Whether I am to see the white cliffs of Dover again I know not, nor will I attempt to predict. But it seems that my fortunes in this land are to be a succession of adventures and escapes, any one of which would suffice for a personal experience of the campaign. I acquit1 myself of all desire to seek for these. Indeed, I have zealously2 tried to avoid all danger except what must attend a War Correspondent's precarious3 existence. This I recognise as a necessary evil, for the lot of the writer in the field is a hard and heavy one. 'All the danger of war and one-half per cent. the glory': such is our motto, and that is the reason why we expect large salaries. But these hazards swoop4 on me out of a cloudless sky, and that I have hitherto come unscathed through them, while it fills my heart with thankfulness to God for His mercies, makes me wonder why I must be so often thrust to the brink5 and then withdrawn6.
However, I will tell the tale of the doings of the Army, and what happened to me shall fill its proper place, so that the reader may himself be the judge of the matter.
The night of the 20th passed quietly, but the Boers were awake with the sunrise and saluted7 us with discharges of the 'pom-pom,' which, as far as I could see, did no harm to anyone. We could not press the attack on the previous day because the Infantry8 were tired out and the enemy's position of sufficient natural strength to make an assault a serious business. In the night the Dutchmen had been busy, and the black lines of entrenchments marked the hill-sides. When I inquired whether there would be a battle or not that day, staff officers pointed9 over the veldt to a column of dust which was coming slowly nearer.
General Campbell, with three battalions10 (including two of her Majesty's Guards) and a battery, was marching to join the main column. It was necessary, in view of the entrenchments and the approaching reinforcements, to wait until the force was complete. The event would be decided11 on the morrow, and meanwhile Brabazon and the mounted troops--Cavalry12, I shall call them--were to make a reconnaissance of the Boer left.
The brigade, which included the Mounted Infantry, and was about a thousand strong, moved southward behind the outpost line and, making a rapid and wide circuit, soon came on the enemy's left flank. Here we waited while patrols were pushed out and while Brabazon was clearing his own right by a still wider turning movement. The patrols soon drew the fire of the Boer pickets13, and the rifle shots began to ring out in the clear cool air of the morning. Presently a party of a dozen Boers appeared in the distance, galloping15 down towards a farm whence they might fire on the gradually advancing Cavalry. The General asked the subaltern in charge of our two guns whether they were within range. The young officer was anxious to try. We watched the experiment with attention.
The practice was extremely good. The first shell burst in the middle of the Boer horsemen, who at once spread into a looser formation. The next exploded in front of them, and all the seven shells that were fired fell within measurable distance of someone.
For the first time in this war I saw the Boers show what I consider cowardice16; for without anyone being killed or wounded the whole party turned back and, abandoning their intention or duty, scurried17 away to cover behind the long swell18 of ground over which they had come. The Boer Army in Natal19 was not thus easily dissuaded20 from its objects.
Meanwhile the flanking movement was in progress, and as the ground to our right was gradually made good and secured by Colonel Sitwell, Brabazon pushed his centre forward until McNeill's scouts22 were cantering all over the slopes where the Boers had just been shelled, and hunting such of the enemy as tarried to safer and more remote positions. At last we arrived at the edge of the swell of ground. It fell steeply towards a flat basin, from the middle of which rose a most prominent and peculiar23 kopje. Invisible behind this was Dewetsdorp. Round it stood Boers, some mounted, some on foot, to the number of about two hundred.
Our rapid advance, almost into the heart of their position, had disturbed and alarmed them. They were doubtful whether this was reconnaissance or actual attack. They determined24 to make certain by making an attempt to outflank the outflanking cavalry; and no sooner had our long-range rifle fire compelled them to take cover behind the hill than a new force, as it seemed, of two hundred rode into the open and passing across our front at a distance of, perhaps, 2,000 yards, made for a white stone kopje on our right.
Angus McNeill ran up to the General. 'Sir, may we cut them off? I think we can just do it.' The scouts pricked25 up their ears. The General reflected. 'All right,' he said, 'you may try.'
'Mount, mount, mount, the scouts!' cried their impetuous officer, scrambling26 into his saddle. Then, to me, 'Come with us, we'll give you a show now--first-class.'
A few days before, in an unguarded moment, I had promised to follow the fortunes of the scouts for a day. I looked at the Boers, they were nearer to the white stone kopje than we, but, on the other hand, they had the hill to climb, and were probably worse mounted. It might be done, and if it were done--I thought of the affair of Acton Homes--how dearly they would have to pay in that open plain. So, in the interests of the 'Morning Post,' I got on my horse and we all started--forty or fifty scouts, McNeill and I, as fast as we could, by hard spurring, make the horses go.
It was from the very beginning a race, and recognised as such by both sides. As we converged27 I saw the five leading Boers, better mounted than their comrades, outpacing the others in a desperate resolve to secure the coign of vantage. I said, 'We cannot do it'; but no one would admit defeat or leave the matter undecided. The rest is exceedingly simple.
We arrived at a wire fence 100 yards--to be accurate 120 yards--from the crest28 of the kopje, dismounted, and, cutting the wire, were about to seize the precious rocks when--as I had seen them in the railway cutting at Frere, grim, hairy and terrible--the heads and shoulders of a dozen Boers appeared; and how many more must be close behind them?
There was a queer, almost inexplicable29, pause, or perhaps there was no pause at all; but I seem to remember much happening. First the Boers--one fellow with a long, drooping30, black beard, and a chocolate-coloured coat, another with a red scarf round his neck. Two scouts cutting the wire fence stupidly. One man taking aim across his horse, and McNeill's voice, quite steady: 'Too late; back to the other kopje. Gallop14!'
Then the musketry crashed out, and the 'swish' and 'whirr' of the bullets filled the air. I put my foot in the stirrup. The horse, terrified at the firing, plunged31 wildly. I tried to spring into the saddle; it turned under the animal's belly32. He broke away, and galloped33 madly off. Most of the scouts were already 200 yards off. I was alone, dismounted, within the closest range, and a mile at least from cover of any kind.
One consolation34 I had--my pistol. I could not be hunted down unarmed in the open as I had been before. But a disabling wound was the brightest prospect35. I turned, and, for the second time in this war, ran for my life on foot from the Boer marksmen, and I thought to myself, 'Here at last I take it.' Suddenly, as I ran, I saw a scout21. He came from the left, across my front; a tall man, with skull36 and crossbones badge, and on a pale horse. Death in Revelation, but life to me.
I shouted to him as he passed: 'Give me a stirrup.' To my surprise he stopped at once. 'Yes,' he said, shortly. I ran up to him, did not bungle37 in the business of mounting, and in a moment found myself behind him on the saddle.
Then we rode. I put my arms around him to catch a grip of the mane. My hand became soaked with blood. The horse was hard hit; but, gallant38 beast, he extended himself nobly. The pursuing bullets piped and whistled--for the range was growing longer--overhead.
'Don't be frightened,' said my rescuer; 'they won't hit you.' Then, as I did not reply, 'My poor horse, oh, my poor ---- horse; shot with an explosive bullet. The devils! But their hour will come. Oh, my poor horse!'
I said, 'Never mind, you've saved my life.' 'Ah,' he rejoined, 'but it's the horse I'm thinking about.' That was the whole of our conversation.
Judging from the number of bullets I heard I did not expect to be hit after the first 500 yards were covered, for a galloping horse is a difficult target, and the Boers were breathless and excited. But it was with a feeling of relief that I turned the corner of the further kopje and found I had thrown double sixes again.
The result of the race had been watched with strained attention by the rest of the troops, and from their position they knew that we were beaten before we ever reached the wire fence. They had heard the sudden fierce crackle of musketry and had seen what had passed. All the officers were agreed that the man who pulled up in such a situation to help another was worthy39 of some honourable40 distinction. Indeed, I have heard that Trooper Roberts--note the name, which seems familiar in this connection--is to have his claims considered for the Victoria Cross. As to this I will not pronounce, for I feel some diffidence in writing impartially41 of a man who certainly saved me from a great danger.
Well satisfied with my brief experience with the scouts, I returned to General Brabazon. While we had been advancing deeply into the Boer flank, they had not been idle, and now suddenly, from the side of the solitary42 kopje behind which they had collected, three guns came into action against us. For ten minutes the shell fire was really hot. As these guns were firing with black powder, the smoke springing out in a thick white cloud from the muzzle43 warned us whenever a projectile44 was on its way, and, I think, added to the strain on the nerves. You could watch the distant artillery45. There was the gun again; four or five seconds to wonder whether the shell would hit you in the face; the approaching hiss46 rushing into a rending47 shriek48; safe over; bang! right among the horses a hundred yards behind. Here comes the next--two guns fired together this time. Altogether, the Boers fired nearly thirty shells--several of which were shrapnel--on this small space of ground. But fate was in a merciful mood that day, for we had but one man killed and five or six--including the General's orderly--wounded by them.
It was, however, evident that this could not endure. Brabazon had not cared to bring his own two guns into such an advanced position, because they were not horse guns, and might not be able to get away safely if the Boers should make a strong counter attack. Indeed, so long as the loss of guns is considered a national disaster instead of only an ordinary incident of war, Cavalry officers will regard them rather as sources of anxiety than as powerful weapons.
Without guns it was useless to stay, and as, moreover, Sir Leslie Rundle's orders were that the Cavalry were not to be severely49 engaged, Brabazon decided to withdraw the reconnaissance, and did so most successfully, after an instructive little rearguard action. He had penetrated50 far into the enemy's position; had compelled him to move his guns and disturb his frontal dispositions51; had reconnoitred the ground, located the laagers, and come safely away with the loss of little more than a dozen men. Had there been on this day an Infantry support behind the Cavalry we should have hustled52 the enemy out of his whole position and slept triumphantly53 in Dewetsdorp.
Sir Leslie Rundle was much impressed by the vigour54 and success of the Cavalry, whose fortunes were watched from the plateau, and as evening came the report spread through the camp that a general engagement would be fought on the next day. He also decided to entrust55 the direction of the actual turning attack to General Brabazon, who, besides his Cavalry force, was to have twelve guns and an Infantry brigade under his command.
With every feeling of confidence in the issue the Army went to bed, impatient for the dawn. But in the dead of night a telegram arrived from Lord Roberts, instructing Rundle not to press his attack until he was in touch with Pole-Carew and other reinforcements; and it thus became evident that the operations had grown to an altogether larger scale.
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1
acquit
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| vt.宣判无罪；(oneself)使(自己)表现出 | |
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2
zealously
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| adv.热心地；热情地；积极地；狂热地 | |
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3
precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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swoop
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| n.俯冲，攫取；v.抓取，突然袭击 | |
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5
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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6
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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7
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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8
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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9
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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10
battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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11
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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12
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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13
pickets
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| 罢工纠察员( picket的名词复数 ) | |
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14
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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15
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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16
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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17
scurried
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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19
natal
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| adj.出生的，先天的 | |
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dissuaded
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| 劝（某人）勿做某事，劝阻( dissuade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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22
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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23
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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24
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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25
pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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26
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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27
converged
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| v.（线条、运动的物体等）会于一点( converge的过去式 )；（趋于）相似或相同；人或车辆汇集；聚集 | |
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28
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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29
inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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30
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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31
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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32
belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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33
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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34
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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35
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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36
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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37
bungle
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| v.搞糟；n.拙劣的工作 | |
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38
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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39
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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40
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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41
impartially
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| adv.公平地，无私地 | |
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42
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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43
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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44
projectile
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| n.投射物，发射体；adj.向前开进的；推进的；抛掷的 | |
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45
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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46
hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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47
rending
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| v.撕碎( rend的现在分词 )；分裂；（因愤怒、痛苦等而）揪扯（衣服或头发等）；（声音等）刺破 | |
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48
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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49
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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50
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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51
dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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52
hustled
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| 催促（hustle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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53
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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54
vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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55
entrust
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| v.信赖，信托，交托 | |
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