July 14.—­We came back to camp after the last spell to find that the gunners had shifted the lines to the bottom of the hill, on a dismal patch of burnt veldt.  We dragged and carried our harness and kit down the rocks, and settled down again, after the usual fatigues connected with change of camp.  Everybody very irritable, for this looked like a long stay, but after tea the word went round that we were off next day, to our great delight.  We are sick of this place.

July 15.—­We harnessed up at 6.30, and at 9.30 climbed to the top of the hill again, a hard pull for the horses.  Then marched off with an escort of Highlanders, and halted on what it seems is the Senekal road, near to the site of our last camp after the battle.  Here we joined our own right section and a large convoy with sick and wounded, besides the transport for our own brigade, which had mustered there too.  They say we are going with the convoy to Senekal, which is quite unexpected, and a doubtful prospect.  It seems to be taking us away from De Wet, and promises only hard marching and a dull time.  We marched about ten miles entirely over burnt veldt, a most dismal country.  There was a high cold wind, which drove black dust over us till we were all like Christy Minstrels.  Camped at five.

July 16.—­Reveille at six.  There was a deficiency in the meat ration, and at the last moment a sheep’s carcase for each sub-division was thrown down to be divided.  Ours was hacked to bits pretty soon, but raw meat on the march is a great nuisance, as there is no convenient place to pack it, and very likely much difficulty in cooking it.

1.15.—­Marched from eight till one over very hilly country, mostly burnt.  It seems there are Boers about; their laager was seen last night, and I believe our scouts are now in touch with them.  The pet of the left section, a black and white terrier named Tiny, has been having a fine hunt after a hare, to the amusement of the whole brigade.  She is a game little beast, and follows us everywhere.  Jacko, of the right section, rides on a gun-limber.  We passed a farm just now which was being looted.  Three horsemen have just passed with a chair each, also picture-frames (all for fuel, of course), and one man carrying a huge feather mattress, also fowls and flour.  Artillery don’t get much chance at this sort of game.

(2 P.M.).—­Firing began on the right, and we were trotted up a long steep hill into action, bullets dropping round, but no one hit.  In front are two remarkable kopjes, squat, steep, and flat-topped.  We are shelling one of them.[A]

[Footnote A:  We were (as we heard long after) in action against De Wet’s rear-guard.  He had escaped from the cordon just before it was drawn tight, with a small and mobile force, and was now in retreat towards Lindley.  Broadwood’s cavalry pursued him, but in vain.]

(4.30 P.M.).—­This is the warmest work we have had yet.  Our waggon is with the guns, unhooked, and we and the team are with the limbers in rear.  There is no shelter, for the ground is level.  Boer guns on a kopje have got our range, and at one time seemed much interested in our team, for four shells fell in a circle round us, from thirty to forty yards off.  It was very unpleasant to sit waiting for the bull’s-eye.