General Joubert, who had bruised himself in the saddle during the latter expedition, was now recruiting his health here in Volksrust.  I went to see him, and found him installed in a railway carriage, and looking very old and worn.  I showed him a telegram instructing me to apply to him for a special passport enabling me to return when my leave expired.

He said, “Others want leave to go home; you ask for leave to come to the front.  But your time is so short, it is hardly worth while.  Still, I am glad to see such a spirit among you young people.”

Turning to his secretary, he ordered the passport to be made out.  This was done in pencil on the back of my telegram.  The general signed, handed me the document, and shook my hand.  I thanked him, and left, highly gratified.

We entrained that afternoon, slept in the carriages at Newcastle, reached Ladysmith, or rather our station nearest Ladysmith, the following day, disentrained, rode into camp, reported ourselves for duty, and went on outpost the same night.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Our chief concern was whether we, as novices, would bear ourselves well in our first engagement.  Speaking to an old campaigner on the subject, he said—­

“Tell me candidly, how do you feel?”

“Well, rather nervous.”

“Ah!  Now, I can tell you a man who feels nervous before a fight is all right, because he has some idea of what he is going to meet.  It is the reckless recruit that often proves a coward.  He fancies it a mere bagatelle, and finds out his mistake too late.”

This rather encouraged us, for, to tell the truth, we felt anything but reckless.

One evening about twenty of us were sent off to keep watch in a Kafir kraal near the town.  In one of the huts we found a Kafir lying sick, and too weak to rise.  He told us the former outpost had always brought him something to eat, but now they had not come for some days, and he had begun to think himself doomed to die of starvation, or, worse still, of thirst.  We soon made up a collection of biscuits and cold tea, and I am happy to say that henceforth the poor creature’s wants were daily supplied.

A rather peculiar adventure befell us here a few days later.  The sun had already set when we reached the spot where we were to stand guard during the night.  We dismounted, and two men went forward on foot to reconnoitre.  After a while they returned with the startling news that the enemy was approaching in force.  They were sent forward again to make sure, and again returned, saying there could be no doubt about the matter.

“We heard the rumble of an approaching train, the march of cavalry, and saw the glint of arms between the trees!”

This was definite enough.  A man was instantly despatched to alarm the main laager, while the rest of us followed leisurely.  We were about half-way back when the messenger returned with an additional twenty-five men and an order that we were instantly to return to our post; if in possession of the enemy, to retake and hold it until relieved.