within a yard of the guard tent underneath, which was full of men. No
damage was done, however, beyond scattering the ammunition boxes and
covering the men with mud. The screens were then taken down, and on the
disappearance of the noxious objects the firing ceased, and the Boers
appeared pacified. At 10 p.m., whilst the Regiment was at work building
on Cemetery Hill, an order came to parade at once and march to a
rendezvous down in the town in Lyle Street. It was given out "for
operations near Limit Hill." On reaching the rendezvous it was learnt
that the force consisted of two brigades of infantry, some batteries,
and all the mounted troops. After half an hour's wait, a staff officer
rode up to say that the operations were cancelled.

About this time the siege newspaper, the _Ladysmith Lyre_, came into
existence. There were only four issues, on account of want of paper.

Shelling continued daily with but little or no result. The Boers were
apparently much incensed with the Town Hall, upon which the Geneva red
cross flag was flying, and which was being used as a hospital, for they
continually fired at it till the flag was taken down early in December,
when they scarcely ever fired at it again.

[Illustration: Town Hall, Ladysmith, Clock-tower damaged by shell fire]

On December 7th General Hunter made his sortie to Gun Hill. The secret
was well kept. In the evening, at dark, the battalion was sent to
Abattis Hill with orders to entrench, the scheme ostensibly being that a
force was to go out and stir up the Boers round Pepworth Hill whilst the
Regiment threatened to attack the Boers on the other flank.

At 11 p.m. a letter was received telling the officer commanding the