upon the resources of the garrison.  Joubert put into Ladysmith 200 derelict Indian coolies from the Natal collieries, an act which was perhaps justified by the code of war, which sanctions the employment of any means by which the difficulties of a besieged town can be increased; but a subsequent attempt made by Schalk Burger during Joubert’s advance on the raid towards the south, to saddle White with the Indian refugees from the Transvaal was successfully resisted.

On November 9, the enemy was foiled in an attack on Observation Hill and Wagon Hill which were not then held in force, and for eight weeks the siege was carried on with so little vigour, and confronted with so much skill, that the British casualties in killed and wounded during that period numbered less than 250.  When the Boers found that the walls of Ladysmith did not at once fall to the sound of the artillery, they began with equal confidence to rely upon the indirect casualties caused by sickness and privation, and awaited the result without impatience in their laagers.  During the last fortnight of November a strong column under Joubert was detached to raid into Southern Natal.  It was prudently but not enterprisingly led, did little harm, and returned with slight loss.

Meanwhile the enemy’s artillery had been considerably re-inforced, and the British gun ammunition was beginning to run short.  The capture of a large herd of cattle by the Boers, who neatly drew the animals away from the town by exploding shells behind them, entailed a reduced meat ration.  In order to co-operate with the relieving force under Clery, who at the end of November was within signalling distance, White exercised a part of the garrison as a striking column, which, when the time came, he proposed to take out under his own command, and to clear the line of approach from the South.

Three weeks after the abortive attack of November 9, Joubert returned from his expedition to Estcourt.  A council of war was held, and an assault on the Platrand[32] was determined on for the 30th.  On the previous evening the commandos detailed as covering parties on the left flank went into position on Rifleman’s Ridge, and awaited the main attack.  Meanwhile much had happened in the laagers.  The decisions of the Boer Krijgsraad seem to have been subject to confirmation by a minor convention composed of the subordinate officers.  These took counsel during the night, and resolved that “the plan was too dangerous to attempt.”  When the covering parties opened fire at dawn there was no assaulting column to cover.

The activity during December was confined to the defence.  On the night of the 7th a raid on Gun Hill, an underfeature of Lombard’s Kop, silenced—­at least in Natal—­two heavy guns which were worrying the garrison.  By the rules of the game the pieces were injured beyond repair by the gun-cotton charges which the sappers had fired in the breeches and muzzles; but the heavier gun was removed to Pretoria, where it was made serviceable.  It was eventually sent to Kimberley, and its arrival greatly alarmed the timid and irresolute diamond men, whose life was easy and almost luxurious when compared with the privations which the steadfast garrison of Ladysmith endured for four months.  On the same night Limit Hill, which the enemy seized a few days after the investment, was recovered.