had to go on guard she'd come there every day + To see me marching down the street and hear the "fiddlers" play. + Just to hear the "fiddlers" play. + + _So a soldier's life is the life for me, + And the foe shall ne'er alarm me, + As I slope my gun in Number One + What's called "Long-Swabs" in the Army._ + + But now I understand them 'cause I know my way about, + And comprehend the Sergeant's unintelligible shout; + When he says: "Shooldare Hipe!" I know that he means: "Shoulder hup" + So I'm never for "Small-dodgers" and I never got "Built-up." + I'm not a mere "Jam-soldier," I've extended sure enough, + And been made "Assistant-bully" so I help to cook the "Duff." + I keep my kit and rifle clean, so's never to be rushed, + And I've never been "done-tired" and I've never once been "pushed." + No, I've never once been "pushed." + + _Then a soldier's life is the life for me, + And the foe shall ne'er alarm me, + And soon I shall be Corporal, + What's called "Sauce-Jack" in the Army._ + + * * * * * + +GLEANINGS FROM GREAT MINDS. + +BY H. A. GWYNNE. + +"The horse is the natural enemy of Man: the horse is the only animal +that will dash himself over a precipice to avoid the shadow of his own +feed-bag."--_Kipling._ + +"All civilians must remain in their houses after eight o'clock at +night."--_Hints on Housekeeping_ (by Lord Roberts). + +"Your Mounted Infantry--it is as much as they can do to keep their +hats on."--_Albrecht_, captured Boer Artillerist. + +"I call the Cavalry the Oh, Lor! regiments. They ride up to a kopje +and stare about till they are fired at, when they say, "Oh, Lor," and +gallop off."--_Albrecht._ + +"I'd rather be a coward all my life than a corpse half a +minute."--_Solomon_ (junior). + + * * * * * + +OUR PORTRAIT GALLERY. + +No. 3. + +DR. A. CONAN DOYLE. + +[Illustration: Dr. A. Conan Doyle.] + +The accompanying wood-cut is a portrait of the well-known author, Dr. +A. Conan Doyle. The author of "Sherlock Holmes," who is so generously +giving his time and whole-hearted attention to the sick and wounded, +will, by the use of the "Holmesian method," be able to tell, without a +moment's hesitation, at what period of his eventful life the +photograph was taken, of which the accompanying block is a +representation. + + * * * * * + +ANOTHER LETTER HOME. + +BY CAPTAIN CECIL LOWTHER. + +MY DEAR FATHER,--Since I last wrote to you we have been having a quiet +time down South "pacifying the country." This consists in collecting +arms--which we keep--and inviting the burghers to take oaths--which +they don't keep--at least some of them don't. Every one seemed pleased +to see us and very ready to tell all about their neighbours' +misdoings. If one believes only half of what one was told, the smiling +little village where we were quartered must be only one station this +side of a very warm place. + +A spice of danger is added to police work if there are other +detachments in the neighbourhood. It is this wise. Two of our captains +who were out after springbok one day were suddenly glued to the +ground by the well-known whistle of bullets over their heads. Leaving +their respective hills after dark, they returned and, with quivering +lips, recounted to us the dangers through which they had passed. An +eviction party was organised and a thorough search made for hidden +rifles on the farm where the incident had occurred. + +Not unnaturally, none were found, as we heard on our return that Stoke +had been out with six Non-Commissioned Officers and had walked the +country in line shooting at everything that moved. + +You remember Stoke, don't you? He was the fellow who was not going to +bring a knife and fork out with him as everybody on service would of +course eat with his fingers. + +Do you remember that rather pretty song that MacRavish in the A.S.C. +used to sing? "Lay down thy lute, my dearest." The Provost-Marshal has +now adopted it for his own, and I have had to give up all the loot I +had collected in the last three months. It is very disappointing, but +I suppose he will give it back when his staff have taken what they +want. + +We have been having a bad time the last few days, as there are +detachments of troops constantly passing to the front, and unless one +lies quite quiet they shoot at one. Their scouts, too, bang through +the middle of the kitchens and camp "looking for the enemy," which is +rather annoying for us, but it does not do to interfere. + +All the rifles are supposed to have been given up in the +neighbourhood, so I was hurt in two senses--when I sat down on a very +hard sofa in a farm close by and found that the cushion was stuffed +with two Mausers and a lot of ammunition. The farmer professed to be +as surprised as I was, but I don't see why he should have objected to +my taking them away. He said they must have been left there +accidentally by Potgieter or Pienaar. As you cannot throw a stone +without hitting some one of those two names his statement was rather +indefinite, besides being untruthful. It is awfully good of you +sending me out all those woollen comforters and meat tabloids, but +next time you are sending I wish you could send me enough stuff to put +a new seat and knees to my breeches, as they are both deficient at +present and even on active service they scarcely come under the head +of "luxuries."--Your affectionate son, "BERTIE." + + * * * * * + +RATION SCALE. + +_Get all you can but don't take less._ + +It is all right to claim as much as you think you can get and to get +all you really can, but in case of argument it may be just as well to +have this little list stuck inside your helmet. You may know some way +of getting more than this--striking the A.S.C. when it is badly +rushed, or very sleepy--but if you reach the issue depôt when it is +too wide-awake for you, here is the list, just to make sure you'll not +take less than regulations give you. + +One man, one day:--Biscuits, 1 lb.; fresh bread, 1-1/2 lb.; preserved +meat, 1 lb.; fresh meat, 1-1/4 lb.; coffee, 2/3 oz., or tea 1/3 oz., +or 1/2 oz. of each; pepper, 1/36 oz.; salt, 1/2 oz.; sugar, 3 ozs. +(including sugar for lime-juice); compressed vegetables, 1 oz.; fresh +vegetables, 8 oz. (when available); rice, 2 oz. (in lieu of +vegetables); cheese, 2 oz. (in lieu of 4 oz. of meat); jam, 1/4 lb. +(three times a week); rum, 1/64 of gallon--when ordered; lime juice, +1/320 of a gallon, if certified to be necessary by the medical +officer; candles, 1 per officer; office authorised canteen. + +Meal or flour for natives 1 lb. a day, which may be increased to 1-1/4 +lb. when supplies are plentiful; natives receive the same ration as +soldiers with the exception of vegetables. Meal or flour is usually +substituted for bread. + +Indians enjoy a special scale of rations. + +Forage:--English horses: oats, 9 lbs.; oat-hay, 7 lbs.; bran, 3 lbs.; +chaff, 2 lbs. + +Colonial horses: Mealies, 8 lbs.; oat-hay, 4 lbs.; bran, 2 lbs.; +chaff, 2 lbs. + +Mules: Mealies, 5 lbs.; bran or chaff, 2 lbs. + +To officers.--If you countersign a claim for any more than this you +had better be sure it is in the hands of a very "trustworthy" man, who +can bluff it through, and get the A.S.C. men mixed up. If he doesn't +know his way about they'll catch him up and send him back. + + * * * * * + +HUNGRY BLOEMFONTEIN. + +BY J. W. JENKINS. + + [_A young Philadelphian who very cleverly united in his own + work and person the entire reportorial staff of the paper._] + +This town is hungry. The shops are practically bare. Nothing worth +speaking of comes to market. The matter has passed from the stage at +which it might be regarded as a joke. Bloemfontein really hungers for +necessary articles of diet, and it has one week in which to raise an +extra appetite before the first train of foodstuffs comes to its +stores. The hopes of two trucks a day for Bloemfontein merchants, held +out two weeks ago by the Imperial Military Railway Officials, have +proved vain. The two trucks never came. The line has been taken up +wholly by the transportation of troops and army supplies. Next +Thursday, however, unless the present plan is changed, a train of 20 +trucks will leave Port Elizabeth with goods for merchants here. There +will be one train a week thereafter. All day on Wednesday and Thursday +the business men flocked to the Director of Supplies, who will assign +to each his proportion of tonnage. + +For a week the best families of Bloemfontein have been without butter +or sugar. The hospitals have commandeered nearly all the fresh milk. +There is not a can of condensed milk to be bought in town, nor a can +of jam, nor of cocoa, nor a pound of coffee. The last candles sold in +town were sent in from a country store. They disappeared in a day. The +town depends for its potatoes on the few which come into town every +morning. + +The daily supply of fresh vegetables is so small as to be hardly worth +mentioning. + +Toilet soaps and English laundry soap disappeared long ago. You cannot +buy a razor or a shaving-brush or a tooth-brush. + +More than one druggist lacks material for putting up prescriptions: +glycerine, cascara, bromide of potassium, boracic acid, carbolic +disinfectants, ginger, zinc oxide, blue ointment, acetate of lead, and +iodoform. Absence of some of these from the prescription shelves might +result seriously. + +Eno's Salts and chlorodyne cannot be bought in town. Beecham's Pills +were "all out" four months ago. + +The flour mills have been closed for several days for want of water. +They will resume, feeding their boilers with well water, but the end +of the wheat supply is in sight. There is still mealie meal, but +bakers declare that it won't make bread. + +Cigars that are worth smoking and whisky worth drinking haven't been +seen for a week. Hospitals take all the soda-water that the factory +can make. + +Shoemakers have not even veldschoens in ordinary sizes. They have had +no leather for two weeks, so shoe repairing is out of the question. + +Winter is coming on, the mornings are already growing chilly, but +clothiers have no hose and no heavy underwear of white man's quality. +All hats suitable for army wear were sold long ago. + +Merchants declare that if they had not been promised two trucks a day +by rail they would have brought supplies from Kimberley by ox-waggon. +It would have taken six days, but would have been worth while. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +OUR "FRIEND" NO LONGER + + _We retire from the paper, leaving it in able and patriotic + hands._ + + +The unique and delightful episode had ended. On April 16th, just one +month after we established this new departure in war, we turned THE +FRIEND over to the proprietor of the _Johannesburg Star_, upon an +arrangement quickly and generously made by Lord Stanley. Within a week +I was ordered home by the surgeons who saw the state my battered body +was in. Mr. Landon preceded me by a few days, invalided also. Mr. +Buxton remained upon the paper under its new proprietors, who were old +workmates with him, and Mr. Gwynne remained, and yet remains as a war +correspondent (January, 1901), sturdily doing his always excellent +work in the field. In that work I think he has few superiors among +living English-speaking correspondents, and I know that many military +and journalistic experts agree with me. The pity is that the nature of +his work for Reuter's has kept his genius as a writer practically +hidden from the public. + +Mr. Shelley took up the photographer's side of the entertaining duel +between the men of his calling and the actual and proper artists; Mr. +Melton Prior indignantly lamented an indignity or an attempted theft +of which he had been the victim. We reported a great football match +between the officers of the Gordons and those of the First Contingent +of the Royal Canadian Regiment; and, finally, we perpetrated the +fourth hoax, in what we called "Our Portrait Gallery." The "portrait" +was in each case from the same advertisement block which Mr. Gwynne +and I had found on the floor of the _Express_ composing-room, which he +had thought nearly enough like Mr. Burdett-Coutts to bear production +as a likeness, and which we presently resolved to publish every day as +a picture of a different man each time. + +The notice of a concert in aid of the Widows' and Orphans' Fund refers +to a notable enterprise engineered by the universally distinguished +Mr. Bennet Burleigh of the _Daily Telegraph_, aided by Mr. Maxwell, +the very talented correspondent of the _Standard_, and others. They +carried it out with such skill that the entertainment proved the +greatest social event, if we may so term it, of the army's sojourn in +the capital. Every one of note who was able to be there attended it, +and the receipts at the doors and in the competition over the works of +Messrs. Prior and Wollen, were very considerable. + + * * * * * + + PRICE: PRICE: + ONE PENNY. THE FRIEND. ONE PENNY. + +(_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) + + BLOEMFONTEIN, EASTER MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1900. + +"OUR FRIEND" NO LONGER + +BY JULIAN RALPH + +At some time all friends must part, and the time and parting have come +to THE FRIEND, its friends of the public and those war correspondents +who have been conducting this journal just one month to-day. + +To-morrow this paper will be turned over from the charge of those who +were only writers to the hands of men who are practised and able in +the management of all departments of a daily journal. + +In bidding farewell to our trust, we can boast of nothing unless it be +that we have entertained the troops and the town, and made no enemies +of whom we know. The rest of what we have done has only been +trying--though we have tried hard. + +We have said before in this column that it has been an unique +experiment--to make one loyal newspaper out of two that were none too +English, to make it with talent unused to the work, to make it, often, +without news and to conduct it so as to produce something palatable to +both the conquerors and the conquered. + +We take this occasion to thank the Field Marshal, Lord Roberts, for +the trust he reposed in us, and to express the hope that we did not +disappoint him. + +We also wish to thank those who have assisted us, both among our +fellow correspondents and the talented men of the army. Poets we find +the latter to be, for the most part. We hope all these will continue +to give the helpful right hand to the enterprise under its new +managers. + +And so we say "adieu" to THE FRIEND, and good luck to its new +conductors. + + * * * * * + +OUR PORTRAIT GALLERY + +No. 4. + +LIEUT.-GENERAL POLE-CAREW, C.B. + +[Illustration: General Pole-Carew.] + +We feel that we owe an apology to our readers for presenting the +portrait of one of our first fighting generals in civilian costume, +but our artist left his colours at home and refused to paint at all +unless with plain black. The artist in question is Captain Cecil +Lowther, of the Scots Guards, and this is his first effort in art. For +General Pole-Carew, the subject of this masterpiece, what is there to +say except that his promotion has gratified the entire army and evoked +the heartiest congratulations from THE FRIEND? + + * * * * * + +THE WAR ARTIST OF TO-DAY + +BY H. C. SHELLEY. + +_Editors_, THE FRIEND,--SIRS,--Can you inform me whether there has +been a sudden exodus from Bloemfontein of war correspondents armed +with cameras? There ought to have been, and yet I have inquired in +vain whether such an event has taken place. For, look you, the +judgment has gone forth from the pen of Mr. Wollen that the "war +artist"--meaning the man with a pencil as opposed to the men with a +camera--"will come out on top." Truly, this is most disheartening. No +one likes to be thrust to a bottom position, and if that is to be the +fate of the man with a camera, why should he any longer endure the +hardships of campaigning and the sorrows of separation from the +comforts and companionships of home? + +But the war correspondent with a camera has not gone home. He has no +intention of doing so. He is unrepentant enough to believe that he, +and not the man with a pencil, is going to "come out on top." + +Let us have the point at issue clearly defined. War correspondents are +with the army to report the war--some by word pictures, others by +camera or pencil pictures. Sight-seeing is a passion with humanity. +Every inhabitant of the British Isles would like to have a personal +vision of the conflict in South Africa, but--save for two or three +irresponsible persons whose presence at the front no one can +understand--those inhabitants are compelled to rely upon the eyes of +others. Now, leaving aside the correspondents who devote themselves to +word pictures solely, the question to be decided is--does the man with +the camera surpass the man with the pencil in depicting the actuality +of warfare? + +An astounding claim is made on behalf of the man with the pencil. He +can, we are told by Mr. Wollen, show the public "an accurate +bird's-eye view of what a battle is like." And he does it by "a few +lines to indicate the background and characteristics of it." The same +authority assures us that "the brain of the camera cannot take in all +that is going on. The man with the pencil does so." Such is the case +for the man with the pencil. Now for the test of cross-examination. + +Modder River and Maghersfontein may be cited as two representative +battles of the war, and so may be honestly used as touchstones to try +the claim Mr. Wollen makes on behalf of the man with a pencil. In each +case there was a battle-line of some five or six miles, in each case +the enemy was invisible, in each case it was physically impossible for +any one man to see more than a small portion of the battle. A +spectator on the right flank at Modder River could have no personal +knowledge of incidents which were happening in the centre of the +bridge, or down the river on the left flank. Even of his own +particular section on the right flank that spectator could not attain +to a perfect knowledge. But the man with a pencil is untrammelled by +such minor matters as time and space; he "takes in all that is going +on." Or, if he does not take it all in, he puts it in his sketch. The +result is no more "an accurate bird's-eye view of what a battle is +like" than a photograph of Oom Paul is like a photograph of Mr. +Chamberlain. In short, the facility with which the pencil-man can jot +down what he did not see is his ruin. + +It will be obvious that the man with the pencil, not being ubiquitous, +_cannot_ "take in" all that happens on a battlefield; he sees just as +much as, and no more than, the man with the camera; for the +rest--which forms so large a proportion of his sketch--he has to rely +upon the testimony of others. Now, when the public have in their hands +a result attained by this method, what is its value as an "accurate +bird's-eye view of what a battle is like?" Absolutely _nil_. People at +home want to see a battle as they would have seen it if they had been +present, and no sane man will contest the assertion that the best +medium for giving them that vision is the camera rather than the +pencil. Try as he may after the actual, the man with the pencil +thrusts his personality between the event he sees and the people at +home for whom he wishes to reproduce it, and consequently his sketch +becomes a miserable failure when considered as an "accurate bird's-eye +view of what a battle is like." + +On the other hand, what does the man with the camera do? He and his +lens see at least so much of a given battle as any man with a pencil, +and what they see they see with unfailing accuracy. Take that battery +in action which Mr. Wollen choses to cite as a subject wherein the +powerlessness of the camera is supposed to be illustrated. The camera +man does not fear the test. He can show the guns coming into action, +record their unlimbering, depict the preparation for firing, and time +a photograph at the actual moment of firing. It is true that his +picture will not show quite such a volume of smoke as the sketch of +the man with the pencil. But why? _Because the smoke is not there._ +The man with the pencil puts it in because other men with pencils have +been putting it in for generations. Perhaps, too, the public would not +mistake the sketch for a battle-scene if the smoke were absent. +Anyhow, what becomes of the boast of _accuracy_? Moreover, the man +with a camera will not present his public with a twelve-pounder firing +from the carriage of a howitzer. + +There is something more to be said for the man with a camera. +Now-a-days he is in the habit of screwing a telephoto lens to the +front of the camera, and with that lens he can immensely outdistance +the vision of even that all-seeing man with the pencil. Objects a +couple of miles off are brought near, and groups of men can be +photographed at such distances as prevent them assuming any posing +attitudes. In this way actuality takes on the added charm of natural +grouping, and I shall be greatly surprised if some of the telephoto +pictures of this war do not take rank as the most artistic as well as +realistic records of its incidents. + +After all, the man with a camera may safely leave his case in the +hands of others. Take a negative and a positive witness on the +question in the abstract. Mr. Julian Ralph writes that "the pictures +of our battles which are coming back to us in the London weeklies are +not at all like the real things," and then he adds: "I saw the other +day a picture in one of the leading papers by one of the best +illustrators. It showed the British storming a Boer position. In the +middle ground was a Boer battery, and the only gunner left alive was +standing up with a bandage round his head, while smoke and flame and +flying fragments of shells filled the air in his vicinity. In the rush +of the instant he must have been bandaged by the same shot that struck +him, and as for smoke and _débris_ in the air, there was more of this +in a corner of that picture than I have seen in all the four battles +we have fought." + +Now for the positive witness. He is no less a person than the art +critic of the _Pall Mall Gazette_, who can no more be charged with a +predilection for photography than Messrs. Steyn and Kruger can be +saddled with a predilection for truthfulness. This critic dwells, as +Mr. Scott did in the letter which opened this discussion, upon the old +and new methods of war illustration, and then candidly adds: "I would +like to say that the artists score off the photographer, _but they do +not_. The public wants the facts as near as may be, and are too deeply +stirred to be put off with melodrama." + +One other witness may be called to give Mr. Wollen an idea of how the +work of the man with the pencil is faring at home. Here is a recent +private letter from England, which makes merry in the following +fashion over those sketches which are so inclusive and accurate: +"There is a picture of two gunners standing to attention after having +exhausted their ammunition. The man nearest the gun is looking +straight in front of him, with a bandage round his head, a +bullet-wound in his face (close to the left ear), two in the right +side of his chest, and one in his right leg, some distance above the +knee. Within a yard of him is a bursting shell. But that man ignores +such trivial things. Still he stands. I suppose the weight of so much +lead in him keeps him up. One wonders whether he is hollow inside, so +that the bullets all drop down into his feet." + +No wonder, worthy editorial sirs, you have not witnessed an exodus of +men with cameras from Bloemfontein; they are staying to "come out on +top." Sincerely yours, + + H. C. SHELLEY. + + * * * * * + +CORRESPONDENCE. + +"WHO STOLE THE CART?" + +_To the Editors of_ THE FRIEND,--SIRS,--Practical jokes are out of +date, and the perpetrators have universally come to be regarded as a +mixture of fools and knaves. It is intolerable to attempt a practical +joke upon a friend, but to play one upon a stranger is downright +rascality. To accept an excuse for such a thing is to admit the pleas +of the man who took a piece of old rope that he did not mean to take +the horse that was at the other end; or that of other fellows who +sneak property, pick pockets, or forge cheques, that these acts were +all done in fun. + +I have been much interested in reading in THE FRIEND about horses, +saddles, bridles, and even riems being stolen in this campaign, but I +think I can add to the list with a more startling experience of my +own. I bought a waggon from a well-known man in this town and had it +sent to a coach repairer to be overhauled. It was a conspicuous +vehicle, as much so as a Soudan pantechnicon van, with white wall +sides, upon which were painted, in letters that could be read half a +mile away, the owner's name, business, and address. This waggon was +impudently taken in the night-time, dragged to stables some distance +away, and there left. From the police I have learned that paint had +actually been purchased, and it was evidently the intention of the +thieves to transform my waggon, by painting out the name and address, +and so daub it with khaki or some other colour that it should become +unrecognisable. By a fortuitous accident the waggon was discovered in +the nick of time. + +The law here is such that an aggrieved party must become a prosecutor, +which is an undertaking a transient visitor naturally shirks. + +I think it my duty to call attention to the circumstances and the +inadequacy of the existing means for the prevention of wrong-doing and +the punishment of the wrong-doers.--I am, sirs, yours truly, + + MELTON PRIOR, + War Artist, _Illustrated London News_. + + * * * * * + +WEDNESDAY EVENING CONCERT. + +Thanks to the kindness of the Military Governor, Major-General +Pretyman, the concert in aid of the "Widows' and Orphans' Funds," +London and Bloemfontein, will be held next Wednesday evening, instead +of during the afternoon. Major-General Pretyman has conceded that upon +the date in question, Wednesday, 18th inst., the pass regulation will +not come into force until midnight. That means that citizens may move +about after 8 p.m., or until twelve o'clock, without requiring any +special pass or being called upon to produce a permit. + +The committee of war correspondents declare that the entertainment +will require no booming. It is to be a red-letter day in the calendar +of concerts given for charitable purposes in Bloemfontein, both in +respect to talent upon the platform and to the celebrities who will +crowd the Town Hall that evening. + +Amongst those who will appear will be Miss Fraser, the Free State +nightingale, who will sing original verses written by Mr. Rudyard +Kipling for the occasion; Miss Leviseur, Miss Jessie Fraser, +Lieut.-Colonel Townshend, C.B., Surgeon-Major Beevor, Scots Guards, +Lieut. James Forrest, Captain Nugent, the celebrated vocalist; Captain +Wright, R.N. (The Skipper); the Lightning Cartoonists, _alias_ The +Gemini; Mr. Preshaw, Major Jones, R.E., besides, in the language of +the _entrepreneurs_, "a coruscation and galaxy of stars of the first +magnitude too numerous to mention in the brief space afforded." It is +hoped that the military band will be present, but, at any rate, that +the concert will be high-class without being dull is guaranteed from +the fact that Messrs. Ivan Haarburgher and King are in charge of the +musical arrangements. + +Tickets may be had and seats booked at Messrs. Borckenhagen and Co. +Prices: 5s., reserved seats; gallery, 2s. 6d.; soldiers in uniform to +gallery, 1s. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +ADIEU TO "THE FRIEND" + + _We made a money profit as well as a good newspaper--but the + entire experience thus quickly passed into history._ + + +Thus ends the history of this new departure in war and in journalism. +Of it Mr. Kipling wrote afterwards, "Never again will there be such a +paper! Never again such a staff! Never such fine larks." It has been +impossible, after all my good intentions, to tell of scores of the +peculiarities of the paper, and its editors' experiences. Sometimes +copies of THE FRIEND did not look twice alike for days at a time, as +we strove to make it more and more workmanlike, and more and more +original and attractive. + +We began, as I have said, with advertisement "ear-tabs" on either side +of the heading. Then we put the Royal coat-of-arms in their places. +Next we put the arms in the middle of the title space and published +mottoes and notices in new "ear-tabs." At first we put double leads +only between the lines of the leading article each day, but presently +we dignified the cable news and Mr. Kipling's contributions in that +way. We once put some editorial notices in rhyme, and set them up in +black job type--when we changed the price of the paper to one penny +for everybody. + +We knew that our money returns were in confusion, but because we had +taken over a business manager from one of the two commandeered +newspapers, whom we could hardly expect to be in sympathy with us, and +because we had established two prices for the paper and were being +victimised by some of our customers, we could not see how the finance +of our venture was likely to come out. + +A practised man of affairs, from the City Imperial Volunteer Mounted +Force, Mr. Siegfried Blumfeld, most kindly took the trouble to look +into our accounts, and we learned from his report that we were making +money, but not nearly enough to satisfy our pride and hopes. However, +as events proved, we gained a splendid profit, and were able to make +Tommy Atkins's newspaper pay a handsome sum toward "Tommy's" relief. +All that any of us have even thus far learned of the profits is to be +found in the following formal letter I received from Lord Stanley:-- + + ARMY HEADQUARTERS, PRETORIA, _3rd October, 1900_. + +SIR,--I have been asked by Major-General Pretyman, C.B., to forward +you a copy of a letter which he has received bearing reference to the +use made of the profits of THE FRIEND newspaper. + +General Pretyman adds that there will be a further cheque, which he +proposes to send to some other charity, but which he does not specify +to me. + + Yours sincerely, + STANLEY. + Julian Ralph, Esq., + + + (_Enclosure._) + STELLENBERG, KENILWORTH, CAPE COLONY, + 20/8/00. + +SIR,--As Honorary Treasurer of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families +Association, I enclose a formal acknowledgment of the cheques for £136 +17s. 3d. so kindly sent to our Association by the War Correspondents. +Should you have an opportunity of doing so, I should be very glad if +you would convey to Lord Stanley and the other gentlemen our great +appreciation of this kind and thoughtful gift. + + Yours very truly, + (_Signed_) W. L. Sclater. + +Had we been able to "inspan" a proof-reader with a Lee-Metford rifle +and a determination to use it to enforce his "corrections," we should +not have announced the Queen's reception in Dublin as a great tribute +by London, neither should we have made Mr. Kipling speak of a +"shixlvl" when he wrote a "shovelful." Four of us had to fill a great +chasm nine columns long and wide every day, and to do proof-reading as +well. We produced the nine columns incidentally as a thing done with +our left hands, the while that our minds and souls and master-hands +were devoted to correcting proofs. Bravely as we battled with them, +they kept coming like a swift tide, until, in a reckless way of +putting it, they were heaped on our table as high as the top button on +each of our coats. When it came to time to go to press we regularly +and daily observed that we had not only overlooked errors enough to +wreck our reputations, but that the compositors had failed to correct +many of those which we had marked. Gravely, in a body, we used to +march to the printing-office and threaten to send the guiltiest +culprits as prisoners to Simonstown, charged with being hostile to the +blessings of enlightened government. Then we would go to lunch and the +paper would come out--so full of mistakes that there was clearly +nothing to do but to allow the humour of the situation to have its +way, and to laugh until we almost cried at the extravagance of the +offences we were committing against journalism and "the art +preservative of arts." + +Despite its whimsicalities, THE FRIEND was a dignified newspaper, and +very nearly a complete one. The largest daily circulation of any +Bloemfontein newspaper had been 400 copies, but we regularly sold from +5,000 to 5,500 copies. We published Reuter's telegrams from all over +the world (semi-occasionally when military messages did not block the +wires), and the _Capetown Argus's_ tidings of what went on in South +Africa. + +As I have written elsewhere, "its unique origin and purpose, and its +eccentricities, combined to make it the basis of a collecting mania." +Copies with a mistake in a date line, corrected after one hundred +papers had been struck off, brought five shillings on the date of +issue, and ten shillings two days later, and the price had risen to a +guinea by the time the newspaper was turned over to the managers of +the _Johannesburg Star_ and _Capetown Argus_. This took place when it +was apparent to all of us that two or three of us were not in the +physical trim to serve THE FRIEND and our distant employers without +causing one or the other to suffer great neglect. + +The competition for complete sets of the newspaper ran the price up +to £10, and this strife ran neck and neck with the rivalry to obtain +sets of Free State postage stamps made British by the letters V.R.I. +on an overline of printing. One of these stamps was quoted at £10 +while the army lingered in Bloemfontein, but I have my own reason for +thinking that THE FRIEND will receive a higher valuation than any +"pink sixpenny stamp" or any set of stamps, for it fell to the lot of +that journal to emphasise the present power and usefulness of the +press as no other journal has ever done. + +A single copy of this newspaper is reported to have fetched £25 at a +London charity bazaar. + + * * * * * + +Since the return to England of three of the editors we have decided to +perpetuate the little organisation in a fraternal "Order of +Friendlies," and Rudyard Kipling has designed a badge which Messrs. +Tiffany & Co., jewellers, of Regent Street, have most ably and +artistically executed in gold and enamel. Facsimiles of it adorn the +cover of this book. It is of the size of a two-guinea coin. On its +obverse side are the colours of the old Free State and Transvaal, upon +which is imposed the red cross of Saint George. In the ends of the +cross are the initials of the four editors in Greek capitals. Lord +Roberts's badge has his initials in the centre of the cross in green +under a golden coronet, and where the ring is, on top of our badges, +his has a green enamel shamrock leaf. On the reverse side are four +pens crossed and surrounded by a motto, "Inter Prælia Prelum," "In the +Midst of War the Printing Press," here couched in monkish Latin. Lord +Roberts's badge has a drawn sword of gold on top of the crossed pens. +Only seven men in all the world belong to this order: Lord Roberts, +Lord Stanley, Messrs. Gwynne, Kipling, Landon, Buxton, and myself. All +others are eligible, however, who have dedicated themselves to +"telling the truth at all costs and all hazards," so that the mind +fails to grasp the future possibilities of its membership. + + +THE END. + + + + +INDEX + + + Barnes, James-- + Anecdotes by, 223 + Edits the thirteenth No. of THE FRIEND, 221 + + Battersby, Prevost, Contributor to THE FRIEND, 132 + + Bloemfontein-- + Concert in, 227 + Cronje warned that we should march to, 2 + Evening Concert in Aid of the Widow' and Orphans' Fund, 408 + Fooled by the Boers in, 283 + "Free State Hospital" and Staff, 207 + Settles down under Lord Roberts' Rule, 115 + State of the Army on arrival at, 1 + The Boer women in, 350 + The Club at, 48 + War Trophy Mania in, 318 + Women of, The, 353 + + Burleigh, Bennet, Experience of, 35 + + Buxton, F. W., Facts about, 10 + + + Canadians on Majuba Day, Description of, 22 + + Christian, Pt. Ewan, Story of a Colonial Hero, 39 + + Colvile, Gen. Sir Henry, Contributor to THE FRIEND, 131 + + Conan Doyle, Dr. A.-- + Arrival of in Bloemfontein, 305 + Contributor to THE FRIEND, 312 + + + Enteric and its Ravages in Bloemfontein, 275 + + Eyre, Fred, Contributor to THE FRIEND, 292 + + + Faulkner, Chaplain T. E., Contributor to THE FRIEND, 295 + + + Gatacre and Clements join hands, Account of how, 76 + + Guards, The, Splendid characteristics of, 249 + + Guthrie, M.P., Mr. Murray, And the soldiers' comforts, 346 + + Gwynne, Mr. H. A., Facts about, 9 + + + Hospitals and supplies from civilians, 260 + + + I (Julian Ralph)-- + Get ill and dispirited, 362 + Replenish the Mess, 184 + Visit Miss Bloemfontein, 160 + + + James, Mr. Lionel, Contributor to THE FRIEND, 132, 301 + + Jenkins, J. W., Reporter to THE FRIEND, 395 + + + Kellner, Dr., Tribute to, 362 + + Kipling, Rudyard-- + And myself lunch with Lord Roberts, 113 + And the Tommies in hospital, 259 + And Tommy's poetry, 83 + As Associate Editor, 99 + At work for THE FRIEND, 133 + Birthday Greeting by, 226 + Departure of from Bloemfontein, 258 + Editorial on, 86 + Enthusiasm of, 132 + "Fables for the Staff" by, 134, 167, 211, 225, 242, 250 + "General Joubert" by, 241 + I toast, 205 + "Kopje-Book Maxims" by, 168, 251 + Pen portrait of, 113 + "St. Patrick's Day" by, 31, 116 + Sends his first contribution to THE FRIEND, 28 + "Song of the White Men, A," by, 262 + + + Landon, Perceval, Facts about, 9 + + Langman Hospital, The, Facts about, 306 + + Love Letter, to Miss Bloemfontein, 32 + + Lowther, Capt. Cecil, Contributor to THE FRIEND, 392 + + + Menpes, Mortimer, Contributor to THE FRIEND, 381 + + Milner, Sir Alfred, Speech by, at our Dinner, 204 + + + Newman, R.N., Lieut. E. J. K., Contributor to THE FRIEND, 141 + + Nicholson, K.C.B., Sir William, Contributor to THE FRIEND, 131 + + + Order of the Friendlies, The, Seven members of, 414 + + + Paterson, A. B., Contributor to THE FRIEND, 92, 309, 376 + + Poems-- + "Advice to an Officer on going to the War," 180 + "Ballade of Ten-a-Penny, A," 324 + "Barrack-Room Ballads," 342 + "Birthday Greeting, A," 226 + "Commandeering," 134 + "Driving the Ox," 210 + "Empire's Defenders, The," 244 + "Fed up," 92 + "For Freedom's Cause," 267 + "General Joubert," 241 + "Grumbles from the Ranks," 246 + "Moderate Drinker's Lament, The," 315 + "My Comrades' Conversation," 389 + "Old Friends," 347 + "'Orse or Fut?" 328 + "Poor Old Cronje," 271 + "Prices in Bloemfontein," 252 + "Quartermaster's Yarn, The," 141 + "St. Patrick's Day," 31, 116 + "Silent Army, The," 245 + "Smart," 368 + "Socialism in Verse," 366 + "Soldiers of the Queen," 292 + "Song of the White Men, A," 262 + "Sons of Britain," 254 + "That V.C.," 309 + "The N.C.O.," 233 + "The Weary Trek," 110 + "To the Soldiers' Poet," 59 + "United we Stand," 215 + "Voices from over the Sea," 299 + + Pole-Carew, General-- + Headquarters of, 248 + In War, 248 + + Press Censors, Examples of, 4 + + Prince Francis of Teck, H.H.-- + And the Artist, 101 + Duties of, The, 100 + Our guest at dinner, 319 + + + Ralph, Lester, Ill with enteric, 207 + + Roberts, V.C., Field-Marshal Lord-- + And THE FRIEND, 84 + Communication to Kruger from, 387 + Dines with the Staff of THE FRIEND, 202 + I am introduced to, 114 + Speech of, at our Dinner, 205 + Telegram of sympathy on General Joubert's Death from, 240 + + + Scott, H. Owen, Contributor to THE FRIEND, 357 + + Shelley, H. C., Contributor to THE FRIEND, 401 + + Simes, Tr. George, Contributor to THE FRIEND, 215, 267, 299 + + Smith-Dorrien, Maj.-Gen., Letter from, 37 + + Stanley, Lord-- + Contributor to THE FRIEND, 269 + Daily visits of, to THE FRIEND Office, 164 + Office of, at Bloemfontein, 5 + Tribute to, as Press Censor, 3 + + + THE FRIEND, and its Contents-- + "Absent-bodied Burgher, The," 376 + Advertisement in, 14 + "Advice to an Officer on going to the War," 180 + All Ranks contribute to, 131 + "Anecdotes," 8, 66, 380 + "Another Letter Home," 392 + "Army Orders," 15, 49, 50, 108, 295 + "As to the Future," 222 + "Australian Correspondent, The," 67 + "Ballade of Ten-a-Penny, The" (Poem), 324 + "Barrack-room Ballads" (Poem), 342 + "Birthday Greeting, A" (Poem), 226 + "Boer Plans and Views," 333 + "Brave Canadian, A," 242 + "Brave young Highlanders," 349 + "British Leniency," 290 + "Canadians on Majuba Day," 22 + "Caught by the Boers," 278 + Christening Competition in, 274 + Circulation of, 413 + "Colonel de Villebois-Mareuil," 322 + "Colonial Hero, A," 39 + "Commandeering" (Poem), 134 + Concerning Acrostics, 188 + "Confession of a Horse-stealer," 46, 53 + "Corne Drift," 339 + Correspondence, 37, 90, 111, 188, 406 + "Death of General Joubert," 241 + "Don't" (Advice to Looters), 197 + "Dots or no Dots" (Stamps), 381 + "Driving the Ox" (Poem), 210 + Editorial Announcements in, 17 + "Empire's Defenders, The" (Poem), 244 + "Enteric Fever," 281 + "Fables for the Staff," 134, 167, 211, 225, 242, 250 + "Facts and Otherwise," 22, 120 + "Fed up" (Poem), 92 + "First Impression, A," 312 + First Issue of, 14 + "For Freedom's Cause" (Poem), 267 + From Enslin to Bobsfontein, 153 + Gatacre and Clements join Hands, 76 + "General Joubert" (Poem), 241 + "Gleanings from Great Minds," 391 + "Grumbles from the Ranks" (Poem), 246 + "G. W. Steevens," 155 + "How the Calf was Avenged," 325 + "Humorous Side of the Campaign Recorded," 20 + "Hungry Bloemfontein," 395 + "Is the Art of War Revolutionised?"-- + Artillery, 172 + Cavalry, 234 + Infantry, 148 + Its Infancy, 12 + "Jokes to Burn," 294 + "Karree Siding," 195 + "Kopje-Book Maxims," 168, 251 + "Lesson Learned, A," 269 + "Love Letter to Miss Bloemfontein," 29, 32 + "Military Law," 118 + "Military Letter Writer, The," 212 + "Miss Bloemfontein's Answer," 70 + "Miss Uitlander replies to Miss Bloemfontein," 169 + "Moderate Drinker's Lament, The" (Poem), 315 + Money Profit on, handed over, 412 + "My Comrades' Conversation" (Poem), 389 + Names sent in for the New Colony, 330 + "New Machine Gun, The," 179 + Offices of, 12 + Official Dinner at Government House, 129 + "Old Friends" (Poem), 347 + "Orange Peel," 255 + "'Orse or Fut?" (Poem) 328 + "Our Friend" no longer, 399 + "Our Portrait Gallery," 370, 375, 392, 401 + "Our Reply to Miss Bloemfontein," 74 + Parodies, 65 + Peculiarities of, 410 + "Pont filled with Bullion," 218 + "Poor Old Cronje" (Poem), 271 + Price of, The, 85 + "Prices in Bloemfontein" (Poem), 252 + Printing Machines used for, 44 + "Proclamations" in, 25, 45, 62, 107, 208, 272, 276, 291, 374 + Queen's English and Dutch Compositors, 83 + "Ration Scale," 394 + "Realistic Comedy, A," 227 + "Recent Engagements," 301 + "Recent Experience of Mr. Bennet Burleigh," 35 + Rights of Purchased for £200, 8 + "Rudyard Kipling" (Welcome and Farewell to), 86, 263 + "St. Patrick's Day" (Poem), 31, 116 + Second Issue of, 28 + "Second Relief of Kimberley," 142 + "Serious Matter, A," 60 + "Should Beards be worn in War?" 157 + "Silent Army, The," 104, 245 + "Sir Alfred Milner," 209 + "Sir William Lockhart," 136 + "Smart" (Poem), 368 + "Socialism in Verse" (Poem), 366 + "Society's Doings," 364 + "Soldiers' Battles and Generals' Campaigns," 125 + "Soldiers of the Queen" (Poem), 292 + "Song of the White Men, A" (Poem), 262 + "Sons of Britain" (Poem), 254 + Strange Editorial Adventure, 42 + "Sulk or Duty," 18 + "Ten-a-Penny's," 216 + "That V.C." (Poem), 309 + "The Bravest Deed," 256 + "The Down-trodden (?) Negro," 63 + "The Great Ride," 94 + "The late Colonel the Hon. G. Gough," 265 + "The N.C.O." (Poem), 233 + "The Quartermaster's Yarn," (Poem), 141 + "The Russians Capture London!" 277 + "The Soberest Army in the World," 88 + "The Steynless City" (Loot News), 31 + "The Weary Trek" (Poem), 110 + "They Want More of Tommy," 343 + "To the People of the Free State," 311 + "To the Soldiers' Poet" (Poem), 59 + "Tommy in a Lady's Eyes," 182 + "Towards War," 189 + "United we Stand" (Poem), 215 + "Voices from over the Sea" (Poem), 299 + We begin to feel at Home, 41 + We Retire from, 398 + Working Staff of, 12 + "War Artist of To-day, The," 357, 379, 401 + + Thyme, Mark, Contributor to THE FRIEND, 315, 328, 342, 366, 368 + + "Tommy"-- + As a Poet, 82 + In Bloemfontein, 184 + + Tucker, Charles, Contributor to THE FRIEND, 59, 244 + + + Villebois-Mareuil, Colonel de, Facts about his Death, 321 + + + War Correspondents-- + Battersby, Prevost, 132 + Burleigh, Bennet, 35 + Buxton, F. W., 6, 10 + James, Lionel, 132, 301 + Gwynne, H. A., 6, 9 + Landon, Perceval, 6, 9 + We Four-- + Asked to undertake the bringing out of a Paper, 6 + Grand Dinner-party given by, 202 + Leave THE FRIEND to see a Fight, 221 + Sent for by Lord Stanley, 3 + + Wilkinson, F., Contributor to THE FRIEND, 67 + + Wollen, R.I., Mr. W. B., Contributor to THE FRIEND, 379 + + + + + _The Gresham Press_, + UNWIN BROTHERS, + WOKING AND LONDON. + + + + +_Messrs. C. Arthur Pearson's List of Announcements_ + +SPRING 1901 + + +=THE SIEGE OF KUMASSI= + +By LADY HODGSON, wife of Sir FREDERICK M. HODGSON, Governor of the +Gold Coast. Demy 8vo. Profusely Illustrated. Price 21s. + + Lady HODGSON has in a high degree the gift of vivid and + realistic description. The reader shares with her the + privations of the siege, the tense excitement of her + marvellous escape, and the peril of the bush. The account is + written with an unusual power of description and facility of + style. + + +=ABYSSINIA= + +Through the Lion Land to the Court of the Lion of Judah. + +By HERBERT VIVIAN, Author of "Tunisia," "Servia." Demy 8vo. With 2 +Maps and 80 Illustrations. Price 15s. + + The Land of the Lion offers much that is of great interest + to the student of ethnology and geography. Mr. VIVIAN has + made a valuable addition to the library of travel. His + observations show a keen appreciation of surroundings, + whether social, religious, or political. His style is + bright, and holds the reader's interest to the last page. + + +=CYPRUS TO ZANZIBAR BY THE EGYPTIAN DELTA.= + +The Adventures of a Journalist in the Isle of Love, the Home of +Miracles, and the Land of Cloves. + +By EDWARD VIZETELLY. With many Illustrations. Demy 8vo. Price 15s. + + Few have had better opportunities of studying the + vicissitudes through which the little island of Cyprus has + passed than Mr. VIZETELLY. From Cyprus he leads the reader + through the stirring times of the occupation of Egypt, and + thence to Zanzibar. He has clothed the dry bones of + political history with the living flesh of graphic + description and humorous incident. + + +=AT PRETORIA= + +The Capture of the Boer Capitals, and the Hoisting of the Flag at +Pretoria. A Companion Volume to "Towards Pretoria." + +By JULIAN RALPH, Author of "Towards Pretoria." Extra crown 8vo. Price +6s. + + +=A SACK OF SHAKINGS=: Essays from _The Spectator_, &c. + +By FRANK T. BULLEN, Author of "The Cruise of the 'Cachalot,'" &c. &c. +Extra crown 8vo. Price 6s. + + Mr. FRANK BULLEN has taken advantage to the full of the + opportunities which are granted only to those who go down to + the deep waters, and has embodied his experiences in a + collection of delightful essays. These show the writer to be + possessed of deep sympathies, quick perception, and vivid + power of narration. The style shows distinction of thought + and expression, and the book may be summed up as + "fascinating." + + +=THE SPANISH PEOPLE= + +By MARTIN A. S. HUME, Author of "The Courtships of Queen Elizabeth," +&c. Vol. I. THE GREAT PEOPLES SERIES. Edited by F. YORK POWELL, M.A., +Regius Professor of Modern History in the University of Oxford. Crown +8vo. Price 6s. + + +=THE GAME OF BILLIARDS AND HOW TO PLAY IT= + +By JOHN ROBERTS. With about 400 Diagrams, including complete sets of +some famous breaks. Demy 8vo. Price 6s. + + The latest book on the game, and one for novice and skilled + player alike. Almost every imaginable stroke on the table is + explained in the clearest possible manner, and the + explanation is assisted by well-drawn diagrams. + + +=WAR'S BRIGHTER SIDE= + +By JULIAN RALPH. Crown 8vo, cloth. Price 6s. + + This consists of the History and Contents of the Unique + Newspaper published at Bloemfontein at the special request + of Lord ROBERTS, and during his occupation. + + It contains many contributions by RUDYARD KIPLING, Dr. CONAN + DOYLE, Lord STANLEY, and many Officers and other eminent + men, and was edited by RUDYARD KIPLING, JULIAN RALPH + (Special War Correspondent to the _Daily Mail_), Mr. LANDON + (Special War Correspondent to _The Times_), Mr. GWYNNE + (Reuter's Special War Correspondent). + + Most of RUDYARD KIPLING'S contributions to this paper are + now published in this country for the first time, and the + contents of the book make one of the most interesting and + entertaining books of the war. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of War's Brighter Side, by Julian Ralph + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WAR'S BRIGHTER SIDE *** + +***** This file should be named 39881-8.txt or 39881-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/8/8/39881/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Christine P. 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