[Illustration: A Peaceful Sunday]

[Illustration: Klip River and Camp of the Imperial Light Horse,
Ladysmith]

As these two companies went to their places on the 12th, the Boer
searchlight on Bulwana was flashing everywhere, and the mountain guns
throwing star shell. It looked as if both sides expected an attack. The
officer commanding the two companies had orders to operate on the flank
of any attack made on the northern defences.

On the following morning the garrison was told that General Buller was
moving round by Springfield; in the evening it was given out that he was
moving west of Chieveley and Colenso, and was twelve miles from
Ladysmith; and on the 14th the news came in that he was at Potgieter's
Drift, and that General Warren was across the Tugela River; and in
confirmation of this last information heavy gun fire was heard on the
17th in the direction of Potgieters, and the relieving army's balloon
was seen on the following day in the same direction.

As an attack was expected on the night of the 19th on Observation Hill,
three companies of the Regiment under Major Curry proceeded there in the
evening and bivouacked, the remainder of the Regiment being under orders
to hold themselves in readiness to proceed there at a moment's notice.
The night, however, passed quietly, and the companies returned to their
camp before dawn.

On January 20th better news was received from Sir Redvers Buller; his
advance had been very satisfactory. Reports stated that he had reached
Acton Holmes, and that four brigades had crossed the Tugela. His shells