The reader may remember that we started post haste from Cape1 Town, and, having the good fortune to pass along the southern frontier from De Aar to Stormberg by the last train before the interruption of traffic, had every hope of reaching Ladysmith while its investment was incomplete. I had looked forward to writing an account of our voyage from East London to Durban while on board the vessel2; but the weather was so tempestuous3, and the little steamer of scarcely 100 tons burthen so buffeted4 by the waves, that I lay prostrate5 in all the anguish6 of sea-sickness, and had no thought for anything else. Moreover, we were delayed some twenty hours by contrary winds; nor was it until we had passed St. John's that the gale7, as if repenting8, veered9 suddenly to the south-west and added as much to our speed as it had formerly10 delayed us. With the change of the wind the violence of the waves to some degree abated11, and, though unable to then record them on paper, I had an opportunity of gaining some impressions of the general aspect of the coasts of Pondoland and Natal12. These beautiful countries stretch down to the ocean in smooth slopes of the richest verdure, broken only at intervals13 by lofty bluffs14 crowned with forests. The many rivulets15 to which the pasture owes its life and the land its richness glide16 to the shore through deep-set creeks17 and chines, or plunge18 over the cliffs in cascades19 which the strong winds scatter20 into clouds of spray.
These are regions of possibility, and as we drove along before our now friendly wind I could not but speculate on the future. Here are wide tracts21 of fertile soil watered by abundant rains. The temperate22 sun warms the life within the soil. The cooling breeze refreshes the inhabitant. The delicious climate stimulates23 the vigour24 of the European. The highway of the sea awaits the produce of his labour. All Nature smiles, and here at last is a land where white men may rule and prosper25. As yet only the indolent Kaffir enjoys its bounty26, and, according to the antiquated27 philosophy of Liberalism, it is to such that it should for ever belong. But while Englishmen choke and fester in crowded cities, while thousands of babies are born every month who are never to have a fair chance in life, there will be those who will dream another dream of a brave system of State-aided—almost State-compelled—emigration, a scheme of old age pensions that shall anticipate old age, and by preventing paupers28 terminate itself; a system that shall remove the excess of the old land to provide the deficiency of the new, and shall offer even to the most unfortunate citizen of the Empire fresh air and open opportunity. And as I pondered on all these things, the face of the country seemed changed. Thriving ports and townships rose up along the shore, and, upon the hillsides, inland towers, spires29, and tall chimneys attested30 the wealth and industry of men. Here in front of us was New Brighton; the long shelving ledge31 of rock was a seawall already made, rows of stately buildings covered the grassy32 slopes; the shipping33 of many nations lay in the roadstead; above the whole scene waved The Flag, and in the foreground on the sandy beach the great-grandchildren of the crossing-sweeper and the sandwich-man sported by the waves that beat by the Southern Pole, or sang aloud for joy in the beauty of their home and the pride of their race. And then with a lurch—for the motion was still considerable—I came back from the land of dreams to reality and the hideous34 fact that Natal is invaded and assailed35 by the Boer.
The little steamer reached Durban safely at midnight on November 4, and we passed an impatient six hours in a sleeping town waiting for daylight and news. Both came in their turn. The sun rose, and we learned that Ladysmith was cut off. Still, 'As far as you can as quickly as you can' must be the motto of the war correspondent, and seven o'clock found us speeding inland in the extra coach of a special train carrying the mails. The hours I passed in Durban were not without occupation. The hospital ship 'Sumatra' lay close to our moorings, and as soon as it was light I visited her to look for friends, and found, alas36! several in a sorry plight37. All seemed to be as well as the tenderest care and the most lavish38 expenditure39 of money could make them. All told much the same tale—the pluck and spirit of the troops, the stubborn unpretentious valour of the Boer, the searching musketry. Everyone predicted a prolonged struggle.
'All these colonials tell you,' said an officer severely40 wounded at Elandslaagte, 'that the Boers only want one good thrashing to satisfy them. Don't you believe it. They mean going through with this to the end. What about our Government?'
And the answer that all were united at home, and that Boer constancy would be met with equal perseverance41 and greater resources, lighted the pain-drawn features with a hopeful smile.
'Well, I never felt quite safe with those politicians. I can't get about for two months' (he was shot through the thigh), 'but I hope to be in at the death. It's our blood against theirs.'
Pietermaritzburg is sixty miles from Durban, but as the railway zigzags42 up and down hill and contorts itself into curves that would horrify43 the domestic engineer, the journey occupies four hours. The town looks more like Ootacamund than any place I have seen. To those who do not know the delightful44 hill station of Southern India let me explain that Pietermaritzburg stands in a basin of smooth rolling downs, broken frequently by forests of fir and blue gum trees. It is a sleepy, dead-alive place. Even the fact that Colonel Knowle, the military engineer, was busily putting it into a state of defence, digging up its hills, piercing its walls, and encircling it with wire obstructions45 did not break its apathy46. The 'Times of Natal' struggled to rouse excitement, and placarded its office with the latest telegrams from the front, some of which had reached Pietermaritzburg via London. But the composure of the civil population is a useful factor in war, and I wish it were within the power of my poor pen to bring home to the people of England how excellently the colonists47 of Natal have deserved of the State.
There are several points to be remembered in this connection. First, the colonists have had many dealings with the Boers. They knew their strength, they feared their animosity. But they have never for one moment lost sight of their obligations as a British colony. Their loyalty48 has been splendid. From the very beginning they warned the Imperial Government that their territories would be invaded. Throughout the course of the long negotiations49 they knew that if war should come, on them would fall the first fury of the storm. Nevertheless, they courageously50 supported and acclaimed51 the action of the Ministry52. Now at last there is war. It means a good deal to all of us, but more than to any it comes home to the Natalian. He is invaded; his cattle have been seized by the Boer; his towns are shelled or captured; the most powerful force on which he relies for protection is isolated53 in Ladysmith; his capital is being loopholed and entrenched54; Newcastle has been abandoned, Colenso has fallen, Estcourt is threatened; the possibility that the whole province will be overrun stares him in the face. From the beginning he asked for protection. From the beginning he was promised complete protection; but scarcely a word of complaint is heard. The townsfolk are calm and orderly, the Press dignified55 and sober. The men capable of bearing arms have responded nobly. Boys of sixteen march with men of fifty to war—to no light easy war. All the volunteers are in the field bearing their full share of the fighting like men. Nor are the Outlanders backward in their own quarrel. The Imperial Light Infantry56 is eagerly filled. The Imperial Light Horse can find no more vacancies57, not even for those who will serve without pay.
I talked with a wounded Gordon Highlander—one of those who dashed across the famous causeway of Dargai and breasted the still more glorious slope of Elandslaagte.
'We had the Imperial Horse with us,' he said. 'They're the best I've ever seen.'
The casualty lists tell the same tale. To storm the hill the regiment58 dismounted less than two hundred men. They reached the top unchecked, their Colonel, their Adjutant, Lieutenant59 Barnes, seven other officers, and upwards60 of sixty men killed or wounded—nearly 30 per cent. Many of this corps61 came from Johannesburg. After this who will dare call Outlanders cowards? Not that it will ever matter again.
Viewed in quieter days, the patient, trustful attitude of this colony of Natal will impress the historian. The devotion of its people to their Sovereign and to their motherland should endear them to all good Englishmen, and win them general respect and sympathy; and full indemnity62 to all individual colonists who have suffered loss must stand as an Imperial debt of honour.
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1 cape | |
n.海角,岬;披肩,短披风 | |
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2 vessel | |
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管 | |
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3 tempestuous | |
adj.狂暴的 | |
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4 buffeted | |
反复敲打( buffet的过去式和过去分词 ); 连续猛击; 打来打去; 推来搡去 | |
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5 prostrate | |
v.拜倒,平卧,衰竭;adj.拜倒的,平卧的,衰竭的 | |
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6 anguish | |
n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦,烦恼 | |
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7 gale | |
n.大风,强风,一阵闹声(尤指笑声等) | |
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8 repenting | |
对(自己的所为)感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的现在分词 ) | |
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9 veered | |
v.(尤指交通工具)改变方向或路线( veer的过去式和过去分词 );(指谈话内容、人的行为或观点)突然改变;(指风) (在北半球按顺时针方向、在南半球按逆时针方向)逐渐转向;风向顺时针转 | |
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10 formerly | |
adv.从前,以前 | |
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11 abated | |
减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 ); 减去; 降价; 撤消(诉讼) | |
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12 natal | |
adj.出生的,先天的 | |
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13 intervals | |
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
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14 bluffs | |
恐吓( bluff的名词复数 ); 悬崖; 峭壁 | |
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15 rivulets | |
n.小河,小溪( rivulet的名词复数 ) | |
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16 glide | |
n./v.溜,滑行;(时间)消逝 | |
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17 creeks | |
n.小湾( creek的名词复数 );小港;小河;小溪 | |
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18 plunge | |
v.跳入,(使)投入,(使)陷入;猛冲 | |
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19 cascades | |
倾泻( cascade的名词复数 ); 小瀑布(尤指一连串瀑布中的一支); 瀑布状物; 倾泻(或涌出)的东西 | |
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20 scatter | |
vt.撒,驱散,散开;散布/播;vi.分散,消散 | |
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21 tracts | |
大片土地( tract的名词复数 ); 地带; (体内的)道; (尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的)短文 | |
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22 temperate | |
adj.温和的,温带的,自我克制的,不过分的 | |
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23 stimulates | |
v.刺激( stimulate的第三人称单数 );激励;使兴奋;起兴奋作用,起刺激作用,起促进作用 | |
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24 vigour | |
(=vigor)n.智力,体力,精力 | |
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25 prosper | |
v.成功,兴隆,昌盛;使成功,使昌隆,繁荣 | |
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26 bounty | |
n.慷慨的赠予物,奖金;慷慨,大方;施与 | |
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27 antiquated | |
adj.陈旧的,过时的 | |
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28 paupers | |
n.穷人( pauper的名词复数 );贫民;贫穷 | |
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29 spires | |
n.(教堂的) 塔尖,尖顶( spire的名词复数 ) | |
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30 attested | |
adj.经检验证明无病的,经检验证明无菌的v.证明( attest的过去式和过去分词 );证实;声称…属实;使宣誓 | |
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31 ledge | |
n.壁架,架状突出物;岩架,岩礁 | |
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32 grassy | |
adj.盖满草的;长满草的 | |
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33 shipping | |
n.船运(发货,运输,乘船) | |
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34 hideous | |
adj.丑陋的,可憎的,可怕的,恐怖的 | |
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35 assailed | |
v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 );困扰;质问;毅然应对 | |
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36 alas | |
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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37 plight | |
n.困境,境况,誓约,艰难;vt.宣誓,保证,约定 | |
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38 lavish | |
adj.无节制的;浪费的;vt.慷慨地给予,挥霍 | |
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39 expenditure | |
n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出;使用,消耗 | |
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40 severely | |
adv.严格地;严厉地;非常恶劣地 | |
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41 perseverance | |
n.坚持不懈,不屈不挠 | |
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42 zigzags | |
n.锯齿形的线条、小径等( zigzag的名词复数 )v.弯弯曲曲地走路,曲折地前进( zigzag的第三人称单数 ) | |
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43 horrify | |
vt.使恐怖,使恐惧,使惊骇 | |
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44 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
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45 obstructions | |
n.障碍物( obstruction的名词复数 );阻碍物;阻碍;阻挠 | |
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46 apathy | |
n.漠不关心,无动于衷;冷淡 | |
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47 colonists | |
n.殖民地开拓者,移民,殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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48 loyalty | |
n.忠诚,忠心 | |
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49 negotiations | |
协商( negotiation的名词复数 ); 谈判; 完成(难事); 通过 | |
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50 courageously | |
ad.勇敢地,无畏地 | |
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51 acclaimed | |
adj.受人欢迎的 | |
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52 ministry | |
n.(政府的)部;牧师 | |
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53 isolated | |
adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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54 entrenched | |
adj.确立的,不容易改的(风俗习惯) | |
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55 dignified | |
a.可敬的,高贵的 | |
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56 infantry | |
n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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57 vacancies | |
n.空房间( vacancy的名词复数 );空虚;空白;空缺 | |
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58 regiment | |
n.团,多数,管理;v.组织,编成团,统制 | |
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59 lieutenant | |
n.陆军中尉,海军上尉;代理官员,副职官员 | |
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60 upwards | |
adv.向上,在更高处...以上 | |
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61 corps | |
n.(通信等兵种的)部队;(同类作的)一组 | |
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62 indemnity | |
n.赔偿,赔款,补偿金 | |
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