boulders of rocks. The cavalry were obliged to leave their horses behind
and proceed on foot in front of the infantry; so little was gained by
the enterprise and no "stirring up" was effected.

Up to this date there had been very little news from the outside world,
but now the Regiment was informed that General French had fought a
successful engagement at Estcourt and had got in with the cavalry. They
were also told that the garrison might expect to be relieved by the 13th
December by one division which was coming up from Durban.

About November 22nd the news was received that the armoured train at
Colenso had been attacked, derailed, and captured.

On the 23rd Kincaid-Smith received orders to proceed with one of his
guns during the following night down to the river-bed near the dummy
battery and open fire if the Boers fired at it in the morning. This they
had done the previous day, much to every one's amusement. At daybreak he
opened fire from the river-bed. After his second shot the Boers found
him and made wonderful practice, bursting shrapnel all over him. No
damage, however, was done as he was well dug into the bank. They
continued their shelling for an hour, after which they turned their big
guns on to Tunnel Hill for a short time. This hill was held by the
Liverpool Regiment, who lost two killed and twelve wounded, of whom five
died of their wounds next day.

The works on Devon Post and Cemetery Hill were strengthened during the
next few nights until the front walls were from twelve to fifteen feet
thick. Most of this work was carried on in heavy rain, which greatly
added to the general discomfort of the men.